This will not be like a real court scene, guys, so please do not comment saying "that's not how courts work". I'm uneducated and uncultured when it comes to stuff like this, but I find it exiting, nevertheless.
Enjoy❤️🦋.

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Each member of the council held a stack of paper in their hands. The room was deadly silent, a person could hear a pin drop. When they finished reading what was on the papers, they huddled together and whispered among themselves.

Marinette was getting more and more unnerved as the time went by. She had slipped her hands from Adrien's because they got sweaty and clammy. 

"Calm down, Mari," Adrien said into her ear making her eyes go wide. No one was to speak unless they were addressed by one of the council members. Despite her fear, she relaxed at the sound of his voice and folded her hands on her lap.

"This trial was called by King Gabriel and his son," Wayzz stated, placing the papers down on the table.

"In the brief report, it was stated that Prince Nathaniel Kurtzberg had kidnapped Princess Marinette Dupain-Cheng on the day in which she got married to Prince Adrien Agreste. Rule number two, from the handbook of dos and don'ts for royals, clearly states that a royal must not kidnap another royal. Rule number one says that a royal should not kill another royal," Tikki sent a knowing look in Adrien's direction. The way that he was looking at Nathaniel did not go unnoticed by the council. It was a look of pure hatred and a desire to kill. "Kidnapping a royal is an offence and the kidnapper shall be severely punished. Before we get further into the trial, we will invite Prince Nathaniel Kurtzberg to the stand to give his side of the story."

Everyone watched as Nathaniel rose from his seat, a calm smile onto his face. He stood by a guard, in front of the table where the Council sat, and swore to tell the truth and nothing but the truth.

"Prince Nathaniel," Plagg started, looking very bored, "It says here that you kidnapped Princess Marinette and kept her for four months against her will. Do you have anything to say against that?"

"Actually, I do."

Marinette felt a disgusting shiver run down her spine at the sound of his voice. What could he possibly have to say?

"Speak then," Plagg ordered.

"I did kidnap her, but it wasn't against her will," He said, causing gasps to erupt through the room. "She wanted to stay with me, so it wasn't exactly against her will."

"To kidnap someone is to take them against their will, so what do you mean, Nathaniel?"

Everyone's eyes turned to the fuming blond Prince who was being held back in his seat by a frantic Marinette.

Just seeing Nathaniel here made him upset and now he was saying that he didn't keep Marinette against her will? That's completely stupid.

"Prince Adrien, you have been her a couple of times so I am sure you know the rules," Tikki stated, glancing at the angry Prince. "Just in case you do not remember, allow me to remind you. You must not speak unless you are addressed by one of us. Do you want to be reminded of the last time you broke the rules?"

The room fell silent.

Adrien gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. "No, your grace."

"Good," She then turned to Nathaniel. "What exactly do you mean?"

"Though I kidnapped her, she was not at all upset. It had begun to creep me out. I even planned on taking her back to her husband, but she begged me not to. I felt sympathetic so I kept her."

Pollen rose a blonde brow and looked at Marinette who had started to shake, either from anger or fear. "Is this true, Princess?"

Marinette slipped her hand into Adrien's for comfort. "No it isn't, your grace."

Pollen nodded.

"You may head back to your seat, Nathaniel," Plagg said, watching Nathaniel carefully. He seemed.... off.

"Princess Marinette, we would like to hear what you gave to say," Trixx said, clasping her hands together.

Marinette nodded weakly and stood, reluctantly letting go of Adrien's hand. She walked to the front of the room and stood before the very intimidating Council.

"Please tell us what happened," Tikki said softly, earning a nudge from Plagg who sat by her side. She usually didn't have sympathy for any royal who stood in the trial house, so what was so different about the blunette?

Marinette gulped and opened her mouth to speak. She told them about the treatment she received from the redheaded Prince when he first took her. She told them of the time she had tried to escape and the punishment she received after he had caught her. She mentioned each time he slapped her or choked her when she mentioned wanting to go back home or when when she mentioned Adrien and her family. She told about Nathaniel chaining her up in the basement and told them that he practically starved her by only giving her water. She told them about him ordering her to strip and when she refused he tore her clothes from her body.

Marinette didn't realize she was crying until she brushed her hands against her cheek. She just silently prayed that Adrien would keep his anger in check and not erupt and try to kill Nathaniel. That would just make everything worse and he would get into trouble.

She paused talking and tried to stop her tears from falling.

"Breathe, Marinette," She heard Tikki say and she took a deep breath before beginning to talk. She then looked at Wayzz when he signaled two guards to go stand by Adrien, who she was sure was fuming.

She told them absolutely everything leading up to where he carved his initials into her stomach.

"Then Adrien took me home," Marinette finished, wiping her tears.

"Thank you for cooperating, Marinette. Head back to your seat while we talk," Plagg smiled weakly and Marinette nodded before heading back to sit beside Adrien.

When she was seated, she clutched Adrien's hand and he immediately calmed down. The Council members took note of that before huddling up and whispering amongst themselves once more.

"We will be taking a twenty minute break then the trial will continue," Wayzz stated before they all rose and headed out of the room, a few guards following behind them.

Adrien lead Marinette out of the trial room and to somewhere silent and void of pitiful looks.

The blunette finally let it all out. The crumbled against Adrien's body and bawled for the millionth time. She held onto him as if her life depended on it. Adrien wrapped his arms around her trembling form and whispered non empty promises into her ears.

He promised her a better life.

He promised that he'd be there for her while she recovered.

He promised that he'd make sure that Nathaniel got the punishment he deserved.

He even let those three words pass his lips and Marinette stiffened at that.

* * * * *

That's tuff...

I updated yesterday, so this is a treat because y'all are the best❤️.

Anyways, only two chapters left!!

Aren't you all excited?

I know I am. I can't wait to start posting chapters for the rewrite of Adrienette Arranged Marriage!! I am super duper (¿?) EXCITED!!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, what are your thoughts?

Until next chapter,

bye bye little butterflies🦋🦋🦋.