Chapter 51: Acting weak
"Your majesty," The court Eunuch bowed. The King nodded his head for him to proceed.
"I am certain that we all known why we are here. The rumor that has been going around cannot be overlooked by his Majesty. I have asked around and what happened yesterday was said to have been discovered by the king.
But for the sake of fairness and justice, we have called this hearing. We all know the penalty for insulting or cursing the crown prince. Especially when one spread false rumors about a member of the royal family.
Lady Catherine, Lady Vare, and Princess Diana. You stand accused of insulting and spreading false rumors about the crown prince of Avalo, how do you plead?' The eunuch said.
The courtroom fell quiet, some of the nobles have expected that the king might just go over everything to prove the rumor as false. Who would have thought he was going to uphold his words to this extent.
The King was angry about the rumor, in as much as he favors General Thompson he knew that if peace and respect for the royal family must be upheld then this situation must be handled carefully.
"Your majesty," lady Catherine bowed to the king and Queen before facing the court. I plead not guilty. It is true that I and the other ladies went to visit princess Ellen but it was in good faith. To welcome her in our own way to the royal family.
After all, by marriage we can call each other sisters," Lady Catherine answered smoothly. She was so eager to give Ellen another slap in the face by leaving this court unstretched.
"Your Majesty, lady Vera spoke next. It is like lady Catherine has said. I plead not guilty. Our visit to the crown prince quarter was a peaceful one," she said.
"Your Majesty," princess Diana bowed to the King and Queen. "Indeed I and the other sister went to visit the princess in good faith. But things that were not meant to be said out, were spoken in anger and without thinking. I plead not guilty," Princess Diana answered smoothly.
Everyone in the courtroom nodded their head. They all caught up with her hidden meaning. What Diana meant by her words was that she was not guilty of the allegations but things that were not meant to be spoken have been said by someone else.
"Princes Ellen tell us, What happened when your new sisters visited," the Eunuch asked.
Ellen was lifted off her seat with the help of two maids. "Your Majesty, Ellen spoke and bowed with great difficulty in her movement.
"Your majesty," one of her maids immediately knee down and bowed her head to the floor. This was a sign that she wanted to speak in place of Ellen for some reason.
The Eunuch looked at the king. Who nodded his head in approval. How could he deny when the whole court could see that Ellen was talking with great difficulty.
"Speak," the Eunuch command.
"Thank you, your Majesty, the maid said raising her head from the floor.
"I was present at the of the visit, which was yesterday," Grater said.
"Indeed, lady Catherine and her sisters might have visited her highness in good faith but like princess Diana, has said. Words were spoken out of Anger. What lead to this anger, this poor maid is not aware as I stood a few feet away from them.
When anger took over the voice of the ladies and it become a bit loud so this maid was able to hear.
I heard lady Vera, said that the Crown prince was worthless." Grater Stated. There were gaps of surprise at Grater's words. Grater was not necessarily lying after all Lady Vare did say that he was only a crown prince because he was born few hours before prince Julia.
"She said that the crown prince's mother used tricks to announce the birth of her son first before prince Julia," Grater lied smoothly. She has been in the palace long enough to know which rumor will upset the king and the Queen more. So dragging the Queen into this was the best way to ensure they won.
This was not a battle of truth, the winner will always be the person who told the better story with a stronger ability.
The hall fell completely silent, no one could say anything hearing this comment. Jeffrey felt like patting himself on the back. He had chosen one of Avalo's maids to attend to Ellen that day because he wanted to work with someone he could trust blindly but this was also going to work to their advantage.
If one of the maids that followed Ellen were to say the same words. Chances are that she would be doubted but not Grater.
She was the daughter of Avalo and people will believe her more for that reason alone. After all, Ellen has only spent less than a full moon in Avalo there was no way she could have bought the maids over already.
They were right, Ellen has not bought the maid, over but Grater and all the workers in the crown prince quarters are loyal to the prince alone.
So they would support Ellen because of that. Moreover, lady Catherine has insulted the prince.
"Lady Catherine on the other hand supported lady Vera and called the Crown Prince names that this maid can not dare respeat before the court. I am afraid that I would lose my head for repeating those words." Grater pause to take a deep breath.
"Princess Ellen was disheartening by their cruel words. She had welcomed them and offered them the best tea in the crown prince quarters but they insulted and shamed her by saying those things about the prince. Her highness has been down since yesterday.'
"In truth, she was unable to get up from her bed today but to honor the king we have carried her here. This is why I asked permission to speak on her behave. I am afraid she might faint," Grater's voice shook as she spoke. Her voice was so low that a lot of people would not have heard her if the courtroom was not so quiet.
"We have heard you all, but you do not expect us to believe your words. Is there any evidence or witness?" the Eunuch spoke.
It was at this point that lady Catherine caught up with Ellen's plans. She had accused lady Vera and Princess Diana so they would not be able to stand as witnesses for her.
She turned to look at Ellen with anger in her eyes. If eyes could kill, Ellen would have been dead already. Ellen gave her an innocent look. She was not stupid enough to fall for Lady Catherine's provocation.
She had lived her whole life with Queen Regina so acting weak was an act Ellen could put on any day.
Dear readers thank you for your support. Last Saturday we did not get up to 100 power stones. So it a new week and there is a chance for mass release this Saturday.
100 power stone --- one extra chapter.
200 power stone --- two extra chapters
500 power stone-- 10 extra chapters.
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