The grand hall was tense, every breath held like a drawn blade. Lord Kieran sat in the main chair, regal and unreadable. Beside him was the First Lady, composed, her fan hiding any hint of expression.To his right sat Lord Wei, calm but sharp eyed, the aura of a man who already knew too much. Behind him stood Liana, upright and silent, the only maid allowed in such a meeting, his maid, and his shadow.
To the left of Lord Kieran, the Second and Fourth Ladies sat gracefully, their faces pale beneath layers of powder, hands clasped too tightly for elegance.
Lord Kieran's voice broke the silence.
"What happened last night will be investigated thoroughly. I will not allow chaos to run wild in my palace."
Lord Wei stepped forward.
"If the attack happened precisely during the absence of both the King and Queen… then this was not an external threat. Someone inside orchestrated this."
All eyes shifted. Lord Kieran's sharp gaze slid over to the Second and Fourth Ladies.
The Second Lady quickly straightened.
"Your Majesty, I visited the temple yesterday. I prayed for peace and protection for this palace. The unrest lately... I only wanted to bring blessings."
He turned to the Fourth Lady.
She hesitated, visibly trembling.
"I… I was in my chambers. The door was closed. I was sleepy, so I just… fell asleep early, that's all."
Lord Kieran narrowed his eyes.
"Curious. Every single person who fought bears scratches and bruises… yet you alone remain unscathed. Do you take me for a fool?"
The Fourth Lady immediately dropped to her knees.
"N-No, Your Majesty! I did nothing wrong! I swear, I just slept through it!"
Liana, watching from behind, felt a flicker of sympathy. Surrounded by predators, the Fourth Lady was perhaps the only one who still retained a shred of humanity.
Just as Lord Kieran was about to command the guards to seize her, Chan rushed in and leaned toward Lord Wei, whispering something urgent.
Lord Wei nodded, then turned.
"Wait. There's no need for torture. The truth is already in our hands."
He looked around the room.
"The one behind this… may step forward now. Or wait until we reveal the proof."
Silence.
Not a soul moved.
Lord Wei turned to Kieran.
"Come with me. All of you."
They followed him through the halls, beyond the palace gates, to a small courtyard where Lord Wei's personal guards had gathered. One of the captured assassins stood bound and bloodied, yet defiant.
Without hesitation, the man confessed.
"It was the Second Lady. She hired us. Paid in jade and gold. We were to kill Meng… and anyone who got in the way."
Gasps echoed. The Second Lady staggered back.
"NO! This… this is a lie! I'm being framed!"
She whirled toward Liana.
"It's her! This wretched maid! She seduced the Fifth Lady's jealousy, maybe even killed her to cover it up! I only tried to protect—"
Lord Wei raised a hand, cutting her off.
"Are you finished with your performance?"
She froze.
"Good. Now it's my turn."
He reached into his robes and produced a jade pendant.
"This fell from your sleeve when you met the assassins in secret. You thought no one would notice."
He held up a second piece.
"And this piece of jewelry? It's rare. Only one person owns this pattern in this entire palace. You. It was your payment to the assassins."
The Second Lady's face turned ashen.
Lord Kieran slapped her across the face.
"You dare betray me?"
She crumbled to her knees, clutching his robes.
"Your Majesty… I'm your favorite, remember? Please, forgive me… I was only trying to—"
She sobbed, desperate, pathetic.
Lord Kieran's face faltered. He looked torn, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face.
But Lord Wei's voice cut in, cold and sharp.
"If word gets out that His Majesty pardoned the woman responsible for the murder of his unborn heir… how long will your glory last? Your name… your reign… your power… will rot in shame."
That did it.
Lord Kieran turned away.
"Guards. Bring the poison. Execute her quietly."
The Second Lady screamed for help.
But,
One by one, the others departed.
Only the First Lady lingered.
The Second Lady, pale and trembling, looked up bitterly.
"So you stayed to see me fall? Enjoying the view?"
The First Lady tilted her head.
"Tsk. No, I'm not that petty."
She stepped closer, her voice soft and venomous.
"But I do wonder… how did it feel? Watching a maid steal your spotlight? That same pain you gave me when you slithered into this palace and seduced His Majesty… That humiliation? It aged me."
She turned to go.
"Frankly, I should be thanking Meng. She made this easier than I ever imagined. Ha."
And with a laugh sharp as broken glass, the First Lady disappeared into the corridor, leaving behind a woman who had once believed herself untouchable.