The Prince Returned With a Witness
Chapter 09 - The Prince Returned With a Witness
Julian crossed the conservatory toward Elena.
He did not look at the reporters or the guests. He looked only at the red marks on her wrist and the tears she had refused to let fall.
He stopped behind her and placed both hands gently on her shoulders.
“I am here,” he said.
Then he turned to his mother.
Adelaide’s eyes fixed on the brooch.
Julian explained that the fire alarm at the military chapel had been a diversion. The ledger remained secure because Marcus had replaced it with an empty decoy case hours earlier.
The person who entered the chapel was Minister Vane’s former aide, now employed in Adelaide’s private office. He had been detained with written instructions directing him to destroy anything found inside.
Those instructions bore Adelaide’s personal seal.
Harcourt ordered the loyal guards to arrest Marcus for insubordination.
No one moved.
Marcus announced that Harcourt was already suspended and under investigation for destroying archive footage. Palace security officers entered from the side aisles and removed his access badge.
Adelaide attempted to reclaim control.
She said the White Rose Brooch proved nothing. The palace owned many replicas.
Julian held it toward the sun. Beneath the white enamel petals, a small emerald inclusion glowed inside the central diamond. It matched the private appraisal records of the original piece.
“This was in your archive case,” he said.
Mara had discovered a false panel beneath the forged letters. The Queen had kept the original brooch with the statement she stole from behind Saint Orla’s portrait.
Julian handed the brooch to an independent court officer.
Then Gabriel entered the conservatory.
The old secretary walked slowly between the guests, supported by a monastery brother. He carried King Edmund’s sealed statement.
Adelaide’s face lost its color.
Gabriel explained that the paper behind the portrait had been a copy. King Edmund, already suspicious of his household, sent the original to the monastery through the royal chaplain.
Gabriel had concealed its existence until a neutral magistrate could witness the seal being opened.
The magistrate stepped forward.
Adelaide backed away.
Julian caught her by the arms, not violently, but firmly enough to stop her reaching Elena again.
“Do not touch her,” he said.
For the first time in Julian’s life, his mother looked afraid of him.
May you like
Not because he had become cruel.
Because he had stopped obeying fear.
