Gabriel froze mid-step. His gaze sharpened like a de as he turned back to Eliza and said, "Nn''s having one of his episodes, isn''t he? That''s why he isn''t here."
Eliza renuined calm on the outside, but inwardly, she scoffed. So, he really does know about Nn''s condition. No wonder he came charging in like this the moment 1 left the pce.
In truth, just yesterday, she''d asked Nn to help her stage a little drama-create the illusion that something had happened to Sophie at the Benevolent Pce, just enough to rattle Gabriel into making the first move.
But before she''d even finished outlining the n, Nn had offered his own suggestion-"Why not let him think I''ve gone mad again?"
"You know about my condition, Nn had said with a wry smile, "so does Gabriel.
If he thinks I''ve truly lost it inside the Benevolent Pce, there''s no way he''ll stay sitting."
Eliza had hesitated, "If we go that far, won''t the rumors spread? Everyone will know about your illness."
But Nn had simply said, "You think they don''t already know? They just don''t dare say it out loud."
He wasn''t wrong. Nn was Bortend''s most decorated war hero. No one could deny what he''d done-leading campaigns, winning decisive battles, forcing foreign nations to bow and securing peace for generations.
Even those who hated him, like Gabriel, never dared to mention his illness. Not because they didn''t want to-but because they couldn''t afford the bacsh.
nder Prince Regent Nn? That was asking to be drowned by a sea of righteous outrage from the entire kingdom. So Nn never cared who knew. He''d simply said:
And that was how today''s carefully calcted performance at the Benevolent Pce hade to pass-sending Adeline into a screaming panic.
Now, standing in the herbal clinic, Eliza kept her tone detached. "Episode? I don''t know what you''re talking about. Nn is perfectly fine. I doubt he needs your concern."
Gabriel let out a coldugh. "If he''s fine, then why would he let you leave the pce alone?"
"Eliza, don''t bother lying. I was your father for lifteen years-did you really think I wouldn''t know when you''re hiding something?"
She nearlyughed out loud. You? Understand me?
But Gabriel wasn''t done. Lowering his voice, he leaned in, his words dripping with threat. “You and the Prince Regent can fool everyone else, but you won''t fool me. Out of respect for the years we spent as father and daughter. I''ll give you onest chance. Come with me now-quietly. Otherwise, I''ll make sure every filthy secret between you and Nn isid
world to see."
for the
The moment the words left his mouth, Eliza''s expression shifted. Her eyes widened in disbelief, as if he''d just driven a knife through her heart.
"How could you." she whispered, loud enough to carry through the entire from hall. "How could you say something so vile about me and Nn''"
She stepped back, her voice trembling with betrayal and sorrow-then suddenly raised it, loud and clear. Tve devoted myself to prayer for the good of this kingdom. I''ve taken vows as a nun. Nn only guards me because the Kingmands it. We have nothing to hide-nothing that crosses the line-and yet here you are, hurling vile usations at me... just to defend your other daughter?"
10:44 Sat, 19 Apr A
The grief in her tone out deeper than any so
The entire herbal clinic went silent.
Though Eliza never named the exact insult, it wasn''t hard for the crowd to guess what Gabriel had implied. Everyone here already knew who she was-and they knew exactly what kind of person the Duke of Moshay was
And in light of what had recently happened in Plutonville, many present had developed a genuine admiration for the Holy Lady. Now, hearing this?
A voice rang out from the crowd. "What''s going on here! i Mr. Monor trying to bully the Holy Lady"