Chapter 6

The night was pitch black.

The abandoned kiln was creepy and dead quiet.

The cold wind howled nonstop.

I stood in front of a crumbling brick kiln, just waiting quietly.

Luna and my most loyal allies melted into the shadows, guarding me from the darkness and making sure nothing could touch me.

Midnight was drawing near.

A hunched, elderly figure shuffled into the moonlight, his steps uneven and heavy with age.

It was Andrew.

He came alone.

He shuffled up to me and bowed to me.

"Good evening, Ms. Palmer," he said.

His voice was hoarse and quivering with fear.

I made no move to let him rise.

I gazed down at him, towering over him.

My eyes were colder than the biting winter wind.

"Long time no see, Dr. Lewis. I trust you've been well?" My voice was laced with icy sarcasm.

Andrew trembled, his head sinking even lower.

"I-I'm sorry," he stammered, his voice quivering with fear.

"Why say sorry?" I asked.

I stared him down, my voice cold as ice.

Andrew was shaking so hard that he couldn't even speak.

I wasn't about to waste any more time on him.

I demanded, "You just did whatever Richard ordered, didn't you?

"He told you to frame me, and you just did it.

"He told you to claim Edward isn't his real son, and you just parroted his words.

"Andrew, you've got a lot of nerve!"

My voice rang out, sharp and sudden, like a thunderclap in the night.

Andrew was scared out of his wits. He kept bowing and begging me for mercy.

"Mercy, Ms. Palmer! Please, spare me," he cried, his voice trembling with fear.

"Mr. Palmer made me do it. He took my family. If I didn't obey, they'd be dead," he sobbed, his whole body shaking in terror.

"So you were willing to trade my son and me for your family's lives?" I sneered.

I let out a cold laugh. "What a calculated scheme."

Andrew wept bitterly, tears streaming down his aged face.

Andrew sobbed, his voice raw with despair, "I know I was wrong, Ms. Palmer. I deserve to die.

"Please, for the sake of all the years I served at your side, have mercy on me.

"And please, save my grandson.

"He's only six. He's innocent."

I stared at him, feeling absolutely nothing inside.

Everyone who seemed pitiful always had something about them that made others hate them.

He was ready to sacrifice me and Edward just to protect himself.

Why should I waste any sympathy on him?

"Your grandson has already taken the antidote," I said, my tone light and unhurried.

Andrew suddenly looked up, a flicker of hope lighting his eyes.

"Ms. Palmer," he muttered, his voice trembling with hope.

I said, "Do exactly as I tell you, and your whole family will be safe.

"I'll make sure you all get out of the city to somewhere no one will ever find you, so you can live out your days in peace."

Andrew's eyes shone even brighter. "I... I'm willing. I'll do anything. Just please, show me mercy."

"Good," I said.

I crouched down, locking eyes with him.

I gently placed my hand on his shoulder.

[Is she really going to spare me?]

[Richard is absolutely ruthless.]

[I can't afford to cross either of them.]

[If I'd known things would end up like this, I never would've gotten involved. What a fool I was.]

His heart was filled with regret and fear.

But there was also a faint desire to survive.

That was enough.

I let go of his shoulder and stood up.

"What 'testimony' did Richard give you?" I asked.

Andrew spilled everything. He didn't dare hold anything back.

It was pretty much what I expected.

He said I was already pregnant when I married Richard

He found out when he checked my health, but I supposedly paid him a hefty bribe to keep it secret.

Richard even faked a "hush letter" and claimed I'd written it to him back then.

It was ridiculous.

The whole lie was riddled with holes.

But it was an era where the king ruled and husbands held all the power.

As long as Richard pointed the finger and there were supposed "witnesses" and "evidence", I didn't stand a chance. It was basically a death sentence.

"Where's the letter?" I asked.

"I-It's in the secret compartment in Mr. Palmer's study," he stammered.

"Anything else besides the letter?" I pressed.

He replied, "T-There's also a letter you supposedly wrote to your 'lover'.

"That one's fake too. And there's also the testimony of a junior maid, who used to serve you.

"Her name is Beatrice. Mr. Palmer's been keeping her secretly locked away."

I let out a cold chuckle in my heart.

Richard really covered all his tracks.

"I see," I said.

I looked at Andrew, my voice cold and flat. "Tomorrow is the day Richard makes his move.

"He'll call together all the family elders in the main hall at the Palmers' estate to put me on trial.

"And you? You'll be the key witness he's counting on."

Andrew's face went ghostly pale.

"Madam, I..." he stammered.

"Just go up there and play your part as usual." I cut him off.

I added, "Whatever he tells you to say, you say it. Put every single charge on me. Make it sound as real as possible."

Andrew was stunned.

He was totally lost, not understanding what I meant at all.

I smiled at his nervous, uncertain expression.

"But," I continued, "when Richard finally reveals who he claims is the real father of Edward, you announce it to him and to everyone else in that hall. That man is none other than the king himself."

Andrew felt as if his mind had been struck by lightning.

He was so shocked that he could barely get a word out.

"Madam... a-are you serious?" he stammered.

"That's a crime that could doom your whole clan," he whispered, voice trembling.

"That's right," I said.

My smile grew sharper and more brilliant, but cold as ice.

"I'm going to wipe out his bloodline," I said, my voice icy cold.

"Richard wants royal glory and riches beyond imagination, doesn't he?

"Fine, I'll give him a surprise. Let him and Charlotte Monroe enjoy it together six feet under."

Andrew collapsed to the floor, shaking like a leaf.

He finally realized what I was planning.

He knew I lost my mind.

I was even crazier than Richard was. He just wanted me dead. But I was going to take the whole Palmer family to the grave with him.

"Do you have the guts to do it?" I asked.

I locked eyes with Andrew, speaking each word slowly and clearly.

Andrew looked into my eyes, and what he saw there was a madness colder than hell itself.

He knew he had no choice.

If he didn't do as I said, he'd be a dead man on the spot.

His family wouldn't live to see another day either.

He trembled, barely managing to squeeze out the words through clenched teeth.

"I-I'll do it," he stammered.

"Good," I replied, voice cold.

I nodded in satisfaction.

I threatened. "Remember this. If you pull it off, you and your family will live.

"But if you fail, or dare to try any tricks...

"I swear, your whole family will suffer a fate way worse than mine."

With that, I paid him no more attention.

Then I turned and vanished into the night.

Richard, Charlotte, tomorrow, you'd be dead. The big drama I'd set up for you was about to kick off. Hope you enjoy it.

*****

I returned to the Palmers' place.

It was almost dawn.

The final night had passed.

I couldn't sleep at all.

I sat at my vanity, gazing into the mirror at my own reflection.

My eyes were eerily calm.

Mila came in to help me freshen up.

She chose the most splendid ceremonial gown, a dress fit for a noble lady of the highest rank.

Then she placed the heaviest and most regal coronet, crafted from pure gold, onto my head.

In the mirror, I appeared radiant and majestic, exuding grace and dignity.

It felt as if I were about to step into the most magnificent feast imaginable, not a trial where my very life hung in balance.

After getting dressed, I rose to my feet.

"Alright, let's go to the main hall," I said. "Looks like some people are already getting impatient."