Escape from the evil lady (GL)
Chapter 95 - 3. Crossing all boundaries

Chapter 95: Chapter 3. Crossing all boundaries

That night seemed to drag on endlessly.

After Jeremy Seibel’s arrest on suspicion of a ridiculous accusation, the world he had managed to get used to and even accept as his new reality collapsed again. Perhaps he really could be called a complete loser.

Ever since the guy was imprisoned in the dungeon of the ice castle, the hope of salvation that had been born in him at the very beginning was rapidly fading by the hour. In the end, it became more and more obvious that there was no other way out.

The Ice Witch gave him one night to think about a decision. However, of course, the baron’s youngest son wasn’t even going to seriously consider this proposal. How could he save his own life at the cost of another person’s life? After all, even if he had to do it and sacrifice an innocent, Jeremy would regret it for the rest of his days. And how would such an existence differ from hell?

Therefore, mentally, the guy has already come to terms with the fact that tomorrow morning, most likely, he will be officially sentenced to death.

The light in the cell was dim, barely filtering through the small barred window, and every corner of the room was filled with a heavy, oppressive atmosphere. The Prince of the North was sitting on the cold stone floor with his back against the wall, his hands were shackled, and despair reigned in his head. Jeremy was just waiting for the verdict, even though he already knew that his fate was hanging in the balance. Thinking about the circumstances that had brought him to this terrible dungeon only made the young man smile bitterly.

«After all, when the baron exiled me to this place, I expected my death from the very beginning... In the end, it just happened a little later than I thought.»

Jeremy didn’t know exactly how much time had passed since he’d been imprisoned here. Has it already been morning the next day? Being in a dungeon with nothing but cold ice walls, the guy couldn’t even tell if it was day or night. However...

Suddenly, the voices of the guards could be heard outside the wall. Since impenetrable silence had always reigned here before, the baron’s son couldn’t help but become interested in this. Jeremy pressed himself against the cold wall, trying to catch every word. He didn’t want to miss anything, because even the slightest information was of great importance in his current situation. As the footsteps approached his cell, the conversation became more animated. As the guards passed by his cell, Jeremy caught a phrase that made his heart skip a beat.

— ...The maid my lord was with died an hour ago, — one of the guards said. — By order of the Duchess, the body was disposed of immediately.

— yes... They say it was a terrible sight. I don’t envy those who found her body.

— To be honest, the Duchess’s husband is more trouble than he’s worth. Because of him, Her Ladyship is in a bad mood now. And we have to pay for it.

— That’s right. I said from the very beginning that Her Ladyship should have been looking for a suitor among the nobles of the north. Isn’t that the best idea? Why do we need these Southerners?..

The conversation died down when the guards reached the end of the corridor and turned into another part of it. Soon, the air was completely silent again.

«This can’t be happening...!»

Like a bolt from the blue, these words burst out in the guy’s mind. Runny, the maid, who was a completely innocent young girl, was dead. Jeremy closed his eyes, and a storm broke out in his soul. He couldn’t believe that it was really true.

«How could Her Ladyship do such a thing...»

In the end, without even waiting for the official verdict, the Duchess of the North had already dealt with the unfortunate girl.

Jeremy felt like the tiny hope that had been in his heart a short time ago had now turned to ashes.

At least, he hoped that even if the duchess harbored a mortal grudge against him, Runny still had a chance to escape, because she had nothing to do with the family of the Duchy of de Lune and was just an ordinary servant. Tomorrow morning, Jeremy was ready to plead for her life, no matter what it took.

However, now all of this has become completely meaningless.

The baron’s youngest son lowered his head, and the tears that he had been diligently holding back all this time began to flow down his cheeks. At that moment, it seemed to him that he had lost everything — not only freedom, but also the meaning of life.

How could Celine de Loon order the execution of an innocent girl?

This news stabbed into the young man’s heart like a cold knife. He closed his eyes, feeling tears welling up on his eyelashes. «After all, I shouldn’t have hoped for anything in the first place...» thought Jeremy, lowering his head to his knees.

And at that moment, when his soul was on the verge of complete despair, a visitor came to the dungeon, whom Jeremy least expected to see here.

— My Lord.

When Jeremy abruptly raised his head, hearing the voice of a man who had come from outside, he could not hide his utter amazement. Even being in a similar situation, he didn’t think that something else could surprise him so much.

But, however...

— Sir Phillips... — Jeremy said in a hoarse voice, — What are you doing here?

On the other hand, the astonishment that had initially appeared in his soul was quickly replaced by realization. The visit of the Northern Duchess’ butler and closest subordinate here could only mean one thing: the woman had personally ordered him to deliver something. And, what is more than obvious, this message did not carry anything positive.

— My Lord, — the old man said softly, leaning closer so as not to attract unnecessary attention, — I have come to you.

— yes. I’ve already figured it out. Her Ladyship must be trying to tell me that I don’t have much time left either? — The guy couldn’t hide the irony in those words.

— No, it wasn’t an order from the Duchess. I visited you of my own free will.

— What...?

Hearing something so unexpected, Jeremy looked at him in surprise again.

— But why?... Why did you come here? — he stammered.

Butler Phillips’ face was serious, and that only made Jeremy’s stomach tighten.

— If you’re willing to take the risk, I have a plan that will help you get out of here.

— .....

— I know how to bypass security. But all this is extremely risky, so we will need to act quickly.

«...»

For the first few moments, the baron’s youngest son couldn’t find a single word.

Nevertheless, at this moment, having received such an unexpected offer from the butler, Jeremy Seibel could not hide his inner indignation.

After all, this was clearly overstepping all bounds.

«No, what kind of fool do they take me for if they think I’d do something like that twice!..?»