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Justice & Affection /// Amice & Anan
After the murder of a royal, the whole country had been watching to see what would happen to the serial killer. The case was so famous, even in the packed courthouse, members of the royal families appeared from all over to see the murderer of one of their own hanged. Members of the royals included the princess herself, and the Duchess of Normandy.
When the two finally meet, what will arise between the two? |
Princess Meredeth entered the court room as her family was announced, walking elegantly to the box reserved for royalty. Before her were her parents and older brother, dressed somberly in memory of Jacob. The fabric of her own dove gray gown whispered as she moved slowly across the floor of the room. As a close cousin of Meredith she felt the loss deeply, though heavy makeup applied by her ladies maid gave her an appearance of perfection. As the youngest of the royal family Meredith sat last, taking the time to smooth her skirts.
This would be the event of the season. Crowds of people had surrounded the building for glimpses of the royal and noble families attending the trial. The crowd had gone on for blocks dressed in their best. In Meredith's opinion they were all leeches. None of them gave one whit about the pain her family was feeling. Her own wishes that the trial be quick and private were overruled. The king decreed the murder be make an example of, that he would be paraded in the public so all would know murder would not be tolerated. Meredith had pleaded for hours to both her mother and father with no change to the outcome. |
Catherine, The Duchess of Normandy and her sister, Marie, were announced not too long after the princess and her family. The Duchess entered and was dressed in a deep purple, accented with black lace, accompanid by black shoes and hat- mourning clothes. She too had wished the trial to be private and not let the royals be paraded around in front of the commoners who saw this as an oppertunity to oggle them, or whatever it was they were going to do. Catherine was quite disappointed to hear it was indeed a public trial, but respected the king's rule entirely.
She and Marie took their places near the princess and hers, and sat quiet, waiting to see who it was that killed dear Jacob. Jacob and Catherine had been close- always writing to each other. They were distant cousins on his mother's side, as everyone in the family knew Jacob was a bastard with a mistress and he was declared legitimate. It was due to the fact the mistress and his father's wife looked so much alike that they could pass Jacob off, and seeing as his biological mother died in childbirth... And of course, the wife agreed to it to keep from the public finding out about the mistress. He may have been a bastard child, but it was not spoke of, and the family loved him dearly. It was a great loss indeed... She looked up to look at the royal family. Solemn, but of course they were. Even at such a time, they still were the epitome of beauty. Later, Charlotte would address them directly. Carlotte hid her tears behind the mourning veil, which hid her eyes and smeared make up, but not the straight, hard line of her lips, when the announced the judge and that they were bringing the defendant forward. |
Meredeth watched the disgusting pig of a man as he was brought forward. Dressed in shabby prison uniform and chained hand and foot. As the princess she was forced by duty the remain straight faced. She must be strong for her people.
In her own world she missed the swearing in for the defendant. She came back to herself and payed attention to the opening remarks. Each of the charges were repeated for the judge. It was a terrible pain in her heart to heard Jacob counted among them. She settled into the hard wooden seat. Hoping that she wouldn't be here long enough to get uncomfortable. |
Charlotte looked on as the evidence was presented to the jury, and as the prosecution and defense took turn questioning witnesses, who always said the same basic thing: they saw the defendant slit this one's throat, or they saw him throwing something very large into a ditch, where the bodies were later found.
