Bethilda’s eyes widened. Her ladies stopped crying as they looked back at us. I then turned to James, baffled.
James added, “In one of the accusations against you, it’s not only me you have offended.” Slowly, he looked to my direction and said, “I believe that the prince also has the right to put down his own verdict in regards to your case against him.”
In a panic, I discreetly shifted my gaze between James and Bethilda. I bent down towards James’ ear and whispered, “Why are you doing this to me again? I thought you would handle this.”
He leaned towards my ear and replied, “If we forego with the death penalty, your mother will never forgive me. And besides, you deserve to uphold justice on your end of the debacle.” He returned to Bethilda and said, “I give the floor to my son, Prince Robert Edward Dex of Western Wind.”
My shocked gaze then met Bethilda’s confused stare. James then gave me a slight push forward. I fixed myself and cleared my throat as I stepped down a few steps from the raised pedestal.
I looked around the room and took my time as I gathered my thoughts. I needed to find an appropriate punishment for Bethilda in such a short amount of time. In regards to her actions, I whole-heartedly agree with James’ decision. Her crimes were too grave to be forgiven. But why would James consider Mother’s emotions if her sister – her own flesh and blood – was the one who hurt her? The very person who attempted to kill her to gain the throne?
I looked back at James and waited to see if he would change his mind. But instead of that, he simply nudged at me to proceed. I sighed and as I did so, an idea came to mind.
I took a deep breath and faced the crowd. “Good morning, everyone,” I began, “Just as what you witnessed today, a murderous traitor of high status will be punished just as a commoner would be. With such accusations put against her, no amount of pleasing is enough to change the king’s decision.
“However, I was raised to be considerate of every being that breathes. Both from within our realm and others. As much as I want to see the appropriate act of justice be served to the guilty, I refuse to put blood on my hands.”
I continued, “Before we left for the duchess’ residence, I still had a clear memory of how my mother, Queen Amelia, doted on her beloved sister.” Mother’s smile briefly appeared in my mind as I proceeded, “Bethilda was already accused of plotting against her. But Mother refused to believe it as the truth. She even pleaded to spare the life of her sister, the very person who tried to harm her. I never understood why she still had mercy on her. However, as a sibling myself, I also wouldn’t want for my sister to lose her life. Even if she betrayed me for the purpose of gaining more power.
Bethilda raised her head and looked directly at me. With her eyes wide open, she anticipated my next words. I continued, “In honor of my mother and as someone who supports change, I’m more than willing to abolish His Majesty’s prior verdict. Let it also be my way to prevent unnecessary bloodshed within His Majesty’s kingdom.”
I looked directly to Bethilda and announced, “I, Prince Robert of Western Wind, have decided to put the duchess and her ladies under palace arrest. She is not permitted to leave the castle grounds without our knowledge. Her right to invite and entertain guests will be removed. Should she want visitors, it must be approved by the ruling monarchs beforehand.”
“As for your ladies, they will be sent back to their homes. His Majesty shall choose the duchess’ ladies-in-waiting moving forward,” I added.
Bethilda was horrified. She immediately turned around and held her ladies closer as they wept together.
I held my breath and turned to James. “The final decision is still yours, Your Majesty,” I bowed. “That was my decision and my decision alone. It only awaits your approval or rejection.” Slowly, I raised my head and watched as James took his time to think everything through.
He looked down and fiddled with his fingers. I wanted the death penalty for Bethilda but I also had to consider my mother’s affections for her. At the same time, seeing that she was the only remaining blood-relative of Mother, I couldn’t just take her life. If Bethilda were to be punished thoroughly – and by death, specifically – that decision should come from Mother herself. James and I could only decide with what we had in this matter.
Only Mother has the power to give such a punishment to her sister.
A few minutes had already passed, James finally moved from his position. He glanced towards me before he faced the audience. “I have nothing against the prince’s decision,” he said. “His verdict is reasonable and considerate towards the lives of the accused. Therefore, I approve of it.” He turned to the duchess and said, “Bethilda?”
I stepped aside and Bethilda faced James directly. She wiped her face dry as she composed herself. However, she kept her eyes on the ground. She avoided James’ stare and most especially, mine.
James continued, “Your death penalty shall be amended and you will be placed under palace arrest immediately. Everything that the prince has mentioned will be done. You will be escorted back to your quarters and will be given the chance to bid farewell to your ladies. I implore that you use your better judgment and not make things difficult for everyone involved,” he explained. “I hope that everything is clear.”
I glanced towards Bethilda and she remained frozen as she knelt. Her ladies lightly shook her arm as they tried to get her attention. But she refused to move. Her eyes were glued to the floor.
James leaned towards her direction and repeated, “I hope everything was clear to you, my lady.”
Bethilda blinked quickly before she took a deep breath. She brought her hands together and moved them forward. She looked up and met James’ gaze. “Your humble servant shall obey His Majesty’s instructions,” her voice shook as she spoke. “I thank His Majesty and His Highness for placing such grace on a criminal like myself,” she added. Slowly, she crouched down to the ground and bowed to James. Her ladies followed not long after.
James turned to the captain and instructed, “Kindly escort the duchess and her ladies back to her chambers. Have a few servants assist her ladies with their belongings. Prepare some of the carriages for their travel.”
The captain bowed and approached Bethilda and her ladies who remained kneeling. He called for a few guards and assisted the women to stand. They gave their final bows and left the throne room.
“You may all return to your duties,” James told the servants.
They stood, bowed and were led out of the room.
James stood from the throne as soon as the doors were closed before us. He approached me and remarked, “That was a wise decision, Robert. I commend you for having the strength to make such a verdict, as well as your wit for doing it in such a rush.”
I bowed briefly. “Truth be told, I was already satisfied with your verdict. I’m still confused as to why you decided to pass everything to me. But I can only guess that you wanted a different punishment for Mother’s sake.”
He sighed and nodded right after. “That and because I’m not worthy to give her such a heavy punishment. Especially, after everything that we did to her,” he replied. “Yes, we can’t deny the fact that what she did was unforgivable. However, she was unfairly treated before. And it’s all because of a wrong choice that I made years ago. In this way, I can somehow give my overdue apology without the need to say anything,” he continued.
I put a hand on his shoulder and answered, “The three of you were merely victims of Grandfather’s pain. If there’s anyone that should apologize to her, it should be Grandfather himself.” I pulled my hand back.
“I hope that she will consider this as my way of atoning for my father’s unwise handling of the situation before. I hope that my inability to send her to the block will be enough to make up for everything,” he added.
I nodded. I truly believe that James didn’t want this debacle in the first place. Back then, he was only a young monarch who was easily swayed by his father’s raging paranoia. Which led to one of the most regrettable decisions in his life. I saw no winner in this situation. The suspect couldn’t be properly punished. The victim would only receive a slight hand of justification. And the three of them remained prisoners of their past.
I could only hope that in the future, I wouldn’t need to handle this sort of situation ever again.
A guard entered the room and approached us. After his bow, he turned to me, “Your Highness, someone wants to speak with you. He is in the accepting room.”
‘He?’