Julia Gets Caught - Chapter Fifty Four

It was very late, and Kristen couldn't sleep. She decided to head up to the top of the castle to enjoy the stars and get some fresh air. She remembered how she loved to come out at night and sleep during the day, but those days were behind her now that she was free from the curse. 

She stood there enjoying the night air when some voices caught her attention. She peered down to see Julia and Daniel talking to the stable boy. What made it more strange was the stable boy was holding Daniel. Why would she be out this late with Daniel without guards or any of her ladies? Kristen moved out of sight as she continued to watch them. 

"Julia! What are you doing?! If you get caught, it will be the end of both of us!" Derick exclaimed quietly as she approached. "I came to let you see your son. He looks so much like you when I look into his eyes," she explained.

Julia handed Daniel to Derick. "Oh, you're such a cutie," he told Daniel as he tickled him. Daniel giggled at Derick. I can't believe he's my son. He's perfect. I wish I could raise him and be there for all the important moments in his life," he told her. I know you do, and I wish things could be different. You have been the best to Daniel and me, but he is considered royalty. He is James's heir to the throne. He will have a wonderful life and will want for nothing. Maybe one day he may become king," she replied.

Derick sat Daniel down on the grass before embracing Julia. Derick kissed Julia for a moment before letting her go."I love you and will miss you until we see each other again," Julia said quietly as she reached down and picked up Daniel. "I love you too. I will wait till you return to me," he replied and turned to walk away, looking left and right to be sure no one saw them together. Julia hurried back into the castle while Kristen watched.  

Kristen called for her guards as she headed toward Julia's room. Fuming, Kristen entered the room without knocking, taking Julia by surprise. "You little tramp! I thought my son was lying to me about you. I took you into my home, treated you like a daughter, and treated Daniel like my grandson. How dare you do this to James! This is treason," Kristen yelled at Julia. "I don't know what you're talking about. Daniel is James' son, and I have not betrayed him. They are telling you lies to break James and me up!" Julia said as she tried to plead with Kristen."Oh! So you're still going with that story?! I saw you with my own eyes just now with the stable boy! You even said he was Daniel's father! That you loved him!" Kristen snapped back to Julia's response.

"Take Daniel to his room," Kristen ordered one of her ladies. She carried him past the guard standing by the door and out into the hallway, heading towards his room.

Kristen then turned back to Julia, making her jump. Julia knew she had been caught and was in serious trouble. Everything Derick had warned her about was coming true. She knew she was foolish and never thought she would ever be seen by anyone. "I can explain!" Julia was now full of panic. "Well, let's hear it then!" Kristen replied as anger began to consume her. "He wouldn't have anything to do with me! He refused to share my bed and always went off at night. Derick was the only one who really showed me any kind of kindness. It's all James' fault; he loves that girl and has thrown me to the side for her," Julia sobbed. 

"How dare you blame James! There's no excuse for this. When married to the monark, you bear and accept whatever they do. If they share a bed with someone else, if they treat you badly, you bear it like all the ones have done before you. They are the ruler, not you. You were given a title, and that title is not given lightly. It wouldn't matter how many women James slept with or fathered children with; they would be nothing. You and Derick have committed treason in the worst way! You have messed with the bloodline, lied, and shared your bed with someone else!" Kristen yelled.

Julia fell to her knees, sobbing with her face in her hands. "Please take pity on me. Don't kill me! Please don't punish Daniel for my faults. He's an innocent child," she cried out. "Guards" Kristen yelled. William walked into the room with a few Guards. "Take her to the dungeon till she is sentenced for treason," Kristen told the guards. Julia tried to escape but found herself held by a few guards. She kicked and screamed as they took her out of the room. 

Isabel rushed into the room as Julia was being dragged out. "What is the meaning of all this?" Isabel yelled. "Do you take me for a fool! You knew what she was doing and chose to go along with her!" Kristen yelled at Isabel. Isabel composed herself quickly. "I didn't know about it," she replied to Kristen. "You had to know! You are inseparable from your daughter; you had to know that she was with the stable boy tonight, or you wouldn't be here. You both tried to deceive me. Once I find the evidence that you were involved, you will also be tried for treason," she told her. "They will not allow you to punish my daughter like this nor me!" she protested to Kristen. "Oh, yes, they will. That's the law, and you broke it. No one will save you from the fate you sealed when you allowed it to happen," she replied coldly. "Take her to the dungeon," she ordered the guards.

Julia and Isabel were escorted down the stairs and through the dark halls to the dungeon. The guard opened the metal door and ordered them to enter the dungeon cell before slamming it shut. 

As the guards started to walk away, Julia ran to the door. "Please don't put me in here! I'm the princess, James' wife. I don't deserve this! Let me out!" Julia cried out. The guards didn't even turn around as they headed up the steps.

Isabel walked over to Julia with such rage that she could barely contain herself. "How did the queen find out?" she demanded. "I don't know!" Julia replied truthfully. Where were you tonight?" Isabel demanded. I... I was with Derick, but no one was around! I made sure of it," she managed to get out.

"I told you that this would happen! You just had to see him and couldn't leave things alone! You have doomed us all. Now we'll pay for it with our lives!" she yelled. "Can father not save us?" Julia asked. "Not if we are found guilty, royalty or not, we will be put to death, and it does not matter what your father does. He doesn't have the army to even go up against her. We are at her mercy," Isabel yelled at Julia.

A short time later, they heard someone coming down the steps. Julia ran to the bars to see the guards escorting Derick to the other cell. Julia broke down in tears when she saw him. "I'm sorry," she whispered as he passed her cell.

The next day, Kristen came down to the dungeon. "I have talked to my council. You are to stand trial for your crimes, and your marriage to James is officially annulled. You are no longer, nor was ever married to him. Your fate will now lie with the council." Kristen told Julia and Isabel. "Please! It was an innocent mistake! It won't happen again. I'll be a good wife, I promise." Julia begged Kristen. "There is no other chance; your crimes are unforgivable. You can beg for your life to the council, but it won't do you any good. You see, I was the one that caught you," she told Julia, then left before she could say anything else.

Kristen went to the nursery, where Daniel and one of her ladies were waiting for her. "I want you to dress him in clothes that are not our colors. He's no longer a royal bloodline to our family. He, however, still has royal blood from her side. I have sent word to the king about the situation with Julia and Isabel. He will not suffer for the crimes of his mother. Take care of his needs and treat him well, but he is not to be treated like my royal grandson," Kristen told the lady. "As your majesty wishes," she replied.

James arrived back from working on his castle. Kristen had him meet her in the throne room. "Is there something wrong?" James asked. "My son, it seems that I owe you a huge apology. I saw Julia with the stable boy last night. She told him that he was Daniel's father and that she loved him. Julia, Isabel, and the stable boy have been placed in the dungeon until the council decides their fate. I just hope you will forgive me for not believing you." she told James.

James sighed with relief. "I knew it would only be a matter of time. I just didn't know who she was seeing. I can now see the resemblance in Daniel. What will become of my marriage and the fate of Daniel?" James asked Kristen."Your marriage is now annulled. She will never be recognized as ever being married to you. As for Daniel, I have sent word to the king to send someone to fetch Daniel since he is of their royal blood," she replied.

"Mother...after they have been found guilty, can I marry anyone I want?" James asked her, hoping that she would agree. "James, I have wronged you in so many ways," she said as she took his hand into hers before continuing. I will allow you to marry anyone of your liking as long as you are happy, my son. " She finished and gently squeezed his hand.

Later, Kristen met with her lady and Daniel. "I have received word that the king is going to send someone to take him back to their kingdom. Until then, you are to attend to his needs," she commanded.