Eventually, it was time for the jury to deliberate, and they walked into the back room, and the judge also moved back into his chambers for a brief time while they did so. Some of the commoners in the audience stood and began to whisper, which got very loud very quickly. Charlotte and Marie stayed seated, but Marie and her leaned together, talking about how there was no way that he was going to get off with this. The judge went back to his seat, and the audience stood and sat back down when he did, then shortly after, the jury filed back into their seats. Altogether, up to this point, they had only been in the courtroom for a little over two hours, and now it was about to be over. Charlotte could feel her heart pumping, practically out of her chest. She reached over and Marie took her hand, for support. THe judge spoke first, "Members of the jury have you reached a verdict?" The man in the front row, closest to the judge and bailiff rose from his chair and looked up, a paper in his hand, he read, "We have, your honor. We, the jury, find the defendant... Guilty, on sixteen charges of murder in the first degree, including that of Archduke Jacob Vanderbellt." Charlotte's heart lept- the man who was guilty was going to pay for what he did, and she couldn't have been happier. Though she was mourning, a small smile briefly graced her lips at the thought of justice being served in her dear Jacob's name. The judge bowed his head in memory of the royal, and then began sentencing, "Phillip Walkins, you are charged with sixteen counts of first degree murder. As per request of the royal family, which I see fit to obey, you are sentenced to hang by the neck until dead. Two days from now." and with that the judge banged his gavel, and everyone rose with him, including the royals. The murderer was too shocked to respond and let himself be dragged back to be thrown behind bars for what little amount of time he had left. When the proceedings were over, Charlotte wished to her words of sorrow for their loss and pleasure for the court's decision to other members of the royal family, including the princess. They seemed to disperse when the reached the room the royals were to hide in until the commoners had all gone, so they weren't to be attacked, and she walked with Marie, one by one, speaking to them individually. They all seemed rather nonchalant about Jacob's death, as though he wasn't so important to them, not like he was to Charlotte. Then she laid eyes on the princess, who was obviously repressing her grief. Charlotte could tell, because she had been doing the same since she had heard the news of Jacob's murder. Charlotte approached the princess with a small bow, "Greetings, Princess Meredith, I am happy to finally make your acquaintance, but I am indeed sorry it is on such horrifying terms." Charlotte said, "I h ave noticed, she whispered, "You are holding back much grief, as I have been. Were you and Jacob close?" she asked. |
Meredith curtsied to the Lady. "Good day to you." She clutched her handkerchief in one hand trying desperately not to use it. She was intensely relieved that the trial was over. Now she just had to get through the condolences from every lord and lady who only wanted to curry favor with the royal family.
This lady seemed different though. Jacob's death had affected her just as much as Meredith. She took a deep breath to steady herself as she talked about the sore subject."We grew up together. He would spend summers with our family, I have fond memories of those times." The line of people behind the lady looked impatient. A few moved past them to greet the king and queen. A princess isn't as important and Meredith ignored them. "I would like it very much if you would join me for tea this afternoon. I enjoy talking to someone about happier times with Jacob." |
Charlotte smiled a little, trying to comfort the princess, in a way. She listened to her words and nodded, "It would be an honor, milady. I would love the opportunity to speak of Jacob with someone else who was close to him. No one else can understand why I am so upset over this..." she smiled, though the hurt in her eyes showed and the tears were beginning to well up in the tear ducts again. Charlotte would need to excuse herself so she could let them fall with dignity, in private.
"If you'll excuse me your highness, I must be off now, but I will meet with you later." she said, curtsying once again and stepping away politely so the people behind her could say what they wished to the princess. Charlotte rejoined Marie and informed her sister of the meeting she was having later with the princess, then became frantic that she had forgotten to ask about Marie joining them. As Marie and Charlotte crossed the room, Marie told her to forget about her and to meet with Princess Meredith privately. They must have a lot to discuss, she reasoned with Charlotte, and she could find something to do on her own. Charlotte slowly agreed to it, and they began to chat privately in the corner, while Charlotte faced Marie against the wall, so no one else could see the tears falling. About an hour later, the common folk had dispersed enough for the nobles and royals to exit the courthouse with dignity and without being pummeled. Charlotte and Marie entered their carriage and rode home, to their summer home where they were staying during the trial and now the execution. She changed into a gown for teatime, though it was still dark for her mourning, and waited a little while wondering when would be the appropriate time to go to the castle, or if she should wait to be sent for. Either one could fall under social protocol, so it was just a matter of decision making, really. She was almost certain though that Princess Meredith would rather wish to send for Charlotte, so she had time to clean herself up, as Charlotte assumed that the princess would like time to cry by herself as well. |
Meredith had endured the procession to their coach. The endless waving at the crowd blocks after getting under way. Though the royal family looked as one, a family grieving together, each one was in their own world.
