I'm Forbidden To Love You

Chapter 17

Ryan didn’t know how everything changed within a blink. He didn’t know what to do anymore.

What use is living when he cannot do anything for her?

Today’s court has been called with His Majesty as the head, leading the court. Ryan wouldn’t attend these kinds of events unless it were something crucial and that if he could guide anything from the background, to make the judgment in his favor like how he did that last year, trying to convince everyone not to increase the taxes on textile villages from shadows.

But today, he cannot do anything but watch.

He felt like a commoner, helpless in front of royal power.

Even though he was not a Crown Prince, he did have power, more than the ministers. But, he cannot do anything now.

He cannot do anything for her.

Ryan could feel his heart slowly turning into ice, with how she was standing in the place for guilty while the law investigators argued in front of His Majesty.

First, she was dragged forcefully to dance by a Prince, then gets humiliated in the party and is now accused of being a murderer.

Why bad things always happened to her, and all he can do was watch on from the sideline, unable to do anything.

Ryan didn’t know why she was being accused. He can never believe that she would murder anyone.

She was not like that.

She was a good person, a gentle soul among cruel people.

Even if he knew about her innocence, he could only watch by without being able to do anything for her.

What is the use of being a Prince anyway?

Ryan had never felt this helpless in his life, never.

Watching her from the background as she cowered in front of the people, not even lifting her face to see everyone, resigned to her fate, Ryan felt arrows stabbing his heart at the injustice happening to her right in front of his eyes.

He cannot just shout his support without any proper evidence.

Nor can he give a certificate to her character as this would lead to the death of her by his family’s hand.

They would punish Zelda, not caring about whether she was a foreign guest or not, for daring to get involved with Ryan.

That is why he cannot draw attention by supporting her as his father was present here along with his mother, who was watching the proceedings from the balcony reserved for royal women because no women were allowed in the court unless they are directly involved in the case.

Just two days before, he had asked Nora to get information about Lady Triston. He hadn’t expected her to be murdered and the blame to fall upon Zelda.

How can things change to this extreme within days?

“As you can see, your Majesty, she had accepted herself that she had been the one to spill the glass of juice on Lady Triton’s on the celebration day and was upset that Lady Triston had torn her dress to teach her a lesson. And, Zelda held vengeance for that event, wanting to murder Lady Triston.”

“But, I.. I…”

“Speak only when you’re allowed to, Miss.”

The harsh words from the law enforcer forced her to keep quiet.

Ryan knew that they wouldn’t even let her talk.

What world they’re living in?

Ryan felt disgusted as they all agreed upon how justified they felt at Lady Triston’s action that day to teach the maid a lesson.

How heartless can people be?

As the investigators argued, providing evidence that won’t be taken into consideration if it was any other case.

There was no evidence that can prove her guilty. Just some words from Lady Triston’s friend that she must have done that were being taken as evidence here against her.

Ryan realized what was happening now.

They want to blame someone, preferably of a foreign country, so that the blame won’t fall on Avera before the Triston family reached here, wanting justice for the brutal murder of their daughter.

So, Zelda was nothing but a sacrifice now.

As what seemed to be an hour since the case started, they had been arguing over some silly things that were being taken as evidence.

Ryan was paralyzed in his seat with horror.

Ever since he had heard what had happened from the gossip between servants, he had a sinking feeling that they were talking about her when they debated over how evil and mad the maid was to kill Lady Triston.

He had left in a hurry to gather information, and he was horrified to hear the brutal murder of Lady Triston in the very castle they were living safely, and its blame had fallen on his Zelda.

“I didn’t do it, Your Majesty. Please.”

Ryan turned away from the painful sight of her, pleading with everyone that she was not guilty.

He closed his eyes, knowing that the image will forever be etched into his mind.

Her bowing down at people she didn’t know, her begging to prove her innocence when she was not the one who did anything wrong. Then, why was everyone cruel to her?

Her words echoed around the silent hall, making everyone uneasy with the way it felt as if she really was innocent. But none cared, nor did anyone offered help, including him.

Ryan was ashamed of himself. He didn’t know how can he live with himself as the guilt of not helping her would slowly destroy him.

“Silence.”

His Majesty’s words silenced her pleas and also made the law investigators to sit down in silence.

His Majesty looked straight at Zelda, and Ryan knew how his uncle’s stare would be intimidating, and Zelda didn’t dare to look up at His Majesty.

