The Devil's Betrothed
Chapter 444: Horrifying Day From The Past

Chapter 444: Horrifying Day From The Past

Julien began recounting the events of that fateful night.

"On that ominous evening, I was attending to baby Lenard when the distressing news of a gruesome incident in the Queen’s palace reached us. Entrusting Lenard to his nanny, I hastened to the royal residence only to discover that the former Queen, Helena Cromwell, had been assassinated, and the perpetrator had escaped. The King and the entire Cromwell family were in a state of shock. Young Arlan was found unconscious at the scene and was brought to his chamber," the queen sobbed, "while my own heart ached, I could only imagine the depth of pain felt by Ailwin and Arlan. Ailwin had the support of his people, so I chose to prioritize comforting Arlan who was still a child. In that moment, my concern for that child surpassed anything else I could think..."

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Flashback.

Julien entered Arlan’s room where his nanny, Karla, along with other attendants and a royal physician, were diligently caring for the unconscious Prince, their expressions reflecting deep concern.

Julien rushed in, questioning, "How is Arlan?"

The royal physician and his apprentice were engrossed in their tasks.

"Lady Julien, the Prince is profoundly affected. We’re doing everything within our power, but patience is crucial," the royal physician replied, rising from his work.

Julien approached the bed and sat beside the unconscious Arlan. Her hand delicately brushed against his forehead, tears streaming down her cheeks, as comforting words struggled to find expression.

Turning to the Prince’s nanny, Karla, the royal physician advised, "Administer this concoction, even if he remains unconscious. It will help ease his mind and soothe his nerves."

"When can we expect His Highness to awaken?" the nanny inquired, her worry palpable.

"By morning, we anticipate his recovery. If not, we will consider alternative treatments," the royal physician assured before departing.

As the physician left, Julien remained seated by Arlan’s side, offering motherly solace, even if the young Prince might not perceive it in his current state.

Karla dismissed the servants and approached Julien, saying, "Lady Julien, His Highness will recover. What he witnessed was undoubtedly traumatic for a young soul. With our unwavering support, we can guide him through this ordeal."

With tears streaming down her face, Julien could only nod, her gaze fixed on the pallid countenance of the prince.

"Lady Julien, you must stay by His Majesty’s side. I’ve heard he’s devastated as well. Your presence will bring him solace, even in the face of an unimaginable reality," Karla advised.

Julien glanced at Karla and inquired, "Where is he?"

"In Her Majesty’s chamber," Karla replied.

"Take care of Arlan. I will return shortly," Julien responded.

"Lady Julien, fret not over Prince Arlan. I am here to watch over him. You tend to His Majesty. Besides, Prince Lenard is still an infant. In the midst of this chaos, we cannot overlook him," Karla suggested. "If there’s any news about Prince Arlan, I will promptly send someone to fetch you."

Karla’s genuine concern for Arlan was evident to all. Julien nodded in acknowledgment and left with her Lady-in-waiting.

Upon reaching the Queen’s chamber, the King’s knights stood somberly outside, their expressions reflecting profound sorrow. Commander Conor Loyset and his trusted knights were engaged in pursuing the assassin, and all royal guards were deployed in the search. All present, bowed to Julien as a sign of respect for her entry into the solemn chamber.

As Julien entered the chamber, each step weighed heavily on her heart. The room was filled with an atmosphere of immense grief. Ailwin, seated at the edge of the bed beside his deceased wife, clutched her lifeless hand, sobbing like a broken child. The once tall, strong, and dignified man, endowed with the highest authority, now appeared weak and shattered.

Julien sensed her husband’s anguish as if it were her own, and it pained her deeply. Rooted to the spot, she wept, hands clutching her dress, grappling with the daunting task of offering solace to a man who had lost the most cherished person in his life to a brutal act.

Wiping away her tears, she summoned the strength to approach him. Her hand rested on his shoulder, attempting to provide comfort, but words eluded her. Her gaze fixed on Helena’s lifeless face, tears still evident at the corners of her eyes. The beautiful and lively woman, Queen of Griven, Helena Cromwell, now lay there, forever silent.

fter what seemed like an eternity, Ailwin finally acknowledged her presence, encircling her waist and crying out like a grief-stricken child, the sound echoing through the chamber. Julien held him close, gently patting his head, knowing that no words could alleviate his pain.

When he eventually wearied of his tears, he spoke, "Arlan...."

"He is alright...I will take care of him..." she assured.

"Stay by his side... I may not be able to comfort him."

"I will."

After spending some time comforting the grieving king, Julien reluctantly left, mindful of her duties to attend to Lenard and Arlan.

"Lady Julien, it’s time for you to feed Prince Lenard," her lady-in-waiting reminded. Julien nodded and went to tend to her son. As she busied herself with feeding Lenard, a sense of unease crept over her. Arlan’s pale face lingered in her thoughts, a persistent ache in her heart urging her to take action.

Noticing the change in Julien, her lady-in-waiting inquired, "What happened, Lady Julien? Are you alright?"

Julien nodded silently, waiting until Lenard was satiated before handing him over to her lady-in-waiting and rising from her seat.

"Lady Julien...."

"Take care of Lenard," and hastily exited her chamber.

Prompted by a signal from the lady-in-waiting, two servants trailed Julien.

She headed directly to Arlan, leaving those she passed bewildered by her sudden urgency. Arriving at Arlan’s chamber, her weary body struggled for breath. The door was shut, and not a single servant stood guard outside, intensifying her maternal unease.

’Why do I feel so unsettled? I pray he’s well.’

Summoning all her strength, she pushed open the door only to confront a shocking sight...