Episode 13

I couldn't bring myself to calm down. I was trembling too much, thinking about how the blood had poured down. Innocence was given an immediate healing response. High Priest Luis and Sean were with her the whole time. Crown Prince Carter and Alexus were now eyeing me suspiciously.

They couldn't get a word in edgewise because they had to watch over Innocence for whatever might happen. Hours later, everyone left the premises, of course, except for me, Duke Eléftheros, and anyone who might be a person of interest.

They dragged me harshly. I wanted to cry out in pain, but I couldn't fight back. Not when my mind was panicking!

When they released me, my eyes immediately searched for Yvan. He approached me and held me softly, guiding me to his chiseled back. I was still trembling and freezing with fear.

A series of blood pictures were played inside my head like a recorded tape. I couldn't think properly. I couldn't even feel my surroundings.

“Everyone inside this hall, you can now leave the premises. The next mentioned names will remain here. Strict orders from the King of this Empire,” a butler announced.

I wasn't focused on listening, but when I heard my name as one of the three who would stay in the room, I realized... they could frame me!

But I was innocent! I became even more nervous about what I realized. I had the... poison with me! That was enough proof to point me as the suspect!

Alexus must have told them about me! But I was innocent! I could prove my innocence, but how would I tell them about the poison? Tell them that Duke Eléftheros was behind it all? Would they believe me?

I laughed bitterly. No. They would just think I was crazy. They wouldn't even attempt to listen to a single word! I became even more disheartened. I could already see what was going to happen.

What should I do? Should I... apologize?

I felt warm hands brushing my cheeks. I looked up. I saw Yvan, who was now covering me. I hadn't noticed I was crying. This was pathetic. F-ck.

My lips trembled, ready to sob, and with that, he stroked my hair as if he was lulling me. I shook my head at him repeatedly. As if that was how I was trying to tell him everything.

That I didn't do it. That I had no intention of doing so. That I hoped he would believe me. That I hoped he would listen to me.

He nodded at me repeatedly, as if he understood me. I felt the warm liquid flowing even more from my eyes.

He wiped it away again. He bent in front of me and whispered, “I know what my Muryō’s trying to tell me. Now, hush,” He sounded different. I shook my head.

“Madame Malaya Eléftheros, and her Knight, Mikael Yvan Furappu, you two were ordered to remain. The Lady Innocence’s acquainted party, Alexus Hatter, please come with me for security checking.” a knight said.

So the three of us were told to stay inside the palace. After checking Alexus, we were checked by the knight too. He said we couldn't leave until we were proven innocent. While shivering, I clasped Yvan's suit tightly.

It was both the fear of blood and the anger of what was happening. I prevented this from happening. I ran for my life earlier so that this wouldn't happen!

But in the end, I would still be suspected. I couldn't afford to drag Yvan down with me. I moved away from him. Despite the panic attack I was feeling, I was able to force myself to turn away from him.

He noticed me moving away. I tried to smile to assure him that I could handle myself. But he just pulled me closer to him again. At the same time, I heard footsteps behind me.

I was so sure it was them. Carter, Luis, and many powerful figures. Trembling, I turned to look at them. It was just a peek, but I realized it would look guilty if I couldn't face them bravely.

Yvan released me. Carter faked a scoff and glared at me. I breathed heavily. Yes. I knew it. “After the interrogation, most of the people inside here pointed out that you're the mastermind behind what happened,” he said firmly.

I looked at Luis. He was arching his brows as if my shaking was occupying him. I hid my trembling hands behind my back. I heard Yvan sigh as he settled himself beside me.

“You can't say that it's my Muryō's. You don't have evidence.” He responded coldly to them. Luis sighed. He turned to his brother, Carter, as if letting him make the decision. He seemed to want to say something but remained silent.

Duke Eléftheros and Sean arrived at that moment too. My gaze shifted to them, and the first thing I saw... was red-dark blood. On Sean's white coat, he was deeply covered in blood.

I shook my head. I started shaking even more, as I stepped backwards. “You might forget that you were just her Knight, right? And as you can see, I'm not telling you these because I don't have a fact basis,” I heard Carter say.

I heard someone clear their throat. “When we checked Malaya, she had this weird bottle behind her. She was so occupied that she didn't notice I took it from her during the interrogation. It connects to what Alexus says, that Madame Eléftheros holds a bottle of poison.” Luis spoke.

Sean was eyeing me curiously. But I shook my head and avoided his gaze. His brows arched for a moment as he looked at himself. He immediately turned to me after that, as if he had realized something.

He didn't care that the three men in front of me had been exchanging words for a while now.

Duke Eléftheros was just looking at me coldly. I don't know what it was, but I think he wasn't scared that I might tell them the truth that he was the reason behind all of this.

“Please conduct more investigation regarding this. And, if it is proven right that my daughter really did it, give her the penalty she must receive.”

“You c-crazy b-stard,” I stuttered. “D-Do you think I will put myself in this kind of situation? I don't w-want hassle. If you think I poisoned I-Innocence, how narrow are your m-minds?” I said.

They stopped. Carter glared at me sharply. Oh. So this is what love would do. “We're still investigating. As long as we can't yet confirm the truth, you will be grounded in this palace.” He said coldly.

Even though I was trembling, I laughed softly. I would put up a facade so they couldn't tell I was obviously afraid. But anyway, even if they wanted me dead, they couldn't.

Sean was about to approach me. But Luis made his way first, as he transcended to check my eyes. Carter's brows furrowed. I was surprised by what he did. I immediately looked away.

“You... ” he said coldly.

“ ...are afraid of blood,” he stated.

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