“If that old man can have you, why can’t I? I’m younger, stronger – isn’t that better?”
His words sent a chilling wave through my body, and I froze. “Caelan, you...”
But before I could finish, he cut me off, moving closer as if he no longer wanted to hear my protests.
“Genevieve, why won’t you understand? I truly love you...” he whispered, his voice filled with the raw agony of someone who had been holding in their suffering for far too long.
My heart pounded, terrified of what he was about to say.
If I allowed him to continue down this path, there would be no turning back.
I knew that if this unspeakable crime were ever discovered, not only would I be ruined, but he would forever be branded a monster, condemned for all eternity.
“Is it my death you seek?” I asked, my voice icy and unyielding, finally halting his frenzied advance.
“If you continue, you’ll see my lifeless body by morning. Is that what you want?”
I spoke with such finality, leaving no room for doubt. He needed to know that I was not bluffing.
He stared at me for a long moment, his tears suddenly falling, one by one.
I remembered so vividly the days when he was just a little boy, clinging to me as his only source of comfort in the cold, cruel palace.
I had held him, kissed him, loved him. He had been my sole solace in this barren life.
Seeing him cry like this, I felt my heart softening despite myself, and tears pricked at the corners of my own eyes.
“Mother, please rest early tonight,” he murmured, stepping away from the bed and averting his gaze.
With a stiff bow, he left without another word.
I didn’t sleep at all that night.
The next morning, Viola came in to help me prepare for the day.
That’s when I learned the horrifying truth: all the servants in my chambers the night before had been dragged away and executed.
Viola knelt at my feet, trembling so violently she could barely speak. It seemed she was nearly paralyzed with fear.
In a way, I understood why he did it. The palace was filled with prying eyes and loose tongues, and he likely did this to silence any potential witnesses forever.
But he hadn’t consulted me – hadn’t even warned me before spilling so much blood.
Was it truly for this reason alone?
I hesitated, unsure of what else to believe.
After the morning court session, Caelan burst into my chambers, practically dragging a veiled woman along with him.