Order and Chaos

You plead with an extensive knowledge of the law that ought to help you make your case!

I could, of course, declare my identity and end this charade. But that would simply be surrendering to the life I left behind. I hadn't escaped into the world only to be the princess again when it was convenient.

But I had learned more than a little law, certainly more than this judge would have expected. I knew my few rights as a citizen, and I knew what pleas were open to me.

Innocent as sin.

"I plead Innocent as Sin, Your Honor."

The judge stared at me.

"I don't believe I heard you right."

"Then let me repeat myself, a bit more clearly for those less versed in the law. I plead that I am as innocent as a sinful human may be. My only crimes are those thrust upon me by the very act of my birth. That is my plea, and I stand by it."

The judge rolled his eyes. I could tell he didn't care for defendants who actually knew the law.

"Very well, then. Let the record show that the defendant pleads Innocent as Sin. The trial shall now commence."

He slammed down his gavel, and an old pipe organ rose from the floor. Of course; a mere local courthouse would not have as grand and elegant a mechanism as the Harmony.

"Play," the judge commanded. "Let your song show your heart."

I looked upon the organ and felt a knot in my stomach as a dark truth struck me with full force.

Of the dozens of instruments Mother had trained me in over the years, not one had a keyboard. I had no idea which key was responsible for which note, and only a vague understanding that the keys were what produced the music.

But there was little choice. If I were to evade these nonsensical charges without revealing myself as the princess, I would have to play a song that showed my true feelings. I could only hope that my heart would guide my fingers to the right notes - that was how these Instruments of Law were supposed to work, at least.

That left me with one question. What song would I play to demonstrate my innocence?