“If you’re really innocent, I will give you a chance to prove yourself.”

Ryan felt traitorous hope rising in him just as the whispers grew around the hall.

But, everyone kept their mouth shut when His Majesty glared at the court.

“Your Grace, Thank you very much.”

Zelda bowed down deeply in gratitude, but His Majesty’s next words crumbled the hope he felt.

“To prove that you’re innocent, you would be asked to put your hand in the hot, boiling oil. If you’re guilty, your hand won’t get burnt, but if you’re the culprit, your hand will be burnt by it, and you will be sentenced to death.”

Ryan felt overwhelming disgust at how he had respected his uncle till now.

At the words of his Majesty, soldiers came from the adjacent door with a large pot of boiling oil; it seemed so hot with the way steam rose from the pot.

There wasn’t even a time for Zelda to protest, not that it mattered anyway.

It was already preplanned.

Everything was decided from the start to sacrifice an innocent to appease the Triston family and not to let anything happen to the image of Avera.

How could there be already a pot of boiling oil in the adjacent door if it wasn’t preplanned?

He didn’t know how anyone can avoid being burnt by this.

Let His Maj… No, not Majesty anymore; he had lost respect in Ryan’s eyes. Let his uncle try and put his hand then he will know if he was innocent or not.

Zelda was dragged from where she stood, and soldiers forced her on her knees while the pot was held in front of her.

None said anything, and some of them even had a happy look on their face.

Ryan cannot keep silent anymore.

He cannot stand by and watch this injustice happening to her.

He cannot.

He didn’t care about anything anymore.

To hell with the royal family and f**k his Prince title.

Just as he got up from his seat to stop this and save his Zelda, the courtroom door was opened forcibly with a thud.

The soldier guarding the door went on his knees,

“Forgive me, Your Grace; she is refusing to listen.”

And in came the mermaid Princess in all her glory.

Ryan could tell that everyone’s attention was taken away from the bowing soldier and Zelda as their eyes were drawn to the Mermaid Princess, who was radiating rage and anger.

But not him..

Ryan suddenly standing up had caught Zelda’s eyes and her turquoises eyes widened at him in shock.

Her expression turned from horror to fear. Her eyes begged at him to sit and to not draw attention.

How can he?

How can he sit still when someone was going to take her life for no reason?

He knew that him coming to the aid of a maid wouldn’t be forgiven, and he would be punished too, as in their eyes, Ryan was trying to shame the family in front of foreign people.

But, he would rather die in this process than watching her suffer from the background.

She pleaded silently at him, so he sat down reluctantly, watching what was happening.

As everyone’s attention was on the Mermaid Princess, his eyes too looked at her walking to the center of the court.

Her untied hair that was blowing in the wind due to the open door of the courtroom caught his eyes because of its strange color.

Ryan had never seen any hair color like this. The Mermaid Princess, Haley Elltore’s hair had a lighter shade of pastel purple hue in between black tresses that could be seen even from where he sat.

Ryan had read that a mermaid’s hair color resembled the color of their fins they get when they get in the water most of the time.

Seeing the unique color of Princes Elltore’s hair, he felt that what he had read must be true.

Her golden eyes flashed in fury as she walked towards Zelda and grabbed her, making Zelda hide behind her, all the while ignoring the whispers.

“What is the meaning of this, Princess Elltore?”

His uncle’s voice thundered around the room, making everyone startled as they had rarely seen him this angry.

And, Ryan admired the courage of Princess Elltore, who didn’t even flinch in the face of his anger.

“And, you Majesty, what are you doing? Have you invited our people to insult us on every turn?”

Everyone was surprised at the boldness of her speaking like that to the King.

“She is a suspect of the murder case, Princess Elltore. I cannot show partiality towards anyone,”

Partiality, my foot, Ryan thought angrily.

“A suspect? Because someone said so without any evidence, you’ve arrested her?”

The investigators, along with the King, remained silent in front of her righteous fury.

“How come I, the mermaid Princess, wasn’t informed at all before someone dared to arrest her from my chamber? Is this what I can expect from the great and Noble Avera?”

“Princess,…”

The head of law investigators shut his mouth when Princess Elltore glared at him.

“She was with me for two days, refusing to leave the room after she was humiliated among other guests that day, your Majesty. If your investigators were competent enough, they would have asked the palace soldiers guarding the wing I stay in, about my maid’s whereabouts. Then, you would know that she was innocent.”

