CHAPTER 058
“Miss… I…”
Millie sobbed uncontrollably, her shoulders shaking as she struggled to speak. She confessed everything, from her story and that of her sisters to Grace’s vile scheme to expel Arabelle.
“I put you in danger for my sisters… I reported every move you made to Head Maid Brigitte. Sob, sob.”
Unable to meet Arabelle’s gaze, Millie lowered her head. “You saved all of us, and I… I…”
She couldn’t finish her sentence and knelt down. Being punished and expelled was only fitting. The sobs escaping her throat sounded shameless, and she bit her lip hard.
Then, gentle arms wrapped around her shoulders, offering a warmth that melted into her. Without a word, Arabelle held the taller Millie, her embrace strong and comforting. Millie buried her head in Arabelle’s shoulder and sobbed like a child.
“When we arrived at the convent, I wrote a letter to the palace, but didn’t you receive it? I heard from Head Maid Brigitte that it was delivered.”
When Adele, wiping her tears, had said this, Millie quickly realized what had happened. Brigitte hadn’t given her Adele’s letter. She had likely withheld it, knowing Millie would stop cooperating with Grace if she knew her sisters were safe.
Millie clenched her fists, shaking with anger and betrayal. “I didn’t even ask the lady’s name at the time… Later, the guards told me that the lady who helped us was staying in the palace as a candidate for the empress. Tell her that we’re taking the medicine she sent.”
Adele’s voice trembled as she recounted the events, finally mentioning the name of the lady who saved them from Baron Veron’s trap: “Arabelle.”
“I… sob, sob… I tried to harm you… sob, sob…”
Tonight, after seeing her sisters, Millie had planned to hide a man’s underwear in Arabelle’s mattress, to frame her. The mere thought made her feel sick. She felt unforgivable. Arabelle’s hands, gently patting her back, were too warm, and Millie wept louder.
After what felt like an eternity, Millie wiped her tears and nose with her hand, lifting her head from Arabelle’s shoulder. She spoke softly, “Miss, please… let me meet His Majesty. I beg you.”
“Millie, if you tell the truth, you might be punished and expelled from the palace,” Arabelle replied, looking troubled.
But that was precisely why Millie needed to meet the Emperor. She was sure Arabelle would try to bury the truth to protect her. Even knowing who had betrayed her, she would keep quiet to protect her people.
Grace wouldn’t stop; she’d just find someone else to manipulate and plot against Arabelle until she was expelled. And behind Grace was the Duchess of Le Sang.
“Please, miss. Let me meet His Majesty.”
At that moment, a tall figure emerged from the shadows, approaching behind Arabelle.
“I will listen to what you have to say,” the Emperor said, his sharp red eyes fixed on the bowed Millie.
***
Present. In front of Arabelle’s bedroom on the second floor of the separate palace.
“It’s surprising to see the Empress Dowager and the Duchess visiting so late together. It shows how close you two are,” the Emperor greeted, his eyes looking over the gathered women.
“We were returning from visiting the Empress Dowager when we heard a commotion at the separate palace and hurried over,” the Duchess explained, trying to hide her surprise at finding the Emperor guarding Arabelle’s room.
The Emperor’s presence was unexpected; by now, Arabelle should have been caught with the soldier’s underwear planted in her room, and her maids should have been taken for questioning.
“Those who first saw the man coming out of Lady Arabelle’s room were….”
“These women,” the Captain of the Guard answered, bringing forward three of Grace’s maids.
“Who do you serve?” the Emperor asked.
“The, the maids of Lady Grace Le Sang’s household, Your Majesty,” they stammered, bowing low.
“Lift your heads and look at me,” the Emperor commanded, his tone gentle but causing the maids to shiver.
They slowly raised their heads to meet the cold red eyes.
“Did you see this man sneaking out of Lady Arabelle’s room?” the Emperor asked, gesturing to the soldier held by the Captain.
“Y-yes, Your Majesty,” they replied, trembling.
“So, according to you,” the Emperor continued, pulling the young soldier close, “this man and I… would be having an affair, then.”
The maids paled, shaking their heads vigorously. “No, never, Your Majesty.”
“Their eyes must have been deceived in the dark. We will punish them severely,” the Duchess quickly intervened, bowing respectfully.
The Empress Dowager added, smiling kindly, “The affairs of the separate palace are the responsibility of the inner palace. I will investigate thoroughly. It’s late; please, rest now, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor chuckled, his lips curling into a smile. “It seems my grandmother and aunt are mistaken.”
His voice slow and deliberate, he continued, “This is now a matter of the Emperor’s honor, not just palace affairs.”
A sob escaped from one of Grace’s maids, breaking the tense silence. The Emperor’s hand gripped the soldier’s neck.
“Ugh…” The young soldier’s feet dangled off the ground, lifted by the Emperor’s strength.
“You were caught trying to escape the palace. If not from Arabelle’s room, whose was it?”
Ignoring the outcries from the Empress Dowager and the Duchess, the Emperor pressed the question.
The soldier’s face, red from lack of air, grew pale as he struggled to answer, “From… Lady Grace’s room…”
The crowd gasped, and both the Duchess and Grace shouted in protest.
“What nonsense is this?”
“This man is lying, Your Majesty!”
The Emperor ignored them, setting the soldier down. He addressed the crowd, his voice cold, “Now, think carefully. Someone here must have seen this man leaving Grace’s room.”
He looked around, his gaze sharp. “Tell the truth, and I will personally reward you.”
The Duchess and Grace went pale. The Emperor was now coercing false testimony, flipping the situation entirely.
“Your Majesty… No one will testify. It’s not true… No one will tell such a lie,” the Duchess said, trying to steady her voice while sending silent threats to the maids.
The Emperor raised a hand, his voice icy, “Anyone who speaks against me will be thrown into the dungeon, regardless of their rank.”
His calm demeanor only made the threat more terrifying, causing even the guards to shiver in fear.
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