The Mad Princess and the Dying Prince novel Chapter 75

Lucia found them utterly laughable.

Honestly, she didn't even know why they had bothered to bring her back. Leaving her in the village to suffer for ten years should have been enough for them.

To bring her back just to treat her like this—did they truly have no fear of making a blood enemy?

Little did she know, Alistair and the rest believed that, no matter how they treated her, she was just an ignorant, helpless girl who could never escape their grasp.

She was nothing but an insect to them; why would they bother pretending to care?

Alistair's original plan was simple: once the girl entered the Royal Capital, she would be entirely at his mercy. If he told her to go east, she wouldn't dare go west. And if she did resist, he would simply bind her, lock her in the woodshed, and starve her for a few meals. That would solve everything.

How could he have known things would take such a turn?

First, Prince Jareth had escorted her home. Then, Physician Finch had personally come to treat her, even dictating where she would stay in the manor.

And His Highness had gifted her two maids.

"I think you should gather your facts more carefully. I did strike Gaston Brightwood. I beat him until he passed out in the street."

Lucia admitted it outright, without a shred of guilt or fear.

"If you knew the extent of his injuries, you wouldn't be so foolish as to assume I went to apologize to him."

"How dare you!" Alistair had assumed it was Prince Jareth who had beaten Gaston; only now did he realize Lucia had done the deed herself. "That is the son of the Marquis of Greenfield! A man beloved by the queen mother! How could you dare harm him?"

Panic gripped Alistair's heart.

Would Gaston come here seeking vengeance? He was but a minor lord; how could he possibly withstand such wrath?

Lucia stared at him. "The beating is done, and the wounds are dealt. Why ask me how I dared?"

"You caused such a disaster the moment you arrived! If the Heir Brightwood comes demanding justice, I cannot help you!"

"Is this the backbone of Lord Beaumont?" Lucia scoffed, finding it ridiculous. "Your daughter was almost abducted to be a concubine and nearly beaten to death. Yet, instead of marching to their gates to demand justice, you cower in fear of their retribution?"

Was this how a father behaved?

"Halt!"

At Alistair's furious shout, Hank sprang forward, thrusting his arm out to block them.

His move was so sudden that if Bonnie hadn't stepped back quickly, his hand would have brushed against her chest.

Bonnie's face changed, her temper flaring wildly.

Lucia's gaze darkened, and her fingers twitched slightly.

"Ahhh!"

Hank suddenly felt a numbness in his arm, followed immediately by a piercing, suffocating agony that enveloped the entire limb. He shrieked in pain.

Bonnie froze in surprise.

She had just been wondering if starting a fight in House Beaumont would cause trouble for her lady, only for Hank to abruptly pull back his hand and begin screaming.