Blackening the Affectionate Male Lead - Chapter 59

However, unfortunately, Whitney had left evidence in her private room to prepare for this situation.

“There is evidence.”

“…This situation is taking a strange turn. One claims to have a witness, and another claims to have evidence. And all this at the Orleans mansion.”

The king alternately looked at Melissa and Cheston prostrating themselves, and Whitney standing with her hands clasped. The queen glared at Whitney as if about to approach her.

“Above all, he did not fall from the cliff.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“As everyone knows, there’s a garden behind the castle. The view from its edge is so beautiful it’s hard to describe in words. However, because the wind blows strongly towards the castle, if one falls from the cliff, they would be pushed against it by the wind.”

Even if lucky enough to fall into the water, one would land in a different spot from where they were initially pushed.

“It seems the young lady knows one thing but not the other. The waves below the cliff tend to push everything towards the beach. That’s probably how Karl survived. Above all, Karl has a strong will, so he could survive even if he fell from the cliff. Despite someone’s attempt to harm him.”

“As Your Majesty the Queen says, the waves below the cliff are strong but tend to push towards the beach. However, if one falls from the cliff, they’re likely to head elsewhere. They would have struggled to survive. But if they fell from somewhere other than the cliff, it’s a different story.”

Your Majesty the King’s eyes narrowed. He stroked his chin loosely, observed the atmosphere among the queen and the crowd, then gestured.

“Can the young lady prove what she’s saying?”

People were no longer curious about whose words were true. They watched the situation with interesting expressions, wondering whose side the king would take. Since Cheston hadn’t been confirmed as the culprit, others couldn’t leave the ballroom either.

Everyone was a suspect, and the ballroom and castle were the crime scenes.

Whitney shook her head. To prove everything she said, someone would have to fall from the cliff. That was also necessary to prove the queen’s opinion, but there was no need for that.

“Of course, I can’t prove someone falling from the cliff. However, I can propose another hypothesis. Unknown to everyone, there’s a cave below the cliff. It’s not very high.”

“A cave below the cliff…”

“I saw it by chance during a recent walk on the beach. And I also experienced that its height isn’t too high. Out of curiosity, I couldn’t just pass by, so while exploring it, I slipped and fell into the sea. In conclusion, I didn’t die since I’m attending this ball now.”

The king secretly sent a knight to ask a maid in the queen’s palace.

‘She wouldn’t lie. Since the king’s knight went… She wouldn’t know what the situation is.’

When asked if there had been a wet dress, they wouldn’t deny it. Even if it was a maid planted by the queen, ultimately the castle’s maids were connected, so stories tended to leak out.

“Your Majesty. They say there was a time when wet clothes were brought to the laundry room.”

At the knight’s words, Whitney sighed with relief.

“Above all, Lord Cheston and I danced in the ballroom and then rested in the private room. Many people would have witnessed this, so feel free to confirm this with others.”

The queen’s eyes changed anxiously. As if she hadn’t anticipated this situation, she gestured some command to Melissa. She clenched her fists with a frustrated expression.

“But…! I clearly witnessed…!”

Melissa raised her voice.

It was natural to become anxious when things weren’t going according to plan. It would be nice if she made a mistake, but since the queen wouldn’t step forward herself, the only option was to pressure Melissa.

Whitney moved her lips to bring up the story of the private room. However, due to Cheston firmly grasping her hand, she couldn’t continue and looked at him.

As if saying he would speak those words himself, he smiled slightly and gently brushed her hair with his fingers before saying,

“Come to think of it, while having a deep conversation with the young lady, it seems one of my buttons fell off.”

At Cheston’s words, the knight immediately headed to the private room. Whitney looked at him and smiled shyly. People let out short sighs at the sight of the two and waited for the knight.

“Your Majesty, I found a button in the private room. Moreover, I found an earring under the sofa.”

“Oh my… I didn’t even realize my earring had fallen off. Thank you.”

Whitney received the earring from the knight. People’s gazes turned to Whitney’s ear, which only had one earring. Naturally, Whitney adjusted her posture after putting on the missing earring.

The king furrowed his brow, tapping the armrest with his hand. There was now sufficient evidence, but the witness remained.

“Melissa Orlean. Did you clearly see Cheston push Karl?”

