Willow pursed her lips and said respectfully, “Your Majesty, this is a facial mask I prepared. When applied, it will leave your skin soft and smooth, and gradually reduce wrinkles…”
The Queen cared most about her appearance, but time had stolen her youthful radiance. New and beautiful women kept entering the palace one after another, and the King hadn’t set foot in the Queen’s chambers for over a year. Even when he did, he’d just take a short break and leave right away. Though the women in the Core Palace appeared respectful on the surface, they were all secretly mocking the Queen for failing to retain the King’s favor. Because of this, the Queen had summoned numerous beauticians to adjust her cosmetics. Yet she saw little improvement.
Hearing Willow’s words, the Queen’s interest was instantly piqued. “Is that really true?” she asked, her voice filled with a mixture of hope and skepticism.
“I dare not deceive Your Majesty,” Willow replied respectfully, “However, this remedy requires consistent, long-term use to show its true effects.”
Still somewhat skeptical, the Queen motioned for Willow to step forward and demonstrate.
Willow carefully applied the mask to the palace maid’s face. Fifteen minutes later, she peeled it off, revealing skin that was now visibly more supple and dewy.
Seeing this, the Queen beamed with delight and said, “Willow, you truly are a gifted lady. It’s truly a blessing for the Osborne family to have you join them.”
“I would gladly do anything to ease Your Majesty’s mind,” Willow replied respectfully.
The blaze of anger in the Queen’s heart had largely died down. Now that she had found a scapegoat, her fury toward Michael naturally diminished as well. However, she wasn’t about to let this matter slide so easily.
“Go back and discipline your son properly. Knock some sense into him. If he dares to do something this foolish again, I will show absolutely no leniency,” the Queen declared coldly.
Kelsey breathed a genuine sigh of relief and repeatedly assured the Queen, “Your Majesty, rest assured. I swear such a thing will never happen again.”
The Queen responded coolly, “I am tired now. You may leave.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Kelsey and Willow prostrated themselves in deep reverence before withdrawing from the hall.
Not long after Kelsey and Willow returned to the Osborne residence, a servant rushed in with urgent news. “Mrs. Osborne, the Viscountess and Prince Xander have returned to Pidence City.”
Hearing this, Kelsey felt a chill run down her spine. She looked out the window. Unknowingly, dark clouds gathered above them. The sky hung oppressively low, so dark and heavy it seemed ready to crash down, filling her with creeping dread.
She said, “Looks like something big is going to happen today.”
Willow asked nervously, “Mother, what do you think Athena might do?”
Even though this case seemed unrelated to the Osborne family, Willow couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling.
Chapter 301
She couldn’t help but recall that harrowing night three years ago, when the imperial Guards surrounded Kurtis’s residence. However, the duke’s estate remained firmly closed, turning a deaf ear to this matter.
Outside the Heaven Hall, Athena knelt on the white marble steps. The drizzling rain soaked through her clothes, sending an uncontrollable shiver through her body as the biting cold seeped into her bones. In her hands, Athena held aloft the evidence that would vindicate Kurtis.
Looking up at the towering palace, Athena called out loudly, “Your Majesty, your humble servant Athena Monson, pleads for justice for General Kurtis Perkins. My grandfather never embezzled. I implore Your Majesty to investigate this matter thoroughly!”
Her voice echoed through the Imperial Palace. Inside the Heaven Hall, Arthur Cavendish’s eyes snapped open. “Who dares cause such disturbance outside our chambers?” he demanded.
“Your Majesty, it’s Viscountess Athena,” Thanatus Harold reported, his face tense and voice barely above a whisper, “She’s outside pleading for General Perkins‘ vindication.”
Arthur pondered for a moment, then a sudden realization flashed in his eyes. “Where is Kurtis now?”
Thanatus replied respectfully, “Your Majesty, he is currently residing in a remote village in the northwestern region.”
Arthur let out a thoughtful hum. “It’s been three years, and he’s still alive.”
Thanatus couldn’t fathom Arthur’s thoughts, so he dared not offer any response. Thanatus stood respectfully to the side, cautiously observing Arthur’s expression.
Arthur cleared his throat lightly before issuing the imperial command, “Bring her in.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Thanatus replied respectfully, then took a few steps back and exited the Heaven Hall.
