Verdict

Author's Note: The trial and court that I have written is not in the same context as to any real life events. I made it all up.

A few days before the trial and Marshal, along with Jerome's friends, was trying his best to look for some evidences that could make Jerome innocent in the court; however, the only evidence was the assassin's words.

As for the noble man himself, he gave valid alibies but that is not enough. The bank Jerome was depositing and withdrawing in has no obviously large dent which was good, but of course it could also be countered by saying that Jerome could pay via gem jewelries or diamonds instead.

Nothing could prove the man innocent since the orders could be verbal at any time before the day of the crime.

The motive for the crime is where Marshal was holding his hopes on, there is none. Since Jerome cannot receive any treasure in behalf of killing Rowan, he cannot kill him yet not until they are married, so why order an assassination when they're just recently officially announced as engaged.

The young Grand Duke knew that even if Rowan were to wake up at the day of the trial, his words won't do anything since the one who did the crime was an assassin. The question is, who was the person who actually ordered for his assassination.

At the day of the trial, many nobles came to watch how Marshal will present all evidences. He was supposed to be neutral and he really was since there are not enough proof to justify claims that Jerome was or not innocent.

"We are hereby gathered here today to witness the trial of Lord Jerome Wright's verdict against the accusation of attack Prince Rowan Lennox, his fiance!" The bench clerk announced.

The King was right at the center of the court, seeing everyone and especially, looking down on everyone in his high chair.

"Bring out the primary culprit!" Jerome appeared as soon as the door opened, his friends were in dismay to see the very man they look up to, restrained with his hands on his back.

Marshal kept a composed demeanor but he also felt bad for the noble man.

The said man, on the other hand, was just as composed. He knew he was innocent, and he knew that the king might have something to do in this incident.

"I hereby call Grand Duke Marshal Kinsley at the front to state his findings about the case." The bench clerk called and, so the said man walked to the front and to the podium, facing the king.

"Primarily, the assassin captured stated that the one who ordered him was Lord Jerome himself and that it was done verbally. I would like to call this assassin as well as Lord Jerome to the front for confirmation." The white haired man looked up at King Roysce who nodded.

"Approved."

A knight escorted the noble man to the witness box while another knight fetched the assassin.

"Lord Jerome, do you swear to say the truth and nothing but the truth?" The Grand Duke asked and the black haired man nodded, "I swear."

"Is it true that you ordered someone to kill Prince Rowan?"

"No."

"They stated that they were bribed to do it, do you have evidences that it was false?"

"At the moment, no... however, if you have investigated the profits that I gain and the gold that I deposit, there's no large withdrawal that can be noticed at the bank." Jerome answered with composure.

Marshal hummed, "Actually, yes. This is true. Lord Jerome's bank transactions was clean." He said, giving the documents to the king to be assessed.

"But what about some items? How can we tell that Lord Jerome didn't used his jewelry to bribe off the assassins?" The duke asked and just in time, the captured assassin arrived and was placed at another podium, making it less likely for him to lie since all the evidence are with the duke.

"It would be unthinkable if these assassins didn't use Lord Jerome's magical gems as they attacked Prince Rowan since we all know how strong the Prince is. He was almost as strong as Sir Wystan, his knight." Marshal turned to the said knight.

"I'm sure that you have gathered all of the assassin's belongings, have you found any of Lord Jerome's jewelries?" The white haired man asked.

"There are no jewelries that you spoke of, my lord."

"I see." The duke turned to the King, "Sir Liao Feng provided all the gem's records bought and taken out of the shop with receipt. He stated that all the jewelries and clothes they sell cannot get out of their shop without it."

Jerome noticed how King Roysce frowned, he was getting proven that he's less likely to be the culprit more and more and he could notice that the old man was getting more annoyed at any second.

"I also investigated every bank, your majesty. No jewelries of Lord Jerome were sold but the rings, which he purposely sold in discreet to help and protect the poor. This is from one of his staff's statements, which could be biased but it was proven to be true." He gave more papers to prove them.

"As for the purpose of the crime, we all know that Lord Jerome is Prince Rowan's fiance. They were witnessed and observed to be always together, quite chummy as they say... killing the prince would be quite questionable especially if they're not yet married yet and was just recently acknowledged by the King to be officially engaged..." Marshal explained, looking up at King Roysce.

