When Beauty Destroys The BL World

Chapter 129 ~Unwillingness~

The iron door groaned open on heavy hinges.

The once high and prestigious Duke Wickson lifted his head. Fresh bandages wrapped his torso and shoulder; the wounds where the arrows had been drawn still pulsed with every breath. Bruises mottled his face in ugly shades of purple and yellow.

When the tall figure stepped into the narrow wash of torchlight beyond the bars, the Duke forced himself upright despite the pain.

"Your Majesty-" The words tore out of him, raw and desperate. "I begged you, I was only tried to protect myself. My daughter's insanity-she came at me without warning, meaning to punish me, stripped me, my dignity, my title. I never intended any harm-I merely took a stand, so it won't embarrass the royal family. My daughter, she's out of her mind-"

Nickolai's gaze cut through him, sharp enough to stop the rest of the plea in his throat. The Duke shuddered and fell silent.

"After what you have done," Nickolai said, voice low and cold, "did you truly expect to keep your title? Your rank? Everything you once held?"

The Duke began to tremble. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I beg you-I will do anything you said...just-Let me remain Duke-"

"You hurt my wife." Nickolai stepped closer to the bars. "You nearly cost her the child she carries. And you still believe there is a path back to freedom?"

The Duke stared, color draining from his battered face. "Child...?"

"I came down here," Nickolai continued, "because you have begged for an audience more times than I care to count. So hear me clearly. Nothing you say, nothing you do, will ever be enough for the damage you dealt my Queen and the heir of mine, she carries. You will remain in this cell. You will receive the full sentence your crimes deserve."

The Duke's lips parted. No sound emerged. He looked suddenly smaller, older, the bandages stark white against skin gone ashen.

Nickolai turned without another glance. The main gate slammed shut behind him, leaving the former Duke alone with the echo and the dark.

Finally, it dawned to him....his fate is sealed.

By the next day the news had spilled beyond the palace walls.

The Crown Princess was with child.

Shock rolled through the capital in uneven waves. Though many were wondering when will be the Crown Princess coronation as the Queen, another news came embark.

In the markets some wept openly with joy and raised cups to the future heir. Others whispered behind their hands- after the scandal with the Wickson.

Merchants paused mid-haggle. Servants lingered at corners longer than they should. In the taverns the toasts grew loud and sloppy; in the noble drawing rooms the smiles turned thin and calculating.

Everywhere the same words passed from mouth to mouth until they hardened into accepted truth.

The tidings reached the temple by midday.

It became the only subject in the cloisters. Novices forgot their tasks. Senior priests exchanged heavy looks over their prayer books.

Priest Michael found Lucas where he always was at that hour: kneeling before the tall statue of Goddess Noirceur, head bowed, hands locked so tightly the knuckles had gone white.

Michael opened his mouth. The words would not come.

He left in silence.

Only when the soft footsteps had faded did Lucas move.