-~*~-
The next morning
Every child are escorted into a truck which had been prepared to appear more friendly and inviting. Also, comfortable. These children will go to sleep along the way. Although one special boy get a treatment unlike the others. He get to ride with Luyao and Yanyi in their car.
After 3 hours of roadtrip, they reach the main station where many parents and guardian are crowding to welcome their children back in their arms. The moment the truck boot is open many of them ran down and into the warm embrace of their love ones. Some are crying, some are laughing and some are combination of both.
"Well, that's one part done." Irene came from the back to where Yanyi is. She look down to her left side which is oddly enough has an occupant. The little boy notice the stare and look up to the young lady. "Hello..." He said confused. Irene is the same level of confuse.
Nudging her friend, she asked "Who is this brat that you found? Where's his family?"
Yanyi — "I'm his family."
Irene — "..."
Yanyi — "What?"
Irene — "Yanyi... I know you from when we were wee little baby. I know that you have three brothers and he is not one of them. Did your mother has a secret affair of some-! Ow!!"
"Watch your mouth, you uneducated witch!" Yanyi continue to pummel her ass with her available hand and legs before she ran away into the lobby. Eker who didn't know what had happened just watch the commotion with a nonchalant face. "Ignore her words. She never clean her throat with toilet cleaner before."
"Who is she jiejie?" Yanyi smiled a little hearing him calling her with that name. She patted his locks before saying "She is jiejie's rowdy friend. We'll be living together for a while, so behave okay." He nodded and before Yanyi could forget she added another note so that her new baby brother would not die from her experiment.
"Whatever you do, never consume anything she cook. That is an order, understand."
"Okay."
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"*sigh* Finally! Everything is done!" The journalist throw herself onto the couch and her entire body across the mattress. Yanyi smack her legs away and sat herself down. "It's finish for you, not for us." That is true. Yanyi and Kazuto still has many unresolved work to do.
"Thankfully I'm not born into your family. I'll be dead before you know it." Yanyi takes a pillow and smash her face with it. Retaliating, Irene take one and they both start to have fight like little children.
Eker who is standing at the side just watch his new sister and her friend fighting without interfering. Suddenly he was brought up from the floor into someone's arms. It was Luyao and he decided to take him away from the two children. "What's next mister?"
Luyao — "I'm not that old. Call me brother Luyao, okay."
Eker — "Okay! What's next brother Luyao?"
Luyao — "...We need your help with something. Can you help us?"
Eker — "Is it something to do with the bad guys?"
Luyao — "Yes... Brother want to ask whether you can be the testimony for the victim. Tell the story of what they had done to you and the others. Can you help us?"
"Yup! Eker can help if it means getting justice!" Luyao gave a sweet smile before ruffling his hair. Kazuto who had just came in from settling the order with the Anderil ambassador find his sight stuck to Luyao with a child in his arms.
"Hey bro. Who's this little guy?" Kazuto greet his brother before getting the attention of the little boy. Eker look at Luyao signaling him to be put down. He did and Eker proceed to bow slightly while saying "Hello, brother. My name is Zhang Eker, jiejie's little brother."
"Jiejie? Yanyi?" He ask towards the man who nodded with affirmative. The boy then ran past him into Yanyi's embrace which brought him off the floor. "Is there anything else to do? Before the trial I mean."
"Aside from written argument, nothing else. I believe that will be handle by you?" Yanyi nodded and proceed to head out with Irene. They were stopped by the two man asking where they are going. "We're going out to buy new clothes for Eker and then going back home. I'll start with the base argument tonight. I'll collect the evidence tomorrow to prepare for the trial the next day."
Seeing and hearing their wishes, Luyao let them off. There left only the two male inside. Out of nowhere Luyao said "I like her."
Kazuto — "What?"
Luyao — "I know you're not deaf. You heard me."
Kazuto — "I heard you, it's just that I can beleive you're saying that. You like that crazy girl?"
Luyao — "She's not as crazy as you. Beside, with the right environment, she's really gentle."
Kazuto — "Is the world ending? The stoic Inspector Chen is falling in love with a maniac?"
