MINE TO HOLD

LUCAS IS FOUND GUILTY

EPISODE 6

A few days on, Princess Aurora slipped through the old underground passageways she was being lead by Lawrence,they finally went to a room where Lawrence was hiding Lucas, the room was dim and warm with one lantern on the table, Lucas sat on a simple cot,his wounds cleaned and bandaged,he saw her and tried to to rise but

" Don't... you are hurt " She said pushing him gently back,he stared at her not as a Princess but as a woman who had risked everything for him, Aurora knelt next to him with their faces close to each other,her fingers brushed his cheek tracing his fading wound ,

" You could have died" she murmured

"You shouldn't be here " Lucas said trying to act tough, for a heartbeat the world shrank only two of them breathing in the same space ,their lips inches apart ,Aurora wanted to kiss him,she had never kissed a man before,she anticipated but Lucas pulled away.

"My princess.....am not free to feel what you are asking...moreover you are too young... and also the daughter of the man l respected and honoured " He said trying to stand up, Aurora blinked and stood up ,startled by her own boldness.

"Am sorry Lucas..." She said apologetically .

"It's okay.." He replied

"Your next court hearing is tomorrow morning " Aurora said

"So l heard...l will be there"

"Let's hope for the best.."Aurora said politely, she knew the three lawyers will not fail her .

In the morning, the court convened again but the people came in many numbers ,surpassing the last hearing,the council called for Lucas to appear, they did not expect him to be there but to their surprise he came in,but something was missing, his lawyers sits were empty,whispers surged through the hall.

" His lawyers vanished" One of the people said.

" Did they flee?" Another asked.

"Maybe someone silenced them or were they paid?" murmurs continued in hall.

Aurora was spotted confused and worried and the council continued smiling wickedly, and then a new judge emerged he was not the same judge who was there the last ,Aurora knew they had been played.

" Without representation the accused stands undefended " The judge said,Lucas heart kept beating in fear like musical drums,Aurora confused and out of options held her breath in fear.

And with no one to contest the testimony the council rushed the proceedings, Luciana's shaky lies remained unchallenged,evidence that Lucas's lawyers had collected were dismissed and witnesses ignored,,the greedy judge hastened his judgment.

"Lucas of Elarion is found guilty for the murder of the king of Aruke kingdom" Murmurs spread the hall like a hell fire but then stopped as the judge continued.

"As we know that's a major crime,a huge one,he will beheaded right away" he concluded, once again people started talking in low tones ,some cheering others cursing the judgement, but before the judge could mark his sentence,the main court door flang opened and a very old woman came in,cloaked in rags eyes glowing with knowledge not meant for mortal sight,her hair flowed like white smoke with a strange mark on her forehead,everyone went silent even the council could be seen trembling in fear. She raised her trembling finger towards the judge and the council.

" You dare spill the blood of the protector of the throne and this kingdom?" Murmurs spread through the hall again with people hiding their mouths so that she won't spot them.

" What protector??l think she is misleading us" One of the conspirators said, she looked at him and smiled.

"You think so??Lucas life is bound to the throne ,spill his blood and the whole kingdom will fall,he is the shield born of oath and destiny ,the guardian chosen before his own birth, he can't be beheaded not by mortal hands,not by law and especially not by betrayal...am sure you know who betrayed him and schemed this?" She said looking directly at the council, silence swallowed the hall ,the council members froze ,fear flickering in their eyes.

The seer turned around and saw Aurora sitting and worried, she looked at her and spoke not literally to her but indirectly she was warning her.

"The bloodline survives only because the protector is still breathing if he dies the heir will follow,,,," She warned ,,moving closer to Aurora's ear and whispered.

"I warned your father about his death...he knew who will kiss him before his death....you are surrounded with enemies....my Queen....the only heir to the throne is you...be careful" Aurora jaw dropped in disbelief, what did she mean by she was the heir to the throne??The Prince her brother was a live and kicking, she was confused, ready to ask but the seer kept a white rock on the floor and disappeared into thin air.

Following the Seer's proclamation the council could no longer justify holding Lucas,during noon they signed the order with stiff hands ,their faces showing disappointments ,their plan had failed terribly,Whe Lucas stepped out of the west wing ,the guard who were guarding now bowed their heads in respect, he merged into daylight exhausted, wounded but alive .

Aurora was already there standing and waiting for him eagerly, their eyes met and they smiled at each other happily, she moved towards him and whispered.

"You are safe for now"

"It seems destiny favours me more than the council " He said jokingly,they left discussing in low tones as the guards were following behind them slowly, she was going to show him his new chambers.

Inside the sealed door of a hidden chamber the conspirators gathered with their disappointed faces, the leader was very mad slamming and turning the tables besides her,,

" Every move we prepared has failed,the man who was to die today is now walking free" She said angrily

"How comes the seer knows he is the protector??l thought we are the only one who knew" One of them asked.

"We should have known....for christ sake the seer sees the future!! how comes we didn't think of this,,,surely we would have bought her or rather kidnapped like what we did to Lucas lawyers " Another added.

"Kidnap???That's is impossible,,she is immortal remember! Bought?? She can never betray the throne that's for sure.....but maybe getting someone more powerful than her can work" their leader said thoughtfully.

"We regroup tonight ...we will not loose the throne,,we need to create new strategies " She said and they left silently....the storm had just began.

Aurora walked lucas towards his new chambers ...Servants and guards bowing and greeting,,the arrived at the royal quarters, a grand chamber made for Royal blood had been prepared just for Lucas.He went in and was stunned ,there were tall windows, a well polished desk,a private armory box and a shelve of books.

His bed was simple but comfortable a polite reminder that he was honored but not equal.

Aurora showed him around and left,,,as he was continuing with everything he heard a wheelchair sound passing out ,Lucas stepped outside and saw the Prince he bowed to show respect

"My prince"

"Am glad you are here l trust no one else except you and Aurora " He said smiling at him.

"You honor me my prince" Lucas said calmly

"Aurora always believed in you .." The Prince said calmly.

"It's her strength that brought me back" Lucas said quietly

" She is stronger than all of us" Harlot said politely.,he wheeled and left.