Elara’s POV
My eyes narrowed as I stared at the man across the room. Gorden. Dora’s fiancé. This was an unexpected twist.
It was clear now–Dora had run home, panicked, and told him everything about last night. I didn’t think she meant to cause trouble, but Gorden? He was the kind of guy who would bend over backward to please anyone who’d listen, even if that meant working with the very monsters who had tried to hurt Dora. He was the last person I expected to be standing here.
A gasp filled the room. One of the soldiers jumped to his feet, pointing a finger at Thorne and me.
“Well, well, looks like we’ve caught you red–handed,” he sneered. “What do you have to say for yourself, huh?”
Thorne, ever unflappable, crossed his arms, his face a mask of cold disdain. “I don’t intend to say anything. This is all nonsense.”
“But you heard the witness,” the soldier persisted.
“This man’s testimony is worthless!” I snapped. “You’ve got him here to frame us, haven’t you? You’re using him as your pawn in this sick game.”
Lance, standing off to the side, let out a sigh. “Gamma Elara, we’re not here for this. We’re trying to figure out who killed Dantan.”
“Then why is his fiancé hiding in the shadows, huh?” I shot back, stepping toward Gorden. His face went ashen when I neared.
“You’re not even the first one to witness anything,” I added, leaning down to meet his terrified gaze. “Where’s your fiancé?”
Gorden stumbled over his words, his voice cracking, “She… she didn’t want to come.”
“Oh? And why not?” I asked, my tone icy.
He shifted uncomfortably, eyes darting away. Then he met Lance’s gaze, and I saw it. That flash of terror in Gorden’s eyes when he looked at Lance. That was all I needed to know.
“My fiancé is too scared,” Gorden mumbled, his voice shaking. “She thought you’d hurt her if she came here. She sent me instead. You–you cold–hearted bastards.”
A surge of fury rushed through me. I wanted to slap him, to scream at him for being so spineless.
Did he not realize the people standing before him, including Lance, were the very ones responsible for the pain Dora had suffered? If it hadn’t been for Thorne and me, Dora would’ve been lost by now–vulnerable and at the mercy of monsters like these.
But before I could voice my anger, Thorne stepped forward, his steps heavy with purpose. Without a word, he swung his leg and kicked Gorden’s chest, sending him crashing into the wall. Gorden let out a strangled cry and spat blood onto the floor.
“What the hell are you doing?!” someone shouted.
The room exploded in chaos. Soldiers drew their blades in a heartbeat, surrounding us in a tight circle.
Thorne stood still, glaring down at them as if they were ants at his feet. “Move one step closer and I’ll make you regret it,” he g
Lance stepped forward, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear. “Thorne, are you trying to murder the witness? Destroy the evidence?”
Thorne turned slowly, eyes locked on the crowd. Everyone took an involuntary step back, including Lance. “I will not let some idiot slander me in front of my people,” he said, voice cold as ice.
“You invited me here, Lance,” Thorne continued, his voice low but carrying a dangerous edge. “You wanted my presence, so you better learn to deal with it. If you keep pushing me, you’ll regret it. And trust me—you won’t like my temper.”
1/3
Chapter 130
Lance’s face paled. He inhaled sharply, his eyes flashing with a flicker of fear.
The tension in the room was palpable, like the air itself had thickened. Everyone stood frozen, waiting for a single spark to Ignite the chaos. I stood next to Thorne, heart hammering in my chest. It felt like the world was holding its breath.
“Enough!” Lance finally barked. His voice was louder now, demanding. “Everyone–put your weapons down.”
A murmur ran through the room as the soldiers hesitated, eyes flicking between Lance and Thorne.
“I said, drop them,” Lance repeated, his voice firm now, though it held an undertone of discomfort. “This is not how we treat guests.”
Reluctantly, the soldiers lowered their weapons, but their glares never wavered.
I raised an eyebrow, watching them closely. Lance was bending far more than I expected. But why? Was he afraid of Thorne? Or was he just playing a bigger game? I couldn’t tell yet, but I knew there was something more to his plan.
“Are we really going to let them walk free?” one of the soldiers questioned, his voice hesitant.
Before Lance could respond, the door slammed open, and a new figure rushed inside.
It was Andre.
“My King!” Andre gasped, clearly winded from running. “Why wasn’t I included in the trial? Why am I not part of this investigation?”
Lance forced a smile, his tone almost mocking. “Andre, I feared you were still too upset over your father’s death to deal with all of this. But I’m glad you’re
here now.”
“What’s happening here?” Andre demanded, his eyes darting around the room. “Catch me up.”
Lance nodded toward Gorden. “A witness has come forward.” He motioned to Gorden, who stood cowering in the corner, eyes wide. “He claims that Daron and Elara were responsible for General Danton’s death.”
Andre’s face twisted in disgust. “Bullshit!” he snarled, shaking his head.
A ripple of whispers spread through the room. Everyone turned to Andre, looking confused and suspicious.
“Are you sure about this?” one man asked, voice skeptical. “The witness said-”
“I’m sure,” Andre interrupted, his voice growing louder. “My father didn’t die at anyone’s hands. He overdosed on drugs. He wasn’t murdered.”
Gasps echoed through the room as people exchanged looks of disbelief.
“And the marks on his body?” someone asked, their voice shaking.
Andre’s posture stiffened, and he spoke with a voice that brooked no argument. “Last night, my father was in a good mood, so he took too much. More than he should’ve. I tried to stop him, but he wouldn’t listen. He started having a seizure. That’s when he bit his tongue off.”
“He bit his tongue off?” someone whispered.
Andre nodded. “Yes. I tried to help, but he went insane. He grabbed a blade and tried to hurt me. We fought. That’s h
got the cut on his throat.”
The room fell silent. It was a shocking revelation. Everyone stared at Andre, but doubt still lingered in the air. Gorden straightened up, his face turning red with fury. “You’re lying!” he shouted. “Dora told me everything. She saw them kill Danton with her own eyes!”
Andre’s eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward, his voice cold as steel. “I’m lying?” he asked, his tone dripping with disdain. “I’m Danton’s son, and I’m telling you what happened. Why would I lie about my own father?”
11:06 Wed, 30 Jul G
Chapter 130
People nodded, murmuring in agreement. Everyone knew how
much Danton loved Andre.
Then Andre did something no one expected. He stalked toward
Gorden,
grabbing him
by the hair
and
yanking his head back.
“You filthy
liar,” Andre hissed..
“You don’t
get to
tarnish my
ame
with
your
bullshit.
You’ll
pay for this.”
“I didn’t-” Gorden stuttered, -eyed.
wide-
Andre ignored this insult.”
him, his voice
booming through the
hall. “My King,
this
man’s execution. He has lied about
my
father’s death,
, and he will pay for
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