Upon arrival the four royals separated, three rushing to be alone in their thoughts. Meredith wandered out into the gardens she'd played in as a child. She wanted to walk through them like she had so many times before. Now it was too painful to step off the stone patio. The princess turned and headed to her rooms. Alice, her maid, had set out a day dress for her to change out of. When she had changed she sent Alice with a note for Charlotte. It would take a while for the note to be delivered. Meredith sat at her writing desk and cried her heart out. Everything she'd been forced to hold back as society dictated. |
After needing to wash her face, again, after another bout of crying, she reapplied her make up. She had to look perfect when she went out in public, it was a rule. Besides, the Duchess took pride in herself and wanted to look her best, especially in front of Princess Meredith. She couldn't be sure, but she had a feeling she would end up needing to fix it after the tea, if they were truly to reminisce the late Archduke... Poor Jacob. The death Jacob suffered was one Charlotte would not have wished on her worst enemy- except the one who had committed it.
She was gathering some old letters to look over, and possibly bring to the princess when a woman, seemingly a maid, appeared at her door with the invitation from the princess, brought to Charlotte by her own lady in waiting. Charlotte found the one letter in particular she had been looking for and tucked it safely into her small bag that tied around her wrist- just big enough to hold the letter and a few other necessities. Charlotte kissed her sister's cheeks goodbye and headed out into the carriage, and onward to the palace. When she arrived, she was taken to where the princess was and she was announced, so the princess would not be taken off guard, as was appropriate. "Hello again, Princess." Charlotte curtsied. |
Meredith had herself under control by the time Alice returned with her guest. She had time to dry her eyes and fix her makeup to the pristine condition she'd had at the courthouse. Meredith stood and walked over to the duchess. "Welcome Charlotte. Please just call me Meredith or Merry. There's no need to be so formal when we're alone." She smiled gently, the rule that royalty should never show an excess of emotion ingrained in her from childhood.
"Come, let's go to my sitting room. It's more comfortable and it overlooks the gardens." She turned and gestured for Charlotte to walk beside her. The sitting room was the smallest of Meredith's apartments, having enough room to fit four or five comfortably. One wall had a large glass door flanked by enormous panes of glass. Tea and pastries were laid out already, by the helpful Alice. "Please, sit. I would like to hear so much more about Jacob's life. |
Charlotte smiled, "Sounds lovely, Merry." she smiled. She followed Merry, walking next to her, observing as she went. It was a lovely place, she noted, and especially since it could be assumed the princess didn't visit this one often. "Thank you." she said, taking a seat where it could safely be assumed they were having their get together, "Actually, I have brought some of my letters for you to view. One of them mentions you." she said, taking it out of the bag and then setting the bag its self on the table next to what was laid out for her. "I saw him quite a bit, but altogether, it was not actually a lot." she explained, "He visited about every few months."
She handed the letter to Meredith. The letter basically read that he was looking forward to visiting Charlotte again, and that he was hoping to bring his other favorite cousin, Meredith, along with him. He said in the letter that he would love for the two of them to meet, and to become friends. He also mentioned some kind words about her, and a few of his memories that demonstrated why he thought so of her. The letter was dated a week before his murder. |
Meredith read over the letter. The style of writing was completely Jacob, she could almost hear his voice reciting it. "I remember all of these adventure we had together." Tears welled u[ in her eyes and she wiped them away with a linen handkerchief. "It's nice that we did meet, like he wanted us to.
Merry set down the letter gently, and reached for her tea. It was an automatic response. With every guest tea was required, a nicety that left her sick of tea. "I'm glad Jacob had someone else he was close to. I hated that he was so alone in the world. He should have had a lovely wife and a brood of children." She set the teacup down with a small sound. It was getting harder for her to hold back the fresh tears. |
Charlotte smiled, tears of her own falling. At least Jacob had gotten one of his wishes in life. "I find it hard to imagine Jacob with a wife and child... He has always such a kid at heart. It doesn't seem like something Jacob would want to do, even though he loved children..." she offered.
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"I know he wasn't really the family type, but he just seemed so alone every time he left." Jacob was always wonderfully happy when he was with her. But every time he left, she could see how sad he was to go. Meredith sniffled. "I'm sorry. I did not wish to be so weepy."
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Charlotte gave a small laugh, "Sometimes emotion is not so easy to contain. I understand perfectly." she said, dabbing her own eyes. She thought about what the princess had said before that, "Yes... I saw that as well, the few times he visited me. He was always so lonely... When he was around people, he seemed to the the life and joy in everyone else as well. When he left, it seemed like he would take it with him, but I know, that is not truly the case..." she said.
