It was impossible. She didn't believe the king was aware. They were lying to them. He wouldn't have let her survive another day if he knew who she was.
Her hands balled beside her, and she took a deep breath, deciding to continue. There were many other things to accuse her of, so she could let this one slide for now.
"Tell the house the reason your mother was executed and you were sent to exile." The queen gestured for her to go and speak.
"I do not know about it. As you must have learned, I was sent out when I was still a child," Alicia answered.
"Your mother's family were witches! And so are you. You killed Beth and tried to kill Princess Tyra. And you are also suspected of causing the King's ill health and trying to get rid of Prince Harold during the banquet." The queen rattled. Even she had some doubts about it. It didn't make sense that Princess Amber was responsible. But what if she was responsible and had come for revenge? She just had to get rid of this girl. Having her beside Harold and in the palace with them was dangerous, not only because she was suspected to be a witch but because it seemed like Harold would do anything for her and wouldn't blink if she even asked him to set the palace ablaze.
"Why... would I do that?" Alicia asked, not understanding why they would conclude she was responsible for it all. Maybe she had killed Beth like they claimed. She could understand that accusation, as a lot of people knew she didn't have a good relationship with her. But she had no reason to hurt Tyra and the King. And there is absolutely no reason to hurt Harold. So what did she intend to gain by doing all that?
"DO NOT QUESTION M--" The queen paused and took a deep breath to control her temper. "You must have bewitched everyone and come for revenge!"
"Why would I come here for revenge?" Alicia asked in confusion. None of it made sense. Do these people use their brains at all? Or was there something else she did not know about?
"Do not try to lie to us right now, you witch!" The queen yelled at her, losing control now. "You must have realized that my late father helped the king eliminate your entire maternal lineage for witchcraft and came for revenge. So why would the king let you be when he already knew who you were? You think I am stupid?
Alicia looked at her in shock as she tried to process what the woman had just said. She turned to look at Harold, who seemed equally surprised to hear this. He was not a member of the assembly, much less a member when he was a child, so he didn't know some of the actions that were carried out, especially as he had a bigger problem to deal with relating to his curse and isolation.
Alicia looked in Harvey's direction, wondering if he always knew about this, but she could not read the emotion on his face.
The king had been involved in annihilating Anne's entire family. Why? Then, if he knew Amber was Anne's daughter, why did he let her live all this time? Had he been nice to her because of guilt? Had he been plotting something else?
She didn't know why she felt such overwhelming sadness, anger, and betrayal. She guessed it was because these were her ancestors they were talking about. She thought she knew these people. But in less than 24 hours, she realized she didn't know them at all.
She closed her eyes, trying hard to control her emotions as she dug her nails into her palm.
When she opened her eyes, she looked directly at the queen as she said coldly, "I have never practiced witchcraft and cannot admit to being one."
"Haha!" The queen laughed in derision.
"Everyone here witnessed the windstorm on the day your maid was about to be executed. That was your doing." The queen spoke in a challenging tone.
"Do you have proof?" Alicia asked, her voice still cold, and the queen scoffed. "Alright. You can keep denying it. But we at least have proof of your killing Beth."
"Bring Princess Tyra!" The queen bellowed.
That did not phase Alicia, as she continued trying to control her temper and process it all.
She was a witch.
The Moon Kingdom was mainly occupied by werewolves.
The queen's family and the King had wiped out her entire family, leaving only Amber. Why?
How long has the king known?
By chance... did the King plan for this? Her marriage with Harold?
She doubted.
The door opened again, and Tyra entered. She looked even paler than she appeared the last time. She also wore a white dress and had her hair in an updo, but she looked lifeless as she tried to keep a gracious walk to stand beside Alicia, who didn't spare her a glance.
Tyra bowed to greet the house, and almost immediately, the queen spoke to her.
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"Tell us what you saw that night." Queen Arya demanded.
Alicia turned to look at Tyra and almost felt sorry for her when she saw how she looked. It had been a while since she had last seen her.
However, she reminded herself that now was not the time to feel sorry for Tyra when she was in such a serious condition.
She noticed how Tyra's gaze moved to Harold's, and she began to sob.
"Why aren't you talking?" The queen demanded harshly.
"Can... I... not do this?" Tyra pleaded weakly as her gaze moved from Harold to the queen.
Alicia's annoyance moved from the queen to Tyra. Why couldn't she just open her mouth and tell the truth?!
Even though she was a little tensed about Tyra pointing at her again as the culprit. Seeing how calm Harold was gave her confidence.
The queen was obviously about to yell at her for her stupid and cowardly act when the door opened again, interrupting them.
All eyes turned to the door as Sir Oscar entered, and behind him was a timid maid, following him with her head down in fear.
Their brows furrowed as they wondered what this interruption was for and who she was. But as soon as she raised her head, many of them recognized her.
Wasn't she the maid who had witnessed Princess Amber stab Princess Tyra?