Hearing the approaching footsteps, Athena looked up to see Thanatus. With anxious eyes fixed on him, she asked nervously, “Thanatus, does His Majesty wish to see me?”
Thanatus looked a bit troubled. He bowed respectfully to Xander, who stood to the side, and said, “Your Highness.”
Xander nodded slightly. Then Thanatus turned to Athena and said respectfully, “Please rise, Viscountess. His Majesty requests your presence.”
Hearing this, Athena’s face lit up with joy as she rose to her feet, but in her excitement, she nearly stumbled back down. Xander steadied her with a hand on her arm. Meeting his worried gaze, Athena managed a faint but reassuring smile and said, “Don’t worry about me. I can handle this.”
“Alright, I’ll go with you,” Xander said gently, staying by Athena’s side as they entered the Heaven Hall together.
The moment Athena and Xander stepped into view, Arthur’s authoritative gaze immediately fixed on them. Athena fell to the ground. After performing a deep ceremonial bow, she raised the evidence high above her head. With conviction, she declared, “Your Majesty, I have irrefutable proof that General Perkins never embezzled a single coin.
“Long before the military pay was even due, he had already sold off his assets and personally distributed all the money to the soldiers.
“These pawn tickets clearly record the exact year, month, and day of each transaction, what items were pawned, and how much money were obtained.
“Furthermore, the precise use of every single coin is meticulously documented in this ledger for all to see.”
Athena’s voice was choked with anguish, every word heavy with sorrow as she fought back tears. Kurtis had borne the stigma of infamy for years and was subsequently exiled to a remote region. After he had suffered so much, Athena vowed to clear his name.
Thanatus handed the evidence to Arthur. Arthur frowned as he examined the pawn tickets, his eyes misting over. Kurtis sold off all his properties and land, keeping only a dilapidated home. Every penny he made from the sales was distributed as military pay. Even though Kurtis exhausted every possible means, the fund was ultimately insufficient, and many soldiers still went without their pay. The wives and children of unpaid soldiers went to Kurtis’s residence and wailed in despair. Adults, children, and the elderly wept together, their cries merging into a heartrending chorus. Even worse, some people who were desperate to feed their children were driven to prostitute themselves just to put food on the table.
As Arthur examined the pawn tickets, the haunting memories of that tragic year came flooding back to him. He thought, ‘This was the bitter shame of Petanion, and my profound failure as its Emperor.
‘How could I have the dignity to sit upon the throne when I couldn’t even protect my people?’
Arthur’s eyes were red–rimmed and glistening with tears, while Thanatus found himself discreetly wiping away a tear as well. Arthur looked at Athena, his eyes brimming with profound gratification. “You are truly remarkable. If your grandfather were to know, he would be deeply proud of you.”
Athena gazed desperately at Arthur and pleaded, “Your Majesty, I only ask you to clear my grandfather’s name. He never embezzled the military funds. There must be a conspiracy at play. I beg you, Your Majesty, please order a thorough reinvestigation of this case!”
Xander seized the moment and spoke up. “As your brother, Your Majesty, I wish to share your burden and will leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of this case.”
Faced with irrefutable evidence, Arthur finally relented. “Very well. Xander, you shall take charge of this investigation.”
Arthur looked at Athena, who was kneeling before him. After a brief pause, he added, “Athena, you will assist Xander in this investigation.”
This outcome was more than enough to send Athena into raptures. Athena bowed deeply before Arthur and declared, “My deepest thanks for Your Majesty’s unbound grace.”
Athena thought, ‘As long as I’m allowed to investigate, there’s still hope.’
Tears streamed down Athena’s face as she looked up at Arthur and pleaded, “Your Majesty, my grandfather has been wrongfully accused. Before the full truth of this case comes to light, may I be allowed to see him just once?”
She desperately wanted to see Kurtis.
Arthur shook his head and said sternly, “Granting you permission to reinvestigate this case is already an immense favor. I am taking a great risk by allowing this. The investigation must be conducted discreetly; it absolutely cannot be made public. Do you understand?”
Athena nodded softly, her voice subdued. “I understand perfectly well, Your Majesty.”
Athena thought, ‘If we conduct a high–profile investigation, the people behind this might act recklessly and even resort to murder to silence anyone in their way.’
Chapter 302