The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Ciaran and Sylvian rushed toward the chamber hall the moment notice of the sudden court session reached them.

”I heard Mother has been summoned as well,” Sylvian said, glancing anxiously at his brother as they hurried down the grand corridor.

”Yes, she has,” Ciaran stated, his expression grim. ”I think something monumental is about to happen.”

A heavy knot of worry tightened in Sylvian’s chest as they finally reached the threshold of the chamber hall. Pushing past the heavy doors, they saw their mother standing completely alone at the center of the vast floor, while the court ministers had already filled their respective positions along the tiers.

Both princes quickly made their way across the stone floor to stand beside her. Victoria turned her head, her gaze locking onto Ciaran.

”Your father sent a direct order to summon me,” Victoria said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. ”I think...”

Just then, the grand announcement of the King’s arrival echoed through the hall. Every eye turned toward the dais as King Nyxen walked in from the private chambers.

The entire court hall bowed deeply in unison at the sight of him. Moving with a cold dignity, King Nyxen took his place upon the throne, looking down at the gathered court before raising a hand to permit everyone to take their seats.

”Bring the culprit inside,” King Nyxen ordered, his voice echoing coldly off the stone walls.

Xavier was dragged into the chamber hall, his head hanging low. Blood was smeared across his face and ruined clothes, a horrific sight that made a collective gasp ripple through the entire court.

Victoria’s eyes went wide at the state of her brother. Her whole body began to tremble violently as she stared at his brutally tortured form.

”Did you see, Queen, what has happened to your brother? Do you still wish to lie?” the King demanded from his throne, his gaze piercing down at her.

Just then, August entered the hall, halting in his tracks. He stood frozen, unable to believe that his father had finally taken the step to summon the Queen herself before the open court.

”Xavier, why don’t you tell the court about the intent of your crime? Tell them why did you choose to lie to me and my ministers?” King Nyxen’s voice boomed through the hall.

Victoria knew in an instant that her brother had broken under the torture.

”Your Majesty, please, at least listen to me,” Victoria pleaded, taking a desperate step forward, but the King raised a sharp palm to cut her off.

”I want to hear exactly what your brother has to say, Victoria,” King Nyxen pronounced, his voice dripping with absolute frost.

”The Queen ordered me to annihilate Alistair Spencer and his entire family,” Xavier confessed loudly, using the absolute last of his remaining strength to project his voice across the hall. ”I orchestrated the plan to set their estate on fire... because Alistair knew the truth. He knew exactly who murdered Prince August’s mother.”

”Xavier, stop! Do not lie!” Victoria screamed, lunging across the stone floor toward him.

She reached out, intent on tearing into his bloodied collar, but the King’s personal knights moved with flawless precision, blocking her path and forcing the Queen back.

”He is lying, Your Majesty!” Victoria shouted frantically, her composure shattering completely as she turned to her sons. ”Do not believe a word he says! Ciaran! Sylvian! Say something to your father! He is going to destroy all of us!”

Ciaran stood entirely frozen, looking at his mother with a deeply painful and profoundly disappointed gaze.

Xavier stared at his sister, utterly stunned by her betrayal as she denied the charges and pinned the entire blame on him.

”Present actual evidence that I did this,” Victoria demanded, lifting her chin. ”You cannot convict me based solely on the words of a man who changed his statements under duress. This is treason against my station, Your Majesty. I have done nothing,” she muttered, forcing herself to keep the lie perfectly intact.

”I am speaking the truth! I did everything on my sister’s direct orders,” Xavier affirmed, his voice breaking with desperation. ”And I can provide proof. The maid who delivered the poison to the King’s mistress still works inside the Queen’s palace to this very day, serving as her chief attendant.”

”Bring her chief attendant inside,” King Nyxen ordered his knight, his deep voice leaving no room for negotiation.

The knight bowed sharply and immediately moved out of the hall with two guards, their armored steps echoing loudly as they went to arrest the chief attendant.

