Chapter 49 - Proving Innocence

Esme did not get a wink of sleep after Aleister left the room. Every time she closed her eyes, she would be reminded of how she was drowning. In the end, she went back to her room to take a bath only to be invited by Duchess Flora for breakfast later. 

Aunt Greta picked up some black salt from the plates on the round dining table before sprinkling it near Esme's feet. 

Esme blinked as she came out of her reverie.

''Aunt Greta, our Prince won't take it well if you end up scaring her,'' Duchess Flora sighed. 

''I apologize if I scared you, my Lady,'' Aunt Greta stepped back from her, ''You are so beautiful and kind. I was just warding off the evil from you. No witch will cast her eyes in your direction-''

''Witch?" Esme stiffened. 

Duchess Flora shook her head at Aunt Greta who immediately went quiet. 

And this exchange between them did not escape Esme's keen eyes, ''Do they exist?" She glanced at Duchess Flora who immediately averted her gaze. 

''We should not mention unpleasant things,'' Duchess Flora said after a long time but Esme's persistent gaze made her sigh, ''They do,'' She was not surprised that Esme has heard of witches when ordinary people don't know about their existence. She assumed that she heard it from the Prince.

Esme's brows tugged together.

A maid came running towards them all of a sudden interrupting their discussion. 

''What's wrong?" Duchess Flora glanced at her. 

''My Lady, I just heard that the Prince was summoned in the royal court for the mysterious deaths of two other maids that happened yesterday.''

Duchess Flora frowned while Esme was not surprised. She was there with him when he was summoned and even though he said that he can manage it, she was still a little worried for him. 

Suddenly, another maid also came. 

"What is it? Did the Prince proved himself innocent?" Duchess Flora asked, visibly restless. 

''M-My Lady, h-he did...'' The mad stuttered. 

Esme exhaled, relieved after hearing that. She picked up the cup of tea before taking a sip. 

''M-My Lord killed a m-minister in the court...''

"Cough...'' Esme choked on the tea, coughing violently.

...

''My Lord, 20 lives are not something that can be avoided...'' The magistrate spoke, despite his dread towards the man, ''...We will have to look into this matter and take actions accordingly...'' Despite his words, Aleister did not move neither did he glance at them. 

He sat on the throne chair with the side of his head propped on his fist as his elbow rested on the arm. Uninterested and unbothered, he glanced at the tea and wide variety of delicacies placed on the table.

They wanted to compensate him with this for inviting him here during the time of breakfast. His gaze wandered off to a certain small pastry sitting on the corner with a layer of wine-colored cream on the top. 

The ministers all exchanged glances while the magistrate narrowed his eyes. 

The magistrate turned to look at the King, his eyes slightly cold, ''Your Majesty, things are not like the previous times. I, the Magistrate, of Visteria, have a say in this royal court now. Since it is the Prince behind...''

In the previous years, Visteria was solely controlled by the Davens but over the years, after a particular incident, the royal family lost control over some of their powers which later went to his father's hand, to their Magistrate's house.

''How are you sure of that?" King Alexander narrowed his eyes, ''How are you certain that the Prince is responsible for this?"

''Rumors are running amok throughout the castle about the Prince's infamous deeds. He killed a Princess in the royal court and all these maids who died have been bedded by him before their deaths...''

''Didn't expect you to hide under my bed to eavesdrop on us,'' Aleister said without raising his head to look at them, ''You have some kinks, old man.''

Rowan who was standing behind the Prince, lowered his head, as he tried to stifle his laughter.

The magistrate burned red in the face. 

Alexander cleared his throat.

''My Lord, it is not, I, who witnessed it but there are many witnesses of your cruel deeds,'' The magistrate spoke through gritted teeth. 

''If I may say something, Your Majesty...''

Alexander nodded at the man who stepped forward, ''You can speak, Minister Theo.''

Minister Theo nodded, ''The Prince cannot be the person behind these heinous deeds and you have no evidence to prove your claim,'' He shot a glare at the Magistrate, ''Are you finding ways to defame the future ruler of the lands of Visteria on purpose?"

The magistrate pursed his lips.

''Your Majesty, I think the Magistrate is muddle-headed at the moment,'' The minister turned to look at the King with a subservient smile as he bowed, ''I only want to plea that the Prince changes his decision about marrying that servant girl. It is not appropriate for her to become our Queen.''

The rest of the officials nodded, inwardly agreeing to what Minister Theo said. They had wanted to bring this up for a long time but they did not get a proper chance. 

''Well said,'' Aleister tilted his head to look at the man. 

Minister Theo proudly straightened up because Prince Aleister rarely praised anyone. Initially, he was scared of bringing this up, but this thing has been bugging him for a long time and now he felt glad that he mustered his courage to this. The Prince must be satisfied with the praises that he sang.

''Come here,'' Aleister moved his fingers in a come hither motion.

''Yes, My Lord?" The man stood in front of him with his head lowered. 

''Cut the fruit,'' Aleister pointed his chin towards the apple on the table.

Minister Theo followed his gaze before holding the knife as he stood with his body bent, carefully cutting it. His position in the court was strong and he won't do such things for anyone, but the person ordering him was not someone one would want to offend. 

Aleister picked up the little pastry as he pushed himself to his feet. 

Minister Theo shivered slightly when he came to stand beside him. 

''Cut his throat,'' spoke the man and in the next moment, a head rolled on the clean floor, blood splattering in all directions. 

Rowan placed his sword back in the sheath before pressing his hand on his chest in an obeying motion. 

''Very well,'' Aleister nodded. While the whole place had splatters of blood, not even a single drop touched him, ''Have a nice day, gentlemen.''

The man glanced at the exquisite pastry in his hand, the red cream reminding him of Esme. He tilted his head to the side before placing it in his mouth, his tongue slowly grazed past his bottom lips as he made his way out of the court without looking back at anyone. 

A good day indeed. 

The morning court was drowned in silence. He did not say anything but his actions implied one thing loud and clear. 

The King stood up from the throne before descending the stairs followed by his guards. He paused near the Magistrate who was standing stunned on his spot, ''I'm certain you should know by now,'' His words remained vague as he walked out without looking back. 

He decided to have a conversation with his son later regarding the dropping counts of officials.

The magistrate tried to regain his composure. The realization started sinking in his mind. A man who won't hesitate to kill a minister in front of him, why would he need to kill women sneakily?

There was more to it.