Deviating from the original plot

Chapter eighty-nine

A stunned hush swept through the hall.

"For these crimes," the judge continued, "you are hereby stripped of your title and lands. You shall be imprisoned for life within the imperial dungeons, without possibility of parole."

The Duke's face drained of colour. He lunged forward, shouting, "You cannot do this to me! I am a noble of the realm! "

But his words were drowned by the sound of armoured guards seizing him. Chains clattered as he struggled, only to be dragged from the courtroom, his curses echoing down the marble halls.

Victoria watched in silence. Her father placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's over," he whispered softly.

Outside, the bells of the capital tolled—a sombre sound marking the fall of a once-powerful man and the end of a dark chapter.

✦ ✦

Evelyn stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Victoria in a quiet embrace. The cold air outside the courthouse carried the echoes of murmuring onlookers and fading hoofbeats.

"I'm okay," Victoria murmured, her voice steady though her eyes were rimmed with fatigue.

Evelyn's expression softened as she followed Victoria's gaze toward Celeste, who stood a short distance away, her hands clasped tightly together, eyes glistening with guilt.

"You know," Evelyn said gently, "Celeste's been tearing herself apart over all of this."

Victoria blinked, surprised. "I... didn't realise."

"She's scared," Evelyn continued, lowering her voice. "Scared that you'll hate her because of what her father did."

Victoria's gaze drifted toward Celeste, who stood a few steps away, wringing her hands, her eyes downcast. Guilt tugged at Victoria's heart. She took a deep breath, then started walking toward her.

Celeste looked up the moment Victoria stopped in front of her. "Victoria, I—"

Victoria shook her head softly. "You don't need to explain. None of this was your fault."

Celeste's lips quivered, her voice breaking as tears gathered in her eyes. "I thought you'd never want to see me again."

Victoria's brows knitted. "Why would you think that? "

"I don't know..." Celeste whispered, her gaze falling to the ground. "Because maybe you'd hate me—for what he did."

Victoria's heart twisted at the sound of her voice. She stepped closer and gently lifted Celeste's chin. "I could never hate you, Celeste."

At that, Celeste let out a trembling sob and leaned into her, her arms slipping around Victoria's waist. Victoria held her tightly, her hand stroking through her hair.

For a moment, neither spoke—only the quiet sound of their breathing and the wind brushing against their skin.

When Celeste finally drew back, her eyes were red but soft. "You still... want me around? "

Victoria met her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't just want you around. I need you."

Celeste's breath caught. "Victoria..."

Before either of them could speak again, Victoria leaned in, pressing her forehead against Celeste's. "Don't ever think I could stop caring for you," she murmured.

And for the first time in weeks, Celeste smiled, her hands tightening around Victoria's as if afraid to ever let go.

✦ ✦