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Matthew handed her Eleanor’s statement. “Please take a look.”
As Sophie sat down and quickly skimmed through the report, her expression shifted to one of exasperation.
She looked at Rafael and asked, “You…
want to submit this to the king just like that?”
“Yes. Exactly like that,” Rafael replied decisively.
Sophie wasn’t concerned that Salvador would actually believe Eleanor’s words. Anyone with half a brain wouldn’t fall for such nonsense.
Salvador knew that Rafael and his people had uncovered this rebellion case, If Rafael was the mastermind, wouldn’t that mean he was effectively stabbing himself in the back?
It simply didn’t make sense.
But wouldn’t submitting such an unreasonable confession make the king think Rafael was trying to pull a clumsy cover??p?
Rafael understood Sophie’s concerns and said, “It’s fine. Since she said it, we can’t just ignore it. His Majesty is eager to see her initial statement. He wants to sift through it for any clues that might validate his suspicions.
Sophie realized that relying on this testimony wouldn’t lead to any verifiable truths.
“I’ll accompany you to the palace to see His Majesty. We need him to make a decision regarding Jessica’s situation,” she stated firmly.
Rafael and Sophie traveled to the palace by carriage. Ever since the rebellion case had emerged, their lives had become a whirlwind of chaos, leaving them barely enough time to exchange a few words before collapsing into bed.
As they traveled, Rafael wrapped his arm around Carlson and said, “There’s something I need to tell you upfront, just so you won’t be disappointed.”
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know what you’re going to say. His Majesty won’t execute Eleanor, will he?”
Sophie leaned against his broad chest, her eyelids growing heavy. She didn’t mind the fighting and killing on the battlefield, but the constant travel to gather testimonies and enduring the sarcastic remarks from various families was wearing her down, especially when dealing with those who were overly self- important.
“I mentioned Yuvan to him, but His Majesty didn’t ask you to investigate him. With his level of suspicion, how could he not look into Yuvan? I suspect he sent someone else to check. He probably sent people from the Crown Guard and Shadow Guard, who aren’t under your command.
“Even if His Majesty claims that the Crown Guard is under your purview, it’s only in name. Until they finish their investigation, he won’t execute Eleanor. And as long as she is alive, Yuvan will live in constant fear,” said Rafael, analyzing the situation.
Sophie nodded with her eyes closed. “Your analysis makes sense, but with two major cases looming over Eleanor’s household??ne being the rebellion and the other involving the murdered and imprisoned concubines, along with so many dead infants??f they don’t execute her, it’ll be hard to quell the public’s anger.”
“An explanation for this.matter is definitely necessary. A cold glint flickered in Rafael’s eyes. “If the rebellion is covered up, then only one person will have to take the blame for all those deaths.”
Sophie suddenly opened her eyes wide. “Henry!”
Rafael nodded, his voice icy as he continued, “Yes. After all, he’s not innocent. He’s the biggest accomplice. No matter how he tries to argue that he had no choice and was afraid to defy Eleanor’s orders, it doesn’t matter.
“He is tied to the Kingsley family, and my grandfather was still alive when Eleanor started all this. She wasn’t all??owerful, but Henry still chose to submit to her??ot because he was truly afraid of her, but because the declining Kingsley family needed her.”
Sophie knew Henry was not innocent. In fact, he was utterly despicable. Those women were his concubines. They shared a bond with him, and all the children they bore were his flesh and blood. Yet, he let his sons be murdered and his daughters be used as pawns.
Was he truly helpless? Perhaps at first, but not anymore. Just look at how he treated Melanie Lester and her daughters! If he cared for them at all, he wouldn’t have betrayed Carmen, nor would he have turned a blind eye to Melanie’s fate.
If he had pleaded with Eleanor, he could have spared Melanie the torment of the dungeon. After all, Celeste had completed her mission at Gracehold Estate, and Carmen had managed to infiltrate Hell Monarch Estate. It was likely Henry had exchanged those favors for something else, such as securing benefits for the Kingsley family.
Rafael pondered for a moment before speaking meaningfully, “It’s possible His Majesty might spare Henry in exchange for his testimony about the mastermind behind the rebellion??t least as bait. Once Henry confesses, he’ll still be executed to appease public outrage.”
In the royal study, Salvador reviewed Eleanor’s initial testimony. Anger flashed in his eyes, and he laughed coldly.
“She’s still trying to implicate you two? Even with death looming, she shows no remorse. Continue the interrogation.”
He set aside Eleanor’s statement and turned to Jessica’s. After reading it, he took a deep breath, his expression calming considerably.
“Such malice is truly unprecedented. How can someone so cruel be part of the royal family? Issue a royal edict to strip Jessica of her title. Revoke her lands and demote her to a commoner. If it’s confirmed she personally took a life, she shall be dealt with according to the laws of the kingdom.”
After issuing the edict for Jessica’s demotion, the king looked at Rafael and said, “It seems Eleanor won’t confess easily. We’ll have to resort to torture. If she still doesn’t cooperate, lock her up in the Heritage Bureau. The case file must remain open, and investigations shall continue. When applying torture, we must tread carefully??he must not die.”
If the case files weren’t sealed, it meant the rebellion case hadn’t been concluded yet. Doing so would leave some individuals trembling with uncertainty.
This was much like Rafael had expected.
Salvador continued, “Anyone involved in the rebellion will be detained as soon as it’s been verified. The concubine case has far??eaching implications and a severe impact. All of them are Henry’s concubines, so the Kingsley family will compensate them and their families.
“As for Henry’s mistreatment of women and the taking of lives, his crimes are unforgivable and warrant execution. Tell him that if he can expose the individuals behind the rebellion, I may spare his life.”
Sophie lowered her head to hide her raised brows.
Rafael was right on all points. It looked like he understood Salvador well.
Salvador turned to Sophie and asked, “What have you found out abou ties with Eleanor?”
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Sophie replied honestly, “I haven’t finished my Inquiries yet, Your Majesty. So far, I’ve discovered that one of Henry’s concubine’s daughters is at Stillcrest Estate Her name is Tabitha. After questioning her, it appears she hasn’t been involved in any tasks.
“That’s because her biological mother passed away the day after she entered the Marquis of Stillcrest’s family, so Eleanor couldn’t get hold of her weakness. Since she is favored by the Marquis of Stillcrest’s heir, she has since distanced herself from Eleanor.”
A glint of sharpness flashed in Salvador’s eyes. “Does anyone in the Marquis of Stillcrest’s family know her true identity?”
“The entire family claims to be unaware. I asked the servants, and they said Lady Tabitha house since she married into the family.
Salvador inquired further, “Is Tabitha still residing in Stillcrest Estate?”
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“She had a son and a daughter after entering the family, so she hasn’t been cast out. They’ve sent her to a monastery and have some people keeping an eye on her there.”
Salvador continued, “We can’t trust the Marquis of Stillcrest’s family blindly. We must keep a close watch on them and investigate who they’ve had frequent dealings with in the past.”
*Rest assured, Your Majesty, we are already looking into it,” Sophie assured.
However, Salvador still seemed somewhat dissatisfied. “There were so many concubines’ daughters sent out, so why have we only identified this one?”
“It’s because the person in charge of managing these concubines changes every so often, and most of those who’ve been replaced end up dead. It’s not that we’ve only found one. There’s also the courtesan who entered the Earl of Gracehold’s family. Her real name is Celeste, and she has since changed her appearance. According to one of the stewards in Harmony Palace, Celeste has left the capital,” Sophie explained.