Unfortunately, I'm an Evil Villainess

Chapter 123 - Gears of Fate (II)

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King Henry knocked awkwardly on his son's door. He usually summoned him to his chambers or office for official meetings, and drawing rooms for the regular family gatherings that the queen mandated. The prince's valet opened the door, allowing the king to step in.

"Father?" Oscar rose from his dressing table, where servants were grooming his hair. His complexion was pale and bloodless, but with the makeup Josephine sent, it would go unnoticed. With a pang, the king realized how much he'd wasted away in the year and half since Lady Catherine's arrival, and another pang at his son's lifted brow for his presence.

"I wanted to ensure that you were strong enough for the luncheon," King Henry said regally.

The prince's twentieth birthday should've been a grand affair in the blooming warmth of May. With the excuse of the recent assassination attempt on Lady Valentina and the upcoming demon subjugation, it was reduced to a small luncheon with only the most important of the kingdom's figures.

Oscar smiled, and the expression of strength he tried to put up suddenly reminded the king of his brother's final days. A shudder ran down his spine. Were they reaping what they sowed?

"Thank you. I will certainly be able to attend."

"Good."

A shy silence fell. The king coughed and dismissed the servants to leave them alone.

"How are things with Lady Valentina recently?"

"Pleasant," Oscar stiffened, doubtlessly wary of this intrusion into a topic his father had never breached in this form before. "She is quite recovered from the recent incident, and we have resumed our regular outings. Affairs from the grand duchy and the temple had accumulated during her recuperation, but she is managing well. How are you and Mother?"

"Oh, nothing out of the ordinary," the king waved a hand dismissively, musing at the report. "What of the rumours that had previously surrounded you and Lady Catherine?"

"What of them?" Oscar immediately bore the mask for official business. "By some unfortunate impulse, I did behave unseemingly a few times, but it will not happen again, especially with the new circumstances. Mother has ensured that the rumours themselves have quieted."

"What I meant is, do you, er, harbour any feelings towards her?" The king winced as soon as the words left him, though he knew his son could not deny an answer.

"I thought she was a pitiful thing." Oscar reflected his upbringing and chose his words slowly and carefully. "The genuinity of her affections with which she treated the world was refreshing, but our society could not tolerate that. I have deliberated your question for many nights, Father, and though it may not seem enough to justify my actions, I determined that any feelings I had were that of being honoured at such pure sentiments toward myself, and a desire to preserve such innocence."

The king sighed. He did not know whether he was relieved or disappointed. Regardless, nerves bubbled in his stomach as they approached the topic of significance. "Innocence, indeed, is what shall be judged to decide her fate. What of that?"

"What of it?" Oscar tensed. "She will be served the same justice that has befallen the kingdom for the past decade."

The justice decided by House Avington! No, it could not continue. His son was not weak like him, Oscar had his mother's spirit, he could correct the consequences of all of Henry's wrongs. It was his duty by birth, after all.

"Yes, but with the delicacy of the situation and your position within it," the king looked at his son pointedly and took him by the shoulders. "The purpose of my coming here was to tell you this: it ought to be your responsibility that the resolution is just. It is of the utmost importance that you do so."