Talon wore a troubled expression. "She's a witness. It wouldn't be appropriate to keep her here."
"Just for one night. I promise to escort her back to her residence, Mr. Talon, I trust you're not unreasonable, right?"
Rumors had it that King Rory was a gallant gentleman who would never coerce anyone. Still, Talon knew well of his deadly methods and understood that Rory was not easily swayed.
If he inadvertently offended him, who knew what consequences would follow?
Considering this, Talon relented, "Then Miss Kelsey shall stay for one night"
After Talon and his men left, Rory fixed a cold gaze upon Kelsey and commanded in a chilling tone. "Lift your head!"
Startled, Kelsey dared not meet his gaze.
"The queen consort mentioned that you were deliberately planted as a spy by her side, indebted to her for curing your father's illness. You confessed in gratitude. Is that correct? So, who is the person who used you as a spy?"
"I.. I don't understand what you mean, Your Majesty. am not anyone's spy!"
Rory's right eyelid twitched. Why did Kelsey deny being bribed? The palace guards had heard everything, She must be lying now!
One possibility was that she initially deceived Bailey, fabricating accusations against Brenna.
Another possibility was that Brenna and Kelsey had a secret connection, and Kelsey was intentionally concealing their relationship since no one knew about the palace guards.
Rory leaned more toward the first possibility. He couldn't believe that Brenna, such an innocent girl, could be involved in a murder case.
But this matter couldn't reach a proper conclusion without uncovering the truth.
"Danny, go quietly to the Shoreline Pavilion and discreetly bring Lilly here. Also, find three other maidservants from the mansion and have them come to see me together."
Danny looked puzzled. "What do you intend to do, Your Majesty?"
"Test."
Jay had mentioned that after Kelsey entered the palace, she was taken directly to the Serene Pavilion and never saw anyone else. There was no chance for her to meet Lilly!
If Kelsey knew Lilly, it would indicate that Lilly was involved in her early arrival at the palace.
But since Kelsey didn't recognize anyone, this matter had nothing to do with the concubine.
Lilly quickly arrived in the courtyard with the other three maidservants. The moment she entered, she saw Kelsey and her heart raced with fear, unsure of what the king intended to do.
Kelsey, too, felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and kept her head down, afraid to meet Lilly's eyes.
Rory arranged the four maidservants in a line and noticed their nervousness. He spoke casually, diverting their attention from the tension.
He asked casually, "I heard you have two younger brothers at home. Where are they now?"
Kelsey's gaze averted as she replied, "I had some family matters to attend to, so I sent them to stay with distant relatives."
"Oh, which relatives?"
Kelsey instinctively clutched her clothes and said, "They are... distant cousins-in-law."
Fearful that Rory would continue questioning, she was suddenly alerted by a person at the door exclaiming, "Lilly, be careful!"
Lilly?
Perplexed, Kelsey looked towards the left and saw an arrow flying straight toward Lilly, narrowly missing her and getting lodged in a crevice in the stone.
Rory witnessed the scene and immediately concluded that Kelsey must be acquainted with Lilly!
Otherwise, why would she turn her head directly to Lilly upon hearing her name?
She had known all along who Lilly was.
The sudden arrow startled Lilly, causing her legs to give way as she collapsed onto the ground.
Rory had no desire to spare another glance at her and issued a cold command, "Detain them all. I am weary."
Kelsey suddenly grasped the implications as the others departed, casting a fearful glance at Rory. However, he refrained from questioning her, settling into a wearied silence.
A frosty veil descended upon his beautiful countenance, his cold demeanor sending shivers down his spine.
"Your Majesty..."
Rory looked at her with a complex expression and said, "You may depart."
Kelsey dared not believe that the king would release her so quickly. However, Rory's half-closed eyes showed he did not want to engage with her. Thus, she cautiously withdrew from the palace.
"Keep a vigilant eye on her. We must not allow any harm to befall her!"
After receiving the order, Danny left. Vic was perplexed. "Your Majesty, Kelsey's reaction has already revealed everything. She undoubtedly recognizes Lilly, which implies a connection with the concubine!"
"This matter must remain tightly sealed. Do not disclose it to anyone."
"And what of the queen consort?" Vic focused on Rory, knowing him fully aware of the link between the concubine with this matter. The investigation had reached a standstill, fearing the potential repercussions that could trap the concubine.
Little did he know that the king intended to safeguard the concubine, leaving the queen consort mired in a quagmire without extending a helping hand!
"Forgive my audacity, but the Revelation Temple has never been one to show leniency. Given the queen consort's current confinement, there is no feasible way to gather evidence. You are her final recourse! If even you look the other way, the queen consort may never see the light of day again."
Rory pursed his lips, withholding any response.
Aside from the palace staff, the only ones aware of Kelsey and her father's existence were the palace and the Noel family. However, even in their most ruthless endeavors, the Noel family would never falsely accuse Bailey of murder.
Her life may be spared should Bailey be found guilty, but the disgrace inflicted upon the Noel family would be irreparable!
Who stood to gain the most from this predicament?
Just then, a name sprung forth in Rory's mind. Sidney Lowery.
If it were him, Prince Aron's sudden appearance at the palace and involvement in this murder case would cease to be a mystery. What sort of relationship did Brenna and Sidney share?
Restlessness consumed Rory, entangled in an unsolvable quandary.
Vic couldn't bear witnessing it. Despite their brief encounter, he sensed that Bailey was far from a nasty person. To know she was being framed yet remain powerless, Vic could only suffer from a sense of helplessness.
"Vic, between Brenna and Bailey, I would never choose the latter."
This woman had no one to blame but herself for her unfortunate circumstances.
Vic frowned, recognizing the dwindling prospects for the queen consort...