The Lycan King and his Dark Temptation (Valeria) novel Chapter 374

KATHERINE

"…She’s innocent! You have to believe me, I need to see the Duke, I beg you! The ducal carriage! Your Eminence, please, listen to me!"

"Stop, you crazy woman! Don’t you dare approach Her Ladyship!"

The commotion reached my ears—the desperate cries and shouts of a woman.

I opened the door and leaned out.

There she was, just a few meters away—a young woman, restrained by two guards, pinned to the dusty ground with her hands bound.

"Stop this!" I shouted, grabbing my dress and nearly leaping down the carriage steps.

I stormed forward, furious. No matter the circumstances, no woman should be treated like this.

"Your Ladyship, she is the daughter of the traitorous butler!" one of the guards holding her informed me.

"My father is innocent, Your Grace, I beg you! Just a few minutes of your time could save an innocent man!" she struggled, breaking free from the guards’ grip.

On her knees, she clung to the hem of my dress. The desperation in her eyes tore at my heart.

"Only the Duke can determine that, I’m sorry. I—"

"You can speak to the Duke! My father knows who did it. He knows! He’ll tell the Duke—or you! Look, look, he gave me this letter, he gave it to me in prison…!"

She frantically searched through the pockets of her skirt, pulling out a crumpled, blood-stained piece of paper.

With trembling hands, she held it up to me, pleading for me to read it, sobbing uncontrollably.

"How dare you hand such a filthy paper to Her Ladyship?!"

A sudden exclamation behind me made me turn, along with the loud snort of a horse.

Everyone turned to see a light-haired man dismounting with authority, his eyes filled with pure hatred as they landed on the girl.

She shrank back against my dress, fear stark on her face.

"Give that to me!"

"Wait a moment!" I stepped in front of his outstretched hand, blocking him from snatching the letter. "Who are you to come here and make decisions on my behalf?"

I met his gaze, icy and unyielding. I didn’t know why, but something about this newcomer gave me a very bad feeling.

"I am one of the commanders of the Everhart Duchy’s border guard, Your Grace. I apologize for presenting myself under such circumstances," he said, bowing with what seemed like respect.

"I was on my way to visit my mother and found this woman attacking you—right in front of these incompetent fools!"

He barked at the soldiers stationed at the gate, who lowered their heads. He clearly outranked them.

"And who is your mother?"

"Ah, allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Francis Lemar Prescott, son of the housekeeper, Mrs. Prescott," he said, and suddenly, his confidence made sense.

"I see. Then, thank you for your assistance, but it won’t be necessary…"

"Duchess, don’t worry, I’ll handle this—"

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