After thoroughly inspecting the area and finding nothing unusual, he descended the stairs and locked the entrance behind him.
Turning to the guards, he demanded, “Are you certain no one has been here?”
“Yes, Your Majesty! No one has entered,” the soldiers replied immediately, their voices laced with fear. The slightest hesitation seemed to carry the threat of severe punishment.
The King narrowed his eyes, suspicion simmering beneath his cold exterior, yet he refrained from pressing further. After casting one last glance at the isolated building, he strode away.
Inside, the woman remained curled in the corner, her head shaking relentlessly, her body trembling. She still clutched the “child” in her arms, refusing to loosen her grip.
Rocking back and forth, she whispered in a broken murmur, “Please don’t hurt my child… my darling, my sweet baby…”
Her fingers stroked the pillow with infinite tenderness. If not for the fragmented words escaping her lips, one might have mistaken her for perfectly sane.
Back in his chambers, the King issued a firm command, “Double the guards around that building.”
His men bowed low, instantly understanding the gravity of his words. “Yes, Your Majesty!” Without delay, they sprang into action, organizing personnel and fortifying the perimeter.
The palace shifted into high alert, and the entire compound was on edge.
Annie, on the other hand, felt as though she had stepped into a nightmare. The moment the palace guards dragged her home, her father, Edward Cromwell, greeted her with a thunderous slap. The sharp sound echoed through the house.
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Annie clutched her burning cheek, her eyes wide in disbelief. “Father, you hit me? I was set up! Why are you punishing me?” she cried, her fury flaring. A deep red mark bloomed across her cheek, undeniable proof of his blow.
Everyone in the house stood frozen, holding their breath, afraid they might be next. After all, Edward had always adored Annie. No one had ever imagined he would raise a hand against her.
Edward trembled with rage, pointing a shaking finger at her. “How dare you say that?! I’ve loved and spoiled you all these years— is this how you repay me?”
When he first heard of the incident, he nearly collapsed from shock and anger. As Ryanna’s cousin, Annie and her family had long enjoyed the privileges of royal favor.
But now, because of her actions, their name was in ruins. Their once-secure status was crumbling. How could they recover from such disgrace?
Annie’s fingers pressed against her stinging cheek as she slowly lifted her head. Her gaze turned cold, and a bitter smile curled her lips. She sneered, “Don’t forget who built this family up!”
For years, she had played the game, carefully maneuvering between Ryanna and the Cromwell family, securing their place among the elite. Would they have ever reached these heights without her?
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