Chapter 174 - The Wrong Guests at the Dinner Table

"Duke Kurt von Wuttenfal?" asked Cordelia, looking at the Prince. "I thought I had met all von Wuttenfal alive."

Lex had no idea why Alexander's banished uncle came to Ashgraufelsen in the middle of the night announcing himself that way, but it didn't look auspicious.

Ordering the butler to allow the Duke in, Lex turned to Cordelia,

"I can tell you it's fortunate that you haven't met any dead von Wuttenfal. So many things have come out of dark and forgotten places lately, that I wouldn't be surprised a von Wuttenfal has found its way to the surface too ..." Lex didn't want to reveal anything about meeting Kurt beforehand. And she had no idea if the witches knew about his presence at Holstein, or that the Duke had organized the raid on the cult meeting place.

The crackle of candles and the wind outside were the only things breaking the silence that fell over the room. The footsteps of the heavy boots approaching the room echoed up to them. And Lex wondered if it was a characteristic of the von Wuttenfal to walk so loudly, and even if the real Alexander did too. But she doubted it.

"Thanks for having me, nephew. We don't know each other personally, since I have been absent from Holstein for years, but I am happy to see him in better health than the news has proclaimed," said the man after entering the main hall, followed by the Moorish giant. He looked at everyone, without hiding his surprise,

"I didn't think you would have any other visitors."

"I appreciate the consideration for my health. I think I can say that killing a von Wuttenfal is a grueling task ... Join us at the table, and share a meal with us," Lex offered, still not sure how to act, but noticing a new dynamic at the table. The new Baroness, Cordelia's mother, whispered to her daughter, but in such a way it was audible,

"Wouldn't it be better to retire and let the Prince and Duke take care of their important business, my daughter?"

Cordelia was getting up, and Lex grabbed her wrist,

"No. Let's all have dinner together. Arriving in Ashgraufelsen is tiring and I think my uncle will enjoy a hot meal and a refreshing wine before more serious matters."

Lex hated having to do this, especially since Cordelia looked distressed and scared. The mysterious 'Second Prince' who always interacted with Cordelia was cruel with words. It was scary to recognize that facet within herself.

"Surely I will accept and enjoy your offer, dear nephew," Kurt sat down, still seeming to appreciate the beauty of the room as he did this, "This house has changed a lot ... It looks more colorful than I remembered."

The prince ordered the food to be served, and Sister Ludovica apologized for being fasting, remaining with an empty plate.

After Alexander introduced everyone to the table at the Duke, 'his' mysterious uncle said,

"I have been traveling the world in search of knowledge and penance for my past sins, and I return to Holstein with my friend Kamal Al-Wahid", nodding to the impressive dark-skinned man, "and I realize I'm coming back at a great time."

"But there's a plague right now, how can it be a great time?" asked Cordelia, shocked.

Instead of answering her directly, Kurt turned to the Second Prince,

"I think I can prevent the past from repeating itself, nephew. This man in front of you, when young, arrogant and very influential, found a terrible bride for his brother. And completely deluded by what he believed to be love, he committed a vile act of betrayal. Even when he discovered that he was dealing with a mad, cruel and wicked woman, he remained silent and supported her wickedness until she asked for the death of his brother. Yes, Letitia di Borghesi asked the Sovereign Prince's lover and brother to kill him."

Lex kept his eyes fixed on the Duke, hypnotized by his confessions, which at first seemed to have nothing to do with the previous subject.

Perhaps not everyone there got shocked by the way this fact lost in the past was being revealed. But Lex felt her heart pounding, remembering the scene that took her mind when she touched Letitia's portrait.

A strange rustling noise beside the Prince caught 'his' eye, and Lex took his eyes off the Duke, and checked at Cordelia.

Princess Consort lost consciousness, sliding from the chair to the floor with a sigh.

'What the hell?!' Lex thought, and everyone rushed to help the Princess. Ceridom confirmed that Cordelia had indeed passed out, and recommended taking her to her bedroom, where he would make her inhale salts to wake her up.

The Second Prince watched the women withdraw the Princess with the help of the servants, and looked at Duke Kurt,

"My uncle was never the soul of the party, was he?"

"On the contrary, I have always been the most gallant and court savvy of the von Wuttenfals. After all, the other was Gutard," the Duke smirked. "About my sudden arrival, I came to Ashgraufelsen to find out what happened and who Narses Dallassenos is, your friend from the Inquisition. Why he looks for your wife, and of course, where is 'Saint Alexa of Holstein'. And like everyone else, it puzzles me why Magnus left the city with a group of men. Lots of questions, you see. But I found something else very peculiar when I arrived, and I couldn't help but test the waters… I just didn't predict the Princess would pass out."

"Do you mind telling me?"

Cordelia's uncle Egbert was coming down the stairs, and both the Prince and Duke looked up at the embarrassed guest,

"Sorry, Your Highnesses, I feel a little useless with the women's activities up there, with what little I can do to help. The doctor said that she needs a little rest… Just ignore me, I'll take some air outside," he excused himself, quite stiffly.

It was impossible not to notice that the man was terrified, and wished he had never stepped on Ashgraufelsen in first place.

They nodded, and Cordelia's uncle left them with a bow.

Lex whispered,

"What I do know is that there is a bigger goal behind it all, and I suspect you know it too. So, if you want to tell me, this is the time!"