Page 75 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part Two

Blythe looked surprised and uncertain what to do, but acquiesced. “Alright.”

She leaned down and whispered something to Cinderella, who nodded and stood, while he counselor sat down.

“My questions are not related to this proceeding but are born of personal curiosity. You don’t have to answer. I’d just like to know if you have any regrets about being chosen by Prince Charming.”

Without hesitation, she said, “None at all. Court life was tiresome, but not hard like manual labor, sleeping on a stone floor, or being despised by the people with whom I shared a living quarters.”

I nodded. “Did you know that millions of little human girls dress up in princess clothes complete with tiaras and think there’s nothing imaginable could be better than being Cinderella, chosen by Prince Charming? It’s like a whole industry.”

“I do know that, but what can I do about it? I didn’t write the story and I’ve done nothing intentional to attract worshippers.”

“Well, calling them worshippers might be extreme.” But her comments were full of good points. “Thank you. You may sit down.”

“Ms. Merriwether.”

Blythe stood. “Yes, Your Honor.”

“Cinder House is offensive to some members of the community in which it operates. Please explain why it should stay where it is and not be moved.”

“Yes, Your Honor. Cinderella has made a considerable investment in the present facility in terms time and treasure. It has also been in operation long enough to raise awareness of its existence so that candidates for the program know where to find it.

“My client believes the location is ideal because of the proximity to the entry points of most of her residents.”

“What do you mean by entry points?”

“The geographical location where a character comes to life.”

“I see. Go on.”

“Last, there’s no reason to believe that, should Cinder House move elsewhere, my client wouldn’t face the same obstacle. Over and over. She could quite likely find herself in a perpetual series of battles with local residents.”

“Is that all?”

“We have nothing further at this time.”

“Thank you.”

I turned to the plaintiff. “I have a few questions.”

“Yes, Your Honor.” Braes pushed back his chair.

“Stay where you. You may sit for this portion of the proceeding because you may need to defer to your client. First, have the residents of Cinder House done anything that might considered detrimental to the community?”

Braes blinked a few times then leaned over to whisper to his client. “What they’ve done is to be there.”

“Yeah. Seems like this argument is going in circles. Let’s try this. Has Cinder House been kept in presentable condition?” Braes leaned over. “For the sake of expediting, Duke Blanches may answer.”

“Yes,” said Blanches.

“To your knowledge, do the residents have a history of criminal activity?”

“No,” said Blanches.

“Have the residents supported the community in terms of labor or service?”

“Yes.”

“Is there any reason why you object to the characters being in your vicinity other than the fact that they are not fae?”

Blanches looked confused. “Isn’t that enough?”

“No, sir. That isn’t enough. The court finds in favor of Cinder House. Going forward the defendant shall be free to own and operate the facility as she sees fit without incumbrance or interference from the property owners’ association in Lorraine or any other locale that might benefit from a similar facility.”

“Wait!” Blanches said, but when he saw that Keir was slowly coming to his feet, he changed his mind about the interruption. “Never mind.”

“Last, the property owners’ association is ordered to pay Ms. Merriwether’s bill and Cinderella’s regular billable rate for the time she’s spent defending her enterprise.”

I banged my gavel, then said, “Ms. Merriwether, would you ask your client to join me in my chambers.”

I didn’t wait for an answer, but headed straight to my changing room where I could get out of my robe.

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