Chapter 9
Leopold knew I’d be overwhelmed.]
He handed me a handkerchief]
“In truth,” he said gently, “The Heartfords only raised you for twelve years.“]
“You lost the first three.“]
Then he placed two painted portraits before me.]
I stared at them there was something hauntingly familiar about the couple’s faces.]
Especially the woman.[]
She looked exactly like how I had dressed last night.
“That’s them!” I gasped.]
Leopold poured me a calming tea, then finally revealed the full truth.]
My mother, Lady Kingsley, was a refined and noble woman.[]
When I was just three, Duke Reginald Blackwood set his sights on her
Despite knowing she was married, he forced himself on her while my father was away from the capital]
Ashamed and devastated, my mother took her own life []
By the time my father returned, it was too late–all that remained was her lifeless body (
He kept the scandal buried, for my sake.[]
But the Duke wasn’t satisfied]
Less than a year later, he found a way to eliminate my father too
I was spared–barely four years old and too young to understand
That was when the Heartfords, who had just lost their own daughter, entered the picture.]
Their matriarch was dying, and they needed a replacement]
To keep me silent and under control, Blackwood handed me over to the Heartfords
They took me in-
But as I grew, my resemblance to my mother became undeniable]
Every time they looked at me, they were haunted by the past.]
So they devised a plan:]
Bring in another girl to pose as the Heartfords “true” daughter.[]
They isolated me, accused me, even tried to have me killed.
All to keep me from discovering the truth.
My hands shook.
How could people be this vile?]
“Duke Blackwood has committed countless crimes,” Leopold said grimly.
“Just recently, I uncovered his embezzlement of military funds.“}}
He paused, then called my name.]}]
“Evelyn”
That name–your name–was given to you by Lord Kingsley himself.]
He wanted you to shine like the moonlight.”
Chapter 9
My knees buckled as I dropped to the floor.]
“Your Highness… how can I ever repay you?”]
Leopold chuckled softly.[]
“Well… you could always marry me.”
My cheeks turned scarlet.]
“0
But then he stood, suddenly serious again.
“No, not yet. I’ll wait until you want to.“]
“For now, we have more important things to do–we’re going to bring them all to justice.“[]
He had been planning this for years.]
All to expose Duke Blackwood in front of the King.
On New Year’s Eve, the palace held a grand banquet.[]
The Heartfords and Blackwood had been searching for me for over a month–and that night, I finally appeared.[]
Just like before, I wore the same disguise and played the same piece.
The moment he saw me, Blackwood screamed and leapt to his feet.]
Guards rushed to restrain him.]
But my playing only grew more intense.[]
He writhed in their grip like a madman and finally broke free, fleeing in terror.]
Leopold grabbed a bow and shot an arrow straight through his shoulder.]
That stopped him cold.[]
The banquet was ruined.[]
The King rose, furious.]
“What is the meaning of this?”
Blackwood pointed at me, trembling.
“A ghost! A ghost! She’s a vengeful spirit!“[]
“If your conscience was clear,” Leopold said coldly,
“Why would a ghost frighten you?“]
“The King is here. No spirit would dare harm us–unless someone truly has blood on their hands.“]
Blackwood clutched his head and screamed,[]
“She’s here for revenge! I killed them! I killed both of them!“]
Gasps rippled through the court.
The King slammed his hand against the table.[]
“How dare you, Duke Blackwood!”
“You, a trusted noble–committing murder so brazenly?!“]
