Chapter 221

Chapter 221 – Unexpected Savior (2)

Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan

“It’s not a lie. I saw all of ut.”

The person who had been concealed in the bushes stepped forward, immediately drawing all eyes. Annette’s eyes filled with tears as she recognized her.

“Claire…”

“I’m sorry. I ran a little late,” Claire said, smiling. The strange movement in the bushes Annette had noticed earlier had been Claire. Though of course, she wasn’t the only one who had noticed the intruder.

Finally.

Raphael crossed his arms. It was impossible that he would have overlooked her, and he had almost killed her at first, thinking she was another of the King’s men. But then he had glimpsed Claire’s sword through the bushes.

During her visit to the mansion, she headed to the training grounds every day as soon as the sun came up, and spent all day dueling Raphael. He would recognize her sword at a glance, especially since it was quite unique.

That was why he had pretended not to notice her. He had no idea why Claire was here when she was supposed to be back in the Empire, but he knew she loved Annette like her own sister. He was sure she wouldn’t do anything to harm her.

Was she just hiding there? Was she planning to be a witness the whole time?

He actually wasn’t wrong. Claire had arrived in Deltium just that morning, and followed the instructions Arjen had given her to the letter.

“Remember,” he had said as she was leaving. “Do exactly as I have written. Don’t be hasty.”

Claire trusted her husband completely. The bond between them was as solid and unbreakable as an iron wall. So she had hidden patiently. She had wanted to come out when Annette was in danger, but Raphael had fortunately appeared in time to save her. Fortunately, she had trusted Arjen’s plan to the end.

“You…”

Selgratis frowned when he spotted her. A Knight Commander of the Chapelle Emperor, who had visited a few months ago. Her unique appearance made her memorable.

“Claire Lucid,” she said. “I married into the Bavaria family.”

“Bavaria,” the King echoed loudly. As a member of Annette’s family, her testimony could be considered biased, if not invalid. But Claire admitted it freely.

“Yes. But I swear as a Sword of the Empire that my testimony is not influenced by any personal ties,” she said. “If I perjure myself, I will resign my position as Knight Commander of the Imperial Order.”

It was an unprecedented oath. And it could not be lightly dismissed because of Claire’s high rank as a noblewoman of the Empire. Selgratis’s face hardened at this latest complication, and he nodded, disgusted.

“Thank you for this opportunity, Sun of Deltium.”

Claire drew her sword and moved toward the corpses. After a quick examination of the fallen men, she offered her formal testimony.

“They came from the same direction as His Majesty. I heard them tell Duke Bavaria, our target was the ladies. Unfortunately, you will have to die with them. We are just following orders, I’m sure you understand. Then they all drew their swords together.”

She turned toward Raphael.

“That was when the Marquis Carnesis appeared. Annette called for him to help, and these men rushed to kill her. Duke Bavaria intercepted him, and was wounded on the arm.”

She indicated Duke Bavaria, who was still propped up by Raphael. It was precisely what had happened.