Chapter 9 – Trial by Rumour
The next morning (the day after the rose-garden kiss) dawned iron-grey and bitter.
Snow had fallen in the night; the academy roofs were white, the paths treacherous with ice. By the time Evelyn and I reached the council antechamber at nine bells, the entire capital was already awake and whispering.
Yesterday the library incident had happened.
Yesterday evening Cedric had summoned Evelyn to the Rose Salon and lost the first round.
Last night we had kissed under black roses and decided to flee if the vote went against us.
Today the council would try to finish what Cedric started.
We had not slept.
Evelyn wore mourning black (velvet, high-collared, the silver stag brooch of House Clermont pinned at her throat like a declaration of war). I still wore the same ink-stained grey maid's dress from the library (deliberately). The black stain across my chest had dried into a permanent accusation.
The antechamber was cold marble and colder silence. A single tall window let in pale winter light. A clock on the wall ticked toward the ten-bell start of the session.
Evelyn stood at the window, watching snow swirl in the courtyard below. I stood behind her, close enough to feel the heat of her body through layers of wool and velvet.
At nine-thirty the whispers started leaking through the walls.
"Duke Southmarch arrived at dawn and refused to sit until Lady Evelyn is heard…"
"Archmage Veyron brought the original border treaty (the one signed in the duke's blood)…"
"The prince has been in the council chamber since sunrise, pacing like a caged wolf…"
Evelyn's shoulders rose and fell once (steadying breath).
I took her hand, hidden in the folds of her skirt, and squeezed.
"Whatever happens in there," I said quietly, "at the third bell after noon we ride. Horses are already saddled in the old north stables. Four northern grooms (loyal to House Clermont) are waiting with them. Cloaks, supplies, gold. Everything is ready."
She turned just enough for me to see the fierce glint in her crimson eyes.
"And if the council votes in our favour?"
"Then we still ride," I answered. "Because Cedric will never let a public loss stand. He will send assassins tonight. Better to disappear on our terms."
She nodded once (agreement, trust, love).
At exactly ten bells the great doors opened.
A white-faced steward stepped out.
"Lady Evelyn de Clermont. The High Council will see you now."
We walked in together.
The chamber was exactly as I remembered from the original novel: a semicircle of twelve tiered seats, the queen regent on a raised golden dais, Cedric standing at her right like a pale statue. Every seat was occupied except one (Duke Southmarch stood at the very back, arms folded, refusing to sit).
The queen did not waste time.
"Lady Evelyn de Clermont, you stand accused of conduct unbecoming a noble of this kingdom: public slander against the crown, disruption of academy harmony, and (most gravely) resurrecting treasonous accusations against His Highness Prince Cedric regarding the death of your late father."
Her voice rang like a judge's gavel.
Cedric's eyes were fixed on Evelyn (cold, triumphant).
The queen continued, "The council has heard testimony from Saintess Lilia and multiple witnesses. Do you deny the charges?"
Evelyn stepped forward into the centre of the circle. I stayed half a pace behind (close enough to reach any throat in the room).
"I deny nothing," Evelyn said, voice clear and steady. "I accuse everything."
A collective intake of breath.
She did not raise her voice. She did not need to.
"Six years ago my father was murdered in the north tower by royal magic. I was fourteen. I felt the spell. I watched him fall. I was told to smile and call it an accident or join him on the stones. Today I choose truth."
Cedric surged to his feet. "These are the delusions of—"
"Delusions?" Archmage Veyron rose slowly, staff striking the floor. "I was present that night. The wind was summoned. I felt the signature. Royal bloodline magic. Shall I demonstrate for the council?"
Cedric went white.
Duke Southmarch spoke from the back, voice like gravel. "I move we grant Lady Evelyn thirty days to present evidence before this council. Any vote taken today would be premature."
Countess Eltaire stood next (old, frail, but steady). "Seconded. My granddaughter weds into the northern houses come spring. I will not vote to orphan her future children of their liege lady."
Three votes. Exactly three.
The queen's smile froze into something lethal.
Cedric looked as though someone had driven a blade between his ribs.
Evelyn delivered the final blow, calm as winter midnight.
"I do not ask for absolution today. I ask for time. Thirty days. Let the north speak. If I am the monster you paint me, execute me then. But give me one month to prove who the real monster has been all along."
The chamber exploded into shouting.
The queen slammed her staff for order. Cedric was on his feet, face twisted with rage.
Above the chaos the great clock in the tower began to toll the hour (three bells past noon).
My pulse steadied.
That was our signal.
I leaned close to Evelyn's ear.
"Now."
She gave the tiniest nod.
We backed toward the side door (slow, deliberate, never turning our backs on the wolves).
The third bell finished ringing.
We slipped through the door, down the narrow servants' stair, across the snow-covered inner yard, and into the old north stables where four riders in Clermont colours waited with six horses.
Evelyn mounted a tall black gelding like she was born in the saddle. I vaulted up behind her on the same horse (arms around her waist, her back pressed to my chest).
Royal guards burst into the yard just as the stable doors swung open.
Too late.
We were already thundering through the postern gate and onto the northern road, cloaks snapping like war banners, snow spraying beneath iron-shod hooves.
Behind us the academy bells changed from the hour to alarm (frantic, furious).
Ahead of us stretched the white road north (freedom, war, and thirty stolen days to burn a kingdom down).
Evelyn turned her head, hair whipping in the wind, and laughed (wild, joyous, alive).
"Together," she shouted.
I tightened my arms around her and answered against the shell of her ear.
"Always."
The hunt had begun.
And this time, we were the ones with teeth.