The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

August stood in the center of the court, while a few meters away stood Xavier, his wrists bound in iron shackles.

The Crown Prince had already laid out the details of the investigation before the assembly, leaving the court room in a silence. No member of the council dared to speak.

”Prince August brought this matter to light after the King himself appointed him to investigate the unresolved tragedies of Varos, in accordance with the prince’s own petition,” Ciaran pronounced. ”None of us could have ever imagined that such a grim truth would be unearthed.”

”Xavier,” King Nyxen spoke, his hands gripping the carved handrests of the throne. ”Explain why you committed such a heinous crime. I placed years of my trust in you.”

”Your Majesty, I have nothing to say in my defense,” Xavier replied, keeping his head bowed. ”I am guilty of the charges brought against me. I ask only that you sentence me to death.” He lowered himself to his knees, the chains rattling against the marble floor. ”Spare my family, but let the punishment fall on me.”

The Prime Minister rose slowly from his seat, his brow furrowed as he addressed the court. ”And yet, without any apparent motive, why would a man of Lord Xavier’s standing murder the Spencers?”

”I agree with the Prime Minister. Without a clear motive, why would Lord Xavier take such a catastrophic step?” another minister questioned, looking around the council chamber for agreement.

”Xavier,” King Nyxen pressed further, leaning forward as his gaze hardened. ”Do not shield the person who ordered you to do this.”

August let out a short chuckle. He knew precisely why the man was silent; the Queen had undoubtedly found a way to seal his lips before he ever stepped into the chamber.

”Please forgive me, Your Majesty,” Xavier repeated, his voice muffled against the stone. He remained entirely low, his forehead pressed flat against the floor of the courtroom. ”I am ready to accept whatever execution you deem fit.”

”Return him to the dungeons and let the inquisitors begin,” King Nyxen commanded. ”The interrogation shall not cease until we have the full truth. Furthermore, summon his family to the palace. Under the law of the crown, they shall bear the burden of the patriarch’s treason.”

Xavier’s head snapped up, terror shattering his stoic resolve.

”No! Your Majesty, I beg of you, leave my family out of this!” the prisoner cried, scrambling back to his knees as the heavy chains rattled wildly. ”I will speak! I will confess!”

He swallowed hard, his chest heaving as he looked up at the throne with a desperate gaze.

”I did it for my sister’s honor. You brought a mistress into this palace, flaunting her while you were wed to my sister, your Queen. I took her life to end that disgrace. But Alistair Spencer discovered what I had done, and I had no choice but to silence him to protect myself.”

August immediately spun on Xavier, his face contorted in fury.

”Don’t fucking lie!” he roared. ”It wasn’t you who killed my mother!”

Forgetting the strict protocols of the royal court, August marched toward the chained prisoner. Before he could reach him, Ciaran stepped into his path, blocking him with a firm arm against his chest.

”August, don’t,” the Crown Prince said in a low, warning tone, shaking his head.

”He is lying, Crown Prince! He didn’t kill my mother, someone else did! He confessed it right to my face!” August shouted, his voice cracking with years of buried anguish as he tried to push past his brother.

”Prince August, maintain the decorum of this court!” King Nyxen’s voice boomed from the dais.

August lowered his head, his hands tightening into fists so hard that his knuckles turned white.

Ciaran slowly stepped back from his half-brother, his gaze shifting to lock onto his uncle.

”Prince August heard incorrectly, Your Majesty,” Xavier declared. ”I killed your mistress. She never deserved to step foot inside this palace. My sister deserved to have your undivided devotion, but Your Majesty betrayed her trust. What brother would not feel enraged seeing his sister’s husband take a mistress?”

Xavier then turned his head, looking directly at August. A slow, mocking smirk formed on his lips.

August lunged forward, his fist flying toward Xavier’s smirking face, but Ciaran caught him by the shoulders, using his entire weight to drag him back.

”Let me go! That bastard is lying!” August screamed, thrashing wildly against his brother’s grip. ”It wasn’t him! Your Majesty, do not believe his words! Xavier only killed the Spencers, but someone else killed my mother!”

The courtroom fell into an even deeper, suffocating silence. Every eye darted between the trembling, furious prince, the kneeling prisoner, and the King sitting high upon his throne.

King Nyxen’s expression was a mask of cold fury and ancient grief. ”Silence, August!” the King commanded.

He then turned his piercing gaze back to Xavier, who remained on his knees. ”Xavier,” Nyxen spoke slowly. ”You claim you poisoned my mistress. If that is true, you will hang. But if I find you are covering for someone, if you are lying to this court to shield the true mastermind, I will ensure your family suffers a fate far worse than death. Speak. Is this your final confession?”

”Your Majesty, I am the one who killed your mistress. She deserved to die for ruining my sister’s family and her life,” Xavier repeated, his words heavier and more brutal this time, his voice stripped of any remorse.

”Take Xavier back to the dungeons,” King Nyxen gave his final orders, his voice carrying the weight of the crown. ”He will be hanged by the neck until dead two days from today.”

With that court was adjourned.

August rushed after his father, who already had walked out of the front exit. He reached Nyxen and blocked his path.

”Father, Xavier didn’t kill my mother. You know this. The Q–” he couldn’t speak further as Nyxen interrupted him.

”Don’t, August. You’ll get yourself killed in this manner,” Nyxen advised.