Redemption Arc

The trial had deviated a great deal away from Lucian. That was by design—the crux of their defense rested in the idea that Cyril was Lucian’s puppeteer, who forced him to do horrible things. Most of the attention had shifted from Lucian to Cyril for that very purpose, and thus Lucian was much less apprehensive about spectating.

Lucian listened attentively as Cyril went down the list of claims that Lydia had made, debunking or at least discrediting them one after another. While listening, Lucian kept thinking about when he’d learned a valuable lesson in his youth.

People don’t like people that clearly think they’re smarter than everyone.

Cyril was convincing. He spoke calmly, measuredly, and never claimed anything without evidence to back it up. Despite his general apathy, he was articulate enough not to be boring. At the same time, his arrogance wasn’t the kind that exuded charisma. It was an overbearing arrogance that said, ‘I know better than you, and I have proven it.’

Simply put, Cyril lacked the emotional intelligence that Lydia had shown. That was the impression Lucian got, sitting up in the gallery. He just didn’t seem like a man that was defending his innocence. That callousness that Cyril treated others with, even his son, bled through. He had to hope the jury saw that. Denzel had. Everyone else had. Cyril wasn’t the showy, grandiose type—not like Brutus. He didn’t give grand speeches. He simply led, and while there was no denying he got results, he inspired loyalty from results rather than charisma.

But the conclusion… it made Lucian worry.

“From the way Lydia told her story, It’s impossible that I would have been able do as she claimed—namely, sacrifice them to this Heavenly Body,” Cyril said flatly. “I wasn’t present for the birth of Lucian or Cate. I was away, serving my country as prime minister to the emperor. I’ve brought with me legislature that I created during this time to verify that fact.”

Jesus, does he really want to say that? Lucian thought. Kind of a goal against his own team. I couldn’t possibly have murdered my child, because I’ve never seen him even once! What was his name again?

Still, it was the next part that made Lucian uncomfortable.

“Additionally, both children were conceived without my intent,” Cyril said. “If you’ll notice, Lydia has records of purchasing the ingredients for sedatives and aphrodisiacs around the time of their conception. I have never willingly shared a bed with that woman, the reasons for which are on abundant display here today.”

“You’re saying she drugged you to conceive your children?” Trudy asked quietly.

“I am,” Cyril confirmed calmly, spurring surprise in the crowd. “It’s an embarrassing detail, but I believe a necessary one to reveal. Lydia was never an innocent victim. Since our youth, she’s been a menace. I won’t deny I have difficulty expressing my emotions, but I wasn’t always this way. She killed every pet I had. My nanny drowned due to her actions. She caused fires at the Villamar estate, and would often blackmail me into entering locations which she would then lock me inside.” He shook his head. “Gradually, I learned to conduct myself as most know.”

Lucian’s eyes narrowed, and he crossed his arms in discomfort. If he believed that… things started to make sense.

Trudy looked at Cyril intently. “She was always the heir to Villamar, wasn’t she? Did your parents ever attempt to stop this?”

“She was the precious child, and I was her outlet,” Cyril confirmed. “I was expected, and taught, to defer to her in all matters. To obey her word. It was made abundantly clear to me that I was always in the wrong no matter what she did. If she hung my dog from a chair, it was my fault for failing to restrain the dog from annoying her. If she failed in her learning, it was my fault for failing to help her. It became easier to stop myself from having attachments than allowing her to destroy the things I held dear. Even after our marriage, she made it clear she would sooner see us both dead than allow me to do anything I wanted.”

Trudy nodded. “And what of your children? What do you have to say about Lucian’s accusation you were his puppet?”

“I believe the fact that I angled to have Lucian appointed as student auxiliary is sufficient indication the esteem I hold him in,” Cyril said. “Just as with his mother, I ensured that he lived the best life that he could and spent the majority of my time cleaning up after him. I took his side because he was my son. It’s clear to me he’s beyond redemption. I never used my son for any malicious deeds. I do not trust him, and he’s merely using me as a scapegoat.

“As for Cate…” Cyril closed his eyes. “Duke Clemens Metterand was appointed Chancellor of the Empire of Riverra. He was capable of fooling the imperial family, fooling the entire empire. I believe that it’s fair to say that he fooled me as well. I was entirely ignorant of the abuses that he inflicted upon my daughter. A principal trait of her disability is muteness. Shamefully, I missed the signs… and she could provide none. I suspect that’s why he preyed on our family.”

Trudy took a deep breath. “Do you have anything to say in closing?”

