Your Grace part 91

[krystalkatz.livejournal.com]

Nino tuned out the court proceedings the best that he could focusing instead on the hand that hadn’t left his even though he was sure that it would have been easier for Ohno to just let him go. He let out a breath and played around with the fingers amazed at the nails and how perfect they seemed to be. They were as perfect as the rest of his fingers and hands and loved the way it felt in his. Ohno’s thumb moved lightly over the back of his hand and Nino felt his lips twitch into an almost smile squeezing back at the hand. A chuckle from his right told him that Sho had noticed and when he looked up Sho was smiling at him warmly before turning back to focus on the trial. A murmur when up when Ohno finished speaking and sat back down beside him his face softened by a smile. Nino let his heart stay calm and moved forward to rub his face against his arm as Mathias started speaking saying that there was no evidence that the crime had been committed and for a moment Nino felt his heart grow a little cold looking at the man that had said was his friend.

“He has to say these things my love…” Ohno breathed gently next to him his hand tightening on his to draw his attention “Even if he doesn’t believe it…The men are entitled to a defence…”

“I…Understand…” Nino mumbled sighing heavily at the sickly feeling that was inside his stomach he just wanted it to be over. He felt better now none of this mattered he just wanted to forget about it. Now the whole clan was going to know just how dirty he was and how unworthy he was of being the low king. “…But I…I just wish…That I could…Leave...”

“If that’s what you want nobody would stop you or think badly of you but…It is my suggestion…For your own mental well-being that you stay and see this out to the end beloved…” Ohno whispered and Nino nodded settling back to looking at the hand until he heard Mathias say his name;

“Nino, I met him a few years ago…In fact he was the only one in Draven’s house that I could spend any time with without wanting to set myself alight to get away...He was treated worse than a servant in the house when I was there…Worse than a dog even…Even now I am sure that he thinks that what you did to him was his fault…Hell I am sure Draven told him that it was or you did…There is no doubt in my mind that you did do this to my friend…”

“You…You’re supposed to be speaking in our defence! What justice is this?” The men in the docks cried out together and Nino swallowed looking at the shamefaced prince who nodded and stalked over to them bowing his head with his hand over his heart in the respectful way of the elves.

“You are right and I apologise…High king, low king, and elders…I cannot conduct a defence for these men and remain impartial as I thought I could...I will offer a member of my party to speak on my behalf and I apologise but I can stand by and badmouth my friend…”

“…Thank-you…” Nino whispered almost feeling tearful and Mathias smiled bowing again before going back to his own seat and Ohno stood up humming a little;

“Then I suggest we have a break…”

TBC
A/N: Urgh…I am dragging out this trial sorry…>.<