Lord Witcharoft gaped as he recognised the witch being brought forward. When Nickolai called for a favour to help him try and see if he could read Richard's thought, he had been blocked at every attempt.
Usually when a witch perform a spell, there is always something being left behind, like a trademark or signature to identify the witch who made the spell. He had found it strange when nothing like that could be found, which meant it must had been done by quite a powerful witch, one who was strong enough to erase all traces.
How could he have forgotten so fast that Mimulke could be the one? He and her had a history, he had long forgotten about her until now. There was no way Nickolai would have been involved with a greedy witch like Mimulke, Lord Witcharoft recalled their unpleasant past.
The dark cloak covering Mimulke made it impossible for people to see her clearly, she smirked as she saw the surprised look on Harold Witcharoft when she lifted her head for him to see.
She heard the buzzing sound, including one which asked how they could know if she was actually a tainted witch. Letting go of her cloak, the room went dead in silence, seeing the contorted face.
Without batting an eyelash, Alpha Weinroff asked, "and who might you be?"
Richard answered in her stead, "she's Mimulke, the witch Aliona consulted"
Aliona reeled back on her seat, beyond surprised to see her face, "oh my goodness! This is her real face?" She was dumbfounded.
It was beyond clear that Mimulke was a tainted witch, the magnitude of deformity already showed how far gone she had been involved in dark magic.
Aliona looked at Josephine who had been studying her face ever since Mimulke walked in. Ali felt hurt that Josephine went to the extent of luring her, all because she wanted a title for her husband.
There was no hint of remorse on Josephine's face, rather, the satisfying smile painted on her face as she gazed at the devastating look on Ali.
Aliona regretted not listening to Nickolai and Vivian, she would blame herself for a long time if Nickolai lost his title because of her foolishness. Nickolai grabbed her hands to calm her, feeling how down and regretful she suddenly felt.
"Is it true you're the witch whom Lady Aliona sought a child?"
"Yes"
Apha Weinroff looked at Aliona who nodded her head to confirm, ashamed but she nodded anyway.
Feeling happy that Ali had confessed to knowing Mimulke, Lakefield spoke, "it is clear now that Lord and Lady Orsini are involved with a tainted witch, in that case, I think it's best to disqualify him"
Aliona quickly jumped to her feet in defence of her husband, "I didn't know she was a tainted witch, in fact, that was not how she looked when I saw her and Nickolai knew nothing about it"
Lord Witcharoft stood demanding silence from the members, facing Mimulke he asked, "was it true that she approached you on her own accord or do you have a reason to believe she was sent or lured to come to you?"
"I think she approached me, knowing I could use dark magic to help her conceive a child"
Alpha Weinroff asked, "and what did you tell her to do to get a child?"
"I gave her a potion to drink, I'm sure you would see all the proof you need if you search her body. By now, at least, a discolouration of some sort should have started showing."
"Are you saying if we search her body and found a strange mark, or deformity, that should clear our doubt on who is telling the truth and who is lying, correct?"
Lord Witcharoft looked at everyone pointedly as they all nodded, agreeing that Aliona body be checked.
"Ok then. She will be taken to one of the vacant rooms upstairs to check her. Lady Weinroff, please do the honour."
Richard objected, "to be fair, I would like if my wife is present as well"
Lady Weinroff glared, her eyes slightly turned orange, which means her wolf was starting to appear, she felt insulted, "are you saying I can't be fair?"
Alpha Worwick who had been quiet the whole time, approached her carefully to calm her. He turned to Lord Witcharoft, "I think it's best if Lady Josephine do it."
"And how would we know if she was telling the truth"
Lord Witcharoft handed a cup to Josephine, "here's the truth serum." Motioning for her to drink, "she will have no choice than to tell the truth."
Satisfied, silence overrode the air as everyone watched them leave, accompanied by the guards. A look of apprehension could be seen on the seating members as everyone anticipated the result, Nickolai relaxed since he knew nothing would be found on her body.
Few minutes later, both sisters-in-law were back, seeing the defeated look on Josephine, Nickolai knew it was over. "So, did you find anything on her?" Lord Witcharoft asked.
With a conquered shake of head, "no" Josephine answered.
Richard and Mimulke were surprised, they had been so sure it would be there.
The ever impatient Alpha of the Blackcresent pack, Alpha Weinroff spoke, "I think now it's obvious what is going on. Someone is trying to implicate Nickolai or wants him to be disqualified by claiming he was involved with a tainted witch. They knew he was too smart to fall for their nonsense so they targeted his innocent wife, using what she wanted the most, her weakness to destroy her" clapping her hands to indicate the charade is over, "Lord Witcharoft, I think we're done proving Nickolai's innocence. It's about time we ended this meeting, we don't have all day"
"Not before we sanction Lord Lakefield who agreed to shoulder the responsibility of facing the consequences on his insistence to follow through with this rumour" Eric stood.
Lord Lakefield who had wished they had forgotten, glared at Richard who refused to look at him and Eric who reminded the house.
Alpha Weinroff snorted, "how could we have forgotten? I wondered how Richard knew Mimulke and how she got here if this wasn't planned all along." Not asking anybody in particular, "coincidence?"
Everyone mumbled in agreement, it was agreed to suspend Lord Lakefield who had initially been standing in for the actual representative who had been indisposed. The human faction would be penalised due to his bad judgement. Since Richard is not a member and majority of the people present were just here to witness the handing over, it was concluded that his punishment will be decided by their fellow vampires.
***********
"I want you and your wife gone first thing tomorrow morning" Nickolai declared as soon as they all got back to the Manor. News had spread already, clearing Nickolai and his wife of their name and that the actual culprit was Lord Richard.
"I have as much right to be here as you. This is my home too" Richard retorted.
"Do you realise the gravity of the crime you committed by associating with a tainted witch? If I had not pulled some strings you would be rotting in the vampire dungeon by now. For the sake of your wife and your unborn baby, I would advised you take your leave now and go back home"
Realising he had been defeated, Richard shut his mouth, frustration etched on his face. Josephine tugged at the edge of his sleeve to tell him to back down. She was tired of the condescending look that was being thrown at her by the other members.
She was smart to know that nothing could be done at this moment, if they wanted to have a chance of winning later, they had to go back and restrategize so as to have a stronger plan next time.
With that in mind, she announced, "I think I'm close to childbirth and I would like to do it at home where everything has been prepared. If you'll excuse us, we need to retire early to make the journey back home very early tomorrow" with that said, she pulled his headstrong husband along. Ignoring the questioning look he threw her way. Frustrated and in hesitant, Richard followed his wife.
The next morning, an air of tranquility dwelled in the Manor as everyone breathed with relief as they watched Richard and his wife left. In the kitchen with the girls, Maggie prepared an extraordinary meal for everyone.
"Is this a celebratory meal in honour of the departure of our guests?" Fiona asked.
"No" that was the only answer Maggie gave her, even though they all knew it was.
A knowing smile was displayed on Fiona and Jane's, "if you say so" they spoke in unison, making Vivian giggled as she watched them teased the head cook.