Some of the nobles gathered began to whisper about her outburst.
"Can you believe it? The witch is playing dumb. She is asking what her crime is!?"
"Only the truly wicked can be so shameless!"
"Unbelievable...no shame..."
"I pity her family. Imagine having to tolerate such a person for so long."
"An abomination."
Up front and seated on one of the elevated white benches of the assembly, Bonnie had already come to terms with her bizarre circumstances. She was in a man's body. A man with a large build and long blonde hair. It had to be Alexander; Felicia's older brother. She had been dreaming about the book through his perspective beforehand; what were the odds? The infinity symbol had sucked her into the story and she had now become the son and heir of House Del Montague.
Her thoughts broke off as a man, who had previously been standing next to the large golden and white doors of the cathedral stepped forward and faced the assembly.
His squeaky voice filled the hall. "His Majesty, King Robert Williams Cromwell and Her Highness, Queen Eleanor Blanche Cromwell have arrived!"
The nobles, servants, commoners and clergymen all rose to their feet and bowed their heads.
The knights stationed around the hall stomped their right foot as a salutation.
Bonnie's eyes widened in shock. She turned to the man seated next to her. The man she had already cottoned on was the Grand Duke of House Del Montague. His grace, Roelle Gyrone Del Montague. Felicia and Alexander's father.
"Is this happening for real?" Bonnie's voice came out nervous. It surprised the Duke.
"What do you mean? What's happening for real?" Roelle's reply was spoken in a hushed undertone as the king had taken his seat and the entire assembly followed suit.
Bonnie was sweating bullets. She knew what was about to transpire.
"Alex, you are sweating a lot and you look very pale. Are you feeling alright?" A woman's soft maternal voice came from the other side of the Duke.
Bonnie blinked.
This woman...if she's sitting next to the Duke and speaking to me like a mother, than this must be Duchess Tyren, the Duke's second wife. The evil step-mother who had a hand in destroying Felicia.
Bonnie was about to respond when the Duke shushed them. She looked from the royals to Felicia and back again.
I have to do something now, don't I? I'm meant to intervene, right? Why else would I have been brought here?
She spared a glance in Tyren's direction.
The woman was sitting at the edge of her seat with her back ramrod straight. Though her expression is carefully controlled, Bonnie could see the anticipation.
Looks like someone is eager for her step-daughter's execution. Makes sense. This is the culmination of all her years of hard work, aka abusing Felicia.
Bonnie scowled as the booming voice of the king filled the air.