BETRAYAL OF DIGNITY
Part 18
Unsettled Hearts
News of the Duke personally severing the ropes that bound his wife and escorting her back to his castle rapidly spread throughout the Thisse estate. The case of the Marquises murder was closed once the suspect, the royal maidservant, took her own life while being transported to the capital.
The Red Veil published an article insinuating that the King had used the Marquise to spy on the Duke and had her assassinated when she outlived her usefulness. Moreover, the revelation of the attempts to frame the physically frail Duchess for the crime raised questions about the royal family's integrity.
Sensational reports about Prince Johannes, the heir appar-ent, did not go unnoticed either. Disturbing rumors circulated that the mentally unstable Prince relied on a psychic and committed gruesome acts, murdering competent individuals and using their blood in rituals at the psychic's behest.
The royal family, now suspecting who the publisher of The Red Veil might be, issued a reward for information leading to the culprit's whereabouts. Despite their best efforts, no evidence was uncovered.
As Chloe recuperated in Castle Birch after her harrowing two-week confinement, she was kept informed of these events transpiring in the outside world by Priscilla.
"Why would Damien have anything to do with such a woman? His Majesty is being unreasonable. I understand his concern for his sons mental illness, but his suspicions toward Damien are entirely unwarranted," Priscilla vented. She was incensed that the King had employed a spy to monitor her own son and believed that the scandalous rumors linking Damien to women he had never met were nothing but slander initiated by the royal family.
"Ma'am..." Chloe attempted to interject, concerned about potential eavesdroppers.
"Call me Mother!" Priscilla insisted, her voice rising even higher. "I wish you had flattened that scheming Isabella's nose. I could tell just by looking at her that she was the type of malevolent person I abhor most! This must be divine retribution."
Priscilla appeared to derive immense satisfaction from the fact that Chloe had humiliated Isabella while maintaining her noble bearing in front of everyone. It was the first time Priscilla had appreciated the fact that Chloe, who always appeared gentle and kind, was not someone to be trifled with.
"Still, we mustn't speak so lightly of the death of someone who was close to His Grace." Chloe cautioned.
"Oh, Chloe. You think you're quite clever, don't you?" Priscilla cut her off, her long lashes fluttering upwards. "You are clever, indeed. But sometimes, you have a knack for being exceedingly vexing."
Unsure of how to respond, Chloe remained silent, her lips pursed in an attempt to prevent them from trembling.
"I may have read fewer books than you, but one thing is certain," Priscilla continued in her refined manner. "If my son and that woman were truly close, wouldn't Damien have displayed some sadness at her death? My gentle, affectionate son would have laid at least a single flower on her grave."
Though she did not fully agree, Chloe belatedly realized that Priscilla's conjecture was not entirely unfounded. She had not had a chance to ponder it during the trial, but Damien's reaction upon hearing of the Marquise's death was certainly not that of a lover.
"The Red Veil or Black Curtain or whatever it is called should be reporting exactly what I just said. Hmph!"
However, even if Isabella had never been Damien's paramour, that was unlikely to change anything between him and Chloe. Not wishing to delve deeper into these thoughts, she cautiously addressed Priscilla.
