Page 91 of Once Upon an Enchanted Castle

“The book came into port at my behest. Miss Rinaldi removed it—quite reluctantly—at my persistent request. Her father had no knowledge of the item, either. If charges are to be brought, they should be brought against me.”

“You can’t be serious,” Lord Vincent scoffed. “The man’s a liar, your honor. He comes here touting a phony title. You cannot take his word over mine. Orhers. She’s clearly been swayed by some dark magic.”

Oh, how she despised that man. Leopold remained still and calm, unaffected by Lord Vincent’s outrageous accusation.

“I’ve seen the beast he becomes at night!” Lord Vincent snapped. “He’s dangerous. He’s acreaturethat should be locked away or put down. Not standing here pretending to be a highborn princeling.”

Leopold lifted a brow as he regarded the man with a cool expression. “You seem quite interested in my downfall, Lord Vincent. I wonder why that is? Perhaps my existence threatens you in some manner?”

Bella suppressed a smile that wanted to erupt. Her aching hands unclenched.

Vincent sneered. “You think she lovesyou? She’ll come to her senses soon enough. And I’ll be the one here for her.”

“I already came to my senses, Lord Vincent,” she said, her voice shaking with emotion. “The moment I saw who you truly were.”

“Enough of this,” the magistrate snapped. “Sit down, Lord Vincent, or I shall call you in contempt.”

He banged his gavel to punctuate his point. Lord Vincent sat, fury smoldering in his eyes.

“Now, then.” He turned his gaze back to Leopold. “Is this book you have cursed?”

“Gods, no,” Leopold said with a chuckle. “Merely an old family heirloom an ancestor of mine created. He considered himself a bit of a linguist. He thought creating a language related to our lineage would be his legacy.” He laughed as though it were a family joke.

“And how did it end up on Mr. Rinaldi’s ship, your highness?”

Upon hearingyour highness, Lord Vincent snorted derision.

But Leopold was not to be derailed. “It disappeared some centuries ago. Sold off by one of the servants for ten gold pieces. I’ve been searching for it my entire life. A book seller across the sea found it and sold it back to me. For a thousand gold pieces. Can you believe that?” He clucked his tongue at the exorbitant price.

Bella hid a smile behind her hand. She was impressed with how he wove the truth with the lie.

Leopold continued. “Your honor, I have nothing to gain by coming here. No title to restore. No favor to win. I came to speak the truth. Miss Rinaldi acted with courage and kindness. Not malice and certainly not with witchcraft. Her father is innocent of all charges.”

The magistrate sat back in his oversized chair, the wood creaking with his weight, silent. A thoughtful expression crossed his face as he glanced down at the papers, shuffled them, straightened them. No doubt stalling as he came to a decision. Deathly silence pierced the room.

Finally, he said, “Lord Vincent, I find your testimony to be lacking substance. You have presented no evidence to prove to me or this court that Mr. Rinaldi is guilty of these heinous charges. Your personal grievances have no place here in my court.”

Lord Vincent’s mouth dropped open, as though he were prepared to object when the magistrate continued.

“The court, however, does recognize Prince Leopold’s testimony as valid. I hereby dismiss all charges.” His gaze swung back to the man sitting stiffly across from her. “As for you, Lord Vincent, any further public accusations will find you sitting on the other side of the law. I hope I make myself clear. Mr. Rinaldi, you are free to go.”

With that, he stood and stepped down off the dais and headed toward a door on the side of the court. The two constables followed. With the proceedings done, the disappointed spectators began to leave.

Bella’s breath exhaled in a rush. Her father was next to her an instant later, hugging her so hard it nearly crushed her. But she was happy for it. Because it meant he was a free man.

Lord Vincent rose stiffly from his chair and exited the building without giving her a sideways glance, every line of his body taut with fury.

Leopold watched him go, his keen eyes keeping him in sight until he was out of the building. When he was gone, Emmaline made her way toward Bella, shame burning in her face. Bella gave her a bright smile as she intercepted her, engaging her in a quick hug.

“Thank you for coming, Em,” she said.

“I’m ever so sorry, miss.”

“Whatever for?” she asked.

“I trusted him.” The girl jerked her head behind her, indicating the departing Lord Vincent. “I shouldn’t have. I shouldn’t have let him coerce me into telling him things.”

Bella took the girl’s hands in hers and squeezed. “It’s all right. Don’t you fret. It’s over now and all turned out well.”

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