Chapter 48 The Council's Judgement
The council chamber had been transformed. Rows of seats for witnesses. A formal dock where she'd stand. The twelve councilors arranged in judgment. And at the head, Adrian sat on his throne looking carved from ice.
"This trial convenes to determine guilt or innocence in the murder of Queen Celeste." Councilor Thorne's voice carried through the packed chamber. "Lady Lila Hartwell stands accused of poisoning the Queen's tea, shooting her horse with toxic darts, and causing her death through premeditated murder. How does the accused plead?"
"Not guilty." Lila's voice came out stronger than she felt. "I'm innocent of all charges."
"Then let the evidence be presented." Thorne gestured to the guards who brought forward tables laden with proof. The poison vial. The dart. The hairpin. The drugged tea cup. Everything arranged for maximum impact.
"Evidence the first." Thorne held up the vial. "Rare poison from the southern provinces, found hidden in Lady Lila's chambers. The exact poison used on the Queen's horse."
"I never saw that vial before the guards found it. Someone planted it in my chambers." Lila tried to keep her voice steady. "Someone who wanted to frame me."
"Evidence the second." Thorne ignored her protest, holding up the hairpin. "Lady Lila's distinctive copper hairpin, found beside the Queen's drugged tea. Proving she was in the Queen's chambers when the sedatives were added."
"My sister took that hairpin from me days before. Took it during an argument. I didn't know she still had it."
"Convenient that you claim this now. No witnesses reported seeing the Queen take your hairpin." Thorne set it down. "Evidence the third. Traces of sedative herbs in the Queen's system, administered through tea the morning of the hunt. Tea that made her sluggish and unable to control her horse."
"I didn't drug her tea. I wasn't even in her chambers that morning."
"But you were there the night before. Servants confirm this." Thorne gestured to a waiting servant. "Tell the council what you witnessed."
The servant stepped forward nervously. "I saw Lady Lila leaving the Queen's chambers late in the evening. Two nights before the hunt. She looked upset. Angry. I heard raised voices before she left."
"We argued." Lila didn't deny it. "I tried to warn her not to attend the hunt. She refused to listen. We fought about it. That's all that happened."
"Or you fought because she discovered you tampering with her tea." Another councilor suggested. "Perhaps she caught you in the act and confronted you."
"That's not what happened!"
"Then what did happen?" Thorne leaned forward. "Give us your version of events. Explain everything in a way that makes sense."
Lila took a breath. "I visited my sister because I had a bad feeling about the hunt. I begged her not to go. She accused me of trying to sabotage her. Of wanting her to look weak. We argued. I left angry. The next morning, I felt wrong about the whole thing, so I went to the forest to watch. To make sure she was safe. But I was too far away. Couldn't see through the mist. By the time I realized something was wrong, she was already falling."
"A touching story. But it doesn't explain the poison in your chambers. Doesn't explain your hairpin beside drugged tea. Doesn't explain why you attended a hunt you were forbidden from joining." Thorne's voice was hard. "It sounds like a story created to excuse guilty actions."
"It's the truth!"
"Then prove it." Thorne gestured to more witnesses. "We have testimony from multiple sources about your behavior. About your motives. About the years of resentment toward the Queen."
One by one, witnesses came forward. Servants who'd overheard arguments. Nobles who'd noticed Lila watching Adrian. Guards who'd seen her at the forbidden hunt. Each testimony added another layer of guilt, another piece of damning evidence.
Lady Margot testified with perfect sorrow about overhearing Lila wish Celeste would disappear. About witnessing her deteriorating mental state. About trying to help but being rebuffed with paranoid accusations.
Lord Garrett testified about his love for Celeste, his attempts to protect her, his grief at failing. He painted himself as devoted lover, Lila as jealous rival.
Even Marcus testified, speaking of his concerns about Lila's presence, his warnings to Adrian that were ignored, his belief that she'd always been dangerous.
Through it all, Adrian sat silent on his throne. His face showed nothing. But through the bond, Lila felt his agony. Felt each testimony tearing him apart. Felt him wanting to defend her but finding no logical grounds to do so.
When the evidence concluded, Thorne addressed the council. "We have motive. Lady Lila wanted the King and resented the Queen for having him. We have means. She possessed the poison used to kill. We have opportunity. She was present at the scene and had access to the Queen's chambers. We have physical evidence connecting her to the crime. What more do we need?"
"You need actual proof I did it!" Lila's voice rose. "Not circumstantial evidence that could be explained other ways! Not speculation about my thoughts and feelings! Real proof that I physically committed these acts!"
"The evidence is proof." A councilor stood. "Overwhelming proof. You had every reason to want the Queen dead. You possessed the means to kill her. You were present when she died. And you've admitted to years of inappropriate feelings for your sister's husband."
"Feelings aren't crimes! Wanting isn't the same as doing!"
"But doing requires wanting first." Thorne's voice was quiet, deadly. "And you've admitted you wanted. The rest follows naturally."
"I call for vote." Another councilor stood. "The evidence speaks clearly. Lady Lila Hartwell is guilty of Queen Celeste's murder through poison and premeditation. All in favor of conviction?"
Hands rose. One by one. Eight councilors voted guilty. Only four abstained, looking uncertain.
"The council finds Lady Lila Hartwell guilty of murdering Queen Celeste." Thorne's voice rang through the chamber. "The punishment for regicide is death. However." He paused. "Given the unusual circumstances. Given the mate bond that complicates judgment. Given the King's obvious attachment despite evidence. We offer alternative punishment."
Adrian finally moved. "What alternative?"
"Thirty lashes followed by permanent banishment." Thorne's voice was grave.
"Public flogging to satisfy the kingdom's demand for justice. Then exile from the Northern Kingdom, never to return upon pain of death."
The chamber erupted. Some shouting it was too lenient. Others saying it was too harsh. Adrian remained frozen on his throne, his face white.
"There is one condition." Thorne spoke over the noise. "As King and wronged husband, you must deliver the punishment yourself, Your Majesty. Thirty lashes. Tomorrow at dawn. Witnessed by the full court."
Silence fell like a hammer. Every eye turned to Adrian. Through the bond, Lila felt his soul shatter.
They were asking him to whip his own mate. To physically harm the person his wolf recognized as other half of his soul. To prove his loyalty to law over bond.
"No." The word came out strangled. "I won't. I can't."
"You must." Thorne's voice was firm. "This is not request but requirement. If you refuse to administer justice, the council questions your fitness to rule. Questions whether the mate bond has compromised your judgment beyond repair."
"Then question it!" Adrian's control cracked. "Question my fitness! Take my crown! I don't care! I won't harm my mate!"
"Then she hangs." Thorne's voice was cold. "If you won't deliver measured punishment, she faces full penalty for regicide. Death by hanging at sundown tomorrow."
The ultimatum hung in the air. Whip his mate and she lives. Refuse and she dies.
Adrian looked at Lila across the crowded chamber. Their eyes met. Through the bond, she felt his absolute devastation.
"Choose, Your Majesty." Thorne's voice was implacable. "Thirty
lashes and banishment. Or hanging and death. But choose now. The kingdom waits for justice."