Married To The Villain
Chapter 67: The Secret Prophecy

Chapter 67: The Secret Prophecy

Chapter 67: The Prophecy

The grand hall of Raphael’s palace was nothing but fancy.

Lirian was in the center of it all, her chin held high despite the unease gnawing at her.

On her shoulder, Pedro shifted restlessly, squawking every now and then as if already agitated by the confrontation that was about to happen.

Raphael sat on his gilded throne, his posture looked regal but his eyebrows furrowed as he regarded Lirian.

His blazing gaze looked briefly at Pedro before returning to her.

"You requested an audience, Lady Lirian," he said, carefully neutral. "I granted it out of respect for Gabriel, but I hope you don’t intend to waste my time."

"Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it," Lirian said, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "I’m here to discuss Gabriel’s release."

Raphael arched an eyebrow. "Gabriel committed treason by killing the king. I don’t think there’s much to discuss."

Lirian held up a finger, signaling for patience.

"Ah, but you see, there’s more to this story than you realise."

She gestured to Pedro, who flapped his wings dramatically. "Allow me to introduce my star witness."

Raphael blinked, his expression shifted a little. "You brought... a parrot?"

Pedro puffed up his chest, squawking loudly. "AI! Enemy! AI!"

Raphael stared, then slowly leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "You’ve got to be kidding me."

"I’m completely serious," Lirian said, her tone was convincing.

"Pedro saw the future. He identified the real enemy. The king—" She paused for dramatic effect, pointing a finger toward Raphael. "—was AI."

The silence that followed was palpable.

Raphael stared at her, his lips twitched as though he couldn’t decide whether to laugh or throw her out.

"AI?" he repeated, not believing her. "You expect me to believe that a bird... predicted the king was some sort of magical machine?"

Pedro squawked again, hopping on Lirian’s shoulder. "Enemy! Danger!"

Lirian shrugged, keeping herself calm.

"I know it sounds ridiculous, but Gabriel found evidence of it in his research. His advisor, Lord Rathian, kept notes about the prophecy."

Raphael’s eyes narrowed. "You’re basing your argument on prophecies and a talking parrot?"

"Not just that," Lirian replied smoothly.

She pulled out a leather-bound journal from her bag, holding it up for him to see.

"This is from Gabriel’s office. It details everything—notes about the prophecy, and the dangers to the realm."

Raphael gestured for a guard to retrieve the journal, flipping through it himself once it was brought to him.

His expression grew darker as he read, though skepticism still remained the ssme in his eyes.

"This could be fabricated," he said after a moment, closing the journal.

"Sure, if Gabriel were a novelist instead of a duke," Lirian replied back, crossing her arms.

Raphael let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You expect me to overturn a charge of treason based on... this?"

Lirian smiled sweetly. "Oh, I’m just getting started."

She stepped forward, her gaze locked onto his.

"You see, Raphael, I know things. Things no one else does."

His eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone.

"I know about your father’s secret ledger. The one he used to funnel money to his illegitimate family in the southern provinces."

Raphael’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

"I also know about the night you were sixteen," she continued, her tone turned sly.

"That tavern brawl in Lorian’s Hollow? The one where you disguised yourself as a commoner and got thrown out by a barmaid half your size?"

A muscle in Raphael’s jaw twitched. "How do you know about that?"

Lirian’s smile widened. "Let’s just say I have my ways."

Pedro squawked again, as if to punctuate her statement.

"And let’s not forget," Lirian added, growing serious, "the incident with the Crown’s archives. The one you had erased from public record. Shall I go into detail about that, Your Highness?"

Raphael’s composure faltered, his hands gripping the armrests of his throne.

"Enough," he said sharply.

Lirian tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Is something wrong, Your Highness? You seem... tense."

"You’ve made your point," Raphael snapped, his tone sounding irritated.

"But none of this proves that Gabriel is innocent."

"Doesn’t it?" Lirian countered.

"Think about it. Why would Gabriel kill the king unless he believed the kingdom was in danger? He didn’t act out of malice or ambition—he acted because he thought it was the only way to protect us all."

Raphael leaned back in his throne, his expression was unreasonably relaxed.

For a long moment, the hall was silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade.

Finally, Raphael let out a slow breath.

"You’re either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish, Lady Lirian. I haven’t decided which yet."

"Why not both?" she said with a smirk.

He gestured dismissively.

"I’ll review the evidence you’ve brought. But don’t think for a second that this guarantees Gabriel’s release. Treason is not a charge I take lightly."

"Neither do I," Lirian said firmly.

"But Gabriel isn’t a traitor. He’s a man who’s suffered more than anyone should have to, and I won’t stop until I prove his innocence."

Raphael studied her for a moment, then nodded.

"Very well. You’ll have your chance. But if I find any hint that you’ve lied to me, there will be consequences."

Lirian nodded, knowing that Raphael had a kind heart behind his mask.

"Understood."

As she turned to leave, Pedro flapped his wings and let out one final squawk. "Danger! AI!"

Raphael groaned, muttering under his breath.

"That bird is going to drive me insane."

Lirian couldn’t help but laugh softly as she exited the hall, her heart pounding with both fear and determination.

’Gabriel, hold on,’ she thought. ’I’m not done fighting for you yet.’

As she left for her carriage, she didn’t notice Daria watching her.

"Well, well, well...don’t tell me you’re going to save your husband, bitch." She smiled.

Then, Daria turned on her heel and walked through the garden, straight into the jail, where Gabriel was being kept.