Chapter 7  : “Falsely Accused”

Eleanora’s pov ~

I panicked as no one ever entered my mansion except me, Maria and Rena.

Why would something like that be in my room?

Who could have put it there? That means the knight is lying.

“Empress Eleanora Valentino, I hereby place you under arrest for the murder of the unborn heir of the throne, and for the harm inflicted to our Queen, Jennifer.

You will be detained immediately pending trial in a weeks time.”

“What? She lost the baby?”

.....

I asked horrified, my body feeling paralysed. Of course they all think I had something to do with it.

Why would anyone believe the empress who publicly made a scene about her pregnancy?

“Take her down to the cells,”

Brayden said, his face finally showing the disgust I knew he had been trying to hide this whole time.

They began to push me out of the door but I kicked and fought against them.

I was a knight commander for god sake! How can this mere knights bring me down.

“You’re insane! You’re all insane!” I screamed.

“Where is His Majesty?! Let me see his majesty and clear this whole thing up! I am your empress! I demand you take me to the emperor immediately!”

“That won’t be necessary,”

A deep chilly voice said behind me in the hall.

I tried to look behind as much as possible to see the familiar red eyes I dreaded so much.

The hatred filled in them was more than I had ever seen before. Fear gripped me, my legs almost giving out from just the sight of him in such anger.

He looked plenty ready to snap my neck with his bare hands.

“Your Majesty...,” I cried.

“I didn’t do this, I swear, I didn’t kill your baby. I didn’t even want to be here anymore. I was giving up, letting you have the queen just like you always wanted.”

“So you admit to trying to run away,”

Cathain groaned in a low voice.

“Your motive seems clear here. Don’t worry though, you’re getting your wish.”

Several of the imperial members now made themselves present with the high priest and a chill ran down my spine.

I had a feeling I could guess what he was about to do.

Even the admittance of wanting to escape was punishable, putting aside the false charges against me for Jena’s miscarriage.

“I, Cathain De Valerian Valentino, Emperor of the Valentino empire, along with the majority agreement of the nobles present, divorce you and take away my name from yours, as my wife and empress of this empire, Eleanora.”

I looked at Cathain. He stood completely emotionless as he spoke, if nothing had happened.

So it was true. He had never loved me. Not even a little bit. He just looked down at me with those bloody red eyes as if I was never anyone remotely special to him.

“I...Eleanora Dalton, Agree to your divorce.”

I mumbled as i had no other choice. I have my own pride. I won’t beg a man to keep me.

Then i saw the high priest sigh as he announced with a sorrowful tone.

“Sign the papers and you will be officially divorced.”

He signed the papers without a second doubt and i signed it too, with my shaking hands.

No need to stay with a man who doesn’t believe and respects me.

And then Cathain turned his back to me and began to walk away.

“Take her down to the cells,”

He ordered over his shoulder, not even bothering to look back to check if his command was carried out.

Brayden immediately pulled me and began to drag me to the stairs. I didn’t fight back, there was no point anymore.

I just let him move me towards the prison I would stay for the next days till my trial.

The cells were cold, damp and dingy, with little amenities.

Only a bed, toilet and basin were given to me, a single blanket being the only thing to try to warm myself.

There was little space, each cell having three stone walls and bars along the wall where the door was.

It had been seven days and so today, finally, I was set to stand trial before the empire for my alleged murder.

I knew the evidence was stacked against me, it would be almost impossible for me to win this.

The only hope I had left was that Rena and Maria was still alive.

If they could testify saying they had witnessed first hand that I had been inside my chambers all week, therefore making it impossible to have poisoned Jena, then they would be forced to open the floor to the possibility I was not the culprit.

“Time to go...” A guard said from outside my cell.

I recognised him. His name was Charles and I had visited his family on multiple occasions as we was very close.

He was a knight who fought alongside with me in battles.

I stood up shakily, having not eaten properly the whole week from stress, and made my way to the side.

Fortunately the baby in my womb was still alive and strong. I could still feel it whenever i touched my stomach.

I was given medicines to heal my bruises but i didn’t wanted too. This pain reminded me of my foolishness.

“Will Rena and Maria be at the trial?”

I asked once he had shoved me out of the cell.

He didn’t reply, instead choosing to remain completely silent as he continued to walk me towards the door.

I couldn’t tell if he had been instructed not to talk to me, or if he just genuinely hated me now.

We were passing several cells and my eyes checked each one through the bars, desperately searching for Rena and Maria.

Specially Rena. I needed her to be there. I needed her to prove me innocent.

However, once we passed the tenth cell, my eyes glanced across a man with familiar silver hair.

Charles stopped on his track and finally looked at me.

“Commander...This is the last and only favour i can do for you.”

I looked at him with bewildered eyes as i couldn’t believe him.

“Commander.. We trust you. But we are helpless against the emperor and nobles. Please don’t hate us. You are the only empress and commander for us.”

Tears rolled down from my eyes and i opened my shivering lips to thank him.

historical

But not a word came out from my throat. He pushed me towards my father’s cell and i cried seeing him in his poor state.

“Fa..Father!!” I cried out and run to towards his cell.