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Chapter 11
“Guards! Take this lying wench to the dungeons at once! She is to be charged with treason for slandering the Crown! If the Duchess of the Fourth House dares to intercede on her behalf, she too shall be thrown into the dungeons!”
“Wh–what… how could this be?” she gasped, utterly stunned.
Alistair’s voice was cold, unyielding, and he stepped on the maid’s hand as he passed, crushing her fingers beneath his heel. He gave a disdainful sneer and turned on his heel to leave.
“No! Please, Your Majesty, I am the maid to the Duchess of the Fourth House! What I’ve said is the truth! I don’t know why Lady Elvira passed away before, but please, Your Majesty, investigate this matter further. I beg you, show mercy!”
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The maid’s voice cracked as she pleaded, her hands reaching out in desperation. Yet, Alistair did not even spare her a glance.
In the end, the guards seized her without mercy, dragging her from the hall, leaving a long streak of blood across the polished marble.
But the blood was soon cleaned, leaving no trace behind. Nothing remained.
For three days, Alistair remained by Elvira’s coffin. Save for the occasional council meeting, he never left her side.
4
During this time, every investigation confirmed the same conclusion Lifting Mathe
there was no one to blame. Elvira’s death was a suicide.
But there was one thing that didn’t add up. Before her death, Chamberlain.
had exchanged most of her jewelry for money, giving a large sum to the Lord
HIT
Nothing else was found. Yet Alistair’s instincts told him something was wrong. Elvira would never have taken her own life. Someone must have assisted her, but the evidence was nowhere to be found.
“Elvira, do you hate me this much? You I would rather die than stay with me? I
won’t a
He remained by her side, his mind consumed by the need to uncover the truth
allow it!” he cried out, his voice filled with madness and obsession.
After three days, a wizard arrived to perform a ritual, claiming he could bring her spirit back to him.
Alistair’s hope surged, and he eagerly welcomed the priest into his chambers.
“Whatever it takes, I will do it,” Alistair promised, his voice trembling with desperation.
The priest, with a hint of excitement in his eyes, nodded and began preparing for the ritual.
“Your Majesty, bringing Lady Elvira’s soul back is not difficult. But to keep her spirit bound to this world will require great sacrifice. You must offer your blood, a drop each day for seven days. Only then can she return. However, this will harm your body, Your Majesty. Are you sure you wish to proceed?”
Alistair was silent for a moment, considering. But just as he was about to speak, a voice rang out from behind him.
“No, Your Majesty. You must not!”
It was Isabeau, her face streaked with tears.
“Your Majesty, please. Is it truly worth it? She has chosen to leave this world, and you must respect her decision. She left of her own accord, for my sake, for my father’s. Please, let her go.”
She stepped closer, attempting to take his hand, her voice pleading.
“Your Majesty, life and death are weighty matters. Do you not see? If you harm yourself in this way, what will become of the kingdom? If you fall, the entire realm will be in chaos. Please, think of the people. And of me. You once said you loved me… did you not?”
Her voice trailed off, the words left hanging in the air.
Alistair’s expression remained impassive, his gaze cold as he avoided her touch.
“Isabeau, you are but a mere consort now. You allowed your maidservants to frame Elvira, and yet you dare to lecture me?” he sneered.
“Perhaps you are eager to reunite with your disgraced father. Do not test my patience further.”
〃
Chapter 11