Luyao smack the guy across the back of his head before sitting in his chair and looking over some other files.
-~*~-
Back at the apartment
It was already late at night when they return and Luyao had succumb to his slumber. Irene went ahead to her own room before Yanyi head over to an empty room made for guest. She was about to set the child down on the bed before her coat was tug by the little hand.
"Jiejie... Eker don't want to sleep alone..." Yanyi stop her movement before taking him in her arms into her own room. Yanyi went ahead and let him rest on the sofa before preparing a bath. Taking out his new clothes, she take a pair of pajamas for him to wear.
Yanyi proceed to bathe him and dressed him for bed. She tucked him in her bed and patted his head slowly. Remembering back how her brother used to ask her to stay before bed is something she deeply missed. "*sigh* How I wish I can return quickly."
Yanyi then prepare a bath for herself and found herself in front of her study desk where she takes out a box from a secret compartment. Now that another case has fallen with some leads to their objective, Yanyi wrote to Devian about what will happen and what he shall do in the next few days.
After that, she prepare the written argument for trial soon to be held. She had taken tomorrow day off, well office day off at least. She will still be working but she will do it in the comfort of her own abode. Though, coming back to get her evidence and testimony is what she shall do in the evening.
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*Sobs*
The sister instinct kicked in as she turn her head and saw Eker out of the bed standing by the sofa craying while rubbing his eyes. Yanyi get to him and kneel down, wiping away his tears with her sleeve. "Eker, dear. What's the matter? Do you have a nightmare?"
Eker — "...E-Eker can't fin-find jiejie..."
Yanyi — "Shh shh shh, it's okay... jiejie is here... Let's go to bed together okay... There, there..."
Yanyi takes Eker into her embrace before closing her light on the desk and walking over to the bed. Tucking him in and turning him to face her, she hugged him to her chest making sure that he's able to hear the sound of her heartbeat to ease his worries. "*hums a lullaby*" Yanyi hums a lullaby that her mother used to sing to get her to sleep.
Soon enough they both went to the dreamland where nothing will be able to bother them.
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In the morning.
The little tugging from her sleeve wakes her up early at dawn. Yanyi rubbed her sleepiness away and saw that Willow had woken her up for his breakfast and is preparing itself for the next journey.
Yanyi looks over at her side and view as the little boy is still sleeping while holding tightly to an extra pillow. Yanyi rubbed his cheek before getting out of bed and taking a handful of high grade seeds from her bedside drawer. "Eat up. After I take a shower we can continue."
Willow did as told and Yanyi went to the bathroom for a shower. After styling her wardrobe and hair she went to her study table where the little semi-translucent blue bird is waiting. Taking the tube where she use to store in her letter she put one that she had recently wrote. Tying it to Willow's neck it quickly shrink to a tiny version for easier carriage.
"Have a safe flight okay. If need to rest find a high altitude tree to stop." The bird reply to the rubbing underneath its beak and reply with a loud and happy "Chirp! Chirp!"
Soon enough when the sun had start to rise, Yanyi open her window and Willow fly to the red sky towards north where its next master is awaiting his sister's message.
"Welp, that's done. Now I need to finished this whole thing..." She look over to her messy side table and internally slap herself. She knew that running away is not and will never be the solution. However, sometimes she regret being the Maiden of the empire. "Why did I signed up for this?"
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-~*~-
The trial day
Three hours before the state trial, all personnel who had turn their but off to work in this case is currently gathered in a side room. Because this matter is handled personally by Yanyi, she will be the one to represent the public. Although, the procedure for this level of threat is different from a normal trial.
Eker is dressed in a fancy dark green sleeveless sweater with a brown shirt underneath. Pairing it with a khaki shorts and a pair of black shoes, he looks like a sophisticated young lad. Yanyi is currently fixing an easy wear tie for the little boy before they head in.
Seeing his eyes looking to the ground, Yanyi pat his head slowly. "Are you scared, my dear?" He unconsciously shake his head and slowly make eye contact with Yanyi who is at the same level as him. "Eker... Eker afraid that I will not be able to say them..."
