Chapter 198

The finger hit the carpeted floor without a sound and everybody stared at it for a few seconds before hearing the shrill cry of the second prince. He stared at the stump where the finger was as blood oozed out like a mini fountain. The king watched his son with a terrified expression realizing his miscalculation. A woman screamed as soon as she realized what happened and some even fainted at the sight of blood.

The second prince continued to bellow while looking at his bloody hand.

It was chaos.

"Your highness!" A servant shouted as he ran and covered the prince's hand with a cloth to try and stop the blood.

"You monster!" The king screamed at Athy while pointing his own finger at her.

Athy took one glance at the finger before giving the king a knowing look. Seeing Athy's warning look, the king quickly withdrew his shaking hand before dropping it to his side.

"Did you just call my daughter a monster?" Father asked. His face was black and his hands were fisted on his side.

The king looked at him and frowned.

"Your daughter just cut of my son, a royal prince's, finger!" He shouted at him. "How will you take responsibility for this, Archduke?"

Hearing what the king just said, I couldn't help but to laugh out loud. Everyone looked at me like I lost my brain somewhere.

"Is there anything funny, vessel?" The king asked in suppressed anger. He was trying to hide it in front of the people.

"My sister just cut off a finger." I said in a cool tone as I raised my pointer finger up. "If we abide by the law, a royal bastard is not allowed and should be.."

I did not finish my sentence, I just dragged my finger across my neck while looking at the king with a cold smile.

The king swallowed hard as he realized that we already know his secret. As per the rule, the king is not allowed to have concubines, mistresses and especially bastards as it would create a problem to the choosing of a crown prince. But seeing as the king has not just one, but two bastards, he has already disregarding the rules that were established long before.

"Just because we kept quiet does not mean we are not watching." I said to him. "So cutting the prince's finger or his neck, you can expect us to do so freely."

"Fa-father?" The second prince looked at the king. His face was pale and tear-stricken. He knew from the start that his existence was something not allowed yet nobody spoke openly about his bloodline.

The king turned to his son, then to the crown prince. Their terrified faces reflected each other.

"So, are you going to apologize to my sister and my father or..?" I smiled.

The king was obviously horrified at the thought and it showed on his face until a blond-haired man approached him.

"Your majesty.." He said as he placed a hand on the king's shoulder. This action calmed the king as if he was his redemption.

"Take the second prince to see the healer." He ordered the servants. "And take the finger with you."

The servants scrambled to pick up the finger, placing it is a clean cloth before escorting the second prince away.

I looked at the man who came to the king's side. He was tall and muscular with blond hair and blue eyes, the characteristics of a McClare.

"Your majesty, you should take a seat." He said and assisted the king to the sit on the throne again with him standing on the side.

"Thank you, Marquise McClare." The king thanked him gratefully.

"It is my honor as a subject to serve you, your majesty." Marquise McClare

My eyebrow twitched at the sound of his name.

"The marquise seems to have everything under control." I spoke again with a cold smile, this time, it was directed at the marquise. "But I still did not hear any apology from the king?"

Both the king and the marquise turned their heads to look at me.

'Did you think I would let you go?' I thought to myself.

The marquise leaned over and whispered something to the king. The king then nodded and cleared his throat, looking haughtily at me.

"The vessel seems to have forgotten that she is speaking to her king?" The king spoke in an authoritative tone.

"The king seems to forget what he had done?" I replied with a smile. "Would you like me to remind you?"

The king clutched the armrest of his throne and glanced at Marquise McClare nervously. The marquise gave a side glance before whispering something to the king again.

The king listened attentively at what the Marquise was saying, nodding his head every now and then. He looked at the Marquise doubtfully before sighing and looking at me again.

"There is no need to go to such details." The king raised a hand. "If the lady wishes for me to apologize then I will do so."