"That other witness you just called a liar is ," Arlan declared. "Though I was just a five-year-old, the mory of my mother’s murder is etched in my mind as if it happened yesterday. I can tell you everything—from what my mother and the assassin were wearing, to how they were standing, even the tiniest piece of jewelry my mother was wearing."
The woman didn’t know what to say and looked at Luis, who glared at her, silently urging her to resolve the situation. Luis had not expected this turn of events either.
Luis had never heard that Arlan had witnessed it. There was no record.
No one knew a few days after Arlan recovered from the shock, he ca to his father and told him what he saw. King Ailwin heard it, recorded his statent without ntioning Philip’s na, and only stated the appearance of the assassin. He hid that record page. He later ordered Arlan to never say it to anyone unless there is a strong proof of what he said. He had a reason to do so, a reason that he had promised Helena to forgive Philip, her dying wish.
"Your Highness, I am old and two decades have passed," the woman said, wiping remnants of tears from her eyes. "My mory can be delusional at this age, but I am sure that was Lord Verner. I heard his voice when he was arguing with the Queen. As I recognized his voice, my mind must have made a picture of him being angry at the queen, and that’s what I told you about."
"You just said you could not hear what they were talking about. How are you sure it was Lord Verner’s voice? Not to forget his face was wrapped in cloth, so his voice wouldn’t be as clear when he spoke," Arlan added.
"I... I just know..."
"How?"
"I don’t know... I just know because..."
"Because soone told you to say it, didn’t they?" Arlan raised his voice. "Do you rember the warning my father just gave you about lying?"
The woman trembled and looked at Luis, who didn’t give her a chance to speak. "You lied to us? You said you clearly saw who killed the Queen."
"Lord Mortier, you..."
"Do not ntion my na with your filthy mouth," Luis interrupted her and signaled his knight. The knight removed his sword imdiately, but before it could reach the woman, another sword had already stopped it, making a loud clank sound that echoed inside the Royal Court.
Luis’s knight glared at the one who interrupted him, only to receive a warning gaze from the captain of the knights of the Order of Thistle Palace, Imbert Loyset.
"This is a Royal Court and not Lord Mortir’s personal courtroom," Imbert’s voice, cold and dignified, echoed through the hall. "Retract your sword, or I won’t be rciful."
Luis offered a nod. His knight retracted the sword and stepped back while Imbert did the sa. Since the mont Arlan had left his place, Imbert as his knight moved to nearby Arlan’s side as well while Rafal stood next to Oriana.
"Lord Mortir, it seems you consider yourself above the king, even to the point of going against his order," Arlan comnted.
"I dare not, Your Highness. I was rely punishing her for lying..."
"And the King had already said he would punish her by skinning her alive if she lied," Arlan raised his voice. "Then who are you to decide the punishnt for her?"
Luis imdiately bowed to the King. "Your Majesty, I apologize for my ignorance. Her lie enraged ."
"Luis, if a lowly woman like her can deceive you and make you falsely accuse soone of treason, how can I ever believe the credibility of your words and actions?" The King’s tone was calm, but his gaze was threatening. "Is this the first incident where you falsely declared soone a traitor, or have you done it before as well?"
Luis was shaken by these words. He realized he had created trouble for himself. "No, Your Majesty. I greatly regret trusting this woman, but I had reasons to do so. According to our findings, Lord Philip ran away the sa night Her Majesty was killed. What reason could he have had to flee so suddenly unless he had done sothing to fear?" He looked at Oriana. "Crown Princess, can you tell us why Lord Philip ran away back then? As his granddaughter, I believe he must have told you the reason."
Before Oriana could speak, Arlan intervened. "Before that, I would like to ask this woman who told her to lie," he said, looking at the woman on the floor. "So, Fiana, tell us why you lied."
Before she could answer, Luis warned, "You better think and talk. Not only you, but your family would be punished for lying to the King."
The woman looked at Luis with a scared gaze and then lowered her head helplessly. "No one told to lie, Your Majesty. As I said before, my mory can be delusional due to age."
"Are you afraid of telling the truth?" he asked.
"No, Your Highness. I’m telling the truth."
"Take her away," Arlan ordered, not willing to have her in sight any longer, neither he was surprised to hear her deny it.
Luis smirked and turned to Oriana again. "So, Your Highness, about my previous question...."
"Why are you in such a hurry, Luis Mortir?" Arlan interrupted him again. "Are you heading back to the Northeast right away that you cannot wait to solve the mystery of my mother’s death?"
Luis chuckled. "You jest, Your Highness. As we are on this matter, I wish for all of us to find out the truth as soon as possible. Justice has been delayed for the past two decades."
"I share the sa sentints as you," Arlan spoke. "That is why I am determined to uncover the truth in today’s royal court. To punish the culprits and serve justice to my mother."
"Very well, then," Luis said, "Let the Crown Princess...."
"Bring our witness inside," Arlan ordered before Luis could say more, taking him by surprise.
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