Luyao who is seeing the situation from afar came to the little boy and leap him in the air. "Don't worry your little noggins. When it comes, you can look over at her for comfort. Make it like yesterday when you tell us okay?" The little boy nodded before he was put back on the floor.
Soon enough it came the time to enter the courtroom. The current present jury are two businessmen representing the commoner, two earl level noble, representation from the nobles as well as Ryuichi Izumi representing the member of the High Noble Class or the Imperial level. Sat in the center of the room is a high podium where the Chief State Judge will be seated with two of State Level Judge to help him.
The audience for today's case is much more open to the public than usual. However as for the capacity f the room itself, only one parents and the victim of the children are allowed to be present. No worries as per procedure, any serial case will be shown to the public via newspaper but only to a certain extent to keep the peace from going astray.
While waiting for the judges, the leader of the Dunisia serial kidnapping is sitting at the accused side or rather the guilty seat with around 10 guards from polices, Ryuichi's personnel and the military. Yanyi is setting up all the files needed for the argument with Kazuto sitting by her side acting as her helping hand.
Soon enough, the door open and came in three State Judges that they had been waiting for. Everyone raise on their feet and sat back down once the judges are at their podium. They all turn to Yanyi and bow down which Yanyi return the gesture with a small courtesy. They then turn to the jury seat and nodded towards Marquess Ryuichi before he gave a small bow.
After sitting down, one of the assisting judge said in a clear and firm voice. "Today's trial, on 6 of 5th month, is regarding a serial kidnapping case that has been perpetrated by the accused, a citizen of Dunisia. Representing the public will be the honorable Lady Xue Licia Yanyi, the Maiden of the Volenix Empire. Lady Yanyi, you may continue with your submission."
Yanyi bow slightly and give her thanks to the judges. Taking a quick glance over at the accused, her eyes are nothing but ice glare. She then look over to the whole court room and begin her submission.
Yanyi —"My lords, dear juries, and dear audience. I shall first move to the prologue of the case we are discussing about. Followed by how the evidences provided by my team and the authorities will slowly point towards the accused undisputed involvement. My lords, this case were meant to included another suspect. However, pertaining to the procedure of the case level, he shall go through a different trial in Imperial court. Thus, I will refer to him as future suspect."
S.Judge 1 — "Very well. Proceed, council."
Yanyi — "Over the past month from around mid month of 4th, various reported cases of missing children has come to the front door of the central police station. These reports came from various station which had been accumulated."
Turning to the audience, Yanyi bow her head to 90 degree. "On behalf of the whole Volenix authority bodies, I, Lady Xue Licia Yanyi apologize for all the emotional, physical and mental pain suffered by the victims and the guardians." Everyone was shock. I mean, they never had "Empire's Maiden bowing for forgiveness" on their bingo card.
She raise her head again and seeing many of the children cheering silently with their thumbs in the air gives her reassurance that they had forgive them. She continue. Yanyi tells the court all the little details about what the case is about, the small clues they discovered (masking the little help she got as a sudden thought) and eventually they reach the "future suspect" part.
C.S. Judge — "Bring in the suspect!"
The side door open, two officers came in with Count Berlion in a handcuff. He was sat at the podium awaiting for Yanyi to question him. "Well, here we have the bold and repulsive offspring of the very grim reaper himself!" He was held down by the one of the officers. Eyes bearing dagger into Yanyi's.
"Come on! Show us where you got that ruthless attitude of yours?! Really doesn't fit your face, Huh?! The same as your mother! A slut! Show us-!"
Before he could continue, he cut his own words short. Seeing that glistening silver eyes looking down on him. It's not the eyes where people become mesmerized but rather one where you cower to your own bubble. With an almost whisper voice, Yanyi proclaimed the sentence she wish to never use in her life. At last, it was inevitable.
"My lords. This case will no longer be under my title as Lady Xue Licia Yanyi."
"What will it be then?"
"Holy Maiden Licia. I shall use this position."
"Very well. The court shall continue the trial with Holy Maiden Licia representing the public."
