Ruby
3351 Words
"We try to hide our feelings, but we forgot that our eyes speak." Unknown.
"Your Highness, you were accused of murdering one of your concubines." the judge said.
They were in the crown room, the King was standing next to the judge while the pink-haired Prince stood before them. The nobles were surrounding them and the family of the dead fairy were there too.
"Your honor, I haven't done such a horrible thing." Jin said with a calm voice.
"The other concubines certified that Lady Lithua spent the night in your chambers. You were the last person who saw her before her death."
The Prince sent a death glare to his concubines who were nervously standing behind him. "It is true that she spent the night with me, but I made sure she left my chambers before dusk. You can ask my guards, they saw her leaving."
The judge looked at the guards, "Is it true gentlemen? You saw her leaving?"
"Yes, your honor." one of the guards spoke. "She left before dusk. She looked alright, she wasn't hurt."
"She even smiled to us and left singing her favorite ballad." another man added.
The judge sighed. "Do any of you know where she went after?"
The guards shook their heads.
"They are lying!" Lithua's mother screamed. "They are covering for the Prince!"
"He killed my daughter!" the father joined his wife. "He killed her!"
"Silence!" the judge shouted.
"Allow me to interrupt you, your honor." Yoongi said. "But I would like to know why the parents seem too sure that he killed her."
The judge looked at the two angry fairies, "Answer your King." he ordered with a cold tone.
The woman gulped and nervously stared at Jin. "M-my daughter sent me a letter two days ago, she was so scared because the Prince surprised her stealing one of the Princess's jewels."
The judge turned to Jin, "What happened that day?"
The pink-haired sighed, "It is known in my castle that it is forbidden to enter the Princess's chambers. I surprised Lithua there, she was trying one of her necklaces. I didn't even know she wanted to steal it." he raised an eyebrow, looking at the mother. "I was angry with her, I only warned her not to step inside the room again."
"Why would she want to steal a jewel when she had a luxurious life in the castle." the judge rubbed his chin. "Did you ask her to steal it?" he asked the parents.
"No!" they quickly answered. "We may be a poor family but we'll never ask our own daughter to steal, no."
Yoongi saw how the Prince seemed to be in deep thought, like he was trying to remember something. "Jin, what kind of necklace was it?" he asked, surprising him.
"A ruby necklace." the Prince answered quietly.
The judge chuckled. "I am sure she had so many ruby necklaces, I don't see why she would steal one."
"Exactly!" the parents nodded.
Yoongi didn't share the same opinion. When he saw the Prince pressing the red stone, nervousness and sadness showing on his face, he knew that the necklace should be precious enough for the fairy to steal it. It must be something really special and powerful.
"That's enough for today." the judge sighed heavily. "We need to investigate more on this case."
"Does it mean that I should stay here, your honour?" Jin raised an eyebrow.
"Indeed." the man nodded.
The Prince turned to look at Yoongi and smiled. "I am afraid I will have to abuse of your hospitality."
"You are welcome here." the King said. "It is a delight to have you here in my castle."
- Writer
