The grand hall stood tall, heavy breathing and murmurs fell silent among the nobles that stood against the walls as the beautifully adorned door opened and pushed a gust of cold, harsh wind. The emperor, head high and eyes filled with uncertainty, pushed forward on the red and gold carpet laid in front of him. Behind him, his wife, the empress. She walked with a heavy heart, digging her ankles into her heels counter, forcing back her sadness and tears with a stone cold face, one that could kill people with a glance. The emperor stood in front of the stairs, offering his hand to the empress. She took his hand, and they both took to climb the atrociously high set of stairs. They perched themselves on their thrones that reigned before the hundreds of nobles and looked down as their son, who walked into the hall with a motionless expression in his eyes. Nobles wore their best attire, adorned with their lavish jewels, and one would think that they were here for an important banquet. Four guards at the front and four in the back, they marched into the hall. Between the guards stood a girl, though she wore a dress that would also be on par with those who stood to the side, it was covered in all sorts of grim and dirt, with its jewels forcefully ripped off, and tears throughout its skirt. The girl dressed in such a foul manner, treated like a third-rate peddler, and glanced at with such contempt, was not crying, nor did she hang her head low in shame. She stood tall, in a poised manner, with a subtle smile that brushed across her face. The guard forced her to the ground in front of the thrones, shoving her harshly and glaring at the girl with contempt.
The magistrate stood tall and announced,
"Kiara Nydd, you have been accused of hiring an assassin for the attempted murder of Lady Bonnie, as well as minor tampering with royal documents and partaking in illegal trade. How do you plead?"
The silent hall was shaken by a single word.
"Guilty."