Yanyi return back to the middle of the court with a few documents that Kazuto had gladly compile. Needless to say, the trial wasn't interrupted by unwanted noise. Though there isn't much for Yanyi to call for Count Berlion alone, she use all of her knowledge in Imperial law to make sure that future charges against him used in the Imperial Trial will go towards the worst punishment possible.
Yanyi — "My lords, as for the testimony for this trial, I shall call upon a victim of the kidnapping case. Psychology test has been conducted by a professional diagnosis to see and measure the victims capability."
S.Judge 2 — "Witness is deem capable to give testimony for this trial. Call the witness to step forth."
Gripping his sweater, Eker came slowly from the audience seats where he sat by Irene's side to help calm his nerves. He open the gate and take his position by the podium on the other side, closer to where the jury is. Looking over at the jury seat, he receive a gentle smile from everyone there even the Marquess himself.
He then take his focus onto his older sister who he notice has a shift in personality. But nothing came up when his eyes met her face. Only a small reassuring smile sculpted on her lips. He then raise his small palm and recite the oath of truth.
The moment the question falls on what sort of things they had been subjected to. Eker takes a deep breath and focus his eyes on his older sister before blasting all the cruelty they had been through. From whipping, sexual harassment, starvation, emotional and mental abuse, physical labor not meant for children and many more.
The face of all the members of the jury and judges can say nothing but pure anger. Further solidifying his testimonies are the reaction that children from the audience portraying. Silent cries, shutting their eyes and turning away from the podium and closing their ears to shut them from the words or hallucination of the situation.
Without waiting for Yanyi's closure, the Chief Judge raise his gavel three times. In Volenix court term this amount to final decision and judgement. There's not even a need for the jury to vote on guilty or not, it was clear as day. They can silently agree with each other about what shall be the final verdict. Marquess Ryuichi stands from his post and states "The jury has come to a decision that the accused is entitled to the worst punishment possible under Volenix and Yucoria's law!"
C. Judge — "Under the power vested upon me, the accused shall follow the punishment his Majesty the Emperor deem fit following the Imperial trial for Count Berlion. For contemporary punishment, the accused shall have both hands and feet amputated!" The gavel fall for another three times. The trial has come to a conclusion.
Without anyone noticing, a small harp music came through the court while all the chattering is happening. Eker is running off the podium to go towards Yanyi before he was taken by a flash of body to the side door of the court. The accused is now holding a broken chair leg to Eker's throat.
"He will die... Let me go..." he said without an empathy tone. There's not even anger inside his voice just... the sentence. Eker tries to struggle to get himself off his grips but Yanyi mouth "still!" to him. Afraid that he might get hurt.
The accused is slowly backing to the side door and 3 inches away he felt a gun straight to his throat. He froze in spot. No one dare to move. "Your contemporary punishment will take place here if you don't let that boy go..." The cold voice of the brother that had saved him brings Eker a slight relieve. "Kill him... Don't want to die... Can't choose..."
"Then I'll choose for you." He smack him with the gun handle on a vital part f his nerve causing him to faint. Before falling on the ground, he smack the wooden leg away and take Eker tight into his arms. He was silently crying for an embrace which the Chief Inspector gladly give.
Yanyi came over and take her palms by his cheeks, checking any injuries or bruised he might have sustained from the incident. When nothing is found, she takes him into her arms and her body lean down to Luyao's shoulder for support. The man let it happens and pat her hair slowly.
Fortunately, the man was taken into custody immediately alongside Count Berlion by Marquess Ryuichi where they will be place in a high security dungeon. Neither them or outsider can inflict harm. Eyeing his adopted son, he sigh inwardly. "Kids..."
Finally, the state trial has come to a conclusion. They have no need to worry about further entanglement. Eker is now free from past incident. Future ones? Well it is unpredictable. With how Yanyi is, something is bound to happen. Although, next time no one shall question her authority.
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-~*~-
Chatters from the streets keeps on growing as the aftermath of the serial case comes to a close. Some has a positive view while smaller portion has a slightly different views. Regardless, the narrative that Irene wrote is able to paint the true value of what had occurred.
