The Villainess's Secret Bedroom Service
Chapter 51: The Night Meeting

Chapter 51: The Night Meeting

Enraged by such audacity, Damien seized the cult member by his neck, nearly suffocating him with his firm grip, determined to extract the truth through sheer force. However, the man’s dark eyes suddenly glistened with a bright red flash, and he became a lifeless corpse in Damien’s grasp.

The duke’s eyes widened in utter bewilderment at this unexpected turn of events. His gaze darted frantically over the rest of the men – all of them, as if following a silent command, jerked their bodies in unison, tiny red sparks flashing through their closed eyelids. They froze in their final movements, succumbing to the impending embrace of death.

Damien lowered the lifeless body to the floor and proceeded to check the others, desperately hoping that at least one had survived. Alas, the miracle did not come to pass – all ten prisoners had succumbed to death. He massaged his throbbing forehead with the back of his left hand, exhaling a disappointed sigh.

"The cursed stigma... It wasn’t a mere branding. Their leader killed them from a distance... But how could he have known?"

As he completed his thought, the door to the interrogation cell swung open once more, admitting another knight whose disheveled appearance indicated his haste to get there.

"Your Grace! Marquess Sebastian Stainhem has been found deceased in the Tulip Room!"

The somewhat ominous exclamation cast another dark shadow upon the duke’s face. He gazed down at the lifeless bodies strewn across the floor next to the wall, and furrowed his eyebrows in deep contemplation. Once again, he had made a mistake, and that error lay in believing he could bring about a change.

***

The Imperial Council Hall was shrouded in an ominous silence. All the members, except for one, remained oblivious to the reason for such an urgent nocturnal gathering. None of them were keen on finding out either, for the nobility was not accustomed to functioning efficiently during the late hours. Finally, the hushed stupor of the hall was broken by the long-awaited entrance of Damien Dio. Eyes turned to watch him as he strode purposefully towards his seat, flanked by two Shadow Knights, who held tightly onto several stamped papers.

"What brings you here at this hour, Your Grace? What could be so urgent that it could not wait until morning?"

Earl Aelon furrowed his thin eyebrows, clearing his throat with a dignified cough. The Grand Duke nodded briefly in his direction, acknowledging his inquiry, and proceeded to explain,

"I must offer my sincere apologies for summoning you all here without prior notice. However, the matter I am about to present demands your immediate attention."

He placed the meticulously prepared papers on the ornate table in front of the Emperor and continued with a serious tone,

"We have apprehended ten members of the forbidden Demonic Cult as they attempted to cross the Eastern border through the trading gate. To our dismay, the man who was aiding them was none other than Lord Raphael Ashter."

The serene chamber stirred with a chorus of confused gasps and murmurs. Young Lord Ashter had skillfully concealed his dark nature from the prying eyes of the nobility, and his association with the forbidden cult had garnered such a lively response.

However, what troubled the Council the most was his present relationship with the Grand Duke himself, for his sister was none other than Damien’s fiancee.

Finally, weary of the mounting unease among the members, the Emperor raised his hand, signaling for silence. He turned his gaze back to Damien and addressed him with gravity and poise, saying,

"Exemplary work, Your Grace. This matter has been a cause of concern for us for quite some time. I presume you have already conducted the interrogations. What did you manage to uncover?"

The Emperor’s logical inquiry elicited an unexpected response as Damien averted his gaze and spoke in a hushed tone.

"The men we apprehended... are all deceased."

"Pardon me?"

The duke let out a sigh.

"They fell victim to the Stigma curse, killed by their leader. Marquess Stainhem, who, as you’ve noticed, is absent from this assembly, was also discovered dead in the Tulip Room. It seems he was involved in supporting the Cult."

Another wave of restless murmurs filled the chamber. The Emperor’s sharp gaze focused on the report placed before him, and he remained silent for a few contemplative minutes before speaking once more.

"Is Raphael Ashter still among the living?"

With a curt nod, Damien confirmed,

"Yes. However, due to his noble status, the Imperial Law forbids me from interrogating him until the formal trial in the presence of the Chief Imperial Judge."

The Emperor clasped his hands, intertwining his fingers, and rested his chin atop the joined palms, pondering the gravity of the situation. Indeed, Marquess Ashter held a noble title of political significance, and despite his only recent resurgence in power through Raphael’s various ventures and alliances with other noble families, his involvement in such a dangerous crime could still lead to a shift in political dynamics among the houses. This was especially significant as the Marquess was a loyal supporter of the Imperial lineage and now closely connected to Damien Dio, the sole Grand Duke in the Empire of Rische.

In the meantime, the Crown Prince leaned forward across the table, a subtle grin gracing his features, seemingly amused by the intricate unfolding events.

"So, what course of action do you intend to pursue, Your Grace? The crime committed by young Lord Ashter is regarded as political treason, a capital offense. What about his little sister, Lady Rosalie?"

As audacious as it may initially sound, Loyd’s inquiry held a certain logic. In cases where a member of a noble family was accused of a crime, the entire family was considered complicit unless proven otherwise. Given the Prince’s generally suspicious nature, he had valid reasons to suspect that Raphael’s sister could be involved as well, especially considering the seemingly sudden and convenient nature of her engagement with the duke.

Despite the display of anger, he composed himself, clenching his trembling fists behind his back to deliver a measured response,

"Lord Raphael abducted his own sister with the intention of smuggling her across the border. He planned to pose as a victim of religious persecution and seek refuge in Izaar. Lady Rosalie was discovered amongst the other cult members, drugged and bound, concealed within a sewn pelt."

"Unbelievable!"

Marquess Bennett nearly leaped from his seat, his fist striking the wooden table.

"Young Lord Ashter, the renowned protective brother? Why on earth would he engage in such deplorable actions?!"

"Maybe it was just a ruse."

The Crown Prince interjected once more, his lips forming a nonchalant smile.

"Perhaps he sought to divert your attention in this manner. Your Grace, I do not intend to besmirch your fiancee’s reputation, but as the future ruler of the Empire, I must remain impartial in such matters."

"Enough."

At last, the Emperor spoke again, restoring order in the room.

"Do you possess concrete evidence to exonerate Lady Ashter, Your Grace?"

Damien shifted his golden gaze towards the Prince and nodded, addressing the Emperor’s query,

"Yes, Your Majesty. Revered Altair Nestor can attest to the veracity of my statements."