hapter 46 A Warning

D

Margaret could no longer contain herself. The regal poise she had upheld so carefully cracked, her expression turning icy with fury. “Doug, are you trying to control everything?

*B Pearls

Doug laughed. A slow, easy laugh, as if Margaret’s words had been the most amusing thing he’d heard all day. “Everything? Why not?”

“You- Margaret nearly choked on her rage. “She conspired to harm her own sister, her own cousin! Her actions are vile beyond measure, yet you, an officer of the Eryndral Empire, dare to shield her? Do you not fear that the censors will have you impeached in the morning court?”

Margaret’s father, Donovan Shaw, was none other than the Imperial Censor himself a man whose very duty was to bring officials to justice.

“Impeach me?” Doug’s smile vanished in an instant, his expression turning as frigid as a blade’s edge. “If Mr. Shaw still has the nerve to impeach me, he is more than welcome to try.

Margaret’s heart skipped a beat. Doug was the master of political intrigue, an expert at spinning traps of injustice from thin air. Could it be that he had already made his move against her father?

“What do you mean by that?” she asked, her voice tight.

Doug’s gaze bore into her, his words sharp as daggers. “The entire empire knows that Mr. Shaw is a man of impeccable virtue–a beacon of integrity, a paragon of justice. And yet, the daughter he raised condones her own son impregnating an unmarried woman, then breaking off his engagement to the Duke’s family on baseless rumors. “She is a woman who knows neither honor nor restraint. And now, to avenge a child that is already lost, she has stirred up a storm without cause. I wonder–when Mr. Shaw hears of all this, will he still have the face to remain in court? He is the Imperial Censor, after all.”

Margaret’s breath hitched. Her father was known as a righteous man–but only when it came to other people’s wrongdoings.

He had never hesitated to criticize officials, nor even the King himself.

But when it came to his own family? He would protect them at all costs. Donovan Shaw’s household was notorious–his so–called “virtuous children” were the subject of endless whispers. But with his influence and a network of powerful protégés, he had managed to keep their scandals under wraps.

Yet William and Eleanor’s affair had already become the talk of the capital. Doug’s words were no idle threat. If he chose to expose this, there would be no hiding from it.

Margaret clenched her fists. “That is a matter of the Valen family. What does it have to do with my father?”

“Oh, you’ll find out soon enough.”

“Well? What are you all waiting

Mr. Becker came prepared. You knew exactly what happened here today–before even asking. Tell me, had you already arrived? Were

Geoffrey, is there

Milton etiffened

1/3

46 A Warning

*8 Pearls

instinctively swept over the faces around him–faces filled with a quiet, uneasy understanding.

flashed in his mind, but he held his tongue. He had heard the testimonies. Even if Milton wanted to use Eleanor’s grudge against Isolde, he would never risk an unborn child. Besides, with Tyler present, if Milton had truly schemed against Isolde, he would never

his gaze sharp as it scanned the room. “Anyone who

ladies in attendance hastily shook their heads, waving their hands in

to Southern Watch meant becoming an official witness. And being a witness carried consequences-

to extend a favor, but at this

you.

face turned deathly pale.

A. d, his voice hoarse. “With the evidence so

Watch does not dispense justice blindly. My daughter barely

then. Milton, you shall accompany us back to Southern Watch.” Oliver’s strikingly handsome face was devoid of warmth, an icy chill rolling off

his lips. “I have no doubt that, once we’re back at Southern Watch, you’ll have plenty to say, Milton.”

almost mocking. “For instance…. about

Then, a cold, hollow laugh escaped his lips. “Well, well… imagine that, he sneered. “To have committed such an atrocious act and still have

slowly, her lips curling into a delicate, almost playful smile. “Do you know

his eyes burning with a hatred so fierce, it was as if he wanted to

from a mere gate guard to a general, slashing through obstacles without fear, considering himself above the entire court of ministers and nobles.

this woman. And now, to hear her speak so lightly

her sharp gaze sweeping

ruthless and scheming as you, Milton. There are those who still value justice

warned me.”

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