Chapitre 19: No Justice For A Woman
"My lady, your wounds," the maid tried to reason with Barbara.
"I don't care about them, call Karyan here, immediately."
"As you please," the maid lowered her head and walked out of Barbara's chambers.
Even if Mateo tried to reason, apologize, and beg on his knees for forgiveness, Barbara had enough.
Enough of tormenting, bullying, and torture for five years. How her children were discriminated against, banished, and abused by this family.
"We're getting out of here," she said out loud.
"Mother?"
"Karyan!" Her pupils turned bigger when she saw her child in front of him.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm ready," she stated, "ready to leave this shitty place and my name, but before that, I will get your magic element back."
A small smirk forced on Karyan's lips, "where will you go?"
"I?" She raised a brow, "We will go to my mother's old house."
"And how far is that?"
"A couple of hours in a carriage," she calmly replied.
"Are you sure about this?"
Barbara looked at Karyan, "I've never been more sure of anything in my life. It's time for us to break free from this shithole and build a new life."
"But you were born here…"
"It doesn't matter anymore!" Barbara told Karyan, "I'll go to the court in an hour and sort this out. You stay here, be safe."
Karyan nodded gratefully, "Thank you, Mother."
Barbara stood in her chambers, surrounded by her maids.
She chose a simple black dress, with extremely puffy sleeves trying to hide the pain beneath its dark fabric.
The blue bruises on her face reminded her why it was time to end this suffering.
In front of the mirror, Barbara embraced the reflection of her wounded self.
Her fingers traced the contours of the bruises, "I will not end up like mother…"
She took a deep breath, brushing her long red curls with a gentle hand.
The familiar routine brought a sense of normalcy in this chaotic mess. As she prepared herself, the maids silently assisted, understanding the situation.
The carriage waited outside. Barbara, with her heart heavy and still in a lot of pain from beating, stepped into the carriage.
The door closed behind her, shutting out the mourners. The wheels started turning, taking her away from the place that she hated now the most.
The mansion, still in tears after the tragedy of the baby's death, echoed with sorrow.
Barbara, however, had a different path to tread. Her mind focused on the court, where she aimed to address the injustices that she and her children had faced inside the mansion.
Barbara stared out of the carriage window, watching the world pass by.
The landscape changed, but her determination remained the same.
She imagined a new beginning for herself and her children, far away from the shadows of the past.
"We've arrived."
Barbara, wearing a somber black dress, entered the court accompanied by her maids.
It was a daily one, where everyone had a time limit to be heard.
The judge looked at her with a stern expression, "What brings you here, Lady Barbara?"
Barbara, with a steely resolve, replied, "I've endured years of torment and discrimination. It's time for justice."
A ripple of mocking laughter echoed through the court. A snide voice sneered, "Justice for the fallen lady. How entertaining!"
Undeterred, Barbara continued, "I won't tolerate the abuse my children and I have suffered. It ends now."
The jeering continued, the court seemingly finding her plight amusing. The judge, with a high tone, remarked, "Lady Barbara, this is not a theater for your dramatic tales. Present evidence or spare us the theatrics."
"I have endured bruises, discrimination, and the death of my mother. Is that not evidence enough?"
More laughter erupted, the court dismissing her pain. Barbara, holding back tears, pressed on, "I seek refuge for my children and justice for the wrongs done."
A sarcastic voice mocked, "Oh, the poor fallen lady seeking justice. What a spectacle!"
Barbara, determined to be heard, declared, "I won't let mockery silence me."
Despite the taunts, Barbara continued to speak her truth.
The courtroom, shrouded in mockery, witnessed a woman standing tall against the storm with nothing.
She refused to be broken by the laughter that surrounded her.
Barbara, facing the mocking court, raised her voice, "My son's magic element was unlawfully taken from him by my own father. I demand its return."
A member of the council scoffed, "Magic element? What nonsense is this, Lady Barbara? This court deals in reality, not fairy tales. Magic elements cannot be taken by anyone but court."
Undeterred, Barbara retorted, "It's no fairy tale. His powers were stripped away."
A council elder, with a stern expression, intervened, "Lady Barbara, such claims need evidence. Can you prove this alleged injustice?"
Barbara calmly responded, "I have witnesses, those who have seen the suppression of my son's abilities."
Another council member, skeptical, remarked, "Witnesses can be manipulated. We need concrete proof."
Barbara, clenched her fists, her jaw froze for a second, "My son's powers were a part of him since birth. Ask him, and he will tell you how they were forcibly taken."
The council engaged in a hushed discussion. The judge, looking more serious now, addressed Barbara, "This is a serious allegation, Lady Barbara. If found false, it could have consequences."
Barbara, determined to make her case, declared, "I am willing to face any consequences. But my son deserves justice, his powers restored and my second son, Karlin, must have the permission to come back!"
A senior council member spoke, "We will investigate this matter thoroughly. Until then, Lady Barbara, the court will reserve judgment."
Barbara, though met with skepticism, felt hopeful.
The courtroom, once filled with mockery, now faced a woman demanding justice for her sons, "very well."
After the tough time in court, Barbara held back tears as she entered the carriage.
Her face still hurt from the bruises, but she didn't let the pain show. The black dress she wore felt like armor against the hurtful words.
Sitting in the carriage, she looked out the window, trying not to let the tears escape.
Barbara whispered to herself, "Stay strong for the children."
As the carriage moved, she closed her eyes, hoping for a moment of peace.
The pain on her face matched the struggles inside, but Barbara prepared herself for a new start – away from the mansion, away from the unkind words, towards a brighter future.
But then the carriage stopped, "Lady Barbara, please get out of the carriage, now!"
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone