Chapter 259: You are the Queen
Queen Victoria arrived at the prison cell where her brother was held captive. She ordered the guards to leave the premises immediately before Xavier rushed to the iron bars from the other side of the cell.
"You promised that nothing would happen to me, Your Majesty," Xavier said, his grip tightening desperately on the iron bars.
"Keep your voice low," Victoria snapped at him. "Who even asked you to open your mouth in front of August? My own sons have stopped believing in me. Do you understand the meaning of this? Our entire lineage is in jeopardy. Your family will be executed too. Xavier, you must not utter my name when the interrogation happens. That is the only way you can save your family," she asserted.
"So, I have to die!" Xavier stopped blinking, staring into his sister’s eyes in utter disbelief.
"Consider it a sacrifice for your family and me. Do you not love your wife and kids? Do you want to see them hang to death? If you alone die, many lives will be saved. Our family name will be preserved, Xavier. And do not forget, you were the one who asked me to eliminate the Spencers, and you agreed with me when I forged that plan," Victoria stated. Her voice did not quiver for even a single second while demanding that her brother take the entire fall.
Xavier backed away from the iron bars, stepping into the deeper shadows of the cell. He had no other option left except to take the fall.
"Brother, I will make sure to end those who made you suffer," Victoria pronounced, her eyes burning with tears of bitter revenge. "August will not survive, nor will Eilika and Damian. Those three are the ones who started this investigation. I promise you, Xavier, I will not let your sacrifice go to waste."
Xavier turned back to look at his sister, demanding the explanation. "I will be labeled a traitor. My family’s life will end either way. How do you plan to give them a better life? I do not want my son’s high-ranking position in the court to be affected. But the ministers tomorrow will do everything in their power to destroy my family. Completely."
"I won’t let it happen, Xavier," Victoria said, stepping closer and gripping the cold iron bars herself. "I know you are taking my words as hollow right now, but trust me. I will make sure your family lives well. I will beg the King myself if I have to."
"The King is not even listening to you now," Xavier stated, his voice with despair.
"The King is kind. Do not forget that. Even my sons will not let innocent people get punished," Victoria argued sharply. "If I die alongside you, then what? Nothing will be achieved. And all of our enemies will live happily ever after. Decide quickly, because I have only ten minutes left to talk with you."
"Sister, make sure not a single one among them lives. I am ready to take the fall for this," Xavier stated, his voice turning deadly calm as he accepted his fate.
Tears finally spilled from the Queen’s eyes, breaking through her cold exterior. "Xavier, please forgive me."
Victoria lowered her head against the iron bars, utterly heartbroken. The reality that the brother she had grown up with would not survive this ordeal stabbed at her heart with sharp pain.
Xavier reached through the bars, covering her trembling hands with his own before gently wiping the tears from her cheeks.
"Do not cry. You are the Queen. Remember who you are, and you will live like one. When the time comes, you die like a queen, too. Now, you should leave before the guards return. Tell my wife and children to forgive me."
Victoria nodded her head and looked up at him for the last time. She wiped the tears from the back of her palms and walked away, leaving Xavier in the dark prison cell.
~~~~~
"Damian, you do not need to take me out. You are tired, and—" Eilika stopped when he gently placed his index finger over her lips.
"My aunt struck me out of anger. I do not mind it," Damian stated quietly. He reached across her, pulling the seatbelt over her shoulder and securing it into the latch with a firm click.
Turning the engine on, he shifted the gears and reversed the motorcar away from the courtyard. After a brief word with the palace guards to open the massive iron gates, he steered the vehicle out into the night.
He maintained a moderate speed, keeping the drive smooth so she could enjoy the view. Outside the palace walls, the path softly illuminated by the warm glow of the roadside lamps.
Eilika kept her gaze fixed on Damian’s cheek, still deeply bothered by the way the Queen had treated him. The faint redness on his skin was a stark reminder of the palace’s hostility.
"What is on your mind?" he questioned, keeping his eyes on the road.
"Nothing," she murmured, turning her head to look out the window at the passing scenery.
Internally, she was filled with resentment. ’I hate what happened. Damian did absolutely nothing wrong. All he did was pursue the truth. The Queen is the one in the wrong, and to hide her own crimes, she took her anger out on him.’
The car came to a smooth halt.
"Are we here?" Eilika asked, turning to look at Damian.
"Yes."
He had already stepped out of the vehicle. By the time Eilika opened her door, Damian was there waiting, offering his hand to help her onto the gravel.
She stood up and froze, her eyes widening as she scanned the landscape. "What is this place?"
A vast, open field stretched out before them, illuminated by a series of lanterns placed at precise, rhythmic intervals. The warm, golden light spilled across the grass, turning the quiet night into a serene, glowing expanse.
"This is called the Paradise," he replied.