Chapter 225

Chapter 225 – Unexpected Savior (6)

Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan

The King had no answer. He could hardly deny that they were his men now. Behind him, the nobles whispered secretly among themselves, and though Annette couldn’t hear what they were saying, it seemed they finally knew who was lying.

Contemplating the scene before her, Annette’s eyes filled with tears at a relief so deep, it went to her heart. All the anxiety leading up to this point at last began to dissipate, and a hand reached for her shoulder.

“Raphael,” she said, and he kissed her cheek.

“You’re safe now,” he whispered, smudging away the ashes on her cheeks, and a smile appeared on her cold face. Even though Raphael’s own father was trapped, he had chosen Annette.

He embraced her, and as she listened to his heart beating, she forgot everything else in his warm arms.

“This is all a conspiracy!” The King declared dramatically. “I cannot believe that you would dare to doubt the word of your King! How can you do this, Marquis Keers! The cunning Bavarias have deceived you too!”

There was no logic to this argument. And though he wasn’t sure whether he could shift the situation later with manufactured evidence, he was so angry all he wanted to do was leave.

But now everyone knew the truth.

Marquis Keers moved to intercept the King.

“Your Majesty. What did my daughter do wrong?” He asked. “You wanted her to become Crown Princess. Why did you hurt my daughter again?”

Selgratis’s white beard quivered. He had never in his life been interrogated like this, in public, as if he were a criminal. The displeasure of his nobles showed in their eyes, and he wanted to charge them all with treason. But his anger focused on the marquis who stood before him.

“Insolence! And I thought so well of you, I never dreamed you would betray me! Is there anyone loyal? I will have you all arrested for insulting the royal family.”

Celestine’s face went pale at these words. Claire stroked her chin.

“Does Deltium’s royal family behave this way when asked the truth? That’s very interesting.”

The King glared at her as if he would have liked to kill her. But he couldn’t do anything to a noblewoman of the Empire. The palace knights approached as they heard the King’s rebuke, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

“Arrest this person who dares to stand in my way,” he ordered. “How dare you accuse your King without evidence? Your treason is clear.”

The knights had no choice. They were to obey the King’s orders at all times. They moved at once toward Marquis Keers, intending to take him to prison.

Raphael and Claire both laid their hands on the hilts of their swords. They would have to protect the marquis, so the King would not have a chance to distort everything that had happened.

But another voice intervened.

“Enough, Your Majesty.”

Crown Prince Ludwig appeared behind the King.