Chapter 490: Short Trial.
“Any word from father?”
“I’m sorry my dear, your father is a busy man, I’m sure he would be here if he could but…”
“I understand…”
Two people were talking in front of a large chamber door. One was an older woman, who concealed her age beneath a layer of thick makeup. The other was a younger girl with similar features - her daughter, Lucienne. Not far behind them stood a lone man shrouded in mystery, his identity unknown to everyone except the daughter and her elder brother, whom they had all come for.
‘So, the old bastard never did show up in the end… but perhaps there is still some time for him to make an appearance, that is if all goes well with the plan…’
Roland looked at his stepmother and sister trembling in front of the chamber that led to the courtroom where Robert’s trial was about to commence. The air was thick with tension, and the stone walls of the building seemed to close in on them as they waited. Graham De Vere and Count Laurence were already inside and preparing for the hearing to start. Guards stood everywhere, waiting for Robert to be escorted in and for his trial to start.
“Can’t you at least take those off, my son is not a criminal!”
Francine Arden was the first one to call out as she spotted her sun moving slowly towards the courtroom, shackled in heavy chains. Robert's wrists and ankles were bound, and a small group of armed guards flanked him on both sides. The sight was a bitter one for Francine, whose fierce maternal instinct flared up at the indignity of seeing her son treated like a dangerous conflict. The guards, however, were unmoved by her protests. Their orders were clear: treat Robert Arden as a dangerous suspect until the trial concluded.
Roland watched silently from a distance, his face impassive beneath his helmet. Robert, his brother noticed his form close to one of the walls. If not for the helmet their eyes would be meeting at this moment and a nod would be exchanged. Close to three days earlier the two had a long talk and now was the time to put their plan into action.