As Isolde lay unconscious on her bed, the news of the failed attempt on her life reached Butler's ears, sending a surge of anger coursing through him. With a furious roar, he lashed out at the messenger, his frustration boiling over at the incompetence displayed by his subordinates.
"Useless!!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the halls of the castle. "Can't even get rid of a kid!!"
Amelia, his daughter, approached him with a sly smile playing on her lips, her eyes glinting with malice. "Don't worry, father," she purred. "The Emperor will take care of that insect." Her words brought a sense of reassurance to the Butler, his anger momentarily placated by the thought of the Emperor's intervention. "You are right," he muttered, his tone dark and brooding. "We missed our chance. Take care of that bitch's mother. Don't make any mistakes."
Amelia nodded eagerly, her smile widening at the prospect of carrying out her father's orders. "Don't worry, father," she replied, her voice dripping with confidence. "That small fly is easy to get rid of, using my special 'medicine.'"
A sense of satisfaction washed over the Butler as he watched his daughter, his pride swelling at her eagerness to please him. With a paternal pat on her head, he offered his approval. "Good girl."
But their conversation was interrupted by the messenger, who knelt before them, his voice barely above a whisper as he delivered his report. "My lord," he began, his words tinged with urgency. "While I was returning with the news, I noticed Duke Lucian taking Isolde."
Butler's brow furrowed in confusion at the mention of Cedric Dukedom's involvement. "Why is Cedric Dukedom getting involved in our matters?" he mused aloud, his mind racing with possibilities. "Anyways, it's good news for us. First, we need to send a messenger to the Emperor regarding this news, and spread rumors that Cedric Dukedom sent assassins to kill our poor princess." He said while shedding crocodile tears from his eyes. As the Butler's words hung in the air, thick with menace and ambition, Amelia's laughter echoed through the room, a chilling sound that sent shivers down the spines of those around her. Her eyes sparkled with a dangerous gleam as she reveled in the prospect of power and control.
"You are right, father," she chimed in, her voice dripping with confidence. "Once that bitch and her daughter are out of the way, Duke Sable would be nothing but a puppet in my hands."
The Butler nodded, his expression darkening with determination. "And you need to learn, if you want to rule over this duchy," he said, his tone laced with a hint of sinister intent. "We cannot afford any mistakes. We must ensure that our plans are executed flawlessly."
Amelia's laughter bubbled forth once more, a wicked sound that seemed to fill the room with malice. "Don't worry, father," she replied, her eyes alight with anticipation. "I will make sure that everything goes according to plan. And then, the Sable Dukedom will be ours for the taking."
Butler's frustration simmered beneath the surface as he spoke, his voice tinged with bitterness. "That bastard is even more useless than his father," he muttered, his anger palpable. "He is leading the Empire to its ruins by making his daughter the heir. But I cannot sit back and watch the prophecy come true just because of him." A sense of urgency colored his words as he continued, his gaze hardened with resolve. "We must act swiftly and decisively. We cannot allow our enemies to thwart our plans any longer."
Amelia's laughter rang out once more, a chilling sound that seemed to echo Butler's sentiments. "Don't worry, father," she said, her voice filled with confidence. "Soon, everything will be ours. And no one will be able to stand in our way."
As the butler and Amelia plotted their sinister schemes, Evelyn remained locked away in her room, consumed by worry and unaware of the dark machinations unfolding around her. In the dimly lit chamber, her thoughts were consumed by her daughter, Isolde, her heart heavy with fear for her safety.
Meanwhile, Duke Sable, wearing a grim expression, entered Evelyn's room, his presence casting a shadow over the already somber atmosphere. "Why aren't you having your meals?" he inquired, his gaze piercing as he observed Evelyn sitting alone in the darkness.
"None of your business," Evelyn retorted, her voice tinged with frustration as she refused to meet his gaze. Undeterred, Duke Sable approached her, his movements purposeful as he grabbed her and pulled her to her feet. "Your daughter is dead. Isn't it your responsibility to give me another one?" he stated coldly, his words cutting through the silence like a knife.
Evelyn recoiled at his words, disbelief and horror washing over her. "No... you are lying! Isolde isn't dead!" she cried out, her voice filled with desperation and denial. "Just now, I received the news that their carriage was attacked in the middle of their journey, and Isolde's body is still missing," Duke Sable informed her, his tone unyielding.
"No... that can't be true... no!!!" Evelyn's voice cracked with anguish as she struck out at him, her fists pounding against his chest in a futile attempt to deny the truth. Duke Sable's response was callous; he kissed her deeply, forcing something into her mouth as she struggled against him. Evelyn recoiled, biting his lips in defiance and pushing him away, her lips stained with the taste of whatever he had given her.
"What did you feed me?!" she demanded, her voice laced with fear and anger. "You will understand soon," Duke Sable replied cryptically, his expression unreadable as he watched her reaction. Before Evelyn could press further, a wave of dizziness washed over her, and she fell unconscious, her body slumping against the cold floor. "Call for the doctor," Duke Sable commanded the guards, his voice echoing through the room as he turned to leave, leaving Evelyn alone in the darkness, her fate uncertain.
To be continued...