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The courtroom erupted into feral shouting, all trying to question Prince Levi, who remained eerily stoic.

"Prince Levi can you also confirm this?"

Darius pushed his silver glasses further up his nose as Prince Levi stiffly crossed his arms with a low, suspenseful sigh.

"I can confirm this information is true."

The courtroom completely lost all stability as the poor and unfortunate began to cheer, throwing objects from rose petals to penny sweets. How endearing... The rich seemed stunned into silence as many sat still amongst rows of luxury balconies. I cast my eyes to Prince Levi, who took his place against the wooden stand and gently clicked his tongue.

The court abruptly ceased talking.

Darius cleared his throat to rid the surprise of Prince Levi confirming such accusations. Guards are approaching my metal pole... My eyes widened as two heavily armoured guards neared my chains, wielding some sort of knife. Darius slammed his hand down upon his desk several times to break the returned yelling.

"A royal surprise indeed. (Y/N) who's last name is unknown - answer me this."

I shifted wildly against my chains once the guards drew closer, lowering their stances and exposing their long, silver knives.

"How do you know someone trained in Chi for the majority of their life?"

Dear god. He's going to beat me. He's going to kill me right here. I lowered my head, despair slowly filling my heart. Darius has no care for love. I'll fight until the very end. I sharply rose my head, meeting the darkened wisdom of Darius Zackly.

"You beat them will all your strength. If the individual can stand... that's the power of a Chi warrior."

Darius smiled softly, waving his hand in signal for the guards to pause their taunting actions. I shakily exhaled, neatening my gi which felt a little constricted against my metal chains. Imagine if I was dressed in royal finery... I wouldn't be able to move.

"Correct. That's ethnicity ruled out."

A trick incase I wasn't born with Chi blood flowing through my veins... why? Darius glanced downwards, reading some sort of script or information pack. Could this case be so complicated that he decided to write things down?

I nervously tilted my head, meeting the glowing steel glare of Prince Levi - who nodded his head. That's all he can do from this distance.

"You confirm the relationship aspect. That is clear to the court. A Prince cannot marry a commoner. Although it isn't illegal, just highly frowned upon. A sin - people often call it."

Darius leant forward, lowering his chin onto his wrinkled knuckles. Truly a frightful man. How many rulings and judgments has he given in his life time? Hundreds? Thousands?

"You know this fact better than anyone, Prince Levi. Since you confirm your relationship with (Y/N) is true. Do you plan on marrying her?"

The poor cheered loudly, continuing to throw flowers of many kinds over my metal pole. Roses, daffodils, bluebells. Many petals stuck to my hair - but since my hands were chained - I failed to removed them successfully.

"I intend to make (Y/N) my wife. She'll be crowned Queen alongside me as I take my father's throne. Something similar happened only a hundred years ago. I hope this tradition becomes more acceptable in the future."

Now it was the nobles turn to yell - envy struck their uptight faces as several ladies dressed in crimson frocks began to scream and stamp. I blushed softly, averting my gaze to the back of the courtroom. I feel ever so flustered when he calls me his wife. Such a royal title... unfit for a thief like myself.

"Your truthfulness is greatly appreciated. Though to claim the title of king alongside
(Y/N) proves risky. She is not of royal blood nor noble status. Plus Princess Yuka, the woman you speak of, married that poor criminal and died trying to save him. Truly a wasteful defence."

Prince Levi glared, tightly gripping the side of his wooden stand. It's so loud... I can't hear what he's saying. Prince Levi's lips twitched, forming some sort of reply as Darius nodded his head. Sadly, I can't lipread.

"Love? You're willing to give your mother's throne to a peasant in the name of love?"

Prince Levi's structured jaw tensed as Darius returned his questioning to me. The courtroom was overpowered by yelling so Darius had to shout in order for me to understand his words.

"You were once a thief amongst the streets. If I may be so bold - you were punished by these crimes how exactly?"

The contract... our forbidden topic. I glanced towards Prince Levi who forcefully nodded his head. The contract is being revealed too. My life certainly won't return to normal once the trial ends. I'll be a completely different person.

"I was spared from the noose by forming a contract with Prince Levi. In exchange for protection of his life - I was offered a pardon for my crimes."

Darius eagerly leant closer, almost to quench his thirst for more information. The rich reached out between the gaps of the balcony in a desperate attempt of earning Prince Levi's attention.

But we only stared at each other. Like the two of us were alone in the courtroom.

"If your relationship is truly loving... why did you not reveal such romance straight away?"

I frowned, studying the rusted chains that held my hands and legs against a large metal pole. I was frightened... I was scared Prince Levi would find another female noble and leave me. Something I still fear to this day.

"I fear death will be my punishment for giving my heart to a Prince. I fear my death today as I'll be separated from Prince Levi."

Darius gently stoked his grey beard, rising a red quill from a pot of ink. What's he writing? I nervously lowered my head, only Prince Levi loudly clenched his fist and proceeded to hit the wooden stand. I broke our eye contact.

