4#04

4

In that instant, a young woman emerged from the throng. I immediately recognized her as Charlotte, the child of a low-ranking nobleman and one of Jessica's most devoted followers. She stood with arms crossed, shooting me a look of self-righteous anger.

"This scoundrel had the audacity to strike Jessica!" Charlotte declared. "I witnessed it myself yesterday evening. Poor Jessica's back is riddled with dark, swollen bruises!"

"Charlotte, please..." Jessica pleaded softly, her eyes brimming with tears as she gazed at the onlookers. Her voice was filled with melancholy.

"Jessica, is it true she harmed you?" Victor asked, his voice quivering with rage as he moved closer to her.

"I'm certain Savannah didn't intend to hurt me," Jessica whispered, her tone gentle and forgiving. "Please don't hold it against her."

While her words seemed merciful, they only served to validate her story in the eyes of the crowd. To them, she appeared as the helpless victim, and I the cruel aggressor.

Jessica's delicate form, trembling ever so slightly, combined with her woeful expression, only intensified the crowd's sympathy. My brothers glared at me with predatory intensity.

"Savannah!" they shouted in unison, their eyes ablaze with anger.

I raised an eyebrow and addressed Charlotte first. "You're the offspring of a minor court official, barely fourth rank at best. What gives you the authority to address me in such a manner? Why not summon your father instead?"

Her face flushed, but before she could respond, I turned to Jessica with an icy smile.

"You claim I struck you? That you're covered in bruises? Very well – let's have your injuries examined."

As soon as I spoke those words, Jessica and Charlotte's expressions shifted.

Charlotte's face reddened with fury. "You insolent wretch! How dare you speak to me like that? You're not fit to clean my shoes. And Jessica's injuries don't require examination! If she says you hit her, who else could have done it?"

"Who knows?" I said dismissively. "Perhaps you inflicted them yourselves."

Charlotte's face contorted with rage, and Jessica's lips quivered as tears streamed down her face.

She flung herself into Victor's embrace, weeping pitifully. "To show my bruises, I'd have to disrobe. Savannah wants to disgrace me and tarnish my reputation! How could I possibly endure such humiliation?"

Jessica's words ignited the crowd's anger. Wyatt, who had been sitting quietly, leapt to his feet and pointed an accusing finger at me.

"Savannah, how dare you?" he thundered. "Jessica is my betrothed, the future lady of the Marquisate, and I won't allow anyone to demean her!"

"Attempt to touch her, and you'll answer to us!" Logan snarled, his temper flaring.

"You're so spiteful, Savannah," Michael hissed. "We should have married you off long ago!"

Ignoring their empty threats, I signaled to the servants. "Bring a screen. Let's resolve this properly."

"Slap!"

The sharp sound of a strike echoed through the chamber.

A stinging sensation spread across my cheek, and Jessica's lips twitched with satisfaction as she tried to conceal her smugness. Her eyes couldn't hide her triumph.

"Well done, Edward!" Logan cheered, applauding gleefully while the others smirked.

Edward glowered at me, his eyes cold with anger. "You dared to harm Jessica? That slap was lenient. Kneel before her, beg forgiveness, and perhaps we'll show mercy—"

"Slap!"

Before he could finish, I struck him across the face.

His eyes widened in shock as he stared at me, rendered speechless.

"Savannah, you—"

"Slap!"

I struck him again.

"You—"

"Slap!"

Three slaps in total. Edward's face turned scarlet, and blood trickled from his mouth. He resembled an enraged bull, ready to charge.

"Feel better now?" I inquired calmly, my voice devoid of emotion.

The room fell silent.

The crowd was astonished. Edward, the future Duke of Harrington, had been slapped – three times – before everyone.

"Savannah, how dare you!" Logan roared. "Get on your knees and apologize to him at once!"

I let out a cold laugh. "Him? A Duke? That's ridiculous. You've all forgotten your origins. Shall I remind you?"

My voice dripped with disdain as I continued, "Father and Mother have only one child – me. The four of you? You're nothing but orphans, taken in out of pity after your father perished in a brothel, leaving you destitute. You're fortunate to even bear the Harrington name."

Their faces paled, their hands trembling.

"Enough talk!" Victor growled. He passed Jessica to Wyatt, then drew a dagger from his belt.

"If you won't apologize, I'll sever your hands. We'll see how stubborn you are then!"

"No need for that," Edward said coldly. He seized the dagger and plunged it into my chest.

The crowd gasped in horror.

"Die!" he hissed, his eyes red with fury.

Wyatt shielded Jessica's eyes. "Don't look, my love – it's too gruesome."

But instead of blood, there was only silence.

Edward's expression shifted to terror as he realized the blade hadn't penetrated my skin.

"W-what?"

"Such a pity," I said with a smirk, pulling open my cloak to reveal the golden scales beneath. "The King's gift – an enchanted breastplate. Completely impervious."

The dagger clattered to the floor as Edward stumbled back in shock.

At that moment, a deep, booming voice cut through the tension.

"You wretched fools! How dare you lay a hand on my daughter!"