Chapter 116
Chapter 116
The courtyard was deathly silent, with only the cold wind brushing past the treetops, rustling softly.
Henry stood motionless like a statue, dazed,
It was a long while before he slowly came to his senses, his eyes filled with confusion and helplessness.
The duke’s estate was going through turbulent times. The fine silver hadn’t yet been fully collected, and now another charge had inexplicably been added.
The two matters stacked atop one another felt like a mountain pressing on Henry’s chest, leaving him barely able to breathe.
Just then, Eloise slowly regained consciousness.
Her eyes still carried a lingering haze as she weakly looked around. Her gaze eventually landed on Joseph,
In an instant, fury and shock flashed in her eyes. She suddenly raised her hand and slapped Joseph hard, her voice trembling as she asked, “How dare you? How dare you do something like this? That was an imperial gift!”
Though it looked like she’d used all her strength, the slap landed lightly on Joseph, causing no real harm.
Joseph knelt there in a daze, unable even to cry, eyes full of panic and bewilderment.
Eloise could no longer suppress the despair within her and burst into tears. “What are we to do now? What on earth should we do?”
Henry said, “To damage an imperial gift if he confesses voluntarily, perhaps His Majesty might grant forgiveness, just a punishment of eighty strokes. But if it’s concealed, the consequences could be unimaginable.”
Athena’s eyes were cold as she glanced lightly at Joseph and spoke slowly
She said, “Grandmother had warned Lady Eloise before to discipline Lord Joseph properly. I never thought he’d still cause such a disaster.”
Joseph suddenly exploded like a powder keg. He leapt up and charged at Athena.
His eyes flashed with malice as he roared, “You! This is all your fault, if anyone should be punished, it should be you!”
He actually raised his fist, intending to strike Athena.
However, before he could even reach her, Athena sidestepped swiftly and kicked him precisely in the shin.
Joseph let out a sharp scream and collapsed to the ground clutching his leg in pain.
“Joseph” Eloise’s eyes reddened with distress. She rushed to his side, asking anxiously, “Are you alright? Does it hurt?”
Joseph, face contorted from the pain, sobbed. “It hurts so much! Mother, she’s evill if not for Athena, I wouldn’t be in this mess!”
Clutching Eloise’s sleeve tightly, he wailed, “Mother, I don’t want to go to the palace for punishment Athena caused this. She should take the blama! Mother, please…!”
Each cry of “Mother” was like a knife cutting into Eloise’s heart.
With red eyes, she wiped her tears and looked up at Athena, only to see the girl staring at her with mocking contempt.
“What? Three years in the army wasn’t enough? You want to throw me in again?“Athena sneered
When Eloise remained silent eyes evasive and guilty, Athena felt a sharp sting in her heart
Chapter 116
Athena added, “Too bad your little scheme won’t work. So many people witnessed Lord Joseph himself breaking the imperial vase. If you dare try to swap identities, that’s a crime of deceiving the emperor.”
Perhaps her hatred was too apparent, or maybe her words hit right at the thoughts that had just surfaced in Eloise’s mind.
Wanting to salvage her image in Athena’s heart, Eloise hurriedly defended, “Athena, how could you think that? You are flesh of my flesh. How could I do
such a thing to you?”
Athena looked at her hypocritical face and felt only disgust.
Eyes never lie. Even if Eloise said nothing, she had clearly considered it.
“Joseph, Joseph…“Eloise sobbed uncontrollably as she slowly approached him. “Don’t be afraid. I will face it with you.”
He collapsed at her feet, bowling. “Mother, didn’t you love me most? Why aren’t you covering for me now! Say something, Mother!”
Faced with his accusations, Eloise could only weep silently into her handkerchief.
He forced himself to remain composed and said, “I’ll do my best to plead for you, but as for the result, it’s not in my hands. If I can preserve your life, that will be fortunate enough.”
Henry and Eloise immediately dropped to their knees, calling out, Greetings, Prince Fermin!”
Athena’s heart skipped a beat, and she too knelt hastily
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