Last of The Fae Chapter 142: The Thane Fae Trials Pt. 2

Cassian Vale looked up from the neatly organized stack of legal documents as the heavy door to the consultation chamber creaked open. His expression remained composed, but the faint furrow of his brow deepened as his eyes settled on the young man being ushered in between two Aurors—both of whom looked equal parts irritated and uncomfortable. Thane Fae, dressed in the austere, regulation-issued robes of a high-security detainee, strode into the room with his hands still bound in Ministry-grade shackles that hummed faintly with layered containment charms.

Reaching into the inner pocket of his finely tailored waistcoat, Cassian withdrew a silver pocket watch and flipped it open with a snap, eyes narrowing as he read the time. A humorless smile twitched at the corner of his lips. 'They're just having a field day with this case, aren't they?'

"I scheduled to meet with my client a quarter past nine," Cassian began, his voice smooth but edged with deliberate authority—like silk wrapped around steel. He did not raise his voice; he didn't need to. His words, clipped and precise, carried clearly across the small room. "So could either of you fine officers explain to me why fifteen minutes have elapsed since the agreed-upon time, and I am only just now laying eyes on Lord Fae?"

The sharp rebuke struck like a lash. Both Aurors—Steve and Jerry, if Thane remembered correctly—stiffened at the verbal blow. Their previously bored expressions flickered into ones of annoyance.

"There was some delay getting through the floo network," Jerry snapped, his tone defensive, his shoulders tensing. "It seems someone tipped off the press, and the vultures were waiting outside."

"It was beyond our control," Steve added more diplomatically, although his voice lacked conviction, as if he, too, knew this excuse would never pass muster under Cassian's scrutiny.

Cassian didn't even blink. He tilted his head slightly, his eyes like cold daggers behind the delicate frame of his wire-thin spectacles. "I would certainly hope so. Because if I suspected this delay was deliberate, I'd waste no time filing suit against you both—personally—and your department. Now, if you would kindly vacate the room, I require privacy with my client. For whatever little time you've left us."

The two men exchanged glances. Steve looked as if he wanted to object but thought better of it. Jerry muttered something under his breath, perhaps not realizing Cassian's hearing was sharper than most.

"And the cuffs," Cassian added before they could step away, gesturing toward the magical restraints around Thane's wrists. "Remove them. They're unnecessary and, frankly, insulting."

Jerry's eye twitched as he pulled out his wand. With an irritated flick and tap, the cuffs vanished in a puff of blue light.

"Better?" he asked sarcastically.

Cassian gave him a measured smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. "Much. Thank you, Officer Gerald. And I must say—I look forward to your testimony during the trial proceedings."

Jerry's face flushed with anger, but before he could deliver a retort, Steve clapped a firm hand on his partner's shoulder. "Just leave it," Steve muttered, steering him out of the room.

The door shut with a loud, deliberate click, sealing them inside.

Cassian released a low breath and settled back into his chair, smoothing his robes as he did so. "Forgive my blunt approach, Lord Fae. But I needed to assess how the less... refined among our opposition might react under pressure."

Thane lowered himself into the seat across from him with an easy grace, his emerald eyes sharp and alert. He extended a hand.

"Cassian Vale. I've read your briefings. The work you did during the Greengrass estate arbitration was particularly insightful."

Cassian shook his hand firmly, offering the smallest nod. "You honor me, Lord Fae. And allow me to formally say—it's a pleasure to finally work with someone who reads case law for sport."

Thane smirked faintly. "I prefer to be prepared. Especially when dealing with snakes who think they can make an example out of me." 

"Then we'll make quick work of them," Cassian replied smoothly, flipping open his dossier. "Let's begin with an overview of your case and the defense strategy your fiance shared with me to ensure we are both on the same page. Unless you have other amendments?" 

Thane shook his head, "While I may read law, I do not practice it. Thus, I'll trust your expertise." 

Cassian's thin lips twitched up in a smile, "Flattery isn't necessary, Lord Fae."

"Unnecessary doesn't mean unappreciated, Mr. Vale, and for a man responsible for my defense, I would like to ensure he understands his efforts are very appreciated," Thane replied wittingly.

Smiling at the banter, Cassian nodded, "As you wish, Lord Fae, now, without further ado, let us begin." 

---

"ALL RISE!"

The command echoed through the grand chamber of the Ministry courtroom like a thunderclap, bouncing off the high vaulted ceilings and polished stone walls. A hush fell across the room as the gathered crowd stood—robes rustling, chairs scraping lightly across the marble floor—as Minister Cornelius Fudge made his entrance.

Flanked by a pair of senior aides, Fudge strolled in with deliberate slowness, as if savoring every pair of eyes fixed upon him. His chin was raised just slightly too high, his chest puffed out in exaggerated confidence, giving off the air of a man who believed himself both judge and savior of the wizarding world. The plum-colored robes of the Wizengamot shimmered in the candlelight, a sea of color broken only by the presence of the non-member officials clad in subdued charcoal-grey robes, their expressions unreadable but their gazes sharp.

At the center of the chamber sat the infamous enchanted chair—tall-backed, made of heavy blackened wood, and etched with containment runes that pulsed faintly. It was designed to adapt to its prisoner, growing magical restraints in the blink of an eye if necessary. Thane Fae already occupied it, though it hadn't bound him—yet. His expression remained unreadable, regal even, a calm defiance that clashed starkly with the anxiety that clung to the room like smoke.

Fudge ascended the raised dais where the overseeing seat rested—higher than the Wizengamot rows, higher than the defense or prosecution, and especially higher than the accused. It was, by design, a seat that radiated dominance. As he settled into the chair, he allowed himself a slow glance around the room, taking a moment to bask in the power his position afforded him.

The silence stretched a calculated pause meant to emphasize control.

Then, with a tight-lipped smile, Fudge gave a single nod and declared in a clipped official tone:

"You may be seated."

At once, everyone sat, and just like that, the trial had begun with the plaintiff began the proceedings, "Court is officially in session. This is the first Hearing of the Accused Lord Thane Fae, Head and Founder of the Most Noble and Ancient House Fae, who faces charges including interference with an official Auror investigation, dangerous use of magic in the first degree, and endangerment of minors with magic." 

Fudge nodded before looking down at Thane with a smug smile, "And how does the defendant plea?" 

Thane remained silent. Instead, it was Cassian who stepped up onto the center stage and replied in a firm, steady tone, "Not guilty."