Chapter 77: the court case

"Damien?" I whispered, unable to believe my eyes. He was standing in front of me in my office. Was I hallucinating?

"I thought you would have stopped staring at me with a gaping mouth now!" he teased and I checked my mouth, it was closed.

I squinted my eyes and he laughed.

"Damien, what are you doing here?" for a second I even forgot that he entered the office without my permission.

"Tch.. can't you even guess this much, Mary?" he asked with a tsk... And I furrowed my brows further.

He sighed and pointed at his clothes, he was wearing the black open gown over his suits, something that lawyers wore these days, I had almost copied it in my dress too. 

"Oh my, have you designed the dress of a lawyer for you," he replied with surprised eyes, looking at my dress and I smirked.

He just shook his head, "so Rose was right, you were thinking of fighting your case, by yourself." 

"Of course, I am,'' I replied, raising my chin proudly.

"But why, why did you not call me?" he asked, disappointment was clear in his voice and I bit my lip. How could he still care about me when I was the one who had broken his heart?

"You have taught me well in the past, Dami. I can do this." I assured but he just shook his head.

"It had been ages, Mary, and Isabella had hired Sir Mathew, though he is a commoner, these days he is the best lawyer around," he argued, and I nodded.

Of course, she would hire the best one. I had not hired someone because I was depending on the fact that the duke and duchess have the right to use royal lawyers, who would have thought!!

"Come, let's discuss the case fast, we didn't have much time." he pressurised and I sighed.

"Norma, close the door and make sure no one comes in."

"Yes, your highness." she nodded and walked out, and all the other servants followed.

Damien came close and hugged me, "everything will be alright." he assured me and I nodded.

We both sat at my desk.

"So, Rose told me you already had proofs," he asked and I nodded, handing him the file.

He looked at the file, reading every point with full concentration, while I just waited there, sitting patiently.

How strange it was, he was still here, helping me, what had I done in my life worth having a person like him around.

In my past life, I never was entrapped in a legal case except for my death penalty one. I wonder if I had been, would he have come to help at that time too.

"Oh my, how did you get all this?" his surprised voice broke my reverie.

I smirked, "I have my own secrets," I added and he shook his head.

"But you are wasting them," he replied and my brows furrowed.

"What do you mean?" I asked, tilting my head.

"This is gold Mary. It had a list of 13 big frauds, though the amount was not high, the culprit can be accused of treason. If you use them now, you will alert the enemy.

The nobles are not that easy to be accused, she would blame her assistant or some lower level clerk and get rid of that.

His father had a strong foundation in the empire." he kept on explaining and my anger kept rising.

"You mean, I let her go just because she is noble, I have powers too." I snarled and he shook his head.

"Of course, you have powers, much more than her or me, but that does not mean you can be a tyrant, it's a game of cards Marianne, and it's just the first step, don't show your cards until needed," he replied lightly ruffling my hairs.

I sighed, "you mean I have to bear her more for a few months." 

He laughed, "how old are you to pout like that," then his voice turned serious, "doing fraud in accounts is common Mary, most of the nobles do that to evade the new tax policy, your husband had applied. Why are you against Isabella so much?

Are.. are the rumours true?" he asked hesitating but I nodded firmly. There was no hesitation in me now.

"Are you okay?" he asked worried and I laughed.

"Of course I am, I would soon run the empire, Dami, I will be the strongest archduchess ever in history."

He bit his lip and nodded.

"Your highness. It's time to go." Lina remembered and I nodded and stood up.

"Just let me handle everything, alright?" he asked and I nodded.

As we walked to the meeting chamber, where personal cases are filed, I saw very few people.

Cassius was sitting at the judiciary seat, with the head of the law firm.

Isabella and her father were sitting in the corner, trying to talk to Killian. My eyes met him and he gave me an assured smile, for a second I was afraid but after his smile, I was at ease.

But what surprised me, was the presence of my parents. I had not expected them to come.

"Since everyone is here let's start the proceedings of the court." announced the head lawyer.

We all took our seats.

"Who is representing the case from both sides?" asked the counsellor.

Damien and Sir Mathews stood up.

I saw the surprise in Killian's eyes and a bright smile appeared on his face.

Poor boy must be worried about me.

"Archduchess Marianne is accused of physically harming Lady Isabella and attempting to kill her. Today the court will listen to the appeal and defence of both sides to take the decision."

"Miss Isabella may proceed first."

"Your highness, a week ago, lady Isabella was invited to have a meal with lord Killian, but after the meal, her body had developed strange blisters and marks. 

And the supposed dinner was organised by her highness. So lady Isabella had doubts that it was done by her highness, as lord Killian is just a kid to plot against her."