The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife Chapter 211: Clinging to his lies

The next morning, Damian arrived at the prison shortly after having his breakfast.

Inside the cell, Elias was sitting in a dark corner, completely lost in ti, unable to tell how many hours had passed since his arrest.

The mont the iron lock clicked open, he frantically scrambled forward, a hope rising within him that he might finally be granted his freedom.

But upon seeing the cold stature of the Duke stepping into the light, Elias instantly threw himself onto his knees, his voice cracking as he began to apologize. "Your Grace, I am being frad! It isn’t true. I would never even think of hurting you, let alone poisoning you. Please, don’t do this to . You have to believe !"

"Bring Aldrick inside," Damian said coldly, ignoring Elias’s desperate pleas.

Maurice instructed the guard to do so, and within monts, a heavily chained Aldrick was shoved into the damp cell.

"Speak," Damian commanded, his piercing gaze remaining fixed entirely on Elias, watching for any crack in the man’s deanor.

"Count Elias wanted the poison to harm you, Your Grace," Aldrick replied. "He even instructed to go underground in the capital the mont the deed was done, promising I would be protected."

"Your Grace, he’s lying! I never said anything like that!" Elias shrieked, his face turning pale as he frantically shook his head.

"Elias, he already provided the evidence. The poison was found hidden among his belongings, and the Royal Physician examined it and confird it is the exact sa poison used in the attempt," Maurice stated, stepping forward to lay out the cold facts. "You need to stop lying now. You conspired to kill the Duke."

"I am being frad!" Elias cried out, stubbornly refusing to admit to the cri, desperately clinging to his lies in the hope that it might still save his life.

Damian stepped forward, his movents lethal and swift, and wrapped his hand tightly around Elias’s neck, cutting off the man’s frantic protests.

"Say a lie one more ti," Damian growled, his voice dangerously low as his grip tightened, "and I won’t even give you the chance to stand trial. But trust , a trial would be of no use to you anyway, because every soul in this place would want you dead. You tried to kill and destroy my family."

Elias’s face turned a deep red, his fingers clawing uselessly at Damian’s strong grip as it felt like he would be choked to death at any mont.

He shoved Elias away, sending him crashing hard against the damp stone wall. "You had better count your remaining days, because one by one, all your wrongdoings will be revealed to the world. Then, you will be punished brutally for playing with not only the trust of the people but also the King’s."

Elias started crying, the harsh reality finally breaking through his defiance as he saw his own death rapidly approaching.

"Your Grace, please forgive !" He dragged himself forward, falling to his knees as tears stread down his face. "My family... Please, don’t let anything happen to them!"

"How can you even ask for the well-being of your family? Do you honestly think that after what you have done, they can live in peace?" Damian asserted, his voice cold and devoid of rcy. "I warned you long ago not to be caught, Elias. However, you thought I would do nothing. You took advantage of my silence for years."

Elias kept weeping profusely. It was the end for him and his family.

~~~~~

"Roman, is your mother alright? We heard that she got injured in an explosion," asked a group of four girls from his class, surrounding his desk.

"Yes. My mother is fine. Father saved her just in ti," Roman replied proudly.

"That’s good. It must have been so scary for you. When my mother accidentally fell from the stairs last month, she got a big wound on her head. I was so scared," one of them said, shuddering at the mory.

"Yes, it was a scary experience. I hope your mother is well now, Nancy."

"Yes, she is completely healed," Nancy replied with a bright smile.

"The break is over, kids. Your parents have co to pick you up. Now, pack your bags and form a line," their teacher instructed, walking into the classroom.

All the kids started packing their satchels in a flurry of excitent. Looking out the window toward the courtyard, Roman saw that his father had personally co to pick him up.

With a bright smile, he ran out to the palace courtyard toward his father, who had already dropped to one knee with open arms.

"Father!" Roman cried out, hugging him tightly as Damian lifted him up into a warm, secure embrace.

Damian ruffled his hair affectionately and settled onto the backseat of the carriage. Once he had secured his son safely beside him, he instructed the coachman to start.

"Father, many were worried for Mama. I think people really love my mother. And I need new paint colors for my drawing class. Will Father help buy them?"

"Sure. We will stop by a rchant’s shop on our way. Then, you can purchase the colors of your choice," he affird with a smile.

"Father, you’re not upset with , are you?" Roman asked after so ti, looking up with tentative eyes.

"No," Damian shook his head softly. "You will get a sibling, but not right now, Roman. Grow up a little more, and by then, we will welco your new sibling. How about that?"

"Yes!" Roman replied promptly, a big smile returning to his face.

"Your mother needs to be in a good health to bring a baby into this world. I’m taking every factor in mind. And yes, Father was a bit scared when you suddenly asked for it. Even a grown up like can be scared," said Damian, gazing at the boy.

Roman shifted on the seat and said, "Don’t be scared then. You’re my hero, Father. You have always been so strong in my eyes."