New World New Life 180 Fair Trial?

As they walked past the hallways, there was a mirror on display on an antique table. As they walked by, Vy was able to take a quick glimpse at her appearance. She looked like a mess. Her hair was oily and clumpy despite being tied up into a ponytail. 

Her clothes were dirty from having been in the dark damp cell. Not to mention the bruise she now had on her chin. They did not even need to paint her to look guilty, she already does. 

Finally, they came to the CourtRoom. As the doors were pushed open by the guards, Vy was brought into the room. Both sides were covered with wooden seats, filled with people who had come to attend the hearing. 

Vy did not recognise any one of them. All of their disgusted faces, coupled with their whispers to one another was a clear enough indication that they did not like her. The carpet in the centre walkway led all the way to the front of the room, where the judge's bench was. 

To her right was where the jury was seated. She counted twelve people in total, all of whom were well dressed in their suits and expensive garments. The jury was composed of six women and six men, all of whom looked to be part of the upper cla.s.s. 

-So much for a fair trial.- Vy sighed. 

With Vy's entrance into the courtroom, the noise level was growing higher and higher. The judge slammed the gavel, a ceremonial mallet, a couple of times on to the sound block. 

"Order, order!" the judge's voice echoed throughout the room as he slammed the gavel.

Finally, the courtroom quietened down, as Vy was brought to the centre of the room and left to stand at the podium with guards standing next to her on each side. Vy looked up at the judge and realised that it was the man with the birthmark over the left side of his face. 

The man who claimed to be Lord Tres. 

As she scanned around the room to get a feel of her surroundings, she noticed Baron Koufer seated at the plaintiff's table with Old Chon standing by his side. When she turned to look at the left, where the defendant's table was, she was not surprised to find it empty. 

Vy let out a sigh. She had been hoping, at the very least, that it would be a fair trial. But from the looks of it, there was nothing about this that was going to be fair. 

-It's still not too late for us to escape.- Aether commented. 

Vy did not have a chance to reply to him. The court was in session. 

"Vyrena Blackfire, you're accused of the following crimes." the judge announced.

"Kidnapping."

"Brainwas.h.i.+ng."

"Abuse."

"Selling of counterfeit goods."

With each crime that was being read out, Vy could see the increasing disapproval of both the jury and the bystanders who were watching from their seats. They were shaking their heads, whispering lies to one another. 

-So this is what it feels like to be wronged.- she said to herself. 

"... and last but not least, murder."

Vy was trying so hard to stifle her laughter. 

Who on earth came up with such outrageous accusations? 

Kidnapping?

Brainwas.h.i.+ng?

Surely if she had done so someone would have stopped her by now. Come to think of it, what about those kidnappers who tried to kidnap Lycster? They probably fit the bill of the crimes they claim she had committed more than her. 

What about evidence?

The judge slammed the gavel down on the sound block again. Within seconds, the courtroom was silent once more. 

"Vyrena Blackfire, how do you please?"

This was easy enough. 

"Not guilty."

"Very well, the court is in session! We shall begin with the first offence and the supporting evidence," the judge declared. 

To no one's surprise, Coral, Elette's biological mother, took to the stand and gave her version of the story. How she had lost her daughter in the commotion at the campsite only to find out that Elette had been kidnapped and brought to Timbretune. 

"When I pleaded with that criminal to return my daughter to me, she refused! She used her magic to brainwash my daughter, turning her against her own mother!" Coral appealed to the pity of the jury. 

She shed her tears. 

Vy kept a straight face. She tried to remain as neutral as she could despite the amount of lies she was hearing. 

Coral went on to make her accusation that Vy had led her daughter, Elette, to her death. Vy listened to every single word Coral had to say. She never once broke eye contact with Coral. On the other hand, Coral never once met Vy's gaze. 

Her eyes were constantly darting from side to side. 

Vy regretted every drop of kindness she had shown Coral. As she let out a sigh, she reminded herself to be patient. 

Patience is a virtue. 

But how was any of this a fair trial?

She did not even have anyone to defend her! Vy was not given any time or resources to prepare her statements. If only King Olwin knew about the idiocy of his subjects. When Coral finally finished spinning her web of lies, some of the jury members were moved to tears. 

If no one was going to stand up for Vyrena Blackfire, then she would stand up for herself. 

Vy cleared her throat and spoke, "May I ask the witness a couple of questions?"

The judge was surprised that Vy had asked for that. Clearly the statements Coral made were clear enough. The judge looked over to the Baron who was seated at the Plaintiff's table. He was confident in the proceedings. 

After all, the ball was in his court. 

Baron Koufer signalled to the judge. 

"You may proceed."

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