Discreetly the General's son

Chapter 3 - Death by Gullotine

“You have no right to jail me!” Sawyer protested. “Our state is not lawless and you can’t drag me to prison simply because you want!”

Even though Smith was a powerful man, he was educated enough to know that he was being framed and only a trial could save him from the pathetic situation he found himself in.

His words caused everyone to murmur amongst themselves.

“This boy is quite ignorant!”

“If I were him I wouldn't dare argue with Sergeant Smith.”

“Commoners like him are so stupid, because you can’t tell if they have a big ego or they simply court death.”

“How do you expect a delivery boy to know how things work amongst the nobles? All he does all day is deliver papers and milk then wash plates in my aunty’s restaurant, he is not even qualified to serve tables yet. The law is a stretch for him to understand,”

“I always knew a day like this would come when he was messing with the sergeant’s girl.”

“A barbaric man like yourself would not know the law, would you?” Smith turned to his men who were behind him, “I’m not a merciless man, so I will give him a chance to experience the law. Drag him to the magistrate’s court.”

His subordinates subdued Sawyer and dragged him away.

At the Magistrate Court.

A crowd was gathered outside, consisting of the commoners, mostly from the slums where Sawyer lived, then the rich on the other side, all waiting and struggling to get a peek of what was going on since only the plaintiff and defendant were allowed in the court when a case was going on.

Inside, Sawyer was on his knees, while Smith sat down on the other side with Ola in his laps and her best friend Ann standing behind them.

Sawyer looked in their direction, trying to catch Ola’s gaze but she didn't even spare him a glance. She was curled up in Smith’s lap like a true victim who was scared.

He still couldn’t believe that a night that was supposed to be a birthday celebration between two lovers night had turned into a trial where his lover had falsely accused him.

The magistrate minister came out, with Aide and everyone went silent. Minister Cook was a stout looking short man, with a pot belly.

Very known for his corrupt and biased ways but this was not known to Sawyer because he had never witnessed a situation like this since he never paid attention to civil matters.

All he did on a normal day was to focus on working hard so he could afford to write, pass his exams into the military and make his girlfriend happy. 

Outside of that, he kept to himself and minded his business. That had kept him out of trouble for a long time until now.

His men had informed him of who was present in the court and on entry, he immediately went to Sergeant Smith.

He lowered  back before him, “Sir, I am sorry for coming out late, I was sorting out something in the office. I hope you are comfortable." 

“If you are truly sorry for making me wait here, then handle this case properly.” Smith said sternly.

Cook shuddered in fear, he was a lowly 7th rank official in the court, and Smith was a 5th rank Soldier.

If he made any mistakes, he would have to answer for it.

“Got it sir.” He bowed again before returning to the presiding seat.

His aide cleared his throat, “Sawyer Brown, present your case.”

Sawyer felt seen as he was called to present his case. Finally someone was willing to listen to his case and justice was here for him. Clearing his name and going back home peacefully was all that was on his mind.

He was going to stand up to speak when the magistrate minister raised his hand in the air. “Let the lady present the case,” He ordered.

This took him aback, while studying for the military exam, he had read that whoever demanded to take a case to the magistrate court was to present the case but the minister had just flipped the script and it was not in his favour.

His mind went back to when the minister had just walked in and he paid respects to the Sergeant, he should have known that this was a lost cause. He remained on his knees.

Ola was still cuddled up in Smith’s lap when she whispered to him, “Sir, I don’t think I am confident enough to tell the story to  the court, because I feel ashamed,"

Her words triggered him. “This is not your shame to feel, dear. It is that bastard's fault.” Smith comforted her. 

“Sir, please tell the story on my behalf, my heart cannot bear to tell the story again.” she said cunningly, faking a tear.

She knew that if Smith spoke on her behalf, the minister would not pay any mind to Sawyer. 

“Alright, my dear.” He patted her back. “I will handle this.”

She smiled to herself because she had managed to turn the situation around in her favour. Smith was not going to find out that she had been cheating on him for ten months, and he publicly claimed her. This meant she had more chances with him than Gracie did.

“I shall speak on my fiancee’s behalf.” Smith spoke up to the court, “This scoundrel had harassed my wife-to-be and stalked her, causing her emotional damage. Her best friend here is a witness to the matter and many others outside the court bear them witnesses. If the minister wished to listen to this man’s side of the story, I fear he might jeopardize letting the truth of the matter come to light.”

“I request that this man’s punishment should be the highest in the book of harassment and stalking, which is Death by Guillotine.”

“But my lord…” Sawyer was about to protest.

“Quiet!” The minister yelled at him then cleared his throat. He was in a dead end, the Sergeant had laid some many words down. 

He had planned to proceed with the case like he had done with the previous nobles in the high society by imprisoning or fining whomever they wanted but the Sergeant was asking for capital punishment.

Only a fool would miss the stern warning the Sergeant had dropped earlier.

The minister penned down his judgement and handed it to his aide to announce.