47 Defending One's Innocence

[Reine POV]

I stood there, feeling like I'd been plunged into a nightmare, as the knight in front of us declared my arrest. Everything around me became a blur, and fear crept down my spine.

The recent events, the ones I could barely remember, left me in a state of confusion. How had I lost control so easily? How could I do such destruction and harm? To be accused of these actions was bewildering and terrifying.

Meanwhile, my companions formed a protective barrier in front of me, their faces reflecting a mix of anxiety and defiance. They were as stunned as I was by this sudden twist.

"What do you mean she's under arrest?" Cedric demanded, his voice laced with anger.

The knight, resolute in his armor, pointed directly at me. "This young lady is accused of causing harm to innocent citizens and destroying property. Her actions were reckless and dangerous."

I struggled to gather my thoughts, to find a way to defend myself, but my mind was still clouded with confusion and fear.

"Sir, you don't understand," Eugeo stepped closer, genuine concern in his voice. "Reine had no control over her actions during those incidents."

"He's right, there's been a mistake," Leafa added, firm but respectful. "Reine wasn't herself during those times."

However, the knight's resolve didn't waver; his gaze remained unwavering. "I'm afraid such claims require evidence, and as of now, there are witnesses who have reported her involvement in the incidents."

Hearing the knight's words, Cedric clenched his fists in frustration. "Please, let us explain. Reine isn't a criminal."

"Not a criminal, huh? What a joke."

Suddenly, a mocking voice interrupted the conversation. We turned to see Oberon Fairwind, the smug and arrogant elf noble, approach our group with an air of superiority. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction, as if he relished every moment of my predicament.

"Oh, Lord Oberon, what brings you here?" the knight respectfully asked the elf noble as he and his troops bowed to him.

"Isn't it obvious?" Oberon replied with a sly grin. "I'm here to ensure that justice is served. It's quite fortunate that I happened to witness this horrible monster's destructive rampage in our peaceful village firsthand."

Hearing the noble called me a monster and accuse me of a destructive rampage sent a fresh wave of dread through me. I couldn't believe how the situation was spiraling out of control.

"That's not true! She's not a monster!" Cedric shouted in frustration, his fist shivered from clenching so hard. "It's not her fault! You're the one who challenged her in the first place!"

The elf noble's words seemed to fuel my friend's frustration. He was trembling with anger, unable to comprehend the injustice unfolding before our eyes. Eugeo and Leafa, equally frustrated by this, stood by his side.

Oberon merely chuckled condescendingly, relishing in our distress. "Ah, this young boy is quite passionate about defending his criminal companion, isn't he? It's almost admirable," he said sarcastically. "But then again, justice must prevail. So, send her away."

"But of course, Lord Oberon," the knight concurred as he and the other knights walked toward me. Seeing that, my companions tried their best to block them.

"We won't let you take her away from us!" Cedric declared steadfastly.

"Please, listen to reason, Sir Knight!" Eugeo implored, his voice filled with desperation. "Reine is not guilty! We saw her struggle to regain control!"

Leafa, her eyes filled with a mix of worry and desperation, joined in. "Please, stop! She didn't want any of this to happen!"

However, their pleas seemed to fall on deaf ears as the knights, despite their reluctance, moved them aside and apprehended me. I had no other choice but to cooperate to prove my innocence.

As the knights took hold of me, a surge of helplessness washed over me. I cast one last desperate glance at my companions. Their faces were etched with concern, their eyes locked onto mine.

"Reine, I promise you. We'll find a way to clear your name," Cedric vowed, his voice filled with conviction.

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I nodded, silently telling him I trust his words.

With heavy hearts, they stepped back, creating a path for the knights to lead me away. Oberon stood nearby with a sinister satisfied smirk playing on his lips.

As we walked through the streets, I couldn't help but notice the accusatory and disdainful glares from the onlookers.

They whispered among themselves, casting judgmental gazes in my direction. It felt like their eyes bore into my soul, condemning me for crimes I couldn't even remember committing.

The journey to wherever they were taking me felt like an eternity. My mind raced, trying to piece together the events that led to this moment.

How could this happen to me? Why did I let myself get into this kind of situation? Would I be able to resolve this predicament? These were questions I couldn't answer in this moment.

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Eventually, we arrived at a small, fortified outpost on the outskirts of the village. It was a somber place, with thick stone walls and heavy iron gates. The air was heavy with tension, and the silence seemed to echo with the weight of past judgments.

As I approached my cell, a man with short blue hair and yellow eyes, approached me. He had a muscular build, and dressed in a blue kimono-like outfit.

"Kindly surrender the sword at your hip, young lady," the man instructed, his voice held an unexpected gentleness.

I looked at him with my tear-filled eyes, hesitating for a moment. His gaze met mine with a flicker of empathy and understanding.

Without another word, I unstrapped my sword and handed it over, feeling a pang of sadness as it left my possession.

"Do not fret, young one," he consoled me. "Your blade is in capable hands."

The man then unlocked the cell door and gestured for me to enter. Reluctantly, I complied, crossing the threshold into my confined quarters.

Within the dimly lit room, a shiver coursed down my spine. The cold, damp stone walls seemed to encroach upon me, amplifying the sensations of isolation and despair.

The man who had taken my sword secured the cell door with a soft clank, leaving me alone with my thoughts in the cell.

He subsequently moved to the other end of the room, settling into a chair. His gaze remained fixed on mine, devoid of judgment but rife with profound curiosity. It stood in stark contrast to the accusatory stares of onlookers and the self-satisfied demeanor of the elf noble.