On the other hand, there are a few little pesky children who refuse to leave Yanyi's side. One being her newly adopted brother and the other being children from the fountain area where she played with and tell story.
At last it comes to a point where Yanyi had to apologize to them as she will no longer be able to fulfill their curious desire. Despite being children they all have a great understanding and shrugged the matter off.
Speaking of children, the victims are currently undergoing group therapy with a professional under Marquess Ryuichi's employment. This is to ensure that whatever they had gone through wouldn't appear to be a tightrope for them to cross.
She had originally wanting to enroll Eker into the therapy group but he insists on not going. Instead he wish to stay with Yanyi as close as possible. Thus it turns into a routine where she would have to bring Eker to the station everyday. When she had to do something outside of the main city, she had asked Jerad to babysit Eker for the day while she was away. The blacksmith says nothing but a thumbs up.
He never really get involved in the love life much so he didn't really plan on having children in the future. After all, his family lineage will be covered by his older brother anyway. Thus, he had the opportunity to do whatever he wants.
It has been two weeks since the state trial and by calculation the Imperial Trial for Count Berlion is supposed to be held in a couple of days. Yanyi herself had been involved in the matter and it is only right for her to represent in the Imperial Court this time around. However, she will not return to Ashrin just for a trial. Which brought us to the current time.
Everyone is currently gathered at the tea room belonging to Marchioness Vaiden. Irene, Yanyi and Eker had been told to stay over at the Marquess manor for a couple of days to ease the process for Yanyi's works in the Imperial Trial. She will be using Marchioness Vaiden spare light-holo communication system to reach the Imperial Court.
This communication style is how High Noble Lords come to attend the Imperial Trial without the needs of travelling. As for other Nobles, they will sent in a representative either their offspring or right hand man to attend the trial and bear witness.
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"I wanna learn how to fight!!!"
"No."
"Jiejie!!!"
"Jie said No."
This has been going on for the past hour or so. Yanyi had taken the liberty to rest before the trial and the moment she stepped into the tea room, Eker throw himself onto her legs and yell out "Teach me fighting!" Yanyi so perplexed said no.
She never really meant "no". It's just that she had so many things on her hand that teaching Eker how to fight is not something she can take right now. If she can find anyone else to be his tutor she would be more than willing to pay them a sum of a mountain.
"Stop!"
Luyao kneed the bridge of his nose before yelling for them to keep silence. He can no longer take any yelling from that young one. "If you can't teach him how to fight, I'll do it. For the basis at least." "Really!!" stars glimmer in his eyes before running to hug Luyao's leg.
Yanyi — "Why did I spoil you like my little brothers?"
Luyao — "Instead of worrying about him, go to Aunt Vaiden's study and prepare yourself. The trial is about to start.
Yanyi was about to go out before giving a pouty glare to Eker and knocking on her pants two times while going out. Irene who had just turn to the right channel stands up and said "Alright then! TV on! We just need some snacks. I'll go get them!" bolted out of the tea room to the kitchen.
In fact they both had no intention to head to their respective destination yet. Yanyi and Irene meet up at the dining table and get themselves a cup of water. "I will meet up with Leon after the trial. There are some things that we all need to discuss."
Irene — "Want me to come or keep watch."
Yanyi — "Join us. This matter... it is something."
Irene — "Alright. Just let a little puppy to call me and I'll come to you."
Yanyi — "Now! Pray that I won't get yelled at by Leon."
Irene — "Or Luciel for that matter."
Yanyi — "That boy will always yell at me. There's no escaping it."
Irene — "Yeah, and Leon will yell at me! For NOT taking care of you!"
Yanyi — "He's right though."
"RIGHT! I pull my butt off trying to get you out of trouble in the Academy and you are pulling my legs out! Urgh! What sort of friend do I even have!" The girl stomp away to the kitchen away from Yanyi. "Love you too!" Irene said nothing but raise her middle finger to her direction.
Laughing is no longer on her bingo card for now. She has a duty to make. This time, her power is being used. When she starts no one can stop her. Not even her soul brother.
-~*~-