"I desire to wed a thief from Chi. Not a dog. I see no concerns over who I marry."

Darius lowered his quill, glaring towards a royal descendent with little care or worry over potential punishment. Darius is a judge - meaning the Prince can only punish him for crimes - not manners.

"I understand that, but you fail to see the impact this... woman could have on your kingdom. Who knows what her intentions are? Who knows if she's a witch?"

The rich began chanting that awful word. Witch... something a female is called for usually being more intelligent than a man. In my case, my love for a Prince earns me that title.

"A witch? A witch for returning my feelings? How pathetic."

Prince Levi loudly clicked his tongue. I just happened to notice Petra sat nearby on a small restricted stool - designed for witnesses. Darius removed a little hammer and hit his mighty desk three times in a row.

"Order!"

The court slowly began to focus their attention back on the trial as Darius wiped the sweat from his forehead and gestured towards Petra - who elegantly took the stand beside Prince Levi.

"Welcome, Lady Ral. A noblewomen who was once engaged to Prince Levi. You are here today to vouch for (Y/N)?"

Petra smiled gently, clearing her throat as she leant out towards the stand - hoping to catch a glimpse of me. Once we met eyes, she merely averted her gaze back to Darius. The rich began to cheer for Petra - hoping she'd deny the allocations and announce her marriage was returning.

"I was previously engaged to Prince Levi... but now I've seen him so happy with the foreigne- ahem, (Y/N). I can't express my joy enough."

Darius seemed perplexed, gently lowering his luscious red quill into a pot of midnight black ink. I felt a little intimidated as the surrounding rich who sat against the balcony walls began to chant: "witch!" continuously.

"I see. How long have you known (Y/N)?"

Petra nervously scratched the back of her neck, smiling gently as she reflected upon the question. Just how long have I been guarding Prince Levi for anyways?

"A little under eight months."

Eight months... is that all? Our relationship escalated quickly... to even consider marriage at this point looks... strange. I lowered my head as a shaky sigh escaped my chapped lips. Ouch... my arms hurt like hell... the chains are far too tight.

"Do you resent Prince Levi for ending your marriage?"

Petra remained silent, twisting a piece of strawberry blond hair around her neatly painted fingernail.

"I did at first... but now I feel perfectly content over Prince Levi's love for (Y/N). She really doesn't deserve to die over being in love. My noble status allowed me to marry Prince Levi. Why should (Y/N's) background as a thief be compared?"

Darius frowned, looking up from his paperwork with a distasteful scowl. Clearly Petra's point didn't break the ice. I worriedly glanced towards Prince Levi - who stood with his arms crossed. I can't tell what he's thinking... should I speak up or remain quiet?

"A thief is someone who steals and lies. Compared to your background of purity and care - I know who I'd rather see marry my Kingdom's leader."

Darius Zackly's point was true. I couldn't deny him of that. Petra tightly grasped the edge of the wooden stand, raising her voice due to the high emotions surrounding my trial.

"Status means nothing! (Y/N) can't help being born into a poor lifestyle. She did what she had to in order to survive."

Darius sighed loudly, neatening his beard and yelling "order!" for the ninth time of the day. The case is turning dull. Anything could happen at this point. The rich cried out many harsh and berating threats such as:

"String her up!"

I parted my lips, wincing as the chains began to cut off my blood circulation. I leant forward in attempts of easing the iron hold. Darius removed his glasses and placed both hands onto his wood desk.

"I'm compassionate for your so called 'love' yet can't help but feel uneasy. Prince Levi has authority over his Kingdom. Not his people. If they rise against you - you'll be in great trouble."

The poor spoke up, throwing their hats up into the air in attempts of gaining mine and Prince Levi's attention. People are losing their minds... especially the poor. Darius rose from his desk, pacing in front of a green military sign.

"In my eyes the whole situation is tragic, maybe even close to a sin. Royal blood is sacred, to even consider touching a peasant is beyond me."

I abruptly lowered my head. Such upsetting words... our love isn't any of those things... people are so cruel. I tightly clenched my fists. If I'm sentenced to hang the kingdom will never consider me as their Queen. I'll be a criminal again.

"My heart is not tragic! My feelings are as true as anyone else's! I wish to marry Prince Levi... I want that more than anything in the world!"

My anger quickly got the better of me. I spoke such forbidden things... before I knew it - I'd made a declaration of love and voiced my final decision on my relationship with Prince Levi. I want to be with him... always...

"Levi! You mustn't leave the stand!"

Petra's cry of distress worried me as the cheering only loudened, mixed with surprised gasps forced me to lift my head in confusion. Is something happening? What's going on? Is it the saboteur? Brisk footsteps headed towards me, but when Prince Levi broke through the sea of poor people - I felt relieved.

"Prince Levi return to the stand."

Darius spoke calmly, yet I sensed the darkness behind his voice. He's angry and dismayed by the sight of Prince Levi abandoning his post. I smiled gently once Prince Levi approached my iron pole. Levi...

