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 evil! 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 blame! 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, her eyes evasive and guilty, Athena felt a sharp sting in her heart.

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.

Athena slowly nodded, her tone icy. “Then you should act quickly. If the king finds out before this is resolved, it’ll be too late for anything.”

Her words snapped Henry out of his daze.

He nodded repeatedly and said to Eloise and Joseph, “To the palace, now. Beg His Majesty for mercy.”

Joseph turned pale, backing away step by step. “No! Father, you can’t do this to me! I’m your—”

“Joseph, Joseph…” Eloise sobbed uncontrollably as she slowly approached him. “Don’t be afraid. I will face it with you.”

“You’re lying!” Joseph suddenly broke down. “I was the one who broke the vase. If the king punishes anyone, it’ll be me alone. How can I survive eighty strokes?”

He collapsed at her feet, bawling. “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.

Though Henry pitied his son, there was nothing he could do.

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.”

Joseph’s face turned ashen. It was clear: he was doomed.

Athena sneered and turned to leave. Just then, several figures appeared in front of her.

Henry and Eloise immediately dropped to their knees, calling out, “Greetings, Prince Fermin!”

Athena’s heart skipped a beat, and she too knelt hastily.

Fermin Miller was the King’s eldest legitimate son, born of the Queen.

In the eyes of the public, he was generous and gentle, full of noble grace.

He welcomed the virtuous, rich or poor alike, and earned great favor among scholars.

In times of disaster, he was always the first to extend aid, donating money or setting up kitchens.

He was immensely popular among the people, who even called him a “wise prince.”

Everyone believed Fermin to be kind and virtuous, but only Athena knew otherwise. Beneath that perfect image lay a ruthless heart.

She had met him as a child, during a visit to his residence with Nicolas. Back then, a servant had accidentally broken a teacup.

Fermin didn’t blame him at the time, but afterward, he had the servant killed.

Athena had been very young then, just playing around.

She had crawled under the table to retrieve a ball and saw the whole thing clearly.

The servant’s blood had even splattered beneath the table.

She was so terrified that she fell ill for days and never went back to Fermin Manor again.

Perhaps that childhood fear had left too deep a scar. Even now, as an adult, she still felt chills when she saw him.

Fermin was no kind soul.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

By the time the thought passed through her mind, Fermin was already standing before her.

Athena had no choice but to suppress her fear and offer her greetings.