Chapter 126 The queen’s court

Chapter 126 The queen’s court


Isabella watched as the people flocked in and went out. 

Some had a satisfied expression on their faces which meant she had delivered a judgment that made sense. While the others left, grumbling. 

Either way, she glanced at her wrist watch with a tired expression on her face. “You should take a break, my lady,” Hampton said from the side, concern lacing his eyes and voice. 

Isabella smiled, touched. “That's very kind of you, Hampton, but a girl has to prove herself to the people.” 

“Which you've done.” He was not backing down. He glanced around the court. “Nice location.” 

Isabella curled her lips, ignoring his sarcasm. She'd specifically chosen the location as a spot for her court, despite complaints and protests from Lucien and now, Hampton was doing the same thing. 

He'd recently been promoted to her personal guard after he'd healed of all his injuries and he appeared to be taking the position a little too seriously. 

She shrugged, her eyes travelling to the ends of the room. The throne room. The one where she'd seen her life flash before her eyes and was totally helpless to do anything about it. 

She shook her head. “It's a symbol, Hampton and you should loosen up.” She glanced at her wrist watch, yawning. “It appears my break is over.” 

Hampton nodded as they walked back to her seat at the high end of the podium that overlooked the people. 

“You have an extra two hours. You can call it off. I'm sure they'll understand, perhaps grumble a little bit but take it all in good faith.” 

Isabella chuckled, listening to his suggestions. “Nice try, Hampton. Not going to work. I have a duty to prove myself to the people.” 

Hampton opened his mouth to retort and closed it almost immediately. He could not change the decisions of his mistress even though he saw no need for the work she was doing.  “Alright,” he mumbled, standing beside her as she took her seat. 

He nodded slightly at the guard at the door, signifying the next person. 

“Just so you know, once your two hours are over, if I need to bundle you out of here, I won't hesitate to do so.” 

Isabella chuckled, ignoring his threat. “I'm sure that will not be necessary, Hampton. Lucien is somewhere in this room, having the same thought as you. He'll probably beat you to it.”

She said with a sweet smile as the people began to enter the room, filling it up in no time at all. 

Isabella had surmised that they had used the short break to organise more people. 

“I don't think there's any more need for proof, my lady. You have the numbers.” 

Isabella couldn't help but be touched by his genuineness. One minute, he was reprimanding her and the next, he was praising her. 

“Thank you, Hampton. Perhaps we should stick to this side of you till the end of the meeting.” 

Hampton growled, ignoring the sarcasm dripping from her voice. 

“What's the next case about?” She reached for the file in front of her, trying to keep her shock in place, but was immediately noticed by Hampton and Lucien, who strolled lazily to her side. 

“What's wrong?” Lucien asked, his head down, ready to whisk her away at the slightest discomfort. 

Isabella gulped. “Twas really noticeable, wasn't it?” She dropped the file, clenching her fingers.

“What is it, Bel?” Lucien pressed. 

Isabella raised a brow at his mention of another nickname he'd coined for her. Now, Lucien was calling her everything but her name. 

“I should have taken your suggestion about leaving when I could. But it's nothing I can't handle.” She whispered, her hands shaking slightly. 

Hampton frowned. “The offer's still up, my lady.” 

Isabella shook her head, her expression moving from fear to neutral in an instant. “That's touching, Hampton, but it's nothing I can't handle.” 

Lucien wasn't convinced. “You sure? You should know you're the queen and can cancel anytime.”

“I know that,” she said, calmer than before. “And I also know that these people are beginning to look at me weirdly, surrounded by two men.” 

“Your mate, which also doubles as their king and your bodyguard.” Lucien pointed out. 

Isabella rolled her eyes. “Yeah, remind me as I've forgotten.” 

Hampton couldn't help the chuckle that left his lips. “I think what his Majesty is trying to say is…”

“Of course, I know what his Majesty is trying to say, Hampton.” She turned sweetly to Lucien, giving him the sweetest smile she could offer, despite her insides feeling muddy. 

“Okay, that's enough reunion for today, guys.” Isabella clapped softly. “I've got a crucial decision to make.” 

Lucien raised a brow at her evasiveness. “Wanna at least tell us what the case is about?” He pressed. 

“No, honey.” Isabella pouted sweetly. “In the court here, you're King Lucien, but to me, you're just like every other person, who's come to watch me deliver judgment, and you'll hear the case, just like every other person.” 

Lucien chuckled in amusement. Isabella could be dramatic when she wanted, and today seemed to be one of those days. 

“As her Majesty pleases.” He gave a mock bow, as he sauntered off to the back of the hall, a proud smile on his face. There was his Lady, doing everything he'd taught her. 

The gravel hit the table the moment he'd had his seat, quietening the hall. Isabella cleared her throat as he looked from face to face. 

“This last case is a bit…” she trailed, not finding the right words. She needed the people's attention to be on her as it was quite tricky. And if her guess was in any way correct, then they'd deliberately save this case for the last. 

“Can they come forward please?” She added, wringing her sweaty hands under the table. 

“I can see you,” Hampton whispered from where he stood, just beside her. “And if I can see you, then it definitely means that the people watching you can see you and tell how nervous you are.” 

Isabella rolled her eyes at Hampton's words. “Yeah, sure.” It was taking the last bit of self-control in her not to stick her tongue out. 

She watched as two men stepped out to the front of the court. Two men of different classes. 

While one was dressed elegantly, with different designs in his outfit, the other was dressed simply. And if it wasn't just simple. You could tell he was a pauper. 

Isabella sighed. This was the main case for today. The two men who had grievances against each other had recruited people from their own classes. 

The elites had come to side with the richer man, while the poor had come out in their numbers, wondering if she would deliver her judgment like every other person in power, making the rich richer and the poor poorer. 

Isabella watched as both men made their cases, the rich man, whom she'd never bothered to ask his name was arrogant. And worse, he was clearly in the wrong. 

She snickered at his actions. Unfortunately for him, he was going to be punished. 
She turned her gaze to the less wealthy man, whose name was Nicholas. 

She watched as his hands shook with fear as he made his own case. The rich man was his boss and had refused to give him the pay he was owed. 

Nicholas had begged, but as always, he'd refused, threatening to sue Nicholas for being a threat to his peace. 

And so, they were here. Two men, different ideologies, different approaches. 

Isabella inhaled. The case wasn't a tricky one bit and the earlier she got to it, the better for her. 

She glanced at Nicholas. “What's he owing you?” Her voice held the authority that she'd been trying all day to hide. 

“4 months' worth, my lady.” Nicholas's voice shook as he looked fearfully at his employer. 

Alas! The time had come for the queen to make a decision and he was one hundred per cent sure it would favour the man who had promised to make his life hell the moment they were out of here. 

Isabella’s gaze travelled to the other man who had taken a special interest in his embroidery. She sighed, rolling her eyes subtly. 

“It's simple,” she curled her lips, ready to leave, pointing at the elite whose peers were already congratulating him. “Pay him his four months’ worth and the land he worked on.”

The hall fell silent as everyone froze. From behind, Lucien had an expectant smile on his face. He'd anticipated the judgment even before it came. 

Isabella walked to the door, aware of the people's stares behind her. “Nicholas?” She called the worker, who'd not moved an inch, fear paralysing his entire body. 

“For what it's worth, you can come to me if you don't receive your payments by 6pm.” She glanced at her watch dramatically, her hands on the doorknob. 

“And last I checked, it's only ten minutes until 6pm.”