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Merry smiled sadly. Despite it being such a sad time in her life, it seemed as if she had found someone who could understand and truly care about her. She picked up her tea and sipped the sweet brew. After setting the cup back on the table the princess leaned forward. "Would you like to take a stroll? I can not stand to sit here in sorrow."
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Charlotte sipped her own tea, expecting it to calm her down. The warm liquid slid down her throat and seemed to calm her aching heart once it reached it. When the princess suggested the walk, Charlotte eagarly agreed, not wanting to have to sit still any longer either, "That sounds lovely, Merry." she said, "You can lead the way." she smiled, waiting for Meredith to stand first.
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The princess stood with grace that suggested hours of practice. She paused in front of her seat to give Charlotte the chance to rise and led her new friend back the way they came. There were a set of french doors that let out to the brightly lit gardens. Meredith opened the glass door and grabbed a parasol as she went through the doorway.
It was unseemly for a lady of her stature to be seen with darkened skin like a common farmer. she was taught at an early age to always be covered when she was out of doors for any length of time. |
Charlotte arose too, also with a fair amount of grace, but none near that of the princess. She followed Merry through the doors and peeked out at the garden. Charlotte hadn't thought to bring a parasol, but she did not mind being without one. While it was proper as a lady to cover ones self in public, Charlotte had never really liked being told to do so. She disliked carrying those things around, and so she didn't. She simply smiled, as it did not bother her to be without one. "Lovely to see it is brightening up out there" she said, in a much happier voice. At least the simple things could still make her smile every so often.
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Meredith smiled under the shade of her painted parasol. This was her favorite part of the castle. The gardens were tended by several talented gardeners. She paused and bent down to smell a white rose. "This place always makes me happier. There is a lovely maze just down the hill, and a few paths made for wondering. Which would you like to see?" Merry watched Charlotte, completely interested in her. It wasn't often the princess got to spent time alone with anyone.
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Charlotte smiled as she gazed around at the beauty of the garden she was standing in, "I would absolutely love to see it!" she exclaimed looking back to see that Merry had been watching her. Charlotte felt her cheeks become warm and knew she was blushing, at least slightly, but she hoped the princess would not notice it.
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The princess had noticed the flush of color that stained Charlotte's face and made no mention of it. Meredith strode forward heading to the pristine cobbled path that wound through the flower beds. It was the time of year where everything was beginning to bloom and the air was thick with the perfume of flowers. There were a couple of other guests milling about the gardens. Merry walked along occasionally mentioning some exotic plant from India or Africa.
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Charlotte looked down briefly and followed behind Merry, paying attention to what she named. Everything was so beautiful. There were so many colors, so many different types of flowers and such; it was marvelous. As the strolled along, Charlotte wondered how many times Jacob had gone through here with Meredith, and if he saw it the same way she was seeing it now.
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Meredith paused at the end of the path. There was a cherry tree in full bloom shading the end of the cobbled path. Beyond the tree was lush green grass. Merry walked over to the tree and put her hand on the trunk . Just above eye level were two names. Jacob and Merry. She'd forgotten about this. The sight of his name carved in his own hand brought fresh tears. "We planted this as a sapling on his tenth birthday. The gardeners were terribly shocked to find it here the next day." She turned and smiled at Charlotte. "I'm trying not to be so terribly sad. Jacob would want me to live life and be happy. It's jsut so hard without his brightness in my life."
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Charlotte watched the scene, tears stinging in her own eyes now. As she listened to the story, she smiled, a few of the tears making their escape down their cheek. When Merry stopped speaking, Charlotte moved closer and smiled a little, knowing how the other felt, "He would want you to be happy and go on with your life, but he would also realize that it would not happen immediately. I'm sure Jacob would realize that grieving is only proper, and cannot be helped. I am certain if he were watching over you now, and he is, and he could tell you himself, he would tell you that it is okay to be sad, but only for awhile. He would tell you that you will meet again when the time comes for it, and you should live your life just the same without him." she smiled a little more through the tears that were pouring once again, "At least, that's what I can imagine him saying, to me as well..." she said, looking at her hands that were holding each other in front of her.
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