I had arranged for someone to observe the torture Maria was subjected to in the Court of Judicial Review and report back to me.
She fainted from the agony of the torture, only to be revived with a bucket of cold water.
"Maria," I said, "if you simply sign this confession, you won't have to endure any more punishment."
Judge Evans, who had some personal connections with Maria's family, hoped she would sign the confession I had prepared to lessen her suffering.
Maria only glanced at the confession. The first line read: "For the murder of her father and eighteen others, the crime is unforgivable and punishable by death."
She spat a mouthful of blood onto the confession.
Judge Evans sighed and shook his head. "Maria, you've ruined another piece of paper. I'm only trying to make your death easier. Everyone outside knows that Christopher is behind your family's deaths. He's now a favorite of the king and you're just a pawn he's discarded."
"This Court of Judicial Review is filled with his spies. If he wants to torture you, there's nothing I can do. The political world is ever-changing. I'll prepare a new confession for you. Hurry up and sign it to spare yourself more suffering."