I Don't Need the Prince! 24

Amanda scanned the crowd and her eyes locked onto Jane's. She ran towards Jane before hugging her and crying out, "My poor Jane!"

Jane, who had just returned, was shocked. She could only pat Amanda's back while being baffled at her cries of grievance for her, whatever that was. Jane looked around realizing her father had arrived as well. She also realized everyone was looking in her direction. Confused, she looked at Rey for answers, but he was equally confused.

Amanda whipped her tearful face casting a glare at Ariel. "How could you be so cruel to Jane! Jane has been so nice to you!" Of course, now everyone's gaze was on Avina. Slowly, the looks changed to be skeptical and wary. Whispers erupted and fingers began to point. After all, Ariel was known to be spoiled. Maybe she didn't like Jane, the commoner.

Curious gazes would be cast along with scrutiny. The looks and whispers shrouded the whole building making a malicious circle around Ariel and George. In an attempt to protect Ariel, George reached out and cupped her head covering her ears. He made her eyes focus solely on him and only him. From the crowd, Hector broke through and made his way to Ariel.

He stood in front of her blocking more of her sight and looked grimly at Amanda. "Do not slander my sister!"

"What slander! This is all true!" Earl John stepped out and defended his position. "Lady Ariel has been more than unkind to my daughter!" Stepping towards Jane, he held her hand and valiantly accused Ariel.

Maybe Earl John did take some lessons. For one, Avina sure did feel convinced. If she wasn't the one being accused, she would have believed it. While she appeared visibly distressed and teary outside, her mind was watching a marvelous play. All she needed to do was kick back and watch as it all falls into place.

'Host! Look! All according to plan!' 5025 grabbed its imaginary popcorn before pulling out its datapad. It had written the parts of Avina's plans and slowly checked it off. Right now, it checked off "Earl John and Amanda accuses Ariel."

Avina nodded and continued looking at the monitors. Her vision was being protected or blocked, and she could only resort to her monitors. It was weird but thrilling to watch the drama happening around her!

"Do you have any evidence!" Hector questioned loudly. As far as his investigation went, he knew Ariel and Jane were friends. His sister would never bully another!

Out of nowhere, Earl John pulled out a stack of papers. "Evidence! You want evidence!? Here!!"

Pulling out the first paper, he read, "She pushed Jane off the stairs!" Gasps of shock and disapproval aroused and the whispers increased.

"And this! She tried to harm Jane in our own estate! Our own house!" He pulled out another sheet. More chatter erupted and there were even menacing glares at Ariel.

Pulling out another, he clenched his chest in heartache, before looking up. "And this," tears swam in his eyes, "she even sent mercenaries against Jane!"

Cries of horror erupted and this time, it wasn't minimum chatter, the whole place echoed! Words of evil, corrupted, mean, wicked, despicable, vicious, villain spread from one corner to another. Now, there was no one to believe Ariel, not that there was much, to begin with.

Hector and George stared at the outrageous accusation and the despicable villain, Earl John. Every single one of his words was untrue! They were more than certain of it. When was the good and sweet Ariel ever a villain?

At this point, Avina placed down her imaginary popcorn and acted once again. Gripping George, she placed her face atop his shoulders and started the water floods. Sobbing, her little fingers turned white from her grip. Only if you listen closely will you hear her soft pleas. "I'm not… I didn't do those things…"

At the sound of her cries, George felt his every fiber aching. He never was able to protect her. It seems she always got injured, but he was always a step too late.

This time, this time, he must help. He must be her knight. "Please do not slander my fiance, Earl John!" George looked up staring dead straight at Earl John. Fury buried deep in his blue eyes, and Earl John flinched. "I will order an investigation immediately."

He passed Ariel to Hector before stepping forward to his father. "Father! Allow me to call an investigation on these slanderous comments!" The King stared at his determined son and his quieting subjects, finally stopping at the sweating Earl John. His eyes were unclear but deep just like George.

"Go. Find out the truth, son," with his father's words, George called the guards to collect the Earl's testimonial paper. At this point, Hector also stepped forward with his own evidence. Thicker than the Earl's, it contained evidence against the accusations and also of Amanda's and Earl John's treachery.

At the sight of the evidence, George's face changed and he quickly delivered it to the King. It wasn't just slandering Ariel or falsifying reports, but smuggling, gambling dens, and trafficking. Every single one of these claims could land someone in prison, but there were pages upon pages of it! The King only hummed in response but his eyes were dark with rage. He returned the papers to George before calling attendants to escort the Queen and him back to the palace. He did not need to watch a clown perform a silly show.

During the whole affair, the Queen kept calm and never retorted but her dignified aura never wavered. She was tempered with the fire of internal affairs and swords of betrayals, what had she not seen. The result of years of hardship allowed her to see clearly, this entire farce was nothing. A simple investigation would reveal the truth.

Jane watched as her father falsely accused Ariel, people insulted her, and Amanda continually crying against her. She wanted to badly reject all the claims, but Amanda clutched her arms tightly hurting her. Her warning glare shut her up, and Jane could only keep quiet. She desperately looked at Ariel trying to tell her she knew nothing of this, but she could not get a glimpse of Ariel behind George and Hector.

She glanced at Rey, but his gaze was clouded with confusion. He looked as if he wanted to believe her but could never believe Ariel to be mean. Rey didn't know who to believe. But at the sight of Jane's honest and worried eyes, Rey knew it was a plot. Jane had nothing to do with this and neither did Ariel. He decided to stand on Jane's side and be her comfort; he would protect Jane.

Avina watched as the investigation was indeed called. She triumphed. Of course, how could this princess ever fail?

5025 looked down at its datapad. Check. "Investigation called."