Chapter Seventeen
“And this exiled host of the children of Israel who are among the Canaanites will possess the land as far
as Zarephath; the exiles from Jerusalem who are in
Sepharad shall occupy the towns of the Negev.”
Tammi looked out the café window and concluded that the weather forecaster was right this time. The skies were heavily overcast. It was dark and grey outside, lightning flashed through the sky and loud, rumbling thunder followed. Strong winds flung the leaves off the trees onto the ground.
“When the prosecution’s case ends,” Ro’el explained in a didactic tone, “the counsel for the defense can then begin to present the defense’s case in response to the case presented by the prosecution and bring forth evidence on his part.
This part is also divided into two. During the first stage the defendant, or his or her attorney, may begin with an opening statement.
During the second stage, the evidence is presented.
However, it is important to note that there is no limitation on the defense in summoning witnesses for questioning or sticking to a preliminary list of witnesses, as applies to the prosecution.
In other words—the defense is allowed to summon any relevant evidence or witness.
When the presentation of evidence for the defense ends, the defendant announces, ‘These are my witnesses’ and, with that, the presentation of the defense is concluded.
” Tammi nodded with a smile, prodding Ro’el to return to his story.
***
Heart stood up from his seat, happy and carefree.
He approached the judges with a cunning, cautious and calculated gait.
“The defense wishes to call its first two witnesses!” he rumbled ceremoniously while stroking his beard with strange affection.
A man and a woman entered the courtroom.
The woman’s glimmering curls were arranged around a brilliant crown made of gold leaves, diamonds and pearls.
Her face was bright, smooth and gleaming and her thin lips were pressed together.
Her necklace and earrings were set with emeralds and on her finger she wore the engagement ring that the man with whom she now entered the hall had once given her.
The ring was made of gold and set with two gemstones—a white diamond and a blue sapphire—shaped like a teardrop.
The ring was obviously simpler than the rest of her jewelry; he had bought it for her when he was still a hard-up military man.
She wore a long, white, embroidered satin dress.
She had perfect posture. She was noticeably older than him.
The man was surprisingly not that short, nearly five-foot-six.
His face was pale and his eyes reflected impertinence and exaggerated self-importance.
He wore a unique hat that characterized him more than anything else.
Heart approached them, his shoes clacking on the courtroom’s hardwood floor. “State your name please,” he addressed the woman.
“Josephine Bonaparte” she replied.
“And what do you do?”
“I am the Empress of France.”
“And what is your name?” he addressed the man.
The man looked at Heart with disdain and replied, “Napoleon Bonaparte.”
“And what do you do?”
“I am the Emperor of France.”
“Welcome to Jerusalem, Emperor and Empress of France!” Heart declared as he bowed slightly before them, managing to produce a forced smile. “We are glad to have you with us. Is this your first husband?” he asked her with fake interest.
“My second” she said.
“Hmmm… and is she your second wife?”
“My first,” he corrected him.
“Strange… and how many children do you have?” he asked her.
“Two—a boy and a girl.”
“Wonderful,” Heart said and turned to Napoleon, “you did well!”
“They’re not mine, you imbecile,” Napoleon replied.
“Hmmm…” Heart pondered, “what does it matter… a first marriage, a second marriage… yes children, no children… most importantly, there is love… please, tell me how you met one another.”
“Gladly,” Josephine said. “When we first met, my darling was a young army officer. The moment I saw him, I fell in love with him.”
“How charming, exciting…” Heart said with obvious affectation.
“But of course…” Napoleon added, trying to take part in the conversation and, if possible, to lead it as he was accustomed to do in every sphere, “she would simply swoon while reading my immortal love letters to her…”
“That is so beautiful, it is so pure, it is… actually, what did you write to her, my esteemed Emperor?”
“Would you care to hear?”
“But of course.”
“That she has a small and lovely face.”
“Wonderful…”
“That I cannot stop imagining myself kissing her.”
“What an enchanting, adoring Emperor you are…”
“That I would be elated if I could help her undress…”
“Okay, understood. Enough. Now tell me, you pair of lovey-doveys, what did your great love lead to in the end? That is, how was it of help to you in your everyday life?”
“It facilitated joy and stability in our lives, and thus we were able to properly administer all the needs of the empire,” Josephine answered.
“In that case, it is not only the two of you who enjoyed the pure love that you shared, but your entire kingdom benefited as well, for it turned into a great empire under your rule.”
“I couldn’t have expressed that better!” Napoleon stated enthusiastically, but then quickly corrected himself, “I mean, I could have, but I don’t care to do so right now.”
“Thank you,” Heart said, “I have no more questions.” He gave an aloof smile and stepped back.
Yiftach stepped up to cross-examine the two with a harsh look on his face. “Madame,” he turned to her, “just a moment ago you stated that you fell in love with Napoleon at first sight.”
“That is true,” she confirmed.
“And what if I tell you that from the very start of your relationship, you belittled him and there wasn’t really a great love between you?”
“How could you reach such a conclusion?” she asked, astonished.
“Quite simply, you betrayed him with a young nobleman who was your partner in shady deals with the army.” She didn’t have to search her memory in order to understand exactly where Yiftach was leading to with this.
She wanted to say something, but couldn’t get a word out.
Napoleon felt terror pressing on his chest. Clearly, he was next in line.
“And you, Your Imperial Majesty, did you truly harbor such a great love for her?”
“Without a doubt!” he responded emphatically.
“Strange…”
“What’s so strange?”
“That in the year 1809 you divorced her solely for the reason that she didn’t provide you with an heir. Now that truly is immortal love. I have no further questions.”