There was a hint of suspicion in his gaze against the King's piercing ones.

"Then question the assassin about his side." The King suggested.

"As you wish, your majesty." The white haired man nodded before turning to the perpetrator.

"Tell me, what evidence do you have that it is Lord Jerome who ordered the kill?"

The assassin smirked making all of them uneasy, even more after he answered.

"It's because he had to get rid of him, simple as that."

The duke raised an eyebrow, "For what motive?"

The assassin chuckled, "To be with me, of course."

'What.' Jerome was shocked to hear this, everyone were.

"A born-commoner like him just wanted someone to bed, he never cared if it is the Prince or if it's an assassin. He's just as dirty as that, and I guess he likes me more than his highness and I do like him too but I would rather save my life than his."

The Jerome's eyes widened before looking at King Roysce who looked triumphant.

Of course no one would question if the assassin's claims were true, there are no evidences but his words and even if Jerome were to deny it, it would only sound defensive.

Even so, Marshal turned to Jerome to ask, "Is this true, my lord?"

The black haired man kept his glare at the king before answering, "No. I've never met this man in my life."

"Really now? We met an alleyway, right?" The assassin asked with a smirk, making Jerome look at him.

It was half-lie and half-true, since this is the same man who attacked him on the day he was blessed.

"May I ask a question to the assassin, your majesty?" Jerome asked, making the king confused.

But he nodded, "You may."

"An assassin brings a crest they serve to, or they have a tattoo of the family of whom they serve to... This is a sign of loyalty, is it not?" The assassin and even King Roysce were frozen.

Marshal was just as shock and a bit disappointed with himself that he forgot.

The duke nodded at Wystan who nodded back before looking for a tattoo in the assassin's body since they found no crest and just as Jerome stated, there's a tattoo on the assassin's wrist.

The emblem of the royal family, a sword with a rose.

"A sword with a rose." The knight stated.

All their attention went to the King. Murmurs filled the room and King Roysce frowned at this outcome.

"Why did you attack your own son?" Jerome asked with a scowl. He was angry, not because he was accused, but because this man had the guts to harm his own son.

The old man stood up from his seat, and suddenly, dark shadows surrounded the room making the audience panic.

Liao and Henry braced themselves, blocking Dynila and Georgia from any harm while Marshal and Wystan pulled out their swords.

"I never liked dirt in my Kingdom... yet commoners had the audacity to walk on my floors and kiss my son. The only one who would rule this place to perfection if only he wasn't tainted by the idea that such lowlives are our equal." King Roysce looked down at them.

Jerome's pendant rose glowed and defeated the king's shadows, the black haired man was confused but he held onto the pendant, hoping that it would continue to help him.

Marshal and Wystan took this as a chance to guide the others out, "Jerome!" The duke called but the noble man kept his eyes up on the king.

"I'll take them away. Look out for, my lord." Liao told the white haired man and the knight beside him who nodded and ran back to Jerome's side.

"We are all human here, commoners or nobles alike... you have no right to control everyone's lives just because of your interpretation of perfection." He scowled at the old man, glaring while looking up at him.

"The Rosaria Stone..." The King's eyes widened before he growned, feeling the shadows that possessed him taking over.

From what Jerome remembered, dark magic also exists in this world. It came from Rosaria's hatred towards the people who took her away from her beloved.

"Don't listen to the shadows, your majesty!" The black haired man tried to call out for King Roysce, if he was still there.

The old man scowled, glaring at the three young men in front of him before pointy shadows from his back tried to pierce them.

Wystan was quick to take the noble man and dodged while Marshal dodged on the other side.

The dark appendages, seemingly like tentacles whipped the knight and duke away, hard enough for them to hit the wall, leaving Jerome alone at the center before the King blew dark energy to finish him.

"Jerome!" Marshal exclaimed and wanted to jump to protect him but he winced, Wystan was also having some difficulty standing up.

Just before the dark energy hit him, Jerome's eyes widened when someone ran past him, embracing him to protect him from the attack.

"Rowan!"