Chapter 205 Chapter 205


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    Gabriel was a step behind, and by the time he rushed to Matthew''s side and looked down, he saw at a nce that the boy''s. leg was brokenpletely, grotesquely, and beyond any doubt.


    He turned to Nn with eyes zing. "How dare you do this to my son? Were you trying to kill him with that kick?!"


    Sull seated calmly on horseback, Nn didn''t even blink at the usation. He let out a cold, mockingugh. I was acting under orders-to protect Eliza. Your son tried to break through ck g''s formation to force his way to her carriage. Such arrogance, such tant disregard for my authority-if I had killed him with that kick, what exactly would you have done about it?"


    Gabriel''s face twisted with fury. "You''re the arrogant one, Nn. Don''t think I don''t see what this is. You shielding that girl so fiercely-it''s not just because the King told you to, is it? What kind of intentions are you really harboring toward Eliza? Don''t take us all for fools."


    No sooner had the words left his mouth than smack-a thunderous p echoed through the air as Mary stepped forward. and struck Gabriel across the face, so hard he staggered back and nearly lost his footing.


    "You disgusting excuse for a father," she hissed, her rage barely contained. "Do you even hear yourself right now? Eliza may no longer be a Stonor by name, but does that give you the right to nder her like this? Is this the kind of filth a father should be spewing about his own daughter?!"


    Mary''s chest rose and fell with fury. If word of Gabriel''s insinuations got out-if the world believed Eliza, a nun devoted to God, was seducing the Prince Regent-she wouldn''t just lose her reputation. She could be destroyed.


    Even Matthew, writhing in pain on the ground, muttered, "Father.. you went too far."


    And Benedict, who''d been overing in cern just moments ago, turned to his father with disbelief. "How could you say something like that? Eliza is still in the carriage. What if she heard you?"


    Gabriel, too, seemed to realize he had gone too far. A sh of regret crossed his face. But the words were already out.


    He clenched his fists, forcing himself to keep his ground. "Yes, what I said involved Eliza," he admitted, "but my target was the Prince Regent. If you Nn, truly had no impure thoughts about her, then you wouldn''t be so quick to take offense. The very fact that you reacted proves my point. So tell me-right here, right now-do you or do you not harbor feelings for her that you shouldn''t


    For a moment, Nn felt a searing urge to draw his sword and end this.


    ''Gabriel Damn this man. So smug, so detestable, so thoroughly deserving of death


    He narrowed his eyes, a flicker of murderous intent shing behind them. "No wonder the rest of the court speaks so highly of your cold-blooded ruthlessness," he said slowly. "A man who would use his daughter''s name as a tool for political games. What a legacy you leave


    Gabriel''s expression was grim.


    He no longer cared what Nn said-he''d already burned the bridge.


    One way or another, he would take Caroline''s body back


    She had lived as a Stonor, and she would be buried as one wife, reunited in death.


    in the tomb he had built, meant for them both. A husband and


    you truly want to protect Eliza''s name, then hand over


    "You can twist my words all you want," he said darkly. "But if you t Caroline''s remains and let this end quietly. Or else-


    "Enough" Nn''s voice cut him off like a de. In one smooth motion, he dismounted


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    The pressure radiating off him was suffocating


    Gabriel tensed, refusing to back down, even as Nn towered over him, eyes cold as steel. And then. Nn spoke-low and sharp, each word cutting like a knife.


    you insist


    "Im not like you, Gabriel I don''t use a woman''s reputation as leverage. But since you insist on dragging Eliza''s name into. this publicly-fine. I''ll give you an answer"


    Mary clenched her fists, bracing herself. One wrong word from Nn, and everything Serenity had built could be destroyed


    But then, Nn''s voice rang out, clear and calm, like a de unsheathing.


    "My intentions have always been honorable. The entire court knows I''ve long loathed being approached by women. But if I were to care for someone, the whole world would know it. If there were someone I held dear, someone I truly valued... I would let it be known. Because only by dering it, can I make the world understand-the woman I love... is her."


    For a beat, silence. Not a breath, not a word. Even the wind seemed to hold still


    Benedict looked at Nn, as if trying to speak and forgetting how.


    Gabriel''s face darkened, fists trembling, the humiliation cutting deeper than any sword.


    And Nn-Nn only smiled faintly.


    "So, Gabriel. Does that answer your question? Or shall I


    I say it again, louder, so everyone can hear it more clearly?"


    Gabriel snapped, "No need. Just remember what you said today. Don''te back crying when you regret itter.


    "Regret?" Nn echoed, eyes glinting. "I regret nothing."


    Gabriel, fuming and thoroughly disgusted, failed to notice the quiet trap Nn had justid.


    "Now, Nn said, srnile sharpening, "if you''re finished, kindly get out of my way. Or don''t me me for what happens next." Gabriel growled, "Wait-


    Of course he wasn''t leaving without Caroline''s body.


    But Nn was done with patience.


    In a blur of motion, he drew his sword and pressed it coldly to Benedict''s neck. "Wait? For what? If you''re so eager to keep standing here, I might as well arrest your son-for viting royal guard protocol and attempting to harm the Holy Lady


    Then, after a beat, he blinked and added, "Oh. My mistake. It wasn''t you who tried to break through. But what does it matter? You''re both Gabriel''s sons, aren''t you, Benedict?"


    Benedict stood frozen, every muscle tense. He didn''t dare move.


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