”Victoria, do you still intend to lie to me? You still have one final chance to tell me the truth. Who killed August’s mother? Speak!” King Nyxen demanded, his towering figure rising from the throne.

Just then, the heavy doors burst open. The knight dragged the Queen’s chief attendant inside the court hall, shoving her forcefully to the stone floor.

”Your Majesty!” the attendant cried out, immediately bowing low as she trembled against the cold floor.

”Tell me, did you poison my late mistress on Victoria’s direct orders?” Nyxen asked, his gaze fixed on the terrified woman.

Without a word, the knight drew his gun and aimed it directly at the old woman’s head. The sight broke her entirely, and she began frantically pleading for mercy, her hands clasped tight.

”There is no use in lying before this court. The truth about the Queen is already out. Tell everyone exactly what she did!” King Nyxen’s voice thundered through the grand hall, demanding an answer.

”It wasn’t the Queen, Your Majesty,” the chief attendant stated, her voice shaking violently as she kept her face pressed toward the floor.

The prime minister finally rose from his seat, adjusting his robes before bowing deeply to the King. ”Your Majesty, with conflicting testimonies, it is difficult to discern who is speaking the truth and who is fabricating lies. I believe arresting the Queen and her attendant for formal interrogation would be the wisest course of action.”

He turned to glance at the council, and the court members quickly murmured their agreement, urging the King to proceed with the arrest.

”Your Majesty, you cannot arrest me! I am the Queen!” Victoria screamed, her voice echoing wildly off the high walls of the hall as she backed away from the approaching guards.

~~~~~~

Damian received the second message from the palace, which Sylvian had sent him in haste. Reading the rushed lines, he took a deep breath and slowly lowered the parchment.

”Your Grace, you look troubled,” Maurice noted, observing the Duke’s grim expression.

”The Queen hasn’t been brought to justice for her crimes yet. Sylvian seems utterly devastated. It is entirely apparent from the tone of his message. He truly believes his mother is guilty,” Damian asserted.

”Knowing your own mother is a murderer can destroy any child,” Maurice murmured softly.

”But the Queen holds a frighteningly strong influence over her brother. Xavier knows he isn’t going to survive this, yet he isn’t even considering the safety of his own family,” Damian muttered, his eyes narrowing as he stared into the distance.

”But that isn’t my true concern. The Queen has turned completely hostile toward Eilika and me. If she isn’t arrested soon, she poses a direct threat to us. So many innocent lives were destroyed in the past, and we don’t even know how many more have already suffered because of her secrets.”

”Your Grace, I have tightened the security around the estate,” Maurice said. ”Also, Aisha and I met earlier in the afternoon. She mentioned that you want to search into Liliana’s past deeds. Are you planning to expose her?”

”I wanted to, but Eilika’s words have changed my mind,” Damian replied, looking down at his desk. ”I cannot claim to be righteous if it means shattering a child’s heart. Roman... what do you think will happen in the future if Liliana’s truth is exposed?”

”People may lose trust in him and even try to associate him with his late mother’s actions. People judge everyone far too quickly,” Maurice affirmed.

”Exactly. I wasn’t thinking from a child’s perspective when I first made that decision. I thought Roman would understand, without realizing that his entire future would be questioned,” Damian asserted. ”Eilika hasn’t forced her decision on me. But I am still taking time to think it through.”

”Of course. Take your time, Your Grace,” Maurice said. ”Do you wish to send a reply to Prince Sylvian?”

”No. I am trying my best not to get involved with the royal household right now. I believe the King won’t let this matter go easily. He will make sure the Queen’s brother confesses fully. As for August, I only hope he is not being a reckless fool again,” Damian muttered.

From just outside the doorway of his father’s study, Roman took a sudden step back. He clutched his sketchbook tightly against his chest and turned around, running down the palace corridor to find Eilika.