Chapter 15: Court Proceedings I

On the 30th of July, the weather was absolutely perfect. It was sunny, warm and breezy with clear blue skies. However, contrary to the weather, those inside the Ministry of Justice, specifically those facing Court charges, felt like there's a storm raging inside their turbulent hearts.

Emily arrived in the ministry about 2 hours ahead of Leonard's scheduled hearing. It proved to be a wise decision as even before she could enter the gates of the ministry, the crowding was getting worse by the minute. Outside its gates, journalists, photographers, members of the media/ press, were all lined up trying to gain entry but to no avail.

Emily was a popular figure, but since she was wearing a scarf and sunglasses, plus with the crowd's focus being on the people inside the ministry, no one paid attention to her. Thankfully, though the guards were very strict, when she showed the envelope containing the summons, no questions were asked and she was given direct entry.

Now standing inside the Ministry, she understood the pandemonium outside. Almost all of the high-profile key figures/ supporters of the monarchists were there and when she asked one ministry personnel, she was told that the bulk of cases connected to the previous regime was scheduled for their preliminary Hearing today.

The schedule of cases to be held that day was posted on a bulletin board. Emily went to check. There's no case title indicating the names of the plaintiff and defendant, but the case number, time, and location of each case hearing was indicated. She noticed that there's one hour interval for each trial save for the one at 11am as lunch break follows at noon before proceeding to the next one at 1:00pm.

Emily searched for Leonard's case number, 873, and found that it was scheduled at 11am in room #102 at the second floor. There were other cases scheduled before his in the same room, one at 9am and another at 10am.

Since she was already in the building and can enter a courtroom ahead of schedule, she thought that observing a case trial would be beneficial. Fact was, she has never witnessed an actual case hearing, and it would be good to gain some knowledge before attending Leonard's.

Checking the time, it was currently 9:15 am. It would be rude to enter the room in the middle of trial, so she decided to enter the one at 10am.

While waiting, she counted the cases on trial today. There were 4 rooms used and each had 7 scheduled hearing. So, 28. Was that all? Or were there some scheduled on another day? Either way, 28 was a large number and most likely half of those 28 would have some connections with the higher ups of the new regime or perhaps still have enough money to save themselves or at least fight tooth and nail for their 'innocence'.

That was good for her, or to be precise, Leonard's case. It would mean that the Ministry of Justice would take some time to go through all the other cases.

Anyhow, with nothing else to do and not wanting unnecessary attention, Emily stood by one inconspicuous corner with a window near room 102 to wait while observing the scene outside.

--

It was 9:45 am when Emily saw the previous occupants of room 102 exit its doors. She could not remember the name, but she could recognize the face of the man who most likely was the defendant. She did saw him in some of the events before and if the well-dressed attendants by his sides were any indication, the man must still be loaded.

The man had his eyebrows crunched while not so quietly snarling, "Those blood-sucking vultures!" Then, he angrily continued stomping as he left.

'Was the current regime also trying to suck all those remaining wealthy monarchists dry?' Emily thought. Then again, aside from revenge and ensuring the monarchist could never rise again, what other purpose would they have?

Anyhow, the courtroom has been emptied so she decided to enter. The guard standing by the door asked her of her purpose and she showed him the court summons. Though the case she was there for was not scheduled until 11 am, the guard let her in.

Court employees were present sifting through some papers while waiting for the next preliminary hearing to commence. Meanwhile, she was the first outsider present. Looking at the still empty seats, she took the last seat on the right corner so as not to be too noticeable. She did not remove her scarf and sunglasses. Well, the guard did not ask her to remove them, so maybe it was acceptable.

A little while later, she saw some people entering the room. They glanced at her and aside from frowning, whether be it for her appearance, her presence, or both, she did not know, but they did not comment and let her be.

She on the other hand was quick to recognize them. Lady Hannah Cobalt, her mother Duchess dowager Elizabeth Cobalt, some of their retinue, and finally, Hugo Cobalt who was now a Duke after his father's death.

Emily remained seated but instead of just wanting to gain knowledge, she was more genuinely interested on what was to happen before her now.

--

At exactly 10:00 a.m., the bailiff sitting at the clerk's station below the raised platform (where the judge would sit) stood and announced, "All in the court, all rise please."

Everyone stood up from their respective seats and the Administrative Law Judge responsible for handling the case entered the room. He bowed to everyone, and everyone bowed back as a sign of mutual respect.

"Please be seated" The bailiff said, and everyone sat. Then, he continued, "The court is now in session. We call on case number 856 by the People of the Kingdom of Windsor against his Grace, Duke Hugo Cobalt for its pre-trial conference."

The Judge was only about to speak, when the door of the court room opened. He raised his left brow in wonder and annoyance. Who could their VIP guest be? There was, after all, a guard on duty outside to discourage entry of un-related parties or anyone that may cause disturbance during an on-going trial.

Emily being on the backseat was also curious. She turned her head to look at who it was.

"Apologies for the disruption, your honor. His grace wanted to witness the proceedings." The guard who escorted the man inside said.

When Emily saw the person behind the guard on duty, her eyes could only widen. Grand Duke Charlton Daniel in the flesh.

--

TBC