"I-I’m not trying to fish for sympathy, Your Majesty. I-I truly am scared! I’ve been forced to do what Lady Jade told me to do!"
"No, you are a lying bunny! At this point, just tell us the truth! I know that you’ve been secretly waiting for me to die!"
"I’m not—"
"SILENCE!" Swan finally snapped as she began to have a headache. She never liked conflict or noisy affairs. Not only did the arguments between Long Xiurong and this bunny maid make her head hurt, but it was also a waste of time. "Don’t worry, Lady Long. I’m not going to let her go scot-free, at least not until we get to bring down the main culprit first."
Swan observed the sobbing Alice, and said, "If you want a lighter sentence, then you should testify against Lady Jade once she has returned. That is the only way for you to avoid the death sentence."
"T-thank you, Your Majesty. Yes, I will testify against her! I’ve been trying to avoid her many times, but whenever she called me to her room, she would abuse me and force me to kill Lady Long!" Alice promised desperately.
"But this doesn’t mean you are exempt from your wrongdoing," Swan stated. She looked at the cat maids who were too astonished to react. They must’ve felt betrayed after trying their best to defend the bunny maid.
"Lock her in the dungeon. Give her proper food, and we shall wait for my husband and Lady Jade’s return, so we can talk about this."
"Understood, Your Majesty..." Maya and Myra answered weakly as they lifted Alice from Princess Swan’s feet. Alice was still sobbing, but she managed to give one last polite bow to both Princess Swan and Lady Long before she was escorted outside.
Swan leaned back on her chair once the door was closed. She let out a tired sigh as she felt conflicted about the entire situation.
"Princess, you should’ve just executed her!" Long Xiurong said as she was still angry at that bunny maid. "She tried to poison me many times over the past week. I nearly died numerous times!"
"Killing her would only help Lady Jade to get off this situation scot-free. We need Alice to testify against her, so we could kick her out of the castle," Swan pointed out. "Besides, I don’t think Gale would be pleased when he heard this. Even if I choose not to punish her, he will surely do so. Calm yourself, Lady Long. I will assign a new attendant for you, and I will make sure the new one will not be affiliated with Lady Jade in any way."
Long Xiurong nodded weakly. Honestly, she was getting too agitated before because this was her only chance to preserve her life. She had to advocate for punishing the bunny maid so the same thing wouldn’t happen again.
"My apologies for my behavior just now, Princess. I simply want to preserve my life. This is the first attempt of poisoning in my life. My family in the Eastern Long Dynasty has prepared me for this situation, but the real situation is much scarier," Long Xiurong admitted honestly.
Swan smiled bitterly. She never had any situation where she was poisoned in the Holy Achate Palace, simply because Aria and Anastasia wanted her alive for as long as possible, so they could bully her forever.
She had passed through near-death situations many times in the past and understood how nerve-wracking it felt.
I write this letter because the situation around the castle makes me unable to think of a way to meet you directly, but I hope you are in good health and in one piece after the coldest night.
I initially wanted to bring you far away before the coldest night because I don’t want you to die, but it’s been difficult to reach the Kingdom of Beastmen ever since His Majesty declared a trade ban in the North Sea.
I was scared that something bad might’ve happened to you by the time I arrived at the kingdom, but I’m so glad that you’ve survived the coldest night with His Majesty.
I apologize for my incompetence, Princess. I have been training every day, and I’ve become the new beta of an Arctic wolf pack named Blizzard Pack. I have proven myself to be much stronger than the Alpha so it won’t take long until I can be the Alpha of Blizzard Pack.
Unfortunately, I find it impossible to get stronger or as strong as the Beast King, as he has been cursed by the Moon Goddess herself. Should I travel to Sacred Selene Lake and beg the Goddess to curse me as well? I am waiting for your instructions, Princess.
My dearest Princess, my heart is still beating because of your grace, and I will dedicate my entire life to you.
- Your Dearest Knight, Rock Silverfang.
*Rock’s Letter ends*
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