"My apologies, young lady," he began, his voice gentle and soothing like a calm river. "I understand this situation must be perplexing and frightening for you. Please understood that we are bound by our protocols."

I nodded, my voice too choked up with emotion to respond. The despair and confusion I felt were overwhelming, but the man's empathy offered a glimmer of comfort in the midst of it all.

The man then leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees and intertwining his hands. "I am Bercouli Herlentz, the captain of the guard at this village's outpost. If you prefer, you may call me Captain Bercouli."

"Reine," I managed to speak, my voice wavering. "My name is Reine Greyrat."

He offered a warm smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "A pleasure to meet you, Reine. But It's better to know each other if you could explain your circumstance."

"I'm afraid that would be difficult, Captain Bercouli," I admitted, my voice trembling with anxiety. "I have no idea what just happened. One moment, I was in the middle of a duel with a swordswoman, and the next thing I know, everything was in ruins."

Upon hearing my explanation, the man regarded me with a thoughtful expression, as if weighing my words carefully. His presence was strangely calming despite this oppressive atmosphere.

"I see," he responded, his tone retaining its gentle quality. "Well, Reine, it's not rare for events to unfold in a way that leaves one bewildered. Sometimes, we find ourselves caught up in situations beyond our understanding."

I nodded, grateful for his judgement. It was a small comfort to know that someone here was willing to listen, even if I couldn't provide clear answers.

"But rest assured, young lady," Captain Bercouli continued, "we will try to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind these incidents. Until then, you'll be held here for your safety and the village's."

His words were both reassuring and disheartening. I was relieved to hear that they intended to investigate further, but the idea of being confined in this cold cell weighed heavily on my mind.

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After Captain Bercouli concluded our conversation, he stood up, making his way towards the building's exit.

However, just before departing, he threw a brief glance back in my direction and assured me, "If you find yourself in need of anything, I will instruct one of my knights to provide assistance."

Feeling somewhat more composed, I mustered the courage to voice a request, "Could I please have some appropriate attire? It's kind of cold in here."

"Of course," he acknowledged my plea with a nod and a kind smile. "We will arrange for suitable clothing to be brought to you."

With that response, Captain Bercouli exited the room, leaving me alone in my cell, a glimmer of hope rekindling within me.

Soon after, a knight arrived with a bundle of clothing. The person is wearing a set of full-body purple light armor, obscuring their whole identity.

"Here, these should help keep you warm," the knight said, their voice carrying a gruff gentleness as they gave me the clothes.

"Thank you very much," I replied, genuinely grateful for the gesture.

After thanking the knight, they left the building without uttering another word, most likely to give me some privacy while I changed into the outfit.

As I adapted to the warmer clothes, I couldn't help but feel a small sense of comfort settle in. The new attire, consisting of black sweater and brown trousers, provided me protection against the biting cold of the cell. It was a small reprieve in the midst of uncertainty.

I then lay down on the stone bench, wrapped in the warm fabric. Looking back, I couldn't shake the feeling of what caused me to lose control of my body. The only explanation I could fathom was the girl with the crimson-red eyes I encountered within the dark void.

Today's whole event unfolded unexpectedly, leaving me to grapple with the consequences of the unfortunate aftermath.

Not only that, I couldn't help but be worried about my new companions, Cedric, Eugeo, and Leafa. Were they alright? Had they discovered a way to clear my name? Concern for their well-being and my impending fate gnawed at the edge of my mind.

Therefore, in an attempt to quell my growing anxiety, I resolved to take a short nap in the hope that my time in the cell would soon come to an end.

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Upon closing my eyes, I once again found myself in this mysterious, eerie, dark void.

"Great, another round in this cryptic place," I thought, my frustration mounting. It remained an eerie and unsettling space, devoid of any discernible features or landmarks.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the emptiness, carried by an otherworldly wind. "Well, it appears you've found yourself in quite an unfavorable situation."

I turned around and there, confronting her once more—the girl with the crimson-red eyes, confined within the same metallic cage as before.

However, instead of glaring at me as she had done previously, she appeared to be sitting casually, cross-legged, with her hand resting against her cheek. It was almost as if she were relishing the predicament that I am currently in.

"It's you!" I said, my voice tinged with annoyance. "You're the one responsible for all of this chaos, aren't you?"

"So, what if I am?" she retorted, appearing unamused by my disdain. "What are you going to do about it?"

I couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration at her nonchalant attitude. She had plunged me into this bizarre ordeal, and her indifference only added to my confusion and anger.

"Why are you doing this to me?" I demanded, my voice sharpening with irritation. "What's the purpose of putting me through this misery?"

The girl huffed indifferently in response, her crimson eyes locked onto mine. "Is there even a point in answering your question?"

"Huh?" I exclaimed, bewildered and struggling to comprehend her response.

She then pointed at me, continuing her words, "I mean, why should I waste my time explaining myself to the person I despise the most?"

With that shocking statement, I fell into a heavy silence, left with more questions than answers and an unsettling feeling sinking deeper within me. 

"Why do you hate me?" I asked desperately, my voice quivering with confusion. "I don't even know who you are!"

Upon hearing my desperate plea, the girl clicked her tongue and rose to her feet, gripping the bars of the cage.

"Are you dense?!" she shouted, "Can't you see? I am the real Reine Greyrat! Not some disgusting imposter like you!"

With her sudden revelation, the air grew heavier, the truth of our connection was shrouded in a foreboding silence.