18. The Trial Day 1

He took a deep breath and indulged in a final glimpse in the mirror as he walked towards the door, waiting for the knock from his escort. His shirt felt cool and crisp, his tie was straight and the jewelled badge he had received as a gift on his right lapel.

"Mr Mario, Luigi sir, are you ready?"

"Yes. Let's go."

This was it. Day 1 of the trial. The first time he would face those who had pressed the charges he had seen in that letter, days (weeks?) ago? Who was interested in seeing him go down? He thought this as he walked down the stairs to the reception and out into the foyer, where a taxi was waiting.
King Richard? No, although he was never one to hide his disapproval over his daughters liaison with him, it was not consistent with the fact he had transgressed his own curfew to bring him those books on the laws of Sarasaland. Bowser Koopa? Hmm... but that didn't jibe. He had no reason to doubt that it would be a gift to Bowser if he was brought down but he just didn't feel it was that.

"Luigi, I trust that you are ready for today. This is the first day of questioning. Both the prosecution and defence have read the transcripts of the Deliberation that was held with yourself and the panel of experts."

"Um, ah, yeah. Sorry, I was thinking about why anyone would want to bring me down?"

"You know very well I could not possibly comment, even if I knew."

"Sorry, of course. Uh, how are you Fleur?"

"I am fine thank you. I trust you are happy with your defence and that you will be able to answer the questions the prosecution will ask you on this?"

"Yeah." As if he had a choice.
___________________________________________

Luigi and Fleur exited the taxi towards the courthouse documents in hand, avoiding the phalanx of media which thronged the security cordon. It was a shock to Luigi as to how much attention this trial had generated, but then he had been closeted away from all this for what felt like weeks.

"Keep your head down, no comments. There is someone you are meeting in Reception. An emissary from the Waffle Kingdom."

Luigi gasped once past the door. Why would the Waffle kingdom send someone?! Do THEY want to bring him down? He held that thought for a moment. It was such a long time ago, way before Daisy and it still made him cring

"Greetings Sir Luigi Mario!"

Luigi turned his head to see a small, formally dressed man bearing a sword. He was about the same height as Mario, but much slimmer and he walked with an upright military bearing. He was dark skinned and dark haired except where it was silver on his temples. He was dressed in formal attire for the Waffle Kingdom, consisting of a safari suit jacket and a simple plain kilt. He also carried a sword.

Luigi blinked a couple of times, then realised he recognized him.

"Oh! You're Lord Galette! Sorry I didn't recognize you, it's been a long time since I was in the Waffle Kingdom! Uh, what are you doing here?"

"You are a Knight of the Realm of the Waffle Kingdom, sir. It is custom that Knights of our Realm who are to be tried in court have a sword bearer. It is to show that they are under protection of the Realm but that they have nothing to hide."

"Okay? But what is it that you do? I thought there were laws about weapons in the courtroom?"

"It's ceremonial. The sword is knotted into the scabbard. It is to show that we of the Waffle kingdom are on your side. Don't worry, this has been passed by the Oversight Committee."

Luigi blushed. He had never set foot in the Waffle Kingdom ever since he had rescued Princess Eclair, and exposed Minister Crepe's treachery in attempting to sabotage a royal wedding. Yet despite those damned Super Luigi Chronicles, the people of the Waffle Kingdom held him in high regard still.

"Oh. Thank you. That means a lot to me."

"Very good sir. I will rejoin you when you and your legal representative are summoned."

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"Mr Luigi Mario you are summoned to the defence"

This is it, he thought as he thumbed the jewelled badge upon his lapel. Gallette caught his eye and moved into position in front of himself and Fleur, bearing the ceremonial sword. Luigi felt rather self-conscious, was there any need for all this drama?

"Mr Mario, You fully understand that being under oath you resolve to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth beyond all reasonable doubt?"

"I do"

"And that wilful absence by omission could harm your defence and be treated as perjury?"

"I do." At least Fleur had prepared him for this.

"Then we may proceed."

Luigi looked up at the judge. He knew from his notes that this was Judge Korra Koopa, well known for her impartiality and particularly useful in tense diplomatic situations for instance when the entire judiciary of Isle Delfino had to resign following the Shadow Mario affair and the resulting miscarriage of justice which had lead to Mario's false imprisonment. 

No point in stalling. This is it. 

Then he remember that dream he had. It felt so real at the time. Blumiere and Tippi. The Tree. The cliff that was so high its bottom was shrouded in its own shadow. Knowing the only way back was to take that step into the unknown. This was another cliff-.

"Mr Mario. Are you ready to face the questions?"

Luigi glanced at Fleur, for Gallette had retired to the bench following his duties. She gave him a nod.

"Yes. I am."  Once more into the blue.