The Drow Queen of Glaley [Very NSFW]

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

Without any instructions Coquette can spot, Dennis reaches down to take the sheet of parchment his boss is lifting to him. The human walks around the desk to her, then presents it to Coquette with the subtle flourish an experienced servant often develops; display enough to satisfy the desire for pomp but subdued enough that the noble does not feel upstaged in any way. Even without taking it, the young woman can read the overdone font used for the title:

This being a Court Order Declaring Incompetency...

[Coquette Blacquin]

A bolt of fear lances through her; all at once, Coquette is reading the words, that swimmy, dreamlike feeling vanished into all-too-real reality once more. "No," she whispers. "That's not possible."

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

For just an instant, disappointment shows in Harrod's eyes and the thinnest of possible paths forward vanished. Then it's buried and he's merely frowning sternly. "An interesting reply. Either you are unable to see that which is real right in front of you or you are declaring yourself above the authority of a sworn judge in good standing."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"The law would require an examination of my mental faculties. None has taken place. Unless you are declaring yourself above the laws of Glaley?"

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

"I had not realized you had gained a master's approbation for law or medicine," her father counters. "How would you know if you had or had not been examined to the meanest degree required?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Surely speech would be required, rather than locking me in the chapel all day and ignoring me."

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

"Witnesses were interviewed, your recorded medical history reviewed, your actions observed," he says dismissively. "It was not unexpected an outcome in truth. You had come very close to being Declared twice prior to today. This was merely the final sin."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Have I no right to be present at my own judgement, let alone speaking in my own defense?" 

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

"No."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I see. So am I to be sent away then? Locked in some sanitarium?"

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

"Is that what you would wish? What you think a disgrace such as yourself deserves?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Let me go with only a few items and I will leave here tonight. You will never see nor hear from me again. No further disgrace shall fall upon the family name."

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

"Ignorant child," he murmurs wearily. "Do you think people would simply forget your existence? No. No, your fate must be known and witnessed." He leans forward, eyes dark with hidden thoughts. "More, you owe the family a debt for the harm you have caused. You owe me. And I shall have my pound of flesh."

[Coquette Blacquin]

She lifts her chin ever so slightly in defiance. "Then what shall be my punishment?" Be prepared. We will strike when he is distracted. Out the window behind his desk and we'll be gone. A pity to lose the rapier but we can come back for it. 

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

If she had been properly rested, if she wasn't so stressed and hurting, if she had her full gear on... maybe she'd have noticed something. Had enough warning to dodge or at least make it a struggle. Instead, the restraints that snap around her wrists and legs, holding her fast to the chair, capture her before she can so much as flinch. 

"Not punishment: justice," her father says gravely.