Page 158 of Happily Ever Witch
The Knave tapped his forehead knowingly. “A clear sign of guilt.”
“She has the right to remain silent.” Trevelyan argued.
“Under Rule Forty-Two, you donothave the right to remain silent.” The Knave told the jury.
The jury wrote that down.
“What are you telling my daughter, wolf?” The Queen of Clubs glared at Marrok, her attention on whatever he was up to. “If you think I’m going to let you…”
Marrok cut her off. “Oh no, don’t turn this around on me.I’mnot the one who made poor Snow White wear an ugly wedding gown.”
“I didn’t make her wear an ugly wedding gown! Are you insane?”
“Under Rule Forty-Two, youdohave a right to plead insanity.” The Knave told the jury.
Grimhilde’s spiteful smile slowly faded into befuddlement. Her head whipped back and forth, as she tried to follow the tornado of arguments.
Marrok watched the Queen of Clubs with gleaming menace. “You know… The wedding is sorta foggy in my mind, too. If she didn’t have an ugly dress, then let’s get the photos out. We’ll look at them together.”
The Queen of Clubs’ eyes glinted like the magic mirror that hung on the wall, next to the throne. Cold and flat. “I’m not getting any photos out.” She snarled.
“Why not?” Marrok challenged. “Why can’t Snow White see the pictures of our wedding?”
“Yes, why can’t I see the pictures, Mommy?”
The Queen of Clubs paled, like she was trying to see her way out of a trap. A lot of people looked that way around Marrok.
“I call the Mad Hatter to the stand.” Trevelyan interjected.
The Knave glowered at him. “We’re not done questioning Queen Alice.”
“She’s clearly a hostile witness and the Mad Hatter has vital information about my innocence.”
“You’re guilty.” The Mad Hatter shot back. “How can I have information on your innocence?”
“That’sexactlywhat you’ll be explaining to the jury.” Trevelyan countered. “Under Rule Forty-Two, the judge must testify if he’s wearing a top hat.” He had no idea what Rule Forty-Two said, but this was Wonderland, so no one else did either.
“You can’t fight that kind of legal precedent.” The Knave allowed and looked over at the jury. “The Mad Hatter is called to the stand.”
The Mad Hatter trudged over to the witness box. He shoved the log aside, so it crashed to the floor, and sat down. “Fucking waste of my time.”
“Obscenity.” Marrok gleefully chimed in.
The jury wrote that down.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.” The Knave put his hands behind his back, walking back and forth in front of them. “Before you sits an innocent man. Falsely targeted by this unhinged lunatic, who is….”
“Objection!” Trevelyan pounded a hand on the table in front of him. “‘Unhinged lunatic’ is prejudicial. I demand you apologize to his Highness, the Mad Hatter.”
The Mad Hatter’s crazy, swirly eyes fixed on the Knave. “Did you just call me an unhinged lunatic?”
Trevelyan nodded. “Under oath, no less.”
Grimhilde looked dizzy.
“I want to see my wedding photos.” Snow White shrieked at the Queen of Clubs. “Why can’t I see them?”
“Well, because… they’re… not here, Snow.”