Cyril paused, as if gathering his thoughts. “Today… I’ve been totally honest. I’ve shared things that I thought, and hoped, I would take to my grave. As humiliating as it is to admit, Lydia has been my tormentor for the vast majority of my life,” Cyril said. “My parents didn’t care—they wished me to marry Lydia since the day I was born. My uncle, the Duke of Villamar before me, refused to entertain the notion his precious daughter could be malevolent. Throughout my life, none have believed me. But I have told the whole truth. I am not Lucian’s puppeteer. And I pray that you, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, will finally accept the truth.”

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Clapping started echoing out, surprising Lucian. He looked around the gallery to see several people giving an applause to those closing words. The judge looked irritated, and grabbed his gavel to slam it down loudly and demand order.

Did he pay people to clap? Lucian thought. We’re getting clapped! Why didn’t Theobald think of that? Peer pressuring the jury?

“The people of the gallery will quiet or they will be forcibly removed from the courtroom!” The judge shouted, and the people settled down.

Lucian noticed that some of the people that’d been clapping were journalling. Presumably, Cyril had deep fingers in the press. Theobald stood up, fixing his clothes, and he gave a signal to someone standing nearby. They ran off.

“The defense may approach for cross-examination,” the judge said.

“You claim that you’re not Lucian’s puppeteer… claim that you’re not of such low character. I couldn’t help but notice there was a great deal that you left out of your reply,” Theobald said, walking up while he reviewed his notes. “A lot of accusations Lydia made that you didn’t refute at all, probably because you knew there was some incriminating evidence. I’d like to get into some of those…”

As Lucian sat there, he felt something tap his shoulder and looked behind him. Helen and Rowan entered the gallery, sitting down.

“Hey,” Rowan whispered.

“Hey! Came to watch?” Lucian asked back.

“Yeah. Have to see the climax, after all.” Rowan gestured toward Helen, and she leaned in. “Remember when you said that you wanted some help with this?”

Lucian raised a brow. “Did you do something?”

“You tell him,” Rowan said to Helen.

“That lady coming up, Dinah…” Helen looked down, waiting and watching. “Rowan and I were the ones to bring her.”

“What?!” Lucian said in surprise.

“Daddy was the one that did the heavy lifting, actually located her. She was in hiding,” Helen said. “And then I brought it to Rowan.”

“Took a lot of legwork,” Rowan said. “Had to go to New Riverra, cash in some favors. But we found her. Then, we had to convince her to testify… long story short, we brought her here. We’ve been keeping her out of sight until just now… when she’s primed to step up onto the stand.”

“Holy hell,” Lucian said. He couldn’t help but laugh, though he covered his mouth as he was in the courtroom.

God, having a protagonist friend is the best damn thing I’ve ever done…

“Thank you, Rowan.” Lucian said in awe. “I don’t know what to say. This is…”

Rowan slapped his shoulder. “You can thank me if it works. After all, it’s not like this is the decisive factor.” He smiled proudly all the same. “Even still, both Lorenna and Theobald seem pretty convinced that it’ll be significant.”

Lucian wished that Theobald had been more transparent about this whole thing, but he supposed that he was also partly to blame considering the number of things that he was doing at once. He turned his attention back toward the trial.

“I’d like to focus on one issue in particular,” Theobald said. “Namely, the Inquisition.”

Cyril stared ahead, giving a curt nod.

“Is the name Dinah familiar to you?” Theobald asked.

Cyril looked like he hadn’t been prepared for that. He leaned back in his chair, then said faintly, “I am.”

“What was that?” Theobald pressed. “Speak up. Do you know Dinah?”

“I know Di… I know her,” Cyril said.

“Dinah was a commoner from the Republic of New Riverra, a Student Ambassador, an Inquisitor… and your first affair, no?”

Cyril’s jaw visibly clenched. He stared at Theobald with hate, but closed his eyes and exhaled. When he opened his eyes again, he was calmer. “…yes,” he said clearly.

“She was your lover? That’s what you’re saying?” Theobald asked.

“We never slept together,” Cyril said. “But… yes.”

“You think she’d agree?” Theobald pressed.

“She’s dead. Lydia saw to that,” Cyril said.

Theobald stroked his chin. “I think we should ask her.” He looked to the judge. “I’d like to call a witness to provide countering testimony to Cyril Villamar. A woman by the name of Dinah. Judge?”

The judge consented, and Lucian turned his head to watch the entrance. Soon enough, a delicate-looking woman entered. She had red hair, prominent freckles, and wore an unassuming beige dress. She was of average height. It took Lucian a few moments to notice… but she was missing her right hand. Cyril’s face was a sight to behold. Lucian didn’t think it could express such emotions. He leaned back in his chair and held his bandaged hand to his heart.

“Is this the Dinah you knew?” Theobald asked.

Cyril stared unblinkingly. “Yes.”

Trudy slammed her hands upon the table and rose. “Judge, I’d like to request a brief recess, and furthermore verification of the identity of this witness!”

Lucian looked to the judge’s response, biting his lips.