Only his brash and sudden action shocked me to my very core. Prince Levi took ahold of my chin - in sight of the entire kingdom and forcefully pressed his lips against mine. My hands remained chained so I couldn't resist or move away from his touch.

"Nnf!"

My lips parted as Prince Levi continued the kiss, refusing to break away no matter how hard I fought against him. The poor were now cheering and throwing any objects they could get their hands on. A celebration.

The rich watched in shock as I ceased my struggle, allowing Prince Levi to kiss me properly. In front of everyone. Prince Levi's subjects. Darius. Petra. The poor. All caught a glimpse of our passionate kiss.

Prince Levi grunted and pulled away, licking his lips with a terrifying glare as if to threaten those who vocally disapproved of our desire. I blushed softly, mostly from the embarrassment of such public affection. Prince Levi lowered his voice, whispering softly as he abruptly turned on his heel and returned back to his wooden stand.

"Hang in there, brat. I'll buy you a pretty dress."

A dress?! Saying such things aloud! I bashfully nodded to no one in particular as Prince Levi had already tuned his back on me. I received large amounts of praise from those who could reach through the iron gates. A little creepy, but nice to know people approve.

"This is a professional trial. Actions like that will not be tolerated."

I sensed Prince Levi's gesture was done in sheer desperation. Darius seemed stunned by the kiss, removing his glasses from his front pocket for a second time.

"Is Lady Ral the only person who can vouch for your relationship?"

Prince Levi nodded sternly. I'm ever so grateful for Petra's kind words. Truly something I would have a hard time saying in court. Darius cleared his throat, tapping his wrinkled fingers onto his wooden judgment desk for a couple of seconds.

The powers in his hands. Sentence me to hang or excuse me from my crimes due to my involvement with Prince Levi. Not to mention, no one has sabotaged the trial... things are looking promising.

Darius sighed loudly, shuffling a few papers before looking directly into my eyes.

"(Y/N) - who's last name is unknown - your relationship with Prince Levi has been proven valid. Due to Prince Levi's rule, I cannot, out of respect for my future King, sentence you to death."

I smiled brightly; never have I experienced such genuine joy in all my life. My love for Prince Levi has been accepted by Darius. He won't sentence me to death out of fear Prince Levi would harm him. That's the reason I assume anyway, I could be wrong.

I knew my eyes were watering, but I physically forced myself not to cry in front of thousands of people and a judge.

"However, my judgment might not be so popular with others - remember this - love comes with a catch. Especially with a royal descendant."

I hardly remembered any of Darius threats or vague terminologies. My focus was on being reunited with Prince Levi once again. We can finally be together. The trial is finally over. I flinched once multiple guards approached my iron pole - harshly removing my chains with a unreadable expression.

The kiss shocked the entire court. People believe our love is true thanks to my words of compassion and the physical seal of our love. However not all were so moved by our actions as many of the rich bellowed at the top of their lungs:

"String her up! She's a witch!"

How lovely. But the noble's words mean nothing. Darius has given his judgment. I'm free to live my life beside the Prince. I swiftly moved away from my metal pole and lowered my head as the harsh shouting began to hurt my ears.

Several guards escorted me to the back of the courtroom - away from potential danger. I worriedly glanced backwards in hopes of checking on Prince Levi, but he and Petra had already vanished.

The court is being dismissed. The trial is over. Just where am I going? Two guards held me by my arms and raised silver shields either side of my head. Are they protecting me? Why? Did Prince Levi order such a thing? Many of the rich began to file out, angrily walking down the balconies and yelling "witch!"

I averted my gaze towards a large wooden door which I was quickly hurried through. The trial is over... I can't believe it... the poor all tired to push through the guards protection in attempts of praising me, but the silver shields kept them at bay.

Prince Levi... where is he? I suddenly heard what sounded like... an explosion. My heart stopped as large, towering flames erupted inside the court, destroying any material that neared the intense heat. The saboteur?! Why are they doing this now? The trial is over! I'm free to live with Prince Levi!

The courtroom was a completely different scene as hundreds of poor people ran towards the exits - screaming for their lives.

No... this can't be happening... I can't move...

The severity of the situation didn't register within my mind as I stood lifeless at the end of the court - watching ferocious flames burn  vigorously towards me.

Am I going to die here? I was so happy to finally be beside Prince Levi... since the courthouse was made from mostly wooden materials - the fire spread quickly and lethally throughout the environment.

Our love is just one big tragic sin. No one will ever approve of our feelings.

Screams from both, rich and poor, alerted me the fire had spread to the balconies and across the courtroom floor. Where is Prince Levi? I hope he's safe...

"Foreigner! You must move away!"

Guards ordered me to flee, but my eyes remained trained on the flames. Flames which consumed my village and friends. I reflected on General Pixis's carelessly written warning, covered in blood soaked paper.

'During the trial, someone plans to reminisce on your past and bring those torturous memories to life.'

So this is what he meant.

I should never have attended this trial.

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