?

　　“There you are.” Cassian’s voice called out as his footsteps got closer to me. My eyes were fixated on the book in my hands and even then, I could not help but to glance over at his shoes when they appeared in my eyeline. “What are you doing here? We have to leave for court soon.”

　　“I know.” I said, closing the book and placing it back on the shelf. “I just needed a quiet place to think.” I said, turning my attention to him. He was dressed handsomely in his formal attire with his hair combed back. He truly resembled a Casanova, ready to steal hearts. He leaned his shoulder onto the bookshelf and watched me.

　　Two days have passed since the incident with Laura and due to my worry that Lady Marie might send someone to harm her, I had made Cassian take her away until the day of the trial. Nothing much happened after that as we worked hard to gather all necessary evidence and also found a reliable court representative.

　　I had gone to meet Isaiah whenever I had time and I would give him updates about everything. He was particularly shocked about finding out that my father had a lover who was an omega. Talking to him so casually like this made me realise that my relationship with the three alphas have gotten better without me even noticing.

　　I could blame the fact that we were presented with one issue after another or even the fact that perhaps sharing a bed with them had improved our tolerance for each other’s irritating sides, but I did not loathe them as much as I did before. They were nicer, gentler and I was starting to think that maybe this was going to ruin me and my emotions in the long run.

　　“Care to share those thoughts, my love?” Cassian asked, snapping me out of my reverie.

　　“You can drop the act, Cassian, no one is here to see if we are really a couple or not.” I sighed.

　　Cassian pouted. “I enjoy being affection with you, if you think I have been faking it just for the public to see then you are wrong,”

　　“I am aware that you are only doing this to irritate me,” I joked.

　　“How rude.” He feigned hurt.

　　“Ah… sorry. I didn’t mean that,”

　　Cassian reached his hand towards me, stopping when I glanced over, as though he was waiting for my permission to touch me. When I did not react, he brought his gloved fingers to my face, grazing my cheek slightly before wrapping his finger around a strand of my hair.

　　“Speak your mind, Cordelia. Are you worried about the trial later?”

　　“How are you not?”

　　“Because we cannot possibly lose. The evidence is on our side, and we have witnesses as well. The only place they cannot use their evidence is at the court where everyone is equal.”

　　“Maybe you are just overconfident.”

　　“Now, now, you and I both know that is merely a personality trait of mine.” He boasted.

　　I chuckled, bringing my hand to his and taking hold of it. “Listen, Cassian.” I started. He looked down at me intensively. “No matter what happens, we have to clear Isaiah’s name. And we have to help Amir.” I reminded him.

　　After all the talking Isaiah and I had done, he asked me for a favour. Amir was going to tell the truth and admit that he killed Declan but that would mean he would suffer the death penalty. Isaiah has asked me to help Amir out of the kingdom, sneak him back to the Eastern Kingdom where he could serve his punishment there instead. The pure sincerity in Isaiah’s voice made me agree and when I told Cassian about it, he promised to fulfil that favour.

　　“Of course, I already promised you, didn’t I?”

　　“I know, but no matter what happens, that should be everyone’s top priority,”

　　“Why do you keep saying that? You sound as though you are aware that something might happen…” he asked curiously.

　　I did have a feeling something was going to happen. Lady Marie and her followers have been extremely silent hence it would make me think that they too have a plan to counter ours. I do not want to believe that they would just sit by and let us expose their wrongdoings, especially since Lady Marie had gotten away with two murders, one being my father. I was anxious, unable to relax knowing that something was—something will happen eventually. Besides, Lady Marie did threaten me after all.

　　“It’s just intuition.” I smiled.

　　“Hm?”

　　“Promise me?”

　　“I already did. But if it will make you feel better, then yes, I promise you that clearing Isaiah’s name and helping Amir will be my top priority. No matter what happens,” he repeated.

　　“Good.” I smiled. Cassian stared at me for a moment before leaning down and kissing me all of a sudden. I tensed for a second before relaxing into his kiss.

　　Someone cleared their throat, causing me to pull away from Cassian’s kiss. The both of us turned to the source only to find Augustus looking at us with an annoyed look.

　　“Everyone is looking for the both of you and you are here frolicking in the library. How indecent.” He sighed.

　　“T-That’s not true, we were just talking!” I defended us while my face was heating up profoundly.

　　“Talking? With his tongue down your throat?” he cocked an eyebrow.

　　“A-Augustus?!” I gasped at his remark.

　　“I’m amazed that you even know how to kiss, little prince. You do give off the sense that you have never laid with a woman before.” Cassian teased.

　　I nudged his shoulder, causing him to look at me as though he was confused why I even hit him in the first place. “Apologise!” I hissed.

　　“Why? He was being mean first!” he whispered back.

　　My attention went to Augustus as he made his way towards us. I was afraid things were going to get physical, hence I stepped in between the two, I held my hand out to calm him, but Augustus grabbed my hand and tugged me forward. His other hand went to the base of my neck before he pulled me into a deep kiss. I instinctively closed my eyes and allowed myself to melt into his kiss.

　　“H-Hey…” I could hear Cassian call out.

　　Augustus pulled away; a string of saliva was dragged along until he wiped his lips with the back of his gloved hand. I looked up at him with half-lidded eyes, deep in a haze as I have never experienced such a passionate kiss before.

　　“The carriages are waiting.” He said before interlocking our fingers together and pulling me along. I followed him, looking back just in time to catch a glimpse of Cassian’s bewildered expression. I could not help but to giggle.

　　When we got to the entrance where Gideon and the rest were, the three of us were greeted by Gideon’s wrath.

　　“I sent you to find the princess only to send Augustus to find the both of you. Where were you?”

　　“Library.” The three of us said in unison.

　　“Doing what?” he raised his eyebrow. Cassian and Augustus turned to me, waiting for me to answer.

　　“Last minute research?” I blurted.

　　Gideon let out a heavy sigh. “Get to your carriages, we have to leave now to avoid reaching the court late.” He said as he went to his own carriage. I let out a sigh of relief only to narrow my eyes at Cassian and Augustus who were no help whatsoever.

　　*

　　When we entered the courthouse, it was already full of spectators which was expected due to how big the issue became when the public found out. We found empty seats and sat down, and I could see Isaiah, Amir and their representative, a lawyer Cassian was close with. He introduced himself as Zeke but strangely I had a feeling he was not telling the truth. I was getting too used to looking past Cassian and his shady acquaintance, as long as they do their job.

　　On the opposite side of the courtroom, Lady Marie, her children and Andrew Wright were present and at the front was where their own representative was seated.

　　“This has to be the scandal of the century.” Cassian commented.

　　I glanced over to him. “And why do you sound so excited?”

　　“What can I say? I enjoy a good drama once in a while.”

　　“Stop being insensitive. Are you forgetting who the person involved in the trial is?” Augustus asked from my other side.

　　“Oh, don’t worry, I remember. I can’t wait to tease him for making us save him out of this situation.” He smiled.

　　Augustus and I sighed. “You should seek professional help, Cassian.”

　　Before Cassian could respond, the judge entered, and we all stood up to pay our respects. The trial was going to start, and Isaiah’s fate would be revealed soon. A sudden thought crept over me, did we do enough to prove his innocence? Do we have enough to make sure Lady Marie and those involved would get punished for sins? The confidence that I thought I had was slowly diminishing.