Chapter 19 READY CHAPTER 20 WILL BE TITLED LIES
Octavia and the king heard hordes of people chanting, "Justice for the King of the West!" The angry voices grew louder, echoing through the stone walls of the castle. Octavia's heart pounded in her chest as she rushed to the window. Below, a mob of people surged toward the castle gates, demanding answers.
"They think we're hiding Sasha," Octavia said, turning to her father. "We need to do something."
The king's face hardened. "This is getting out of hand. We must address them before this turns into a riot."
Together, they made their way to the balcony overlooking the courtyard. The crowd below seethed with anger and confusion. Banners waved in the air, and the people's faces were twisted with determination.
"People of the North!" the king's voice boomed. "We understand your grief and anger. The death of the King of the West is a tragedy for us all."
"Where is Sasha?" someone in the crowd shouted. "Why are you hiding her?"
Octavia stepped forward, her voice steady. "Sasha is here, but she is innocent. She did not kill the King of the West. We are investigating the true culprit."
The crowd murmured, doubt and suspicion clear in their eyes. Octavia felt a wave of frustration. They didn't understand. They needed more proof, more than just her words.
"Listen to me," Octavia continued. We are working tirelessly to find the real murderer. But turning our anger on an innocent person will not bring justice."
A woman in the crowd stepped forward, her face stern. "We want to see Sasha. We want to hear her side of the story."
The king hesitated, glancing at Octavia. She nodded. "Bring Sasha here," she said softly to a guard. "She needs to speak for herself."
Minutes later, Sasha was brought to the balcony, her face still pale and bruised. The crowd fell silent, their eyes fixed on her.
"Sasha," the king said gently, "these people need to hear from you."
Sasha took a deep breath, her voice shaking but clear. "I swear, I did not kill the King of the West. I would never harm him."
The crowd remained silent, their expressions unreadable. Octavia's heart sank. Was this enough? Would they believe her?
A man in the crowd stepped forward. "If she didn't do it, then who did?" he demanded.
"We are following leads," the king replied. "There were many people at the feast. Anyone could have had the opportunity to poison the king."
Octavia felt a surge of determination. "We need your help," she called out. "If any of you saw anything unusual that night, if you have any information, please come forward. Together, we can find the truth."
But the crowd was not satisfied. Their anger and grief boiled over, refusing to listen to reason. "We need justice!" a voice shouted. "If you won't do it, we will."
Another voice echoed, "Punishment for Sasha! Tomorrow at noon, we expect her to be gone from this world!"
Octavia's heart pounded in her chest. "Wait!" she shouted, desperation in her voice. "Has Kimberly organized this riot?"
A woman in the crowd answered, "Yes! Justice for her father. She is too depressed to speak, so we take action."
Octavia's mind raced. Kimberly, the king's daughter, was grieving deeply. She must have convinced the people that Sasha was guilty. "Please, listen!" Octavia pleaded. "Give us more time to prove Sasha's innocence. This is not justice!"
But the crowd turned away, their decision made. The mob's chant of "Justice for the King of the West" echoed through the courtyard as they dispersed, leaving Octavia and the king in a state of shock.
"We have until tomorrow," the king said grimly. "We must find the real murderer before it's too late."
Octavia nodded, her resolve hardening. We had one night to save Sasha. With a determined heart, she plunged back into the investigation, knowing the fate of her friend and the kingdom depended on it.
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GHOSTLY Kingdom
RomanceHave you ever wondered what a dead man and a queen-to-be would look like as a couple? Well, you came to the right place. Meet Octavia, a woman who fiercely believes in equality and freedom, advocating for fair treatment in a time when people are bru...