Snippet #1943581

James watched as Rivera was escorted into the room and brought to stand in front of the Privy Council. He had to give her credit as she did not flinch nor falter but instead held herself erect with head held high. Seeing her like that he wished he could simply dismiss the whole proceedings and announce her innocent yet he knew he could not do that. He had to consider the possibility that she was guilty and her show of innocence merely an act from a skilled actress. No matter what she thought of him, or what his brother thought of him, he had to remain firm and act befitting his station as King of the realm. He could no longer afford to be worried over whether his family was angry at him or disappointed in him as any such sign of weakness was sure to be exploited.

He glanced at the men gathered in the Privy council. “You may begin the questioning.”

James had decided that it would be more appropriate if the privy council performed the questioning in order for him to appear unbiased and also fair. The Privy Council, though unused to performing such investigations, were all upstanding lords of the realm and James was confident they would question Rivera thoroughly but fairly. After a moment of silence one of the southern lords rose from his seat and asked Rivera a question regarding her whereabouts at certain times. James waited for Rivera’s answer yet to his confusion she remained silent and after a a moment of strained silence the lord sat back down. Other Lords stood and posed their questions to Rivera and yet each time she remained stoic and silent. James was growing increasingly angry and frustrated as this continued as he felt Rivera was not helping herself by behaving this way. In refusing to answer she was only adding to the growing belief that she was indeed guilty of the charges against her. If she had answered their questions in a calm and logical manner James was sure the matter could have been resolved easily.

Yet the woman continued to be stubborn and James began to feel less respect for Rivera and her pride and more that she was deliberately trying to be difficult yet she was hurting no one but herself and James could not understand why. Finally there seemed to be no more questions to be asked of her and the Privy Council were looking at James to see what he would do now. All of the lords looked either angry, frustrated or confused by Rivera’s behaviour and James could not blame them. Emmanuel as usual kept his face blank and did not participate in the questioning and James was left wondering what he was thinking. Pushing that aside for now, for he could not be seen to rely on others for his behaviour, he looked at Rivera and his expression was grim. He deliberately kept his face expressionless like stone for he would not be drawn into making a rash decision out of anger because the foolish woman was being stubborn.

"Sir Talimir. Have you nothing to say in your own defence? This may be your last opportunity to speak." He asked calmly.