“I witnessed Lord Karl falling. I also saw someone pushing his back…!”

“It’s possible to see someone falling from the cliff at the beach, but to be certain of the face of the person who pushed them… It must have been quite a distance, is that possible?”

“In the Kingdom of Reuwen, there are only two people with brilliant golden hair apart from Your Majesty. I witnessed two people conversing on the cliff! How could I not recognize such distinct blonde hair, visible even from afar?”

People nodded at Melissa’s words. Even those watching the fierce exchange wore confused expressions.

“Your Majesty, if I may speak out of turn?”

Lady Rubeness, who had been observing the situation, stepped forward. The king nodded, granting her permission to speak. Whitney quietly gazed at her aunt.

‘When did Aunt arrive? I was so distracted I couldn’t even greet her.’

Had she been watching the entire situation from the beginning?

Whitney worried that she might get unnecessarily involved. If things went wrong, even her aunt could be in danger. She didn’t want that.

“Currently, there are strange rumors circulating about Mrs. Orleans and Melissa Orleans, and we are in the process of verifying them.”

“What kind of strange rumors?”

“There are claims that their identities have been fabricated. Reports have come in suggesting that her status as the Viscountess of Westin before marrying into the Orleans ducal family is false. There are even rumors that the name of Cecilia, who is serving as the temporary head of Orleans, is not true.”

“Is this certain?”

“It’s under investigation, so it will be revealed soon. Can we trust the words of such a person?”

“That’s someone trying to harm me! How can such absurd speculation be made? My mother and I have sacrificed so much at the Orleans mansion… After the Duke passed away, my mother did her best to maintain the ducal estate!”

Melissa hastily interrupted. Her voice was louder and trembling more than usual due to her flustered state. It must have been unexpected news. She hadn’t shown any signs, so she probably couldn’t have imagined it.

“It’s false information spread by those trying to take away Whitney’s position as she became an adult and able to inherit the role of family head. I married the Duke out of love and have led the ducal estate until now without remarrying. How can such nonsense be…”

Cecilia appeared, pleading her innocence. She trembled slightly like an injured woman, wiping her tears with a handkerchief.

“Bring Karl here.”

“Your Majesty! Isn’t it cruel to order a child who has just survived death to be brought here?”

The queen raised her voice, as if protecting her child. The king pressed his throbbing head and ordered the knights.

“Until the culprit is revealed, no one can leave the palace. Seal the castle gates and let’s end today’s banquet here.”

People started to murmur. They were essentially trapped in the castle. However, on the other hand, they would get to see an interesting spectacle, so it wasn’t all bad.

Whitney was led by Melissa’s hand to the garden outside the ballroom. Knights were watching from various places. Thanks to this, Melissa barely suppressed her boiling anger and spat out words as if chewing them.

“Are you crazy? What on earth are you plotting with Lady Rubeness?”

“Sister. Plotting? I wonder what I should say. I’m curious about what the Queen promised to give you if you came forward as a witness.”

“There’s nothing like that. I just went for a walk and happened to witness it. You didn’t see Lord Cheston and Lord Karl in the ballroom, did you?”

“Lord Cheston left his seat because His Majesty called him. Come to think of it, that must have been a lie too.”

Melissa tidied her red hair. She seemed displeased with her disheveled appearance from acting. Not to mention the sand stuck to her wet dress.

Annoyed by the gritty sand, Melissa furrowed her brow as she dusted off her clothes with a handkerchief.

“You should speak properly. Everything’s a mess because of your nonsensical talk! If it weren’t for you, everything would have gone well!”

“Lower your voice. Don’t you think what you’re saying sounds really strange? Is it okay if others hear? Everyone’s already busy gossiping because of what Aunt said.”

“You’ve made up your mind, haven’t you? How could you be so ungrateful after all Mom has done to lead the ducal estate…!”

“The ungrateful one isn’t me, it’s you, sister.”

After what Father did to you, sister.

Whitney sneered at Melissa. She was actually grateful that she came out so brazenly. If it had been different, she might have softened.

She passed by Melissa and said,

“I hope you testify to the end on Lord Karl’s side. Who knows? His Highness might be moved by your heart and keep you by his side.”

Of course, that won’t happen.