253: Traitors beneath the crown (part 1)

Traitors beneath the crown (part 1)

A palpable tension had settled in the entire property ever since the wedding attendees had returned to the Archduke's estate. Except for Claude, who was escorted by Larissa and the Archduchess to his chambers in the manor, the men amongst the guests gathered in the Archduke's study.2

"Is this the impartiality you pledged?" Leopold snapped, his entire demeanor trembling with anger. "My blameless nephew is spending his wedding night in a fuc*ing dungeon!"

"Leopold," the Archduke cautioned, his hand resting on his throbbing forehead. He was on the brink of offering guidance on how to address the Princess of Kolhis when Sasha's fingers lightly brushed his arm, causing him to pause.

"Yes, indeed, and I fuc*ing placed him there to ensure his safety," Sasha affirmed, glancing at Kaiser as he pressed his temples with a renewed tension. "Please pardon our Kolhisan, Kaiser."

Kaiser's fingers burrowed deeper into his flesh as he gazed down at his daughter, seated in his leather chair like a queen sculpted from glistening snow crystals in her wedding gown, appearing as if she could melt away at any given moment.

Sasha, who had asked the groom to voluntarily confine himself in the Archduke's dungeon, stood on the opposite side of Kaiser's chair. While her tongue engaged in a heated exchange with Leopold, her worried gaze shifted down to the pale bride now seated in her father's place.

Although physically present, Adela's mind and heart appeared distant, consumed by the desire to accompany Egon to the dreaded dungeon.

Don't follow me down. These were her husband's final heartless words to her before he voluntarily descended into the depths of the dungeon, with Bastian trailing closely behind.

Gustav cast a quick glance at the bride before deciding to put an end to the futile argument.

"Princess, as a respected ambassador in our Kingdom, we have welcomed you with open arms, demonstrating to Kolhis that Egon von Conradie is not our adversary. The thought of shielding him from you never even crossed our minds!"

Sasha clicked her tongue in disapproval, her response cutting with a touch of sarcasm, "Commander, you speak as if you are the collective embodiment of a group of individuals. It would be wise to express your own opinions while we are convened in this manner."

Gustav's face flushed with embarrassment, his voice slightly chastened, "As you wish, Princess. Be aware that I shall dispatch an urgent missive to the Emperor of Kolhis, apprising him of the events that have transpired tonight."

"Commander…" Kaiser's voice carried a weary sigh, the sound of a man drained by the ordeal. "Let us hear her reasoning before proceeding."

"Your Excellency! Behind those bars stands your esteemed son-in-law!"

"Enough with the theatrics! I sent my bodyguard with him, for heaven's sake! What did you expect me to do? Let him kill Emoria's Crown Prince or watch him die while I am entrusted with his safeguarding?"

Leopold's enraged fists slammed onto the table, resonating with frustration.

"Egon doesn't require your feeble bodyguard! He should be by his wife's side." His gaze turned sympathetic as he regarded Adela, his voice dropping to a solemn tone. "I shall personally escort you home, my dear."

Aldric of Varinthia, looking entirely at ease as he crossed his legs in the seat to Adela's right, let out a displeased tut. "She won't be going anywhere with you."

"Your Holiness King Aldric," Rauul interjected from his post near the door, a stance that resembled that of a guardian. "As the Lady's knight and a close friend of her husband, I assure you she shall remain within these walls, where her husband is."

Aldric's smile twisted slightly, a lopsided expression playing on his lips. "And which husband might that be, Healer? I believe their marriage hasn't yet been consummated." His midnight-blue eyes held a glint of amusement as they dipped downward. "My apologies, I should address you as Duke now, should I not? No longer a titleless bastard of Latora."

The two other Dukes in the room scowled at the young King, but Rauul seemed unperturbed by Aldric's words. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on Adela, who was gradually transforming from the blushing bride guests had met earlier into a ghost of her former self.

"Lady Adelaide, pull yourself together." Aldric's voice was edged with impatience, his words punctuated by his snapping tone.

Closing herself off from the pitying gazes that surrounded her, the pale bride leaned her head back against the Archduke's chair and tried her best to do what her enemy asked.

"If you've all finished with your displays of bravado," Sasha rolled her eyes dramatically, "Allow me to explain why I called for this urgent gathering. I've assembled you gentlemen here to share the findings of my investigation."

Leopold let out a scoff and averted his gaze, prompting yet another disapproving look from the Archduke.

"Princess," Adela who managed to compose herself addressed the room, capturing everyone's attention, "I am eager to hear your insights. However, it's important for you to understand my perspective. The reason I haven't opposed your decision to confine my husband in the dungeon is because he volunteered to go."

She took a shallow breath, her voice taking on a more somber tone as she continued.

"I sincerely hope your investigation sheds light on the murder and proves my husband's innocence. This would justify the extreme action you've taken to protect him, especially in the presence of the Archduke himself and his two Commanders during our wedding."

She bit back the discomfort of saying the last two words and swallowed, her fingers digging into the fabric of her wedding gown just above her thighs.

"We highly value the diplomatic ties between the Empire and our Kingdom. I believe you share the same sentiment, and I trust that you wouldn't jeopardize the longstanding understanding we've cultivated."

Sasha's lips curled into a small smile. "Rest assured, my investigation has reached a clear conclusion regarding the identity of the murderers."

Murderers?

The use of the plural did not escape Adela, nor did it escape the rest of the men in the room.

"Do proceed, Princess," Kaiser urged, his tone cautious.

"Given the lifestyle and actions of the deceased Monarch, no one in this room, or more precisely, no one around the table at the bride and groom's wedding, was devoid of reasons to desire the King's demise."

Adela's father tensed beside her, and she felt compelled to interject.

"I beseech you not to make assumptions about the loyalty of my people to the royal family. The King was my uncle, and our beliefs may have differed, but harboring ill intentions toward one's Monarch constitutes treason and contradicts the fundamental principles of nobility."

"Your youth and benevolence are evident, but allow me to clarify."

Sasha's clear brown eyes shifted to Kaiser's icy blue ones, and for once, she seemed to struggle with her own words.

"The one who initially sought the assassination of a member of House de Lanark, Lady Adelaide, was the Monarch himself."

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