Chapter 410: Have Mercy!
“Remain there. You will help me slip in and get to Audrey,” Mark gave instructions. “Try not to get caught.”
Mistress bit back her words and replied simply. “Okay.”
Mistress turned and walked back into the kitchen.
~
Faye and Ruby entered Audrey’s old chambers, leading the four footmen that were carrying the heavy, beautifully carved, lavish baby cribs. The footmen moved with careful steps across the stone floor, their boots echoing softly. They set the cribs down on either side of the bed, bowed respectfully to Audrey and Darius, and left the room quietly.
Audrey and Darius wore their official court attire, getting ready for the trial of the Councilmen. The rich fabrics of their garments caught the light from the tall arched windows, heavy velvet and embroidered silk befitting their royal station.
“Ruby, Faye,” Audrey said warmly, pulling her governesses into a tight hug. They had been with her from the first day she had spent in the palace, and now they would be the governesses to her babies.
“My lady,” they both said in unison, trying not to cry, their voices thick with emotion.
Audrey pulled away and showed them her babies. “This is Divitia and Ambrosius.”
Faye picked up Divitia and Ruby picked up Ambrosius. “She has so much hair,” Faye gushed, rocking a crying Tia in her arms. “And her eyes are the most gorgeous blue.”
Audrey smiled, leaning into Darius as she watched them fawn over their babies. Gently, Faye and Ruby took the babies into their cradles and began rocking them slowly.
“We will return immediately after the trial, before they get hungry,” Audrey said.
Faye shook her head. “Take your time, my lady. We can put them to sleep before you return.”
“Do not worry about a thing,” Ruby added reassuringly.
Audrey nodded, turning to Darius. “Shall we, my king?”
Darius offered his arm and Audrey looped her hand through it. They walked out of Audrey’s old chambers, into the stone hallway. Darius’s gaze kept flickering to Audrey’s face, he was trying to get a read on what Audrey was thinking about.
The thought kept nagging him, he had to mark Audrey tonight. After tonight everything would change, she would change, their relationship would change. She would either hate him and leave or accept his past and her truth.
When they reached the double doors, the guards pulled them open. The herald inside announced their presence to the elders that were already waiting. They stood as they heard, “Welcome, King Darius Lockhart III and Mother of the Empire, Queen Audrey Lockhart, First of her name!”
Darius held onto Audrey’s hand as they entered side by side. With grace and poise they climbed the dais and took their seats, right next to each other. Darius waited for Audrey to sit first before he did, the elders sat down after.
Ryker bowed to them and stood, giving the guard the sign to bring in the four Councilmen on trial. The doors opened again and the four old men were led inside with a guard, their official robes gone, only fine tunics left.
“You four have been summoned here to stand trial for the crimes alleged against you by Lady Astrid, before she was beheaded. You stand accused of conspiracy to commit treason and complicity. How do you plead?” Ryker’s voice carried over the room, echoing off the walls.
The four men looked between themselves, neither of them spoke. Constantine stepped forward, “We are innocent of all allegations. Lady Astrid did not have any evidence of our alliance because there was none.”
“And all of you stand by that?” Ryker asked, looking between them.
Nobody else spoke. Audrey scoffed, “Do any of you want to confess?”
Hansel added smugly, “How could we confess to what we did not do?”
Audrey nodded, “Well, whichever one of you confesses to what you did not do, as you put it. He will also be released from his duties but he will still be paid his wages for the next two years and keep his reputation as a former honorable member of the council. But if neither of you confess, then you will all be released and branded as a disgrace to the empire.” She finished with a small smile, all the men felt taunted.
They looked between themselves, going over their options. Just when Audrey had begun to believe that none of them would speak, Constantine stepped forward, his hand over his heart. “I will confess, my queen.”
“What!?” Labyrinth shouted, walking up to Constantine. “What do you mean you will confess!?”
“There is nothing for you to confess to!” Bethel stepped into Constantine’s face, his tone laced with malice.
“Your Majesties, Lady Astrid was correct,” Constantine began, earning surprised gasps from the three elders seated.
Audrey smiled, glancing towards Darius, “Go on.”
“We were allies, we helped and supported her every attempt at your life, the boating accident, the poisoned dress and tea. Everything,” Constantine went down on his knees, hands folded. “But we did not know that Lord Anthony was helping her as well. She only came to us with the gossip paper saying you were responsible for the murder of the guard, we knew it was part of her plan but we did not know how she chose to do it. That is our truth. Have mercy.”
The other three men just stood there, gaping with shock clear on their faces. They did not know what to do. Constantine had just confessed, they were guilty.
Bethel dropped to his knees next, head bowed to the ground, “Please, have mercy on an old man!”
Hansel and Labyrinth eyed each other before both dropping to their knees at the same time. Audrey had to hold back her laughter.
“Have mercy, my queen!” They all shouted.