TW! Topics written in the comment!

The morning came, faster than expected. Aithne felt the sunlight, broken through the bars, but still there, right on her pale skin, as if it wanted to aid her. She breathed in. Today, her fate would be decided. By people, who knew nothing of or about her. Their only sources were the newspaper, rumours. She looked to her door.

It is time..., she thought, when the guards, the nice ones again, approached her with an almost apologetic look. She made no fuss, as they chained her up, and let her out, towards the courtroom.

The guards' armors clattered along with her chains, as she slowly strode towards the gigantic throne in the courtroom, where, just as she had anticipated, the king of Glanzreich sat. His familiar features betrayed nothing, as if she was a stranger to him. At his side she was able to make out five more figures, one of them being the person she'd loved for years. Sorrow stood written in his face, and for a moment she regretted her decision. Now, however, it was too late.

I am sorry, Heine., she thought, as she came to a halt in front of them. I don't see a way out this time...

"Aithne Cordes. You are to be charged with murder and theft in high amounts.", she heard Viktor Von Glanzreich, the king and father of her loved one's students say. "How do you plead?"

The silence around her was almost suffocating, yet she didn't show any signs of weaknesses. She had realized a long time ago, that there would be no escape from this. She knew that this might be the last thing, she would be able to do for him.

"Guilty, Your Majesty.", she answered.

The princes' eyes were wide, and she saw the sad look on his face. She heard him whisper his name, silently begging her to change her mind. She saw the wish in his eyes to reach out to her.

"But father!"

"Your Highness!", she heard the heirs to the throne object, but she shook her head. Heine's face was white, a hurt expression on it. Her own pain almost made her go to her knees.

"Your Highnesses. I appreciate your wish to defend me. However, in the end, I still ended a noble's life. Not to mention the rest of my crimes, that make this whole situation more than justified.", she said quietly. Her eyes travelled to Heine, who didn't dare to say anything. She held back a rush of emotions and looked back to the uniformed princes. "I am ready to face whatever punishment will be brought upon me. I deserve it."

She looked at Viktor, who looked at her, just like the rest of the room. Something seemed to be passed between them.

I know you did and do everything for him. Thank you.

As do you. I wish you the best of luck.

The king cleared his throat.

"Aithne Cordes, do you swear to tell the truth and only the truth in this hearing?"

"I do.", she answered, nodding.

"Then I shall leave this matter to the council."

An elderly man stood up, his grey hair shining in the light provided by the massive chandeliers. The princes watched her and the man, Heine right behind him. Prince Eins, who sat next to Kai, only coming for this occasion, scoffed.

"Lord Lieve's the judge... Should've thought that...", he spat, what let Heine become more aware of him. The teacher drew his eyebrows together.

What does he mean by that...?

"Lady Cordes, I will ask you some questions. Please answer them honestly and truthfully.", the man said, observing her as she nodded.

"Yes. I will."

"Are you the one who killed Baron Jabez?"

Aithne hid the flinching well. She looked down. "Yes, I am."

Almost carefully, the man spoke out loud the next question, somehow filled with sympathy. "Was there a reason for your actions, Lady Cordes?"

Again, Aithne nodded. "Yes. I wished to protect the girl he harassed, and protect her from being taken advantage of."

Murmurs erupted, many of them not too quiet. The woman ignored it. Her eyes were fixed onto the man who questioned her, not daring to look at Heine. She felt his gaze, felt his students watching her.

"Is there any proof we can observe?"

"No, Your Graze.", she answered quietly. "I truly didn't mean to kill him. I provoked him, so he'd leave the girl alone, but he kept attacking me. I had no choice but to defend myself, and suddenly, I held a knife with his blood, still forced to keep going."

"Ha! She thinks she can get away with that sob story?"

"Embarrassing. To think, a great man like Baron Jabez was killed by such a woman..."

"She must think very highly of herself, to stand up against a nobleman. How dare she!"

Lord Lieve heard the audience's not-so-subtly whispers. Still, he focused on the woman in front of him.

"I do not wish for forgiveness, as it cannot be given in a case like this. I know that I am not innocent, as he would be with us, unharmed, if I was. A man's life cannot be replaced. All I wish is to find my peace.", she said softly. Regret was in her features.

Heine closed his eyes. His heart ached with sympathy. He prayed; Please... if there is any way...

Her judge laid his forehead into wrinkles. "Lady Cordes, you are an orphan. Am I correct to assume that your parents' house burned down in a fire?"

Surprise fell upon Aithne. "Yes, your graze. They indeed did."

Lieve hummed. "Then you are the missing duchess of Cordes?"

Another tumult grew within the audience, and Viktor's, Prince Bruno's and Prince Kai's eyes widened. Heine felt as if he fell from the sky.

"What...?"

"Y-yes.", Aithne admitted shamefully. Lieve smiled.

"Which grants you a certain protection in this case."

"It does?", Licht asked quietly.

Bruno nodded subtly. "As part of the nobility, she has the same rights as Baron Jabez and any other noblemen or -woman has or had."

The member of the council straightened.

"It is decided. You are sentenced to a lifelong imprisonment." With a tricking grin, he added. "I think, here in the palace is the best place for that, as you should be carefully watched."

Aithne froze, before she had to hold back a smile. Heine's heart jumped.

"Therefore, the council and audience are dismissed.", Lieve ended, after getting the nodded approval of his king. Relief washed over the princes, and especially Heine.

"Thank god!", Bruno exclaimed quietly, while Eins huffed.

"As expected from a soft heart like Lieve. Come, Ernst. We have business to attend to."

With that, the crown prince turned sharply, leaving his younger brothers and his father behind.

"I can't believe it!", Bruno exclaimed overwhelmed, as Aithne was taken away. "She escaped the inevitable!"

"Close one...", Viktor said to Heine, while he watched his sons' cheering. He tilted his head a little, smiling relieved. "Almost too close to my liking. I believe it was already for you though."

"Am I that transparent?", his friend asked irritated. Viktor patted his shoulder.

"To me, you are. It's obvious you like her."

Blushing a little, Heine turned his head away from the king. "Of course I do. She's one of my closest friends, after all."

Viktor laughed whole-heartedly. "Maybe just a little more than just a friend."

Groaning, he endured the teasing, silently smiling, some of the red left on his cheeks, as his students too joined. Her face came to his mind...

Maybe just a little bit...

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