Esther was locked up in the dungeon for two weeks.At times like that, no one met him there,neither Arthur nor Helena.There was only silence that tormented her mind now.
The guards guarding the dungeon had a suspicion that Esther had gone crazy. That was because every day Esther just laughed out loud and cried. She also didn't want to eat or drink while she was there so her body started to look very thin.
Actually there is one thing that is not known by all of them, namely that Esther felt devastated and helpless. She was very sorry for Anne's death which was 100% caused by her stubbornness. If only she had listened to Anne's words to leave this kingdom, then Anne would not have died.
She's really mentally disturbed right now. It was to the point where it was very difficult for him to think straight.Her sanity was gone. She wanted to die right now.If she was alive, it would be very difficult for him to lift her head and look at Helena.She felt ashamed to look at Helena, because she was the one who lost the only member of her family.
Anne Heather, a Duchess from the Heather family who is famous for her strength and one of the former commanders of the II knights. Her heroic story of conquering the kingdom of Ecra in one night was very famous among all of Maurice's people.After the conquest, she resigned as a knight and chose to become Emelline's nanny while still a princess.
After the death of Empress Emelline, Anne decided to pass her position as Duchess to her only daughter who was also Helena's biological mother.After that she chose to raise Esther.
She cared and raised the lonely Esther like her own child. She sincerely loves Esther.She was also always there when Esther was in trouble or crying.Even though Anne was very chatty and loud when advising her, Esther was never the least bit irritated.
But now, the Anne she loves is gone because of her selfishness.Now she can no longer feel Anne's gentle touch on her head when she has done something well or Anne's voice when scolding him.She lost it all.
If only time could be turned back, Esther would have chosen to listen to what Anne said.Her affection for Anne was greater than her affection for Arthur. Because her affection for Arthur was only limited to the heavy responsibility delegated by Caroline suddenly. The responsibility that continues to haunt him for no reason.
While Esther was laughing at her own stupidity with a blank stare, a group of escort knights arrived in front of her prison cell. A knight opened the padlock of her prison cell and then another knight entered there to drag him roughly.
Esther was dragged into the King's main palace until her feet bled and left fresh red blood marks on the path she walked.Arriving at the main palace, Esther is confronted by King Lucius, Livius, and Eugene. After a few minutes Queen Averia entered with a face that looked full of anger.
It seemed that neither Queen Averia nor Esther's presence was what King Lucius had expected. Because at that time King Lucius was discussing interstate political affairs with Crown Prince Livius and Grand Duke Eugene.
However, with Esther's presence, who was dragged into a bloody mess, his image as a just king in managing his harem would be damaged. In addition, the Nightingale Kingdom's image as a friendly kingdom was destroyed in an instant.
"What is this?" asked Lucius indifferently.
"Your Majesty, I want you to punish this evil and heinous witch!" Averia said loudly.
"For what wrong do you want me to punish Beatrice, my Queen?" replied Lucius who looked unconcerned.
"The Concubine Beatrice that we have known all along is a fake. She is a witch in disguise to destroy our kingdom. She has also bewitched the Crown prince to death now. Because as a Queen,I beg you to sentence this woman to death.Even the death is still too light for such a vile magician."
Grand Duke Eugene's blood was already boiling by then. It felt like his anger was about to explode and he wanted to turn the palace into a sea of blood for torturing his beloved daughter like that.
Messy brown hair, emaciated body, pale skin, bad smell coming from his body,weak eyes. That was Esther's condition that Grand Duke Eugene was looking at right now.
Grand Duke Eugene's feelings were completely shattered now.Anger and sadness were now mixed within him.Seeing his beloved daughter who he always cared for with all his heart being tortured like someone without pride.Not even being tortured anymore,but Esther almost looked like she would soon die from loss of blood caused by fresh blood that kept pouring out from all over her body due to injuries.
King Lucius let out a long breath. "Let me punish him myself, Averia.You go back to your palace and take care of your son so he doesn't embarrass my dignity."
"B-But Your Majesty. I won't be back before seeing this one bitch on trial," said Averia who still chuckled not wanting to leave that place before seeing Esther being punished as she wished.
"MY QUEEN AVERIA, I ORDER YOU TO GET OUT OF HERE RIGHT NOW!!!" shouted King Lucius who had run out of patience and was also ashamed to see his wife's behavior.
Averia immediately came out of the main palace with a sour face. She was annoyed because Lucius did not defend him at all.Shortly after Averia left, King Lucius immediately ordered all his bodyguards to leave his palace.
After everyone left, the palace was now only King Lucius, Esther,Grand Duke Eugene, and Crown Prince Livius.The atmosphere immediately fell silent.
King Lucius immediately looked at Grand Duke Eugene and Crown Prince Livius with a look of guilt. "I'm sorry because you are had to see my Harem problem just now."
Grand Duke Eugene, whose whole body was shaking violently from holding back his anger, immediately took out his sword from its scabbard. He pointed the sword right at King Lucius' neck.
"HOW DARE YOU, HURT MY DAUGHTER!!" shouted Grand Duke Eugene.
The frightened King Lucius tried to get the sword away from his neck."What do you mean, Grand Duke Eugene? Who do you mean by your daughter?"
"That woman who was dragged along like a worthless human without dignity is my little princess. It seems this Kingdom of Nightingale wants to find trouble with the Grand Duchy of Shelford."
Crown Prince Livius tried with all his might to calm his uncle back down. "Come on, Uncle. Pull back your sword."
"NEVER. BEFORE THIS JERK AND HIS BITCH WIFE DIE IN MY HANDS, I WILL NEVER PULL BACK MY SWORD," said Grand Duke Eugene with his sword hitting King Livius' neck, drawing out a few drops of blood.
"W-What do you mean? Beatrice is the only daughter of Count Arbellion," objected King Lucius.
"Stop lying, you bastard! You think I don't know that Esther has been replacing Beatrice, who ran away from this arranged marriage," replied Grand Duke Eugene.
"E-Even so, Esther is just the daughter of a bandit at the foot of the mountain. It seems you have the wrong person, Grand Duke Eugene.You better investigate again," King Lucius retorted in a trembling tone.
"Lucius, the Esther you have known all along is actually the Crown Princess of the Maurice Empire. She is also the only daughter of the Grand Duke Eugene and the previous imperial consort of Maurice or the younger sister of the current emperor Maurice," explained Prince Livius without respect.
"W-What?" said King Lucius as if he could not believe the facts he had just heard.
"It is a very big mistake for those bastards Nightingale to treat my daughter with such contempt," Grand Duke Eugene said.
"FATHER..." Esther screamed loudly but sounded helpless.