The Villianess story: A 100 ways to kill your husband-Chapter 309: Eleanor’s move

The throne room of the royal palace was grand and silent. Sunlight streamed in through tall stained-glass windows, casting soft colours across the marble floor.

Gold pillars stretched toward the ceiling, and velvet banners bearing the royal crest hung high above. The room was filled with tension, heavy like storm clouds before a downpour.

At the far end, King Kaiden sat on his throne a large, ornate chair of black stone carved with vines and dragons. His expression was unreadable, but the silence of the hall showed the weight of the moment.

To his right sat Queen Eleanor on her throne, poised and regal in her dark blue gown, her chin slightly lifted. Her raven black hair and grey eyes always gave a cold beautiful appeal. Her grace was like a true queen which she was. Her mind wandered filled with thoughts.

The queen glanced at the king right where his closest aides stood, the closest to him were the crown prince Lucian, first prince Cedric and the youngest Alfonso. They stood according to their ranks.

Cedric’s demeanour was cold, his expression unreadable. Eleanor was surprised he showed up today.

After the midnight of the spring festival, he barely attended the court. He was focused on finding clues about Abrielle, but if he was here, it meant one thing.

Cedric wasn’t joking in his letter. Eleanor’s and Cedric’s gaze met shortly. Those cold eyes made her heart beat rapidly. She quickly averted her eyes trying to maintain her dignified appearance.

"You can do this." She muttered under her breath, her hands crossed in front of her. She was queen.

Cedric stood still, arms folded behind him, his black cloak trailing. He wore no expression, but his presence was hard to ignore. Alfonso looked to the floor, his brows drawn in thought. He was curious about Abrielle.

He hadn’t gotten a good night’s sleep after she left. His hands clenched; he should have stopped her that night. There was obvious tension between Cedric and Alfonso but they had bigger problems for now.

Since Abrielle he realized that he was more doomed than he thought. Why did his foolish heart have to choose his brother’s wife? Lucian stood tall, his hands clasped in front of him, watching Eleanor closely.

Near the front of the hall, seated among high-ranking nobles and royal advisors, sat Duke and Duchess Nightshade, Rebecca and Pierre Abrielle’s parents. The duchess clutched a lace handkerchief tightly, her lips pressed into a thin line.

The duke’s jaw was clenched, his eyes hard as stone. They were still trying to figure out what happened to Abrielle. And now, they were here summoned to a court session meant to put her on trial. For attempted murder. It was treason, and the crazy part was that they weren’t informed until the first summon date.

Callista stood behind Lucian, pale and uneasy, her hands twisted together in her skirts. She kept glancing between the queen and the princes, as if unsure where to stand.

At last, the chamberlain stepped forward, announcing the session.

"Today’s court is held under the presence of His Majesty, King Kaiden. The matter under review is the attempted poisoning of Her Majesty Queen Eleanor, with a suspicion cast upon our holy lady Abrielle Nightshade, wife of the first Prince Cedric Von Drakkar," he announced, using Abrielle’s maiden name.

Murmurs spread through the crowd like ripples on water. All eyes turned to the queen.

Everyone expected her to rise. Everyone expected her to speak and push the blade deeper into her enemy’s heart. But then, Eleanor lifted one hand. This was a perfect opportunity for her to cease control of the court by putting the Nightshade against the first prince.

"I would like to speak," she said, her voice clear. King Kaiden gave a slight nod giving her permission.

Eleanor gracefully rose from her throne and stepped forward, her gown sweeping across the floor. She looked around the room, meeting the gazes of nobles, advisors, and members of both houses then her cold eyes landed on Cedric.

"I, Queen Eleanor of Darconia, hereby withdraw my accusations," she said calmly.

Gasps echoed through the hall. Rebecca was completely stunned unable to believe.

"What?"

"Withdraw?"

"Is this a trick?"

The Nightshades stared at her in disbelief. Duke Nightshade rose halfway from his seat before sitting back down, stunned. His wife held his hand, glancing at Cedric and then Eleanor; something was up.

Even Lucian turned his head in shock. "Mother..."

Cedric clicked his tongue with a bored expression. He could not wait for this to be over. He had much more important things to do.

Callista blinked rapidly, confused. Alfonso frowned deeply, leaning slightly forward as if trying to read something hidden in Eleanor’s face.

King Kaiden raised an eyebrow, his fingers tapping the side of the throne. "Withdraw? After such serious claims?"

Eleanor bowed her head lightly. "I was mistaken. The investigation proved to be false. It would be improper to proceed further."

The silence was deafening. Everyone had expected a trial, a fall. No one expected to surrender. Especially not from her.

What none of them knew... was that this wasn’t by her will.

Last night, Eleanor had received a letter. A simple letter, with Cedric’s seal. It didn’t threaten her. No. It reminded her, who really held the power. Who she was up against the bastard that refuses to die. Who knew her secrets. Who had eyes in every corner of the court? So now, in front of everyone, she swallowed her pride.

But as Cedric stood in his place, unmoved, she cast him a single glance filled with venom barely hidden behind her calm face.

He had forced her hand. He had won and she hated him for it.

Alfonso exhaled slowly, relief flashing in his eyes. He turned his head slightly to Cedric, but his older brother didn’t react. He looked straight ahead like none of it mattered.

Because it didn’t.

Not until Abrielle was back.

The king waved a hand, ending the matter. "Then it is done. Princess Abrielle is absolved of all charges."

The court session moved on but the tension did not fade.

Eleanor returned to her place beside the king, her expression still, her nails digging into her silk gloves.

Cedric remained a shadow beside his brothers, silent and dark.

But inside, he knew.

The real war had only just begun