"But—but we clearly—" I started to say, my mind racing.
Jesse turned to me sharply. "Bella, go back… to your quarters."
Before I could protest, the guard added, "Your Highness, he's also summoned the Inner Court Guards so she'll have to come too."
Jesse's eyes flicked to mine. "Okay. Follow me, then."
We rushed through the halls, our footsteps echoing on polished stone. By the time we reached the grand throne room, most of the nobles were already seated, their faces grim. The guards, clad in ceremonial armor, were lined up on their knees before the high dais.
I quietly slipped into place beside them and knelt, lowering my head just as the heavy doors closed behind us.
Up on the elevated throne sat the King, cloaked in black and gold, flanked by the three Inner Core Guards—Wren, Eren, and Rena—their presence radiating full power and authority.
Jesse made his way to his designated seat, his face unreadable.
Didn't the guard say the culprit had been caught? I wondered silently. Then where are they? Why is no one here?
But my question was soon answered.
The throne room was heavy with silence—then the doors burst open.
All eyes turned to the entrance.
Prince Julius strode in, followed by two guards who dragged a man between them. His robes were torn, blood soaking through the fabric. His head hung low, and his feet was scraping the floor as he was pulled forward.
The man's name was Lord Vareth, a noble whose face I barely recognized now… I remember that he'd been seated the nearest to the wine table during the banquet.
"Father," Julius said, his voice clear and strong. "This man was acting suspicious during the banquet, so I started with investigating him first." He stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with something too calm. "I was lucky enough that he hadn't gotten rid of all evidence. I searched his home and found traces of the exact poison used during the banquet. He tried to deny it, but after some... pressure, he finally confessed."
The man didn't raise his head. He looked like someone whose soul had already left his body.
"Your Highness… I've greatly sinned," he rasped, barely audible.
Gasps and murmurs spread like wildfire among the nobles.
"Why would Lord Vareth do that?" one whispered.
"He was greatlt favored… it makes no sense…"
"What was he thinking?"
Julius turned to him coldly. Without emotion, he backhanded the man, forcing blood to spill from his mouth.
"Speak!" he barked. "Why did you do it?"
The man coughed violently, then spat out a mouthful of blood on the marble floor. His voice trembled.
"I have greatly sinned, Your Highness…"
He didn't say more. His body swayed like a tree about to fall.
The King sat unmoving on his throne. His expression didn't flicker.
"The reason is not important," he said quietly. "Kill him."
"Yes, Father." Julius nodded without hesitation, already pulling his blade.
"Stop!"
The sharp command came from Jesse.
All eyes turned to him.
"Father," Jesse said firmly, stepping down from his seat. "Based on Lord Vareth's character, this isn't something he would do. I strongly believe that someone else must be manipulating the scenes from behind."
His voice was really calm but filled with conviction.
"We should keep him alive and investigate further to uncover who's truly behind this incident."
I nodded silently in agreement. It was Lord Baron… Based on what Lana told us, he was the one meeting with the masked man. So how had it suddenly become that Lord Vareth was the culprit? Makes no sense
Jesse pressed on, "Father, give me a little more time. I promise to find out who's really behind this."
Julius scoffed, then tilted his head, "Brother… is there anyone you suspect in particular?" He gestured to the barely conscious man, "The criminal is right here, yet you hesitate to accept it."
Jesse's eyes narrowed. "Then give him to me. Ten days. That's all I ask. Let me uncover the real culprit and the true reason behind the poisoning."
The king was silent. For a long moment, his fingers tapped against the armrest of his throne. Then, slowly, he nodded.
"Alright."
"Father!" Julius's voice cracked with frustration. "I caught this criminal. If more investigation must be done, it should be done by me!"
But the king's tone left no room for argument. "I've made my decision. Give him to Jesse."
He rose from the throne, robes flowing like a shadow, and began to walk away.
Everyone bowed low.
Even while still kneeling, I could see Julius's clenched fists. His jaw was tight, his expression darkened with rage. Fury burned in his eyes, but he said nothing.
The nobles began going out first. Then the guards.
I slipped away with them—quietly, feeling like I was walking out of a storm just before lightning struck.
Everyone had left the throne room, leaving behind only Jesse and Julius. The grand space echoed with heavy and suffocating silence.
"Jesse." Julius's voice cut through it sharply, the switch from brother to his name unmistakable.
Jesse turned his head slightly, brows raised. "Hmm?"
"Why must you always go against me?" Julius snapped.
Jesse's expression remained calm, almost amused. "What do you mean? Is it my fault now that your investigation was... subpar? Father simply gave him to the more competent son."
Julius's eyes darkened. With a low growl, he yanked the heavy signet ring from his finger and smashed it against the marble floor. The metallic clang echoed through the throne room.
"A poor investigation?" he hissed. "If the roles were reversed—if you had caught the culprit—do you think Father would've handed him to me? No! Never. This is only happening because you're his precious legal first son."
Jesse's eyes flickered, just for a moment, but he remained composed. "Aren't you getting tired of using that line when things don't go your way?"
The silence between them cracked with tension. Julius's jaw tensed.
Then his lips curled into a dangerous smile. "Lana right? She is really starting to annoy me."
Jesse's expression hardened.
"And people who annoy me," Julius continued, turning away, "never have a good ending."