The Inured Villainess

Chapter 32

Estella

"Why is everyone in such a rush?" I ask as I spot the maids and servants running down the halls.

"Your Majesty, the nobles remaining in the Osertian Court have been summoned to the palace." A passing maid exclaims, "His Majesty the king is accusing them of treason!"

This is very sudden. Kyrell was gone in the morning. I knew that he was planning something with Caelus but I didn't know that they would act so fast.

"Estella!" Dilana's voice carried across the hall.

"Dilana, where has Kyrell gone?" I question in a worried manner.

The charming woman pauses her steps in order to speak. "His Majesty has returned to Ronkia for the remainder of the rebel nobles."

"Why so suddenly? How can he be sure of which ones?" My footsteps continue down that hall as Dilana walks besides me.

"Count Seelion confessed the names of those conspiring, both kings are handling matters in their own countries. His Majesty Caelus is currently in the throne room accusing the ones involved." Dilana explained with frevelency.

Caelus is beginning to show his true colors. Most of the nobles are probably caught off guard by the sudden change.

Dilana continues to discuss the matter as we approach the throne room.

However, before we could enter, the doors burst open. Knights are carrying out two noblemen.

"Your Majesty, there has been a mistake!" One of them cried. He struggles against the grip of the soldiers.

"How can a puppet like him treat us this way? He shouldn't have been able to rebel in this way. Where did these knights come from?"

Anger spills from them. He is right about the knights being different. They wore a mix of grey and black unlike the green uniforms the royal knights usually wore.

They are a part of Caelus' secret order. Caelus was sure to do everything undercover.

Dilana and I stand to the side as they are dragged out. Caelus stands inside the room with his arms crossed at the display. He looks to be deep in thought before he brings his eyes to us.

"You seem... busy." I try as my eyes still follow the nobles.

"I am." He lets out a loud sigh. "I've taken care of the nobles on my side. Now it's up to Kyrell to do the rest."

"How were you able to sentence them to treason?" It feels like even with the Count's confession there would still be more evidence needed.

"With their guard up they were more at risk for mistakes. Some of them hid the magic stones very close to them making themselves easier to exploit. Those two held the stones in their own manors. It's simple enough for me to search them." A cunning smile shown on his face.

He had thought ahead and used his spies to find evidence.

Now we just have to wait for Kyrell and see what he has done with the Osertian nobles that he still had in  captivity. Some of them more innocent than others.

"If I may..." Dilana voices. The two of us give her our attention. "What is your plan after all the nobles are taken care of?" I know why she is asking.

There is another threat beyond the nobles.

Dilana stands firm as her eyes are fixed on Caelus.

"I plan to reform my kingdom for the better. The nobility is only the first part, the rest is done in the villages and towns themselves." He then flicks his eyes at her. "But that's not what you want to know."