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972words
He saw the sword at my throat and laughed, a sound devoid of humor.
His voice was steel, his presence an overwhelming force that Richard could not hope to match.
My husband's face went white.
The man who had been so arrogant before me now collapsed to his knees.
"I was attacked," the King's voice boomed,
"and it was Lady Elizabeth who shielded me with her own body. She was grievously wounded, and her child was lost. I am in her debt. I have granted her a title and a household and placed her under the care of my own healers. I, the King, cherish and honor her. And yet you, her husband, dare to raise a hand to her? Do you have no respect for me? No respect for the laws of this kingdom?"
"As for a lover… when Lady Elizabeth was on the verge of death, she still remembered she was your wife. But you? You clearly hold her in no regard at all."
The King's words were a death sentence.
Richard trembled uncontrollably, a pathetic sight compared to the proud lord who had accepted his accolades in my previous life.
Even a cornered rat will fight for its life. And Richard was no different. He began to desperately make his case.
"Your Majesty, I was late to your side, and for that, I am at fault. But there are extenuating circumstances! In our own home, Elizabeth constantly berated and abused Victoria. She used her pregnancy to terrorize the household. Before I left my post, she stole my signal flare! I had no idea Your Majesty was in danger!"
His words struck my heart like a physical blow.
The flare I had begged for had now become something I had stolen.
Richard did not dare to look up, but his words were clear.
"Your Majesty may not know this, but after I was named champion of the royal tournament, I intended to marry my childhood love, Victoria. But before I could, Elizabeth's father, the Minister of War, ambushed me with a marriage proposal. He threatened me with Victoria's life. If I did not marry Elizabeth, he would kill her. At the time, he was a powerful man. He even threatened to strip me of my title. I was an orphan, Your Majesty. I had fought for everything I had. I did not dare to risk it!"
"After I married Elizabeth, I intended to be a good husband. But she was a jealous woman. She forbade any other woman from entering my household. When Victoria came to me for help, she turned her away. Not only that, she tried to sell her to a brothel!"
"I grew up with Victoria. I could not let her suffer such a fate. That is why I took her as my mistress."
"On this day, I was at my post as you commanded. But Elizabeth suddenly claimed to have stomach pains and called for me. When I returned, the signal flare was gone. Her father was executed by your order for corruption. I suspect… I suspect today's events were all part of her plan. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth!"
He bowed his head low, the very picture of a loyal, wronged subject.
But none of it was true.
I dragged my broken body to my knees, my eyes filled with tears as I looked at the King.
"Your Majesty, please, see the truth. It was Lord Richard who came to my family to propose marriage. My father was initially against it. It was only after Richard knelt outside our gates for three days that my father relented. The entire city knows of this, the story is still told by bards. If Your Majesty does not believe me, you can send someone to inquire."
"In the beginning, he did not take a mistress. Not because of me, but because he was keeping Victoria in a private villa, living like a happy couple, while blaming me for his supposed fidelity."
"As for my father… he was not corrupt. It was Richard who was taking bribes. He hid the gold in my father's study and then reported him, all to secure a promotion for Victoria's brother."
My voice was hoarse, the hatred in my eyes impossible to conceal.
The person who loved me most in this world, aside from my late mother, was my father.
On the day he was imprisoned, I discovered I was pregnant. Richard had confined me to the manor, and I, like a fool, thought he was protecting me from the grief of my father's fate.
It wasn't until my last life that I learned the truth.
Richard had framed him. He was afraid that if I went to the trial, I would recognize the gold from his study and speak up for my father.
Richard told me that my father knew everything but never tried to escape or expose him.
Because Richard was my husband, and my father wanted me to live a peaceful life.
And still, I had not lived the life my father wished for me.
The pain in my heart was a physical blade.
I trembled on the floor.
"And the signal flare is pure nonsense. It is meant to protect Your Majesty. Your life is paramount. I would die to ensure your safety. If I had stolen the flare, why would I not light it? Where is it now? What proof do you have?"
The King heard my words and remembered my desperate act of sacrifice.
A flicker of pity crossed his face.
He was about to help me up when Victoria suddenly threw herself to the floor.
She was a fragile, pitiable creature, and her tears made her all the more so. She crawled to the King's feet.
