31 Loosing war and a change in tide.

"Lady Lucinda, it is to our notice that you aren't here with your partner in this case."

The judge raised a bushy brow at Lucinda. His rectangles glasses low on his nose.

"Like i have stated your honour. He had an urgent matter to attend to and all the other documents you might need are all submitted."

"Ah yes, i do have those" he said causally lifting a thick binding of documents.

He dropped it with a heavy thud.

"So you are to say, that your partner can't be here today with you?"

"Yes," Lucinda replied calmly, picking a non existent lint off her cloth.

Her siren eyes caught the mocking smirk on his wrinkled face and how his white mustache scrunched up.

"Your honour, as you can see the other party is non interested in this case and i say for the good of everyone that it shall not be prolong any further for her entertainment."

"Vile you presume that i take the custody of my child for a joke. Like i had said before, my partner couldn't be here today for unforeseen reason. I hope we can carry this out professional without a revolting word of mouth"

Magnus defendant gasped like he had been visibly stroked while Lucinda just had a clean smile on her face.

"Lady, do you consider yourself too smart not to follow the rules. You need a partner and I cannot take on an unserious client." Her own lawyer said.

Lucinda stopped inspecting her nails to turn to him with a scoff. The drama never seems to end.

"It makes me wonder which side you're on all along sir. But I'm sure I wasn't blind due to any aliment when i read in the book, section 18 clause 9 where the partner doesn't have to be physically available and a vote or reason of leave written in a document is enough as long as there is proof of partnership"

She faced the judge "which is already present in the document you hold ".

The judge lowered his gaze to her in silent spite.

"Sister. Though i don't like to go against you, but I don't think its is a good idea to speak back to the authority in such manner".

Valerie voice came out meek and docile, like she was trying to gently persuade an irrational being.

Lucinda sided eyes her and she visibly jumped back like she was attack. Magnus held his wife and said " Don't you dare glower at your sister". Why do they so insist that incredible dense vessel was related to her.

"You were late to this gathering. Which is an obvious sign you aren't serious about Theodore".

"Do not speak his name so thoughtlessly, Magnus".

"....Lucinda. Don't you see, this would only cost you in the long run. Know your place now and back down."

Of cause an obvious display of superiority from Magnus was look down on in a court. Tsk. The statement he said was a way people around her had tried to suppress her growing up. Know your place, know your role, know your limits.

"How are we so sure your partner even exist. He could be a man toy, a no name noble, a poor runt, a menace to society. He won't be fit to be with our dear child".

Lucinda didn't know what came over her to protect him."Do not call him such unrefined names when you know nothing about him Lord Magnus. You speak so flippant when you would never be the kind of man or father he is to Theodore. I adhere you to have an atom of respect not to shame you for you so lack before him. I am not so much of a fool to choose an idiotic mistake a second time. And not a pushover to watched you tarnish his name. I incline you to chose your words carefully as you proceed Duke."

Lucinda's voice rose in octaves as she spoke, being uncontrolled by her as emotions took over, as it slowly reduced to a renowned tone. At the end, the hall fell silent then bust out in chaotic murmurs. Everyone having a piece to say about her bold statement, and the obvious threat that lied behind her every word. Now they care.

Connor gazed at her shocked. Did his lady just defend the viscount of the Quilvet estate. Lucinda green eyed gaze bore into the couple opposite her. A fire kindling behind it. A silent rage unusually to her usual uninterested demure.

"Sister, don't let your hate influence your child's life. I know its my fault for not giving birth sooner but what can i do to prove to you that i care for little Theodore" Valerie heaved into her snow white kerchief. The material soaking up her tears. Lucinda didn't know whether to be appalled by her words or applaud her for her acting skill which just seems to be getting better each time she met her.

"I can't believe a lady of such standing would mock another woman for her fertility".

"I don't believe i had a short term memory. For where did i bring up a discussion of you not having a child. Do not twist my words or lack of it lady Valerie ".

Needless to say it only enrage the audience the more. Daft they were. All hurling insults at Lucinda. While Valerie smiled behind her kerchief.

The whole place erupted in chaotic noise like a protest about to go out of control. Connor stood closer to Lucinda, his hand resting on his sword as his gaze scan the hall. Ready and prepared for any shenanigans.

With a start, the judge roared along ,"You have spoken so out of tone young lady. You don't have anything valid to bring. So I insist-"

"I do hope the best of the party isn't quite over yet".

Like a calm ripple of steel the soothing commanding voice halted the uproar. The hall became so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone simultaneously turned to the entrance to site a man dressed in fine foreign clothing. Clad in a dark pristine attire adorned with fine jews and silver chains that had a brilliant shine against the shaded light from the windows.

As everyone stared at him in awe, he calmly walked forward. His dark gold clad cane making a rythimical tap along with his well polished shoes.

A man followed behind him, with a top hat and adorned with regal materials fit for one with riches. A single round spectacle on his face. A case in one hand and a glorious unearthly shine on his milky skin as he followed behind the dark haired gentleman in calm grace. Both gentle men adorned a simple mask like that found in a masqurade ball.

The confusion of the lots was pungent in the air, while the only thing Lucinda needed to hear was his voice. Always calm and in under-laced excitement. Somehow it brought a ripple, a sense of peace to the chaotic storm that started to plague her mind. His daunting light footstep soon reached her ears as she calmly faced away from him still processing the fact that, Viscount Silas Quilvet was here.

The standing defender for Lucinda watched in shocked and awe as the man came closer towards him and as if on unresolved instinct he stumbled away from his way having an underlying feeling of dread.

Silas calmly walked next to Lucinda and stood in front the empty seat reserved for the partner with a nod at the equally confused Connor. Frederick came to stop behind Silas, and the defender still wary stood a few feet from them.

Silas with a swoon worthy bow, took Lucinda gloved hand and laid a kiss upon it murmuring words lost to the crowd with his sensuous mouth giving a delightful curl, before he took his seat next to her.

"And who in justice name do you think you are?" The sound of the old judge gruff voice was followed by an electric silence.

"Her man toy, as referred earlier", He grinned, rolling his cufflink "Although I prefer the no named Noble as he said." Silas fingers twirled and lazily pointed at Magnus.