The violins struck their first note, and Isolde allowed herself to be led onto the dance floor by Danelle. The crowd murmured softly, their attention captured by the unexpected pairing. 

Danelle’s grip was firm but respectful, his gaze steady. “You’ve caused quite the stir tonight,” he murmured, his voice low enough for only her to hear. 

Isolde met his gaze, her expression neutral. “It seems I have you to thank for this, Lord Danelle.” 

He tilted his head, a faint smile gracing his lips. “Not entirely. My sister orchestrates these little spectacles.” His tone carried a hint of bitterness. 

“She seems rather fond of spectacles,” Isolde replied, her steps perfectly in sync with his. “Though I wonder how fond she’ll be when they backfire.” 

Danelle chuckled softly, though his eyes betrayed no amusement. “Careful, Lady Isolde. Such confidence might be mistaken for arrogance.” 

“And such warnings might be mistaken for threats,” Isolde countered smoothly, her smile razor-sharp. 

The dance continued, the crowd watching closely for any sign of misstep or scandal. The Empress sat at the dais, her pale hand resting on her chin as she observed the pair with a pleased expression. 

“Tell me,” Danelle said, breaking the silence, “how does it feel to stand in the lion’s den?” 

Isolde’s eyes narrowed slightly, though her smile remained. “I’ve been raised in one. This feels like home.” 

Danelle studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a slight bow of his head, he said, “I believe you.”  “Believe?....What do you mean?” Isolde frowned but Danielle kept his lips tight.

As the elegant dance neared its conclusion, a piercing scream shattered the harmony. “Empress!” cried a maid, her voice trembling with alarm. Heads turned toward the imperial throne, where the empress lay slumped, her gown soaked with blood. Her pale face and chillingly cold body sent shockwaves through the hall.

Emperor Leonidas froze, struggling to comprehend the scene. Danielle broke free from Isolde’s grasp and rushed to his sister’s side. Kneeling before her, he summoned his healing magic. Slowly, the empress’s complexion began to return, though the room was still heavy with tension.

“What happened?! Is the infant safe?” the Emperor demanded, his voice sharp with urgency.

Danielle’s hands trembled as he whispered, “Your Majesty, I’m afraid… the infant didn’t survive.”

A thunderous roar erupted from Leonidas. “What?! How?! Who is responsible for this?” His golden eyes blazed with fury.

“Poison,” Danielle replied gravely, his voice tinged with sorrow. “A slow-acting herb designed to cause miscarriage.”

“Poison?!” Leonidas’s voice echoed across the chamber. “How could this happen without anyone noticing? Test the banquet food immediately!”

Danielle shook his head. “It’s futile. The poison is subtle and nearly undetectable. It was deliberately chosen for this purpose.”

Whispers spread through the crowd. “Who could commit such a heinous act?” a noble murmured.

“Who was responsible for preparing the empress’s meals?” Leonidas roared, his gaze scanning the room.

Terrified, the maids dropped to their knees. One of them stammered, “I-It was Lady Isolde…”
The room fell into a heavy silence, tension crackling like a live wire. All eyes turned toward Isolde, their expressions ranging from shock to quiet triumph. Whispers swirled among the nobles like venom, fanning the flames of suspicion.

Isolde stood unmoved, her back straight and her expression calm, though her sharp eyes flicked over the kneeling maids. “Your Majesty,” she said, her voice steady, “if I may address this accusation.”

Leonidas’s golden eyes burned with fury, his jaw clenched as he gestured sharply. “Speak quickly.”

She stepped forward, meeting his gaze without flinching. “These accusations are baseless. If the Empress’s food was poisoned, then the culprit would have access to her meals consistently, as well as knowledge of her condition. My role has been ceremonial at best; I have not prepared, nor overseen her meals directly. That responsibility lies elsewhere.” 

Danelle, still crouched by the Empress, glanced up, his eyes shadowed with suspicion. “Lady Isolde, the maids here have testified otherwise.”

Isolde’s lips curved into a faint smile, though her tone was icy. “Convenient, isn’t it? A single moment of chaos, and suddenly their testimony damns me without evidence. Who planted this idea in their minds, I wonder?”

One of the nobles spoke up hesitantly. “But if it wasn’t you, then who else could gain such close access to the Empress?”

“Instead of wasting time, it would be better to find evidences.” Danielle frowned, “there is no point in ideal chitchats.”

“Lord Danielle is right, go and search Lady Isolde's room immediately! And lock the palace gates so that no one can escape!” Leonidas orders, his face filled with rage. “If Lady Isolde is found guilty, she will be executed in a week.”

A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd, the Emperor’s words igniting both fear and intrigue. Guards moved swiftly, bowing low before exiting to carry out Leonidas’s orders. The nobles exchanged uneasy glances, their faces painted with suspicion and disbelief.

Isolde remained unshaken, her gaze fixed on Leonidas. “Your Majesty,” she began, her tone measured, “I trust you will ensure this investigation is carried out with fairness. Accusations without evidence serve only to weaken the throne’s authority.”

Leonidas’s eyes narrowed, his golden gaze like a blade. “Fairness will not save the guilty, Lady Isolde.”

Danelle stood, his hands still glowing faintly as he stabilized the Empress’s condition. “Your Majesty, I must insist we focus on the Empress’s recovery. This matter—”

“This matter,” Leonidas interrupted sharply, “will be dealt with swiftly and without leniency. Ensure my wife is safe, Danelle. That is your duty.”

The Empress stirred weakly, her pale lips parting. “Leonidas…” she whispered, her voice barely audible, as she tries to touch his hand but he slaps it away looking at her in disgust. “Don’t even dare touch me.” He said in a warning tone “If I find that you are somehow involved, it will be much worse than what will come for Isolde.” He said in a murmuring tone.

From the shadows of the hall, Isolde observed the scene, her mind racing. ‘The Empress’s condition, the conveniently placed accusations, the Emperor’s wrath—it’s all too perfect. Someone is orchestrating this chaos'.

Danelle glanced at Isolde, his gaze a mixture of wariness and something else—uncertainty, perhaps. “Lady Isolde,” he said cautiously, “if you are innocent, the truth will surface. But for now, I suggest you comply with the Emperor’s orders.”

Isolde’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “I have no intention of fleeing, Lord Danelle. The truth is my ally, and I will see it revealed.”

The nobles parted as the guards returned, their faces grim. “We’ve searched Lady Isolde’s chambers, Your Majesty,” one of them reported. “We found this.” He held up a small pouch, containing tea leafs.

“Send the tea leafs to alchemy department, till then Isolde would be detained to the dungeon. Duke Sable, I hope you will cooperate with the investigation, and help us find the reality as soon as possible, after all the alchemy department comes under Sable dukedom. Duty comes before family.” Leonidas said as his eyes fixed on the Duke.

“Do as you please. If Isolde is found guilty, I will personally remove her.” Duke of Sable bowed as Isolde gets dragged away by the guards.

To be continued....