Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 257. Rage VI
Artheur's testimony continued to solidify, leaving King Gervis in a challenging position. It was evident that Artheur had carefully considered the details of that night, and his account was becoming increasingly difficult to dispute.
"Ten minutes after I walked around, I met soldiers patrolling around the park and chatted for some time. They asked why I was there and if I needed help. I said I was just walking around to get some fresh air. But for security reasons, in the end, they followed me until I returned to my room," Artheur affirmed, maintaining his firm stance.
These details added weight to his testimony. Soldiers witnessing his movements supported his claim that he was indeed walking in the park, and his interaction with them emphasized the validity of his account.
King Gervis struggled to find a viable counterargument, realizing that the testimony was strong and that it could potentially validate Angel's alibi. However, before he could formulate an alternative strategy, Artheur delivered another revelation that further complicated matters.
"I also saw Princess Ophelia last night. She hid behind the bushes and stared at the balcony for a long time. The soldiers also saw it, but they pretended not to see it. They asked me not to say anything since it was a normal thing," Artheur confessed, a note of reluctance in his voice.
The addition of Ophelia's involvement shook the room. Artheur's revelation hinted at a secret longing and complicated emotions within the royal family. It was a testament to the intricate relationships and unspoken feelings that were hidden beneath their noble titles.
Ophelia's heart began to race in her chest. She hadn't anticipated that her clandestine presence in the shadows would be uncovered, and it struck her with a sudden rush of anxiety. Her efforts to remain hidden and unnoticed seemed to have crumbled under the weight of the truth.
The room's attention shifted towards Ophelia, who found herself at the center of the emerging storm. King Gervis, unable to conceal his disappointment and frustration, turned his gaze toward his daughter. His tone was laced with a mix of irritation and disbelief.
"Ophelia, is that true?" he inquired, his eyes fixated on her. He was searching for an answer, an explanation, or some form of clarity amidst the chaos that had engulfed the palace.
But Ophelia remained silent. Caught between the conflicting choices of confessing or denying her presence on that fateful night, she was left speechless. The weight of the situation bore down upon her, rendering her unable to provide a straightforward response.
In that tense moment, her silence spoke volumes. It was an unspoken admission that reverberated throughout the room. The guests, who had already heard rumors of Ophelia's unrequited love for Angel, now had their suspicions seemingly confirmed.
They had witnessed a family drama that transcended royal titles and nobility, exposing raw emotions and hidden affections. Ophelia's secret longing for Angel, dating back long before Artheur's own feelings for Rose, was now cast into the open, further complicating the web of emotions surrounding the royal family.
Amidst the mounting tension and the revelation of secrets, King Gervis felt a surge of frustration. He had expected a simple denial from Ophelia to refute Artheur's statement. After all, how hard could it be for her to deny such an accusation?
"Ophelia!" he snapped, his patience wearing thin. What he yearned for was a straightforward denial from his daughter, one that would erase the stain on Angel's name and restore their family's honor.
Yet, amidst the ongoing arguments and King Gervis's attempts to pin Ilex's death on Angel, the accused and his wife remained surprisingly composed. Angel's voice broke through the heated exchange, his words carrying a cold, detached tone.
"Uncle," Angel's words sliced through the tension. "I don't understand why you're so intent on accusing me of Ilex's death. But it seems you've overlooked a crucial detail. Your families signed a binding agreement with me. Yesterday, Ilex violated that agreement, and I chose to forgive him. Now, you've violated it too, casting aspersions on my character and attempting to tarnish my reputation in the other royal families' eyes. Did you truly believe I would forgive such an affront so easily?"
His words were delivered with a chilling calm, cutting through the room's tumult like a blade. Angel's demeanor was regal, his tone unwavering, and the resolve in his eyes unwavering.
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