The Cogsmith's Daughter (Desertera #1)(89)

“His last eight wives?” Prince Lionel raised his eyebrows a bit too high. “What about his first and second wives?”

“The king did not mention his first wife, Queen Lisandra.” Zedara shook her head. “However, he did say that his second wife was truly guilty of adultery and that she served as his inspiration to entrap his future wives in the crime whenever he tired of them. Myself included.”

Queen Zedara’s words became increasingly difficult to hear as the nobles in the stands erupted into fierce whispers. Prince Lionel held up his hand, and the courtroom fell silent. A lump swelled in Aya’s throat, and her heart beat unevenly as she imagined where Zedara’s testimony would lead.

“What happened after that?”

Zedara fidgeted with the sleeve of her gown. “The king began to make physical advances on Miss Cogsmith. She appeared to struggle, but she was no match for his strength. Seeing her in distress, I decided to make my presence known.”

“And when you entered the room, had King Archon and Miss Cogsmith completed the act of adultery?”

Aya held her breath. Whatever Queen Zedara said next would determine her fate. Even though she had fought against the king, if Zedara claimed the act had been done, Aya would be guilty—willing or not.

“No, Your Highness. The act was yet done.”

Aya’s jaw dropped, and her breath came out in a shaky whoosh. The guard behind her smacked her shoulder to quiet her. Tremors racked her body, and she gripped the edge of her chair to steady herself. Closing her eyes, Aya prayed that she’d heard Queen Zedara correctly. But it wasn’t over yet. Even cleared of adultery, Aya could still be imprisoned for falsehood—or treason, if Zedara chose to expose Aya’s true purpose in the palace.

“Did King Archon or Miss Cogsmith say anything to you when you entered?”

Zedara frowned. “The king denied his adultery, and so did Miss Cogsmith. However, Miss Cogsmith also thanked me for stopping the king.”

“Is that so?” Prince Lionel rubbed his chin. Aya wondered whether this was part of his act, or if he and Lord Varick had actually arrived after she and the king were separated. “And members of the queen’s guard, your statements are the same?”

One of the guards stepped forward. “They are, Your Highness.”

“Thank you.” Prince Lionel turned to face the accused. “King Archon, you may now speak to your defense.”

King Archon stood, fists clenched and quivering. “Everything Queen Zedara has said is a lie. Miss Cogsmith and I were merely talking. It is no crime to have friends of the opposite sex. As to the queen’s other accusations, she has taken a series of sad, coincidental betrayals and turned them against me. It is not my fault that so many of my wives have betrayed me. If anything, I am the victim.”

“Do you have any evidence or witnesses to support your claim?”

King Archon’s jaw tightened, and he shook his head. Aya’s eyes widened. In the trial King Archon presided over, he had never even considered bringing in third-party testimony. Maybe Prince Lionel was not as vicious as his father after all.

“I see. Well, let us try to find you some.” Prince Lionel smirked. “Lords and ladies, will anyone support the king’s defense?”

Aya watched the nobles squirm, glancing between the king and Prince Lionel, trying to decide where the balance of power would be when the trial ended. A few nobles brazenly crossed their arms or shook their heads, but most kept to shifting their eyes.

As Prince Lionel opened his mouth to close the argument, a lady stood up in the back of the crowd. “I will support the king.”

Aya craned her neck to see past the throne. It was Miss Collingwood. Prince Lionel’s face reddened, and a vein bulged in his neck. Despite everything that was happening, Aya’s nose wrinkled, and her mind raced to connect the pieces. Were Miss Collingwood and the prince cousins, as Willem had said, or potential marriage partners, as Miss Collingwood had implied? Or as King Archon had stated, with the inbreeding problem, were they both? Aya shook her head to banish the images the thought conjured from her mind.

Prince Lionel took a deep breath. “And what have you to say, Miss Collingwood?”

“I had tea with Miss Cogsmith—of course, I knew her to be Miss Aya Wellman at the time—along with Miss Aster and Miss Frieson. We asked Miss Cogsmith about her relationship with the king, and she denied anything improper. She said that her benefactor, Lord Varick, was friends with the king and wanted him to help Aya adjust to palace life. I believe the king when he claims his innocence.”

If Miss Collingwood’s testimony had not helped her as well, Aya would have leaped from her seat and called the lady out for what she was—a power-hungry tramp. With Queen Zedara out of the way, Miss Collingwood must have assumed that her saving testimony would make her the next queen. At least Miss Collingwood and King Archon were not related by blood. Aya withheld an eye roll.

Prince Lionel’s voice shook Aya from her thoughts. “And can you speak to the accusations of conspiracy and treason?”

Miss Collingwood looked down and intertwined her fingers. “No, I cannot. But Miss Cogsmith is most assuredly guilty of falsehood and should be prosecuted to the highest extent of your power, Your Highness.”

Prince Lionel turned away from the lady and raised his eyes to the ceiling. “Thank you, Miss Collingwood. Miss Aster and Miss Frieson?”