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She turned and asked, “How are things on Lady Grace’s end? I hear a royal physician has been summoned.”
“I heard that Prince Caden has been terribly frightened,” came the reply.
Sylvia sighed. “After all, he is but a child. How could he not be terrified, seeing his brother, whom he had grown so close to, lying in a pool of blood on the ground?”
Though Sylvia had her suspicions regarding Grace, she never once doubted Caden. After all, the child was not capable of such cruelty.
Children didn’t possess the ruthless ambition that could drive them to commit such vicious acts. And moreover, Caden was Grace’s flesh and blood. Sylvia believed that a mother would never allow her child’s hands to be stained with such blood. So, if Grace had truly sought to harm Connor, she would have kept the deed hidden from Caden.
Using her maternal instincts to speculate, Sylvia concluded that Caden was truly pitiable, his mind no doubt shattered by the horror he had witnessed.
–
Sophie had taken up the investigation. Though Victoria’s instructions were clear that the inquiry should begin with Jeanette’s miscarriage-Sophie’s first line of questioning was directed at Ryan.
He confirmed that the caltrop was indeed Cecil’s and verified that the boy had ridden their horses. Still, Ryan vehemently assured that Cecil’s nature was innocent. Though lively and full of mischief, the young prince had no intention to harm.
After Ryan, the guards were questioned. All of them were familiar with the caltrop, confirming once more that it belonged to Cecil.
The guards, palace attendants, and nannies were questioned in turn, gathering their testimonies on the matter of Jeanette’s miscarriage and Kylie’s confrontation at Laurel Palace. When all the scattered testimonies were pieced together, everything pointed directly to Sylvia.
Before Sophie visited Laurel Palace, she made a stop at Everspring Palace.
Kylie lay in her bed, utterly exhausted from weeping. Though she had ceased her cries demanding to see Connor, she was in a state of madness. Upon seeing Sophie, the queen scrambled from her bed and, with all her strength, struck her across the face.
“Is this how you conduct your investigations? Is this how you deceive the king? You enjoy the authority of a female official, butnet have you done your actual job properly? If you had examined each horse thoroughly, this would not have happened. If we’re to assign blame, then you are the first to answer for it! You are the murderer!” Kylie shouted, pointing furiously.
Sophie could have avoided the slap, but the image of Connor struggling to swallow medicine flashed in her mind as the queen swung her hand. Her heart tightened and a wave of sorrow welled up in her chest, so much so that she endured the blow.
She said nothing in response to Kylie’s accusations. Before arriving, she had expected the queen to ask if Connor had left any final words, for Sophie had been the one holding him at the time.
But Kylie didn’t ask, so Sophie turned to Lydia and instructed her to go outside for questioning.
Kylie refused vehemently, her voice laced with fury as she said, “If there is anything to be asked, it shall be asked in front of me! If you intend to shield Lady Sylvia, I will not forgive you.”
The queen had already made up her mind that Sylvia was responsible-not only because of the caltrop and the longstanding animosities between them, but also because Kylie couldn’t fathom the only other alternative suspect, Grace, having the courage to carry out such an act.
Kylie had always looked down on Grace.
The latter’s family lacked distinction, and her beauty could scarcely be considered remarkable. Her rise to the position of higher-ranked concubine seemed nothing more than the result of fortunate circumstances, particularly her giving birth to Caden.
Kylie guessed that Grace also must be aware of her limited connections and support, which was why she had long exercised caution and humility. However, there were times when she could not resist harboring a few selfish thoughts. Yet, she dared not plot too aggressively.
Such had been the case when Grace had sheltered Jeanette-likely in an attempt to solidify her position and strengthen her influence in the harem by using the other woman as a pawn. Despite Grace’s attentions, Jeanette had remained ungrateful, resenting the way she constantly placed Caden in Salvador’s presence.
Grace always had a habit of making things harder for herself, which was why Kylie had never held her in much regard.
Now, with what had happened to Connor, the queen’s suspicions fell only upon Sylvia. However, things were just as she had feared.
Sylvia’s family ties, connected as they were to Rafael’s circles, along with Gladys’ interest in Skye Embroidery, cast doubt upon Sophie’s impartiality while in charge of the investigation. Kylie couldn’t afford to let Sophie shield Sylvia. If there were questions to be asked, they must be posed under the queen’s watchful eye.
Immediately seeing through Kylie’s thoughts, Sophie simply sat down before asking Lydia, “Do you know anything about the details of Lady Jeanette’s miscarriage?”
Upon hearing that, Kylie jumped to the conclusion that Sophie was indeed trying to cover for Sylvia.
“What does Lady Jeanette’s miscarriage have to do with Connor’s murder? Why are you dredging up such old matters? Are you trying to clear Lady Sylvia’s name?” she asked, her anger flaring.
Seeing the queen’s almost twisted expression, Sophie sighed helplessly. “I have no intention of covering for Lady Sylvia or anyone else. There are rumors that Lady Jeanette’s miscarriage is linked to the people in Everspring Palace, while others say it involves Lady Sylvia. I am investigating to find out who might have a grudge against Prince Connor or the people in Everspring Palace-“
Her anger rising, Kylie cut in, “Do you truly need to ask? It’s Lady Sylvia! Even if Lady Jeanette had a hundred lives, she would never dare do such a thing.”
Her grief turning into pure rage, the queen directed it all at Sophie.
Sophie knew she wouldn’t get any more answers, but seeing Lydia’s guilty expression and evasive gaze, there was no need to press further. It was clear that Jeanette’s miscarriage was somehow connected to Everspring Palace.
She wasn’t saying Jeanette had plotted against Connor, but it was necessary to investigate anyone who held a grudge against those in Everspring Palace.
“Please take care, Your Majesty. I’ll take my leave,” Sophie said, rising to her feet.
Kylie’s bloodshot eyes locked onto her. “Sophie, I’ll say this one more time. If you dare to cover for Lady Sylvia will destroy you, no matter the cost. That slap just now was a warning.”
Sophie had already turned to leave, but at those words, she paused.
Looking back at the queen, she asked, “Why are you so certain it was Lady Sylvia?”
“Who else could it be? She hates me to the core,” Kylie replied, her voice ice cold.
Sophie tilted her head slightly. “Why would she hate you? You’ve lost the king’s favor and the right to raise your son, plus you don’t even have the power to act as queen. I fail to see why she would hold such hatred toward you.”
Sophie’s words struck deep. She hadn’t intended to be so blunt, but ever since she stepped into Everspring Palace, Kylie hadn’t asked about Connor even once.
As expected, the queen’s expression changed instantly. Rage and humiliation surged together, completely shattering her composure.
She ranted, “Because I gave birth to the eldest prince! No matter what, Lady Sylvia and Cecil will always be beneath me!
“She plotted against Lady Jeanette’s child, yet she hesitated, so I took action myself. I made the move and she took the blame. She knows it.
But when I led people to choin crane
Lauret Palace, she had no choice but to endure it…”
“Your Majesty!” Lydia cried out sharply, trying to stop her from saying more. But Kylie, breathless and flushed with anger, waved her off. “There’s nothing to hide! She already figured it out, or she wouldn’t have come here to ask.”
Sophie’s voice was cold as ice as she said, “Your Majesty, if Lady Sylvia truly did it, then you’re her accomplice.”
At those words, Kylie’s face turned deathly pale. It was as if all the strength had been drained from her body, leaving her to collapse against Lydia, gasping weakly.
Tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks. “N-no, I’m not… I’m not an accomplice!”
She had never thought of it that way before.
Never!