Chapter 14: A web of deceit

Maria's eyes sparkled with malice as she glided into the king's chambers. Her smile was as sweet as honey, but beneath her innocent facade, a sinister plot brewed.

As she chatted with the king, Maria's gaze darted around the room, her eyes locking onto a small, exquisite box on the king's desk. The box was adorned with precious gems and intricate carvings, and Maria's heart skipped a beat as she coveted it.

With the stealth of a thief, Maria snatched the box and concealed it in her pocket. Her heart racing with excitement, she made her way to the maid's quarters, where she found Emma, a young and naive maid.

"Emma, darling, I need a tiny favor," Maria cooed, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness. "I need you to put this little trinket in Layla's bag. Can you do that for me, dear?"

Emma's eyes widened with innocence as she nodded, oblivious to the gravity of Maria's request. "Of course, milady."

Meanwhile, the king's face turned beet red with rage as he discovered the box was missing. He summoned his guards and ordered an emergency meeting with every single person in the palace.

The grand hall was packed with visitors, guards, maids, and servants, all buzzing with curiosity and concern. The king stood at the podium, his voice thundering across the hall.

"A treacherous thief has stolen a priceless artifact from my chambers!" he declared, his eyes blazing with fury. "I demand that every single person in this palace be searched, from the lowest servant to the highest noble!"

The guards sprang into action, beginning the search from the visitors who had arrived that day. They scoured every inch of the palace, searching every bag, every pocket, and every crevice.

As the search continued, the tension in the palace grew thicker than the stone walls. Everyone was on edge, wondering who could have committed such a brazen crime.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the guards found the box in Layla's bag. The king's wrath descended upon her like a thunderstorm, and Layla stood tall, her eyes blazing with defiance.

"You're a treacherous thief and a traitor!" the king thundered, his voice echoing off the stone walls. "You'll pay for your crimes with your life!"

Layla looked at the king saying "I didn't do it my lord am innocent but the king who was enraged didn't even listen to her he turned to the guards saying "take her away"

Maria stepped forward, her face a mask of innocence and concern. "Please, Your Majesty, have mercy. Layla is my loyal maid. Perhaps a lesser punishment would be more fitting?"

The king's expression softened slightly, but his voice remained firm as steel. "Very well. Instead of beheading, Layla will receive 200 strokes of the cane, with her body soaked in icy water. She'll also toil as a maid for two weeks, surviving on scraps."

Layla's eyes widened in horror as the king's words sliced through her like a dagger. But she refused to break, her spirit unshaken.

As Layla was dragged away to face her punishment, Maria's smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with triumph.

Meanwhile, Kael emerged from his chamber, drawn by the commotion. He watched as the guards dragged Layla to the punishment ground, her eyes flashing with defiance. Kael's curiosity was piqued, and he approached the guards.

"What has she done?" Kael asked, his voice firm but calm.

The guards explained the situation, and Kael's expression turned thoughtful. He turned to the guards and said, "Take Layla to the king. I'll speak with him."

The guards hesitated, but Kael's authority was clear. They escorted Layla to the throne room, where the king sat, his face red with rage.

As Kael entered the throne room, the air thickened with tension. The king's face was a deep shade of crimson, his eyes bulging with rage. Layla stood tall, her eyes locked onto Kael's, a flicker of hope dancing in their depths.

Kael's presence was like a calm breeze on a summer's day, soothing the frayed nerves of the maids and guards. They watched in awe as he approached the king, his strides confident and purposeful.

"Your Majesty," Kael said, his voice low and smooth, like honey dripping from a spoon. "I understand there's been a theft. I'd like to investigate further."

The king's scowl deepened, his face twisting in a snarl. "Kael, this is no concern of yours. The thief has been caught, and justice will be served."

Kael's eyes never left Layla's face, his gaze burning with intensity. "I'd like to question the maids and guards," he said, his voice firm, but polite. "Please, have them line up."

The king's face darkened, his anger simmering just below the surface. "Kael, you're overstepping your bounds," he growled.

But Kael stood firm, his eyes never wavering. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, I'm trying to ensure justice is served. If Layla is innocent, she deserves to be cleared of these charges."

The maids and guards reluctantly lined up, their eyes darting nervously between Kael and the king. Maria's eyes narrowed, her smile faltering, as she watched Kael take charge.

As the questioning began, Kael's eyes scanned the lineup, his gaze piercing and intense. He asked questions, his voice firm but gentle, and listened intently to the responses.

The atmosphere in the room was electric, the tension building with each passing moment. The king's anger simmered, Maria's frustration grew, and Layla's hope began to blossom.

As Kael continued his questioning, his eyes scanned the lineup, searching for any signs of deception. But one person was noticeably absent - Emma, the maid who had been acting suspiciously.

Kael's gaze narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. He turned to the lineup and asked, "Where is Emma?"

The maids and guards exchanged nervous glances, and one of the maids spoke up, "She's not feeling well, sir. She's in her room."

Kael's eyes locked onto the maid, his expression stern. "I want to see her. Now."

The maid nodded, and one of the guards was dispatched to fetch Emma. Kael's eyes never left the lineup, his gaze piercing and intense.

The guard returned with Emma, who was shivering and pale. Her eyes were sunken, and her skin was clammy. Kael's expression softened slightly, but his voice remained firm.

"Emma, I need to ask you some questions," Kael said, his eyes locked onto hers.

Emma nodded, her eyes darting nervously around the room. Kael's gaze never wavered, his eyes burning with intensity.

"Tell me, Emma, what do you know about the theft?" Kael asked, his voice firm but gentle.

Emma's eyes dropped, and she mumbled something incoherent. Kael's expression turned stern, and he leaned forward, his eyes blazing with intensity.

"Emma, look at me," Kael commanded, his voice firm. "I need to know what you know."

Emma's eyes snapped up, and she met Kael's gaze. For a moment, they stared at each other, the air thick with tension.

And then, Emma's eyes rolled back, and she started vomiting blood. The room erupted into chaos, with the maids and guards screaming in horror.

Kael's expression turned grim, and he leaned forward, his eyes locked onto Emma's. "Emma, talk to me," Kael urged, his voice firm but gentle.

Emma's eyes fluttered open, and she met Kael's gaze. Her voice was barely audible, but Kael's ears picked up every word.

"I...was...sent..." Emma whispered, her eyes locked onto Maria's.

And then, Emma's body went limp, and she collapsed onto the floor. The room fell silent, with all eyes on Emma's lifeless body.

Kael's expression turned grim, and he stood up, his eyes locked onto Maria's. "It seems we have a new lead," Kael said, his voice firm and commanding.

Maria's eyes narrowed, and she took a step back, her face pale. "I don't know what you're talking about," Maria stammered.

Kael's eyes never left Maria's face, his gaze piercing and intense. "We'll see about that," Kael said, his voice dripping with menace.

And with that, Kael turned to the guards and ordered them to take Maria into custody. The room erupted into chaos, with the maids and guards scrambling to obey Kael's orders.

As Maria was dragged away, her eyes met Layla's, and for a moment, they stared at each other, the air thick with tension.

And then, Maria's eyes dropped, and she was gone, taken away by the guards. Layla's eyes never left the spot where Maria had disappeared, her expression grim.

Kael's eyes met Layla's, and for a moment, they stared at each other, the air thick with tension. And then, Kael nodded, his expression softening.

"It's over," Kael said, his voice firm but gentle. "You're free."

Layla's eyes never left Kael's face, her expression unreadable. And then, she nodded, her eyes dropping.