The Duchess's Stand

"Worried?" Duchess Beatrice exclaimed. "Queen at one point you said, you will not blindly support anyone who has done wrong. But in the next moment, you contradict your own words.

Queen Marie's expression was stiff when she heard the Duchess's words, she had not expected to be bluntly exposed by Duchess Beatrice.

And without understanding the situation who is gaining the upper hand in the quarrel? Princess Thalassa blurted at the wrong time, "Isabel's actions were reckless! She deserves her punishment and defending her so strongly only shows your lack of judgment."

Duchess Beatrice looked at Thalassa and laughed softly." See I am right here". Queen Marie felt her blood boil seeing the smug expression of the duchess. And she really wanted to gag the mouth of her stupid daughter, who could not think before uttering nonsense.

"And it's unbecoming of you to enjoy your sister's misfortune. True nobility is about showing compassion to those in need. And not to celebrate their downfall." Duchess Beatrice continued with elegance.

Queen Marie's voice rose slightly. "Compassion can only go so far, Duchess. Isabel's choices have consequences and while she is like my daughter, she must face them like anyone else. My loyalty is to the crown and the kingdom. I do not show blind favoritism."

Duchess Beatrice straightened and with a defiant glint in her eyes said, "I believe loyalty to family is just as important. By turning your back on Princess Isabel, you are not just punishing her; you are breaking your family's foundation. Is that what you truly want, Queen Marie?"

The nobles around them watched with clear fear in their eyes. They whisper among themselves about the fire between two powerful ladies of their kingdom. The tension was thick as the power struggle between the queen and the duchess intensified, with neither of them willing to back down.

Duchess Beatrice felt a small sense of relief inside her. She had seen her son's deteriorating condition after hearing about Isabel's confinement.

It was as if he had lost half his life in just a few days, and his friends were no better off than him. Her heart broke seeing them like this. Their normally lively faces are drawn with worry and despair.

That was why she didn't allow anyone to come here. If they saw Isabel die before their eyes, they would never be able to forgive themselves.

Her decision had been driven by a protective instinct for her children, she had always considered her son's friends as her own child. And seeing their conditions the fire inside her grew fiercer with each passing day of Isabel's suffering.

She blamed Queen Marie for everything. Duchess Beatrice had treated Isabel like her daughter, and Isabel had shared many incidents about Queen Marie that made her realize the queen was not as she appeared.

She recalled late-night conversations where Isabel confided in her about the queen's manipulations and hidden cruelty. Each revelation had deepened her resolve to stand against Queen Marie's deceptive charm.

Meanwhile, Queen Marie was busy cursing Duchess Beatrice in her heart for ruining her act. She had tried to gain sympathy from the nobles and spark them to ask for Isabel's death sentence while maintaining her gentle queen image.

Her carefully crafted plan involved subtle cues and tearful appeals to sway the nobles' opinions. But the duchess ruined everything.

Now because of Duchess Beatrice's remarks that had exposed cracks in her facade, making it harder to manipulate the narrative as she had intended.

The nobles' eyes darted between the two women who held respected positions in their kingdom. Their faces show fear mixed with fascination. They had never seen such a public clash of wills, especially between figures of such high standing.

Some whispered about the queen's true intentions while others speculated why the Duchess was so protective of Princess Isabel. The uncertainty only heightened the tension.

Queen Marie who usually shows a calm and authoritative face, finally showed flickers of frustration. Her hands tightened around her fan, the delicate fabric straining under the pressure.

She could feel the weight of the nobles' scrutiny and their judgemental gazes. Now most of them have started thinking about Duchess's words.

And the fact that Queen Marie's forced smile and cracked expression was in contrast to the elegance of Duchess Beatrice.

Duchess Beatrice remained composed when other nobles tried to bore holes in her face. however, her eyes were steely, reflecting the inner turmoil she kept hidden. She knew she was fighting not just for Isabel, but for the truth.

Her heart ached for her son and his friends, their youthful life dimmed by the harsh realities of palace conspires. Her resolve strengthened with each passing moment.

On the other side, commoners are far from the noble's hidden scheme.

The crowd erupted into murmurs of dissatisfaction and confusion. "What about the death sentence?" "Why does she get to live?" "She committed the greatest sin!" The once-cheering crowd now questioned the king's decision.

Grandmaster Lysander sensed the crowd's unrest and tried to restore order with a long speech about the supremacy of their laws and the gravity of Isabel's actions. "People of Valareath, our laws are just as and our king is wise.

Today, we witness the upholding of justice, not in its most severe form, but in a way that serves as a lesson to all. Princess Isabel drá Ashéncrest's exile is a reminder that no one is above the law."

However, the crowd's dissatisfaction persisted. The murmurs grew louder with each question of why the ultimate punishment was not delivered. King Scorvius observed the rising discontent and raised his hand for silence.

His authoritative presence commanded attention and gradually, the crowd quieted.

"People of Valareath," he began while his voice resonating with authority and wisdom, "I hear your concerns. You question why the death sentence was not given for such a grievous crime.

But let me tell you this: a swift death would be too easy for one who has committed such sins."

Isabel's eyes instantly shot up towards the king. Her eyes finally tear with unshed tears and her throat feels soar.