Chapter 7
The Crown’s chief physicians were summoned to the Whitmore Estate immediately.
When Ronan’s men arrived to report, the Queen Dowager scoffed, thinking Annabelle was stirring trouble again. But when she heard it was about Eleanor, tea nearly sprayed from her mouth.
“Lady Eleanor? She should be dead by now.” Confused, the Dowager followed the procession to the Regent Duke’s estate.
Today was the young Lord’s christening banquet, and the entire estate was draped in lavish finery.
Yet the Queen Dowager learned that before the feast even began, Ronan had dismissed all the guests without so
Within the hall, servants wore strange expressions–tension big thick in the air.
much as appearing
Only in a secluded courtyard did things bustle anew.
Crowds gathered: royal physicians, esteemed healers from the city, priests, and enigmatic hermits whose names were spoken with hushed suspicion.
The Queen Dowager’s eyes locked on Ronam–his hair white as snow, his posture haunted.
Ronen bowed stiffly
Unable to contain herself, the Dowager finally spoke, “You’ve stirred enough scandal already with that foolish selection of the heir. What madness is this Inow?”
To treat Eleanor and her children.”
Ronan’s voice was flat, as if noting the hour, yet a chill gripped the Dowager, certain her son’s mind was troubled.
Ronan turned to oversee the physicians, “Let there be no further deceit. Only those tending her wounds may approach Lady Eleanor.”
One by one, the doctors entered the chamber and emerged shaking their heads.
After the last physician delivered the same grim verdict–no hope–Ronan smiled faintly.
The doctors exchanged nervous glances and hurried off, gold coins in hand.
Unmoved, Ronan approached the mystics and demanded loudly, “Who here can bring the dead back to life?”
They exchanged uneasy looks, then all shook their heads.
Sighing deeply, Ronan pressed,” Is there no way to defy this fate? No miracle to restore her?”
Silence swallowed the courtyard.
Finally, the royal chaplain stepped forward, “Your Grace, death is the Lord’s decree, We must bow to God’s will, for life and death rest in His hands alone.”
flonan’s eyes reddered. Whispering to himself, The Lord granted me her presence once, and I failed to honor it.”
His punishment was harsh, and it came because of his own misjudgment.
His guards, seeing him retreat into himself again, sighed and dispersed the crowd
Though the Oren Dowager knew the truth, she kept silent–bound by a promise to Eleanor
And, to be fair, this was all her son’s doing.
She stopped forward, patting Ronan’s shoulder. “If it’s come to this, then live your lite with Annabelle. She is your mercy after all.”
“Remember, Lady Annabelle is a favor you’ve granted repeatedly. Don’t cover the Duchess’s title anymore.”
“Her father’s corruption in military supplies led to General Viremont’s deaths. It’s a mercy their family wasn’t wiped out.”
Roman looked
bewildered, “Mother—wasn’t it you who conspired to exile the Cranes, just to secure the Eleanor’s place?”
The Dowager sighed heavily, “The evidence was undeniable. How could I fabricate such proat?”
“The Viremonts died in battle, no family left. Their legacy alone justifies Eleanor’s place–even a queen couldn’t match it. Why would I need to topple a traitor’s daughter to make a Chichess?”
Her brow furrowed deeply. “Think carefully, Ronan. If it were you, would you spare a traitorous tamily who embezzled military supplies?” Chipm 7
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Those words struck like thunder, illuminating the tangled truths of past and present.
It was a
all his fault, from the start. Eleanor hadn’t driven Annabelle to death.
In former times, the court had begun to uncover treachery in provisioning the crown’s forces, and all conspirators were to be brought to justice. Yet now, with Ronan forsaking his duties to the realm, the reckoning had not yet begun.
Ronan threw back his head and laughed, tears streaming like blood down his face.
Slowly, he entered the chamber, cradling Eleanor and the children’s lifeless bodies,
Those who have sinned must seek redemption.
Pressing a gentle kiss to Elemor’s forehead, he whispered, “Eleanor, once I purge the guilty, Ewill come to apologize in person.”
