Episode 64
Eliano trembled at her father’s furious words, but Rosana Duke could not touch herāHoward’s knights blocked his way. His face was red with rage, yet helpless. Eliano felt ashamed to have such a father, but she forced herself to speak coldly:
āFather, just like your beard, I am cut from the Rosana house. Leave now. Stop this disgraceful display if you want to spare yourself more shame.ā
āYou wretched girl!!ā the Duke roared. āThese northern scoundrels! Touching anyone of mine!ā
His eyes had murder in them. He tried to push through the Howard knights, but they stood firm. When his Rosana knights attempted to enforce his will, Howardās men drew their swords.
āWhat are you waiting for? Smash these upstarts and drag that dirty girl back!ā
Howard’s men exchanged stunned glancesāno one expected the Duke to unleash such violence. Elianoās cheeks flushed, but she held her ground.
She whispered to a nearby knight, who looked shocked. With a nod, he followed her silent command.
The Rosana Knight Commander pleaded:
āLady Eliano, he is your father!ā
Eliano responded softly, her voice fierce:
āSir David, he remains only because he is my father. He does this shameless act to disgrace the Howard house. It embarrasses meāI cannot hold my head high. It seems he intends to bar my future.ā
The commander frowned.
āIs it not your duty to calm your father and lead him away? His mind is lost over a beardābest he stays hidden until it grows. They say his soul lives in that beard.ā
Eliano smiled gently.
Suddenly, another knight pulled a tuft from the Dukeās beardāit came out by the roots, causing him a cry of pain and shame. His once-proud whiskers now hung in ragged patches.
Unable to bear it, Rosana Duke clutched his neck and collapsed. His knights cried out, rushing to his side.
Eliano smirked and said,
āSir Davidābring him to me. Heās too delicate⦠Iāll fetch his whiskey.ā
Two burly servants lifted him like baggage and carried him outside.
Oliver raised the megaphone:
āLet this be your warning: Anyone who defames Howard again will lose their headājust like your beard!ā
He sealed the gates behind them.
Meanwhile, in the palace, Heriath slammed papers in anger.
āWhen will that harpy stop? And why does she have a magic megaphone so near the palace?!ā
Flint, unreadable, continued reviewing documents. He was unfazedāuntil another voice echoed:
āFather⦠Iām happy here with my husband. Flint did not kidnap me.ā
The papers flew; ink splashed. Heriath gaped.
Elianoās voice rang again:
āI love Flint. We under the stars⦠how can you ask me to give him up?ā
Heriathās eyes went wide; she stumbled back.
āCould she be⦠pregnant?! A scandal?ā Heriath whispered fearfully.
Flint jumped up, face burning with rageāthen suddenly sat, furious.
Heriath burst into laughter:
āBy Jove, that confession was bold! The Emperor canāt argue with that!ā
She added with delight:
āWho would dare call you a rapist now? It sounds consensual.ā
Flint heard only Eliano’s voice:
āWhy donāt you respect me, Father⦠Iām so sad.ā
Her clear words echoed in his mind untilā
āFaaaather! Noooo!ā
Eliano screamed into the megaphone. Her sharp, high cry startled everybody.
Flint frozeāand without a word, bolted from the palace.
āFlint? Flintāā Heriath called in shock. But no response.
His ears and neck glowed bright crimson.
1) It’s here!!!!
2) This AUTHOR!!!!
3) THANK YOU!!!!
Iām so happy youāre enjoying it! Itās because of readers like you that I feel inspired to keep writing. Thank you for reading with such excitement š„¹š
She is fine flintā¦. Donāt worry