CHAPTER 53
The hall remained heavy with tension even after Parkston was dragged away. His final words echoed in Grace's mind, refusing to settle. "I did kill Nuel, It was for Grace". And as a result, she couldn't stay alone for too long in her chamber. So she stepped out and headed back to the grand hall, where the people were still gathered.
She stood still, her fingers were trembling slightly at her sides. The weight of every watchful eye pressed against her, but she forced herself to meet her father's eyes, she knew what he was thinking.
King Charlenugo turned away first. "This gathering is dismissed. Return to your duties. The trial will take place at dawn."
The crowd hesitated, murmuring amongst themselves before finally dispersing. Grace barely noticed as the nobles and soldiers filtered out of the grand hall, her mind was too preoccupied with the sudden unraveling of everything.
Since she couldn't bear it, she turned to take her leave again, but a hand grasped her wrist. She became tensed immediately. Jonah's grip was firm, her nails digging slightly into her skin.
"We need to talk," Jonah whispered in a well composed voice.
Grace or rather King Quicke, didn't resist when Jonah pulled her aside, leading her into a quieter passageway behind the hall. The moment they were alone, Jonah's restraint snapped.
"You did this," she hissed, her voice was sharp. "You killed him and decided to blame it on my husband".
Grace swallowed hard, she knew this wasn't just about Parkston, it was about Jonah and
the life she had built.
"Why would I kill an intruder? I'm already too occupied with kingdom matters, and putting up such act is of no use." Grace replied in a calm but dismissive voice.
"No," Jonah cut her off, stepping closer.
Grace didn't say a word.
Jonah let out a hollow laugh and shook her head. "Grace were supposed to be dead, so how come my husband did that for her?".
"Well maybe he still misses her." Grace's voice was quieter now . "And you must feel really bad about that."
Jonah didn't confirm or deny it.
Grace exhaled sharply, stepping back. "You told me you hated her," she said, tilting her head. "If that's true, why does it bother you so much that he still loved her anyway?"
Jonah's expression darkened. "Because it should have been me."
And for the countless time, Grace saw the raw jealousy, the bitterness that Jonah had carried for years. "Start putting your life together Jonah, if Grace was dead, there's no way she's coming back to take what is yours". She said in a mocking tone.
Jonah let out a frown. "How do I do that then?" She asked.
Grace didn't answer right away. Instead she tilted her head, stepping away from Jonah and back toward the corridors leading to her chambers. "That's something you'll figure out."
Jonah didn't call after her.
….
By nightfall, the castle had settled into uneasy silence. The bulbs flickered dimly against the cold stone walls as Grace stood at her window, staring out at the garden below.
A knock at the door startled her from her thoughts. She turned, expecting Judith or perhaps even her father, but it was Mathew Sterrn.
He didn't speak at first, merely stepping inside and closing the door behind him. He didn't wear his usual calm expression. "You're troubled," he said.
Grace let out a hollow laugh. "Shouldn't I be?"
He studied her carefully. "Do you believe he did it?"
She wanted to say no. She wanted to deny that Parkston was capable of murder, but the look in his eyes when he confessed, it wasn't the look of a man lying.
"I don't know anymore," she admitted.
Sterrn nodded slowly. "Then what will you do?"
"If Parkston truly was guilty, there was nothing i could do. But if there was more to this than what the test revealed, then i need to see him quickly," she said.
Sterrn sighed but didn't argue. "You have until dawn."
Grace hurriedly descended the stone steps leading to the dungeon. The guards at the entrance hesitated before letting her through.
Parkston was locked behind iron bars, his hands bound in chains, his head was lowered, but at the sound of approaching footsteps, he slowly looked up.
Even in the dim light bulb, she could see the exhaustion in his face.
"I knew you'd come," he said.
Grace stopped just outside the bars. "Why did you do it?"
A tired smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Would you believe me if I said I had no choice?"
Her fingers curled into fists. "You always have a choice, Parkston."
His gaze softened. "Not when it comes to you."
She shook her head, refusing to let sentiment cloud her judgment. "Tell me the truth."
Parkston exhaled slowly. "Nuel knew everything about you Grace and if I hadn't acted first, he would have exposed you."
"What exactly did he know?" she whispered.
Parkston hesitated. "That you aren't who they think you are."
He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. "Someone else knows too. Someone very close to you."
A chill ran through her body. "Who? Aside Mathew Sterrn?" she demanded.
But before Parkston could answer, a sharp whistle echoed through the dungeon.
A guard emerged from the darkness, moving with precise speed. In an instant, a blade sliced through the air, aimed directly at Parkston's wrist.
Grace barely had time to react.
She lunged forward, but the iron bars kept her from reaching him. The assassin struck with precision, and Parkston held unto his wrist as the blade found its mark.
Blood splattered against the cold floor.
The guard disappeared just as quickly as they had appeared, leaving only painful mourn and the heavy scent of blood behind.
Grace's heart pounded as she grabbed the bars, her eyes locked onto Parkston's divided arm on the floor.
His breathing was ragged, his eyes unfocused.
"Stay with me," she urged.
He tried to smile. "Looks like I won't make it to trial, if I continue to bleed out like this".
"Don't say that." She turned to the guards. "Get help!"
They hesitated, stunned by what had just happened.
"NOW!" Grace roared.
One of them ran up the stairs, but even as he called for help, Grace knew it might already be too late.
Parkston coughed, blood staining his lips.
His fingers curled weakly, as though reaching for her. "I can still survive this, just don't leave me," he murmured.
The castle was thrown into chaos once more before the night was over.
By dawn, the entire kingdom knew, Parkston's hand had been caught off.
King Charlenugo ordered for an Immediate trial afterwards.