The investigators fumed at her words, but Ryan felt incredible glee that someone was questioning these stupid people.

“Even so, you cannot enter here like this and that too for a maid, Princess Elltore.”

“I don’t know how you humans treat your servants, your Majesty. But, she is my friend, and I’ve stayed silent long enough at the injustice happening to her.”

“A human slave you’ve brought was considered a friend now?”

“I hope you’re not overstepping your boundaries, Your Grace, as it is Mermaid land’s affair what we do. And, I’ve brought her as a slave to free her but; she serves me out of her own free will.”

Ryan felt relieved to know that she wasn’t living a cruel life and that she was in safe hands, looking at how fiercely protective Princess Elltore was about Zelda. And, he felt respect beyond words towards the Mermaid Princess for the courage she had in her.

He didn’t know anyone in life who would consider their maid a friend and, above all, daring to argue with a foreign King in his own land.

“How dare you speak to the King like that?”

The chief Minister rose from his chair, raising his voice. Ryan wasn’t surprised to see his father not realizing the maid’s innocence and how narrow mindedly focused on the disrespect Princess Elltore showed to the King, not even bowing down.

“Leave it, Brother.”

The King addressed his brother, which seemed to calm Ryan’s father.

The King then turned to the investigators and asked,

“Why haven’t you investigated properly?”

“I.. We.. Your Majesty.”

Every one of the law department knelt down, bowing with their heads touching the ground.

Ryan could see how the King easily manipulated the situation in his favor, blaming the fault on investigators.

“They will offer you a proper apology, Princess Elltore.”

“Forgive us, Princess Elltore.”

The group turned around and bowed towards her.

“Not to me, Your Highness. To Zelda.”

There was utter silence for a minute before the King ordered them to apologize to the innocent.

“Forgive us, Ms. Zelda.”

Zelda just bowed back, saying nothing choosing to be silent, not able to handle the sudden turn of events.

Ryan felt relieved beyond words that she was safe.

Safe…

Ryan wanted to hug her, assure her slightly trembling form that everything was okay, and to beg for her forgiveness as he was not able to do anything for her.

He had lost the right.

Ryan didn’t know how to face her from here on.

A coward.

He was a coward.

He didn’t have the right to be her friend anymore.

“I’ve decided to leave this country, Your Majesty.”

Ryan felt his heart would burst out as he cannot even imagine not seeing Zelda.

In fact, the thought of her leaving hadn’t once risen in his mind.

Ryan didn’t know what to do if that happened.

“My people have apologized for the mistake, Princess Elltore.”

“Yes, your Majesty. But, how many times has this happened? First, she was harassed by some Prince, then got humiliated by someone and now, blamed for murder and dragged here from my chamber without asking my permission. What more should we have to go through? It was Avera’s invitation requesting our presence but, coming here seemed to be a mistake at how we are treated here.”

Ryan knew that they could not afford to be in conflict with Mermaid land as humans cannot handle the magic wielded by merpeople. And also, not many knew the fact that the treaty has a condition to provide rare medicinal herbs from mermaid land if the royal family was seriously ill.

“I assure you, Princess Elltore, that nothing like this will ever happen. If you leave here, it would be a shame on Avera so, I request you to reconsider your decision.”

Princess Elltore remained silent, and Ryan could see it in the King’s eyes that he had to get on good terms with Princess Elltore.

“The court is adjourned. The law investigators will look into the case and find the real murder soon. Due to the murder happening in the Lady’s chamber under my rule will not be tolerated so that the security will be doubled inside the castle. I request you all to cooperate on this.”

As everyone stood up, Ryan too got up and bowed to the King.

“As an apology for bringing an innocent in this, Prince Ryan will personally escort the maid to her chambers. Dismissed.”

The King got from his throne, guiding the mermaid Princess to a private talk where he can handle the mess he had made.

As everyone left the room slowly, Ryan was rooted still in shock.

It was not anything new to Ryan as he was always used as a scapegoat in these kinds of situations.

Ryan was always considered as a proper apology to foreign guests by escorting them or offering his help in something as the King cannot lower himself or Ivor to do things. And, sending a minister would be considered low so, that was why Ryan was always used to handle these things.

But, today, he was not ready for this.

He really was not ready for this.

He didn’t have the face to look at her.

He was ashamed of himself, then how can he look at her?