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Emery: A Prince's Adventure novel Chapter 39

Emery

Today is the day. The day where she'll be judged.

I, stand still as I watch the crowd, mostly citizens as they join us on this day. The day where we'll say the truth and leave everything to the judge where he shall be the one to state Hannah's punishment.

''There are a lot of people here,'' Evelyn says.

''You're right. The whole country knows about this. I'm pretty sure they've chosen our side yet some rebellions might be supporting her,'' I mutter under my breath as I keep on eyeing the crowd as Emma stands still beside me, her fingers entwined with mine.

''We don't need to know that now,'' She replies.

''It's starting,'' Evelyn gestures for us to sit.

Our royal lawyer has been dealing issues in this family for years, he is one of our trustworthy man. We all sit at the assigned seats, facing the judge and within seconds, I am already turning to look at Hannah, seeing her staring straight at the judge as she caresses her stomach.

All of a sudden, we are interrupted by the sound of the door opening before we can even start. Evelyn and I turn to look at the door, seeing Cole and Daniel entering as their eyes wander around the room.

Without me realising, Cole has already looked my way as he walks towards his side—with Hannah. Daniel follows behind him, his eyes won't leave Hannah's figure. I can't believe that this is what we've come to.

We were laughing, enjoying and even cherishing the moment of our lives. That seemed like only a few months ago but now things have changed. We've became adults before we get to realise it.

''All rise. Honourable judge is preceding into the court room,'' An officer says, as a sign for us to stand up; before turning to look at the judge, entering.

''Please be seated,'' He says, as we sit.

''Shall we begin?'' I hear someone ask but everything seems like a blur; my whole mind can't even comprehend what the hell is happening right now.

The judge begins by reading the case number and stating who is present in the court room other than the gallery and observers, ''This is the case number 84C01-0703-JD-00569, in the matter of Hannah Johansson. Present in the courtroom are the defendant and her attorney, the deputy prosecutor and the probation officer.''

I glance one more time at her, seeing her eyes are red and slightly swollen; as if she has been crying. Both of her hands are shaking but she hides it very well, not seen if I don't pay close attention. As for herself, she looks tired, hopeless and just, miserable.

It pains me to see her this way but it's her fault.

1

This wouldn't have happened if she didn't attempt.

''This is going to be long,'' Evelyn mutters beside me, making me turn to look at her; seeing that she's not looking at Hannah at all. Both of her eyes show no sympathy—maybe because she haven't spent as much time as I've spent with her.

''All are innocent until proven guilty. You have the option to plead not guilty, guilty or no contest. No contest means the trial will continue without your supporting evidence which can still find you guilty. I advise you not to plead no contest. You also have the right to obtain counsel,'' The judge says, while the rest of us are quietly in our spot; not uttering anything.

I look at Emma, seeing that she is currently looking down at her hands as she stays still next to our lawyer. If only I can be next to her, in order to comfort, I would but like I said, she's strong enough. She is.

''In the matter of Maria Higgins and Hannah Johansson, please come forward,'' He starts, looking up at Maria—one of our maids who saw the whole incident.

She was walking through the halls until she heard raising voices; luckily, she stayed long enough to see Hannah push Emma down the stairs which she claims to be a witness. Both of Hannah and Maria walk towards their stands, causing everyone to look at them.

The judge looks down at the paper, ''Maria Higgins, please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?'' He asks, eyeing Maria; so does the rest of the people here.

An officer places Maria's hand on the bible, ''I do.''

''This is absurd,'' Evelyn whispers beside me, ''Why do we need to take this into the courtroom? It's enough evident that the future queen could have been killed but Hannah still managed to make a case in order to defend herself? How does this even work?'' She frowns.

''There are certain unexplained things,'' I reply.

''Oh, like the baby she's carrying.'' She crosses her arms, leaning back onto the seat before keeping quiet for a few seconds, ''We've got the test result and the father,'' She continues, making me look at her; listening.

''I know about that, Evelyn,'' I sigh, deeply.

''The court doesn't. They can make it all up,'' She says. ''So, I did us a favour. You and Emma can get away from all this pathetic mess when this is all over,'' She adds.

''You may begin,'' The judge says to Maria.

''It was on the tenth of June, Her Highness had arrived from Melbourne, Australia where she went with Princess Evelyn and Sir Andrea. From all I heard in the palace when they were gone, they went to investigate about the current child that Ms. Johansson is carrying as she claimed Prince Emery to be the father,'' She says, looking at our direction; whatever she will say, as long as she states the truth—there will be no blame.

''I saw them. I heard voices but it sounded more like an argument yet I didn't bother to intervene. All I could say is that, I saw Hannah pushed Princess Emma out of the room but she had pushed too far which caused her to fall down the stairs, resulting the miscarriage,'' She continues to say and I take a few seconds to glance at Emma; trying to see how she's cooping.

''Thank you, Ms. Higgins. You may step down,'' The judge says and Maria slowly steps down from the stand, walking back towards her seat.

''Hannah Nicole Johansson, please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?'' The judge asks, the same as Maria.

Within seconds, the officer has already made his way towards Hannah, placing her hand on the bible. I eye her every movement and all I can see is her eyes looking back at me; probably showing pain.

''I do,'' She replies; her voice almost inaudible.

Everyone starts to whisper but their whispers are far from my range of hearing. They seem to talk about the incident that happened; making me look back at her, seeing that she's currently looking at her brother.

Cole's eyes show a large amount of sympathy. He loves his sister so much that it's a huge pain to see her in this state; for a small cause and a plan, she ended up in jail. Maybe, all she attempted was to hurt Emma, just to make her see that she is capable of doing things.

But, she ended up causing the miscarriage.

''According to Maria Higgins, you claimed that His Highness, Prince Emery is the father to your child. In fact, there are also other witnesses agreed to your claim as they heard and was present including Princess Evelyn and the queen herself,'' Our lawyer, Mr. James Gilbert starts to speak, as he looks directly into her eyes.

''Your honour, Hannah Johansson has spread nothing but lies as soon as she landed in London. Other than claiming the prince to be the father of her child, she ended up hurting the princess, our future queen, in order for her to prove herself right,'' He continues.

''He is the father to my child!'' Hannah speaks.

''On what proof? You have solemnly sworn on the bible that you shall tell the truth and nothing but the truth so I advise you to do as told,'' He points at her, making her look down at the ground as she inhales.

''In fact, the true father of the child is in here with us. I've asked him to come here all the way from Melbourne to justify and to state the truth. Remember Daniel, Ms. Johansson?'' He asks, turning to look at Daniel, who is currently sitting on the other side with Cole. Everyone starts to mutter words as they look at him. ''This is not just an empty talk. I have proof, Your Honour.''

Mr. Gilbert makes his way towards Emma, opening his suitcase on the desk before taking out an unknown file and within seconds, Evelyn's lips are already curving into a smile; making me realise what's the content.

''This is the paternity test. The doctor is also present if this file does not contain enough proof to state that the prince of Cambridge is definitely innocent,'' He says, proudly as he glances towards Hannah; showing that he is already winning the case without a doubt.

''Objection, Your Honour!'' Her attorney stands.

Chapter 39 1

Chapter 39 2

Chapter 39 3

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