AUTHOR’S NOTE: The following couple of chapters may not be for someone with weak heart so, if you think you have a weak heart then log off and go read some wholesome romance book.
She met his gaze once more, and his eyes were cold and predatory. He was clearly enjoying her helplessness. There was no trace of warmth or mercy in his expression, only a dark satisfaction as he watched her tremble in fear.
Her defiance seemed to crumble under the weight of his gaze, and a deep and unsettling fear filled her. She was trapped as a pawn in his game, forced to confront the brutal reality of his power and her vulnerability.
Just then, Julian’s voice cut through the tense atmosphere. It carried an unmistakable tone of mockery.
“Your Majesty, Your Graces, let us not be hasty in reaching conclusions,” he said with a smirk playing on his lips.
“The Azazel family has proven its loyalty time and again as they served the kingdom faithfully.”
He paused letting his words linger before casting a glance at the trembling viscountess.
“After all,” he continued, “this is a family built on love and loyalty.”
The irony in his tone didn’t go unnoticed, and the viscountess felt a chill run down her spine realizing that Julian was toying with her.
The king and dukes listened to Julian’s words. “Indeed,” the king said.
“We cannot be certain that the Viscount’s family are responsible for this attack. After all, it is possible that they are being framed by other forces hoping to create dispute among us.” Julian continued.
Julian let his gaze linger over the anxious faces in the room, especially the viscountess whose unease had only deepened.
“Besides,” he added, “we have a few hours remaining before our departure for Siracusa. Why not allow them the chance to prove their innocence in that time?”
The king considered this as he nodded thoughtfully. It was very possible that someone was trying to frame the viscount and his family, especially knowing that the king’s arrival in Azazel had already travelled far and wide.
The viscount bowed deeply with gratitude etched on his face. “Lord Julian, I thank you for granting us this chance. I will never forget the benevolence you have shown our family today.”
Julian met the viscountess’s gaze as his eyes glowed with a subtle, mocking satisfaction that sent a chill down her spine. She could feel the satisfaction that he was getting from her husband’s beg for mercy.
Julian continued, “Its my duty to be fair Viscount. After all, love and loyalty can never be outdone by mere deceit.”
His words hung in the air filled with taunt and mockery, that the viscountess immediately recognized. The viscountess shifted uneasily, recognizing that Julian was using her own words against her.
As she knelt, memories of her defiant words echoed in her mind, how proudly she had claimed that her love for her husband was unshakable and untouched by power or status.
Yet here she was, her life entirely at another’s mercy, realizing that her words and love held little weight in the face of absolute power.
The dukes all nodded in agreement to the Julian’s word.
“Yes, Julian is right,” Duke Hans said. “Your Majesty, please grant them the opportunity to prove their innocence.” he continued as he bowed to the king.
The king nodded and his gaze hardened as he addressed the viscount and viscountess.
“You have a couple of hours to prove your innocence in whatever way you can and if you fail…” He stopped for a moment and continued “Just remember, this family does not need to exist anymore.”
The weight of those words settled over the viscount and viscountess as chills rans over their spine, both contemplating how they had reached this point.
“You are dismissed,” the king said.
The viscount and viscountess, along with the other members of their family quickly exited the king’s room.
As they reached the outer corridors, the viscount wasted no time as he issued orders to his guards to find the attacker.
“Begin the investigation immediately,” he commanded with a forced calm. “Find out who is behind this and uncover the truth, no matter the cost.” His guards nodded and dispersed.
Meanwhile, the viscountess feeling utterly defeated fell onto a couch. Her heart raced with the thought of humiliation and despair. The earlier confidence she had felt in her love for her husband seemed to wither away.
She had been forced to kneel before Julian and as she sat there, a wave of regret washed over her mixed with the fear of what might come next.
“What should I do?” she thought as she clutched her hands in despair.
Thought of exposing Julian crossed her mind, but she dismissed it almost immediately. Who would even believe her words against his?
He was the son of a powerful duke and a heir of the family that had served the throne with unwavering loyalty for generations. She, on the other hand was just a mere viscountess, bound to a title that paled in comparison to his.
Even if she dared to speak the truth, any accusation would likely be twisted back upon her or dismissed immediately.
The reality of her helplessness hit her and she realized that her position offered little protection against someone of Julian’s power and influence.
The viscountess’s heart sank further as she realized the depths of Julian’s scheme.
He had not only hid himself with the power and privilege but also set the perfect trap by playing the part of a mediator. He had requested for mercy and time from the king and dukes.
If she dared to speak the truth now, it would appear as if she was desperately grasping for any excuse to save her family.
Julian had crafted a flawless trap where her every move was cornered. Even the slightest hint of her resisting would cast her as a traitor rather than a victim.
A cold shiver ran down her spine as she realized she could not turn to anybody. No one in their right mind would be willing to help her as she was surrounded by the highest authorities of the kingdom. The four dukes and even the king himself believed them as a suspect. Going against them was like declaring their intention of rebellion.
Every option had been stripped from her, every ally turned cold, leaving her stranded for herself.
