New Duchess

Benedict shook his head vehemently. "You're lying! She was getting better! How could her heart just-" His words faltered as he noticed something different about his father.

The man who once carried himself with authority now seemed diminished, his shoulders hunched, his gaze hollow.

Before his father could respond, the head maid stepped forward, her face lined with grief and anger. "She placed the Holy Sword on the mantle before she passed away," she said, her voice trembling but resolute. "The doctors claim it was her heart, but—"

"That's enough," The Duke snapped, his glare silencing her. He didn't want the matter of the sword to get out. The maids were gathered here, who knows who will spread the word? 

Whatever happened in the past shall remain a secret, what they needed to think of is how to move forward. If any of them dare to speak of things they should not...