Chapter 13 · The Cold Crown of Winterbourne

Chapter 13

"Did you have someone let her out of the dungeon?" he asked.Mother froze.I watched them in silence.So it took them this long to remember that I was still locked up in the dungeon.And right at that moment, a surprised voice suddenly rang out from nearby. "The dungeon?"Victor had somehow appeared behind them.And he hadn't lowered his voice in the slightest.Everyone nearby heard him.Even the music seemed to quiet down.Victor raised an eyebrow.He asked, "Isn't your daughter the guest of honor tonight?"How did she end up in the dungeon?"The nobles around them turned to look.Some people had already begun whispering."That explains why she hasn't shown up tonight," someone said."Didn't the Duke of Winterbourne spend eighteen years searching for his daughter?" another asked."And after finally finding her, he locked her in the dungeon?" someone else chimed in.Father's face flushed red.It was the first time I'd ever seen him this humiliated.Not far away, Prince Leonard had heard everything.Prince Leonard turned to look.He first looked at my father.Then he looked at Rosalind standing beside him."So," Prince Leonard said, his voice suddenly icy, "you're not the missing daughter?"Rosalind's face went pale."Your Highness, I..." she stammered."Answer me," Prince Leonard said coldly.The prince who had been warm and courteous just moments ago no longer had a trace of a smile.Rosalind bit her lip."No," she whispered.Prince Leonard looked at her.The interest he'd shown in her disappeared completely.He even took a step back.The woman before him who had approached him on her own just an adopted daughter with no Winterbourne blood."I see," he said.He left it at that.Then he no longer looked at her.Rosalind stood there.Her expression was so ugly that she could barely maintain her smile.Mother clearly realized things were getting out of hand.She hurried forward with a smile.She said, "There's been a misunderstanding, everyone."Elara is just a little immature."She's been a little rebellious since she returned."She made another mistake, so we only asked her to reflect in the dungeon for a while."She said it as if it were nothing serious, as if I'd only been locked in a room, not thrown into an underground dungeon without even a light.Mother turned to the butler."Walter," she said."Go and fetch Lady Elara from the dungeon.""Tell her that so many distinguished guests have arrived tonight.""Whatever attitude she's got, tell her to keep it in check for now."Walter left right away.The party went on, but nobody was really paying attention to the music or the drinks anymore.My father kept explaining to everyone around him.He said I just had a bad temper.He said I'd been difficult to discipline ever since I came back from the slums.He said they were only trying to teach me some discipline.Mother added with a smile, "She's not actually a bad person. She's too rebellious. Sometimes, she would do anything to win attention."I floated nearby.I caught every word.So it turned out I was already dead, yet they were still inventing new accusations against me.I had no idea how much time had passed.Walter finally came back.I noticed him immediately.His face was pale as death.His legs trembled as he walked.Mother's brows furrowed.She asked, "Where's Elara?Walter didn't answer.Father grew impatient."She still refuses to come out?" he snapped.Walter dropped to the floor with a thud.The whole hall went dead silent."My lady..." Walter stammered.His teeth were chattering.Walter whispered, "Lady Elara..."She's... dead."

Chapter 13