novelzi Chapter 138 Poisoned
Chapter 138 Poisoned
[Might be a little confusing, read next chapter]
"Say again?"
"Queen Elsa!"
Luis was momentarily stunned but quickly grasped the situation. It was clear why Asmon was so relaxed.
Whether Vera was truly innocent or not didn't really matter. As long as Queen Elsa declared her innocence, then she would be considered innocent.
And as for what Queen Elsa would say? Was there even a question?
Queen Elsa and Asmon were likely working together.
Moreover, having Queen Elsa conduct the physical examination came with an added advantage—there would be no room for Prince William to object.
If anyone else had been chosen, Prince William and his family might have accused Duke Miller of manipulating the outcome and demanded a replacement examiner. But with Queen Elsa in charge, any doubts would be silenced.
In terms of identity and status, who could be more suitable to perform the examination than Queen Elsa herself?
"Queen Elsa wants Prince Tupe to marry Vera, so don't worry," Asmon said casually as he walked out of the room.
Luis watched him leave, deep in thought. His mind drifted to the image of the beautiful queen standing amidst the blood-red rose bushes.
Everyone in this city seemed to have their own agenda.
The physical examination took place three days before the wedding.
As expected, Queen Elsa was the one performing the examination. Although the King and Prince William were clearly unhappy with her appointment, they couldn't suggest anyone more appropriate for the role.
The examination was set in the queen's bedroom, a private and solemn location befitting the occasion.
When Luis arrived, the kingdom's high-ranking officials were already gathered.
In the center of the bedroom stood an oval bed, its surface neatly draped with dark purple silk. Light beige pillows embroidered with rose patterns added a touch of dignity and elegance.
Opaque curtains surrounded the bed, likely prepared specifically for this examination.
Luis couldn't help but feel skeptical. When those curtains were drawn, would Queen Elsa even bother to ask Vera to disrobe? Or would she simply announce her innocence without further ado?
"This seems excessive," Vera muttered, frowning as she glanced at the crowd of half-elf nobles assembled in the bedroom.
"Very well, why don't we step outside and leave Her Majesty the Queen to examine Miss Vera in private? What do you think, Your Majesty?" Duke Miller suggested, addressing the drowsy old king.
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The old king opened his sleepy eyes, seeming to come to his senses. He nodded slowly and said, "Okay... okay, I'll do as you say."
"I want to stay," Prince Tupe said immediately. Enjoy more content from empire
Duke Miller was momentarily stunned but replied, "Very well, then. I'll leave it to you, Prince."
"I will stay as well. I am Miss Vera's personal protector," Asmon added without hesitation.
The room fell silent for a moment as everyone exchanged strange glances. However, no one objected.
Prince William appeared to want to stay as well but hesitated. Unlike Tupe, who was Vera's fiancé, or Asmon, her protector, he had no valid reason to remain. After a brief pause, he supported the old king and followed the other half-elf nobles as they exited the room.
To Prince William, the entire physical examination process seemed like a mere formality.
Would Queen Elsa ever claim that Vera was not innocent?
Could Earl Evan's plan really be so easily unraveled?
A thought struck him, and his expression grew serious. Was Earl Evan's plan truly this simplistic? Something about it felt oddly superficial.
Queen Elsa remained still, her hand still caressing the petals of the blood rose. Her tone grew more unpredictable.
"I'm not joking. If you don't believe me, you can smash the flowerpot and see if there's a... head inside!"
"Mother!" Prince Tupe sprang to his feet, a desperate attempt to stop the queen from speaking.
But as soon as he stood, he swayed unsteadily, as if he might collapse at any moment.
"The tea... there's something wrong with the tea!" Asmon muttered, realization dawning on him.
"Bang!"
Prince Tupe crumpled to the floor, his fall echoing through the room.
Vera, too, couldn't hold on much longer and fell, her body hitting the ground with a thud.
"Bang!"
Asmon also closed his eyes and fell down, hitting the floor hard.
At that moment, Queen Elsa calmly opened the drawer of the dressing table and took out a dagger.
Asmon was not truly unconscious; he kept his eyes half-open, watching Queen Elsa intently.
What is she planning to do?
Asmon's heart was in turmoil. He never expected the situation unfolding before him.
He had assumed it would be an ordinary physical examination, with Queen Elsa not even raising Vera's skirt but simply declaring her innocence.
Then, the wedding would proceed as planned, and Asmon could start putting his plans into motion.
But now, the entire scenario had been thrown off course.
Queen Elsa took slow, deliberate steps toward Vera, dagger in hand, ready to strike.
She wants to kill Vera!
But why?
Asmon couldn't make sense of it.
That didn't stop him from springing to his feet, grabbing the defenseless Queen Elsa, and knocking her to the floor.
He wrenched the dagger from her grip with one hand and covered her mouth with the other to prevent her from screaming.
"Who ordered you to do this?" Asmon's voice was cold as he looked into Queen Elsa's eyes.
There was surprise in her eyes, a clear question in her expression: Why hadn't he passed out?
But that surprise soon turned into something else—silence. A profound, hollow silence, like that of someone who had no more attachment to the world, whose life was at an end.
Asmon's hand, pressed against Queen Elsa's mouth, became wet.
He first thought it was saliva, but when he looked closer, he realized—
Blood was seeping between his fingers.
"Are you poisoned too?" Asmon narrowed his eyes.
But as he thought it through, confusion crept in. "No, you didn't drink any tea!"
Blood trickled from Queen Elsa's mouth, and Asmon no longer needed to cover her; she was breathing shallowly and could no longer scream.
"She... is just... unconscious... she won't die..." Queen Elsa spoke in ragged breaths and even tried to reassure Asmon, "I failed... You... take her... away..."