“Indeed, Jayce. We are aware of who placed the flower in the soup. However, who poisoned it?” she demanded. “Who attempted to assassinate me?”
Jayce remained silent as he observed Zoe, who was weeping at that moment. Her hands were concealed by her face; I observed that the hand she had injured remained encased in bandages from the medic.
Did she intentionally cut her hand to avoid working in the kitchen? The thought was disconcerting, and I felt sick. I was already experiencing dizziness and nausea due to the surrounding circumstances.
“What evidence do we have to ascertain her honesty?” Jack enquired, rising to his feet.
His gaze remained fixed on me throughout our time in the courtroom, inducing a shiver down my spine.
“What motive would she have to fabricate such a claim?” Abel enquired, also rising to his feet.
Ashton attempted to persuade him to resume his seat, but Abel forcefully pushed his hand aside and advanced.
Abel asserted, “It would be illogical to fabricate a claim regarding an attempt to poison the queen.” “Molly is innocent; I recognised this from the outset. Ashton is aware of it, and Jayce is cognisant as well.”
“You appear to have strong convictions regarding this matter, Abel,” Kamila remarked from across the courtroom.
Abel made eye contact and inclined his head respectfully towards his mother.
“I have deep affection for my friend, Molly. She is compassionate and sincere. She would never inflict or desire harm upon anyone,” he replied.
Everyone appeared astonished by his remarks; I sensed a smile pulling at my lips as our gazes met.
“I was unaware that you two have developed a friendship,” Jayce remarked, fixing his gaze on Abel.
Abel gulped, yet he affirmed with a nod.
“She is among the most benevolent individuals I have encountered. She would not engage in this behavior,” Abel asserted, maintaining a firm tone.
This merely elicited laughter from Jack.
“Pitiful,” Jack murmured. “The maid caused all the gentlemen to become flustered, and she asserts that she has not engaged in s****l relations with any of them.”
“Pardon?” Kamila enquired, directing her piercing gaze at each of her sons before fixing her cold stare upon me. “You engaged in s****l relations with my sons?”
“No!” Abel, Jayce, Ashton, and I exclaimed simultaneously.
Lady Elsie cast an incredulous look at Ashton, prompting him to clear his throat upon realising her gaze.
“None of us engaged in s****l relations with her,” Ashton stated, diverting his gaze from a visibly anxious Elsie.
“Cease this,” Jayce declared, his voice resonating throughout the court and quelling the whispers. “I have discovered additional information, and we are pressed for time.”
Kamila crossed her arms and glared at Jayce, curling her lip in apparent disdain for his appearance.
“What additional information did you uncover?” enquired Alpha King Elliott, his tone composed.
“The soup contained traces of manchineel, one of the rarest plants in the kingdom. It exclusively grows in the North and is typically available only on the black market. Its ingestion can be lethal,” Jayce elucidated.
Additional gasps resonated throughout the courtroom.
The Northern region?
I recoiled at the notion; so did everyone else.
The North constituted the most perilous region within the kingdom. Unruly factions that refused to yield to the royal family traversed that region. Should any member of the royal family venture to the North, they would become a target. No one, particularly the royals, was secure in that environment. Although they formally governed the North, as well as the entire kingdom, it was widely understood that a journey to the North would likely result in their permanent absence.
“Thus, the individual who poisoned the soup must have procured it from the black market,” Jayce concluded his explanation.
The courtroom was silent as all present absorbed the information.
“In what manner does this provide assistance?” enquired Luna Queen Kamila. “We cannot travel to the North to ascertain who purchased the poison.”
All attention was directed towards Jayce as he spoke.
“I shall proceed,” he declared, astonishing everyone.
I felt increasingly lightheaded as I continued to bleed; fatigue was rapidly overtaking me.
“What?” Kamila enquired, her eyes expanding in astonishment.
“You will be killed,” declared Alpha King Elliott.
“I perceive no alternative. Permit me to journey North and deliver justice to this kingdom,” Jayce asserted.
Further discourse ensued, yet I was unable to grasp any additional content being articulated. Due to the significant blood loss and fatigue I experienced, I was unable to keep my eyes open.
I experienced a descent from my chair to the floor; obscurity enveloped my sight.
..
“No! She has been severely sleep-deprived and mistreated. We cannot return her to the prison,” Zayden exclaimed, gazing at Molly sprawled on the courtroom floor.
Jayce intended to reply to his wolf, but Kamila interjected, interrupting his thoughts.
“Return her to the prison. We remain uncertain whether she was responsible for poisoning the soup. This has been a futile endeavour,” she declared, gazing at Molly with contempt.
Jack advanced with a smile.
“With pleasure,” Jack replied.
“Do not touch her,” Jayce asserted sharply. “She is under my jurisdiction, and I will determine her whereabouts.”
“She attempted to murder me,” Kamila hissed.
