Chapter 119: Farewell
The Duchess and Adeline looked at each other in confusion. Just what did this boy plan to do? How would he survive? He was not going back to the orphanage, that was sure.
Everett didn’t leave room for any questioning, he was firm in his decision. And the Duchess accepted it. If he was so sure about it, she wouldn’t involve herself.
"If you are ever in need of the title in the future, the offer will always stand." That was the only piece of kindness she could offer.
Adeline learnt from the knights that her father sent them, he seemed to have a sixth sense about when his daughter might get into trouble. Adeline didn’t mind, in fact, she was happy to get some extra protection.
After what happened the other day, she didn’t want to take any chances. As much as she hated to admit, she wasn’t strong.
The trial began a week later, held in the grand hall of the Eastern Duchy. Nobles and officials from across the region gathered to witness the fall of the once-powerful Duke.
Adeline sat in the audience, her hands clenched tightly in her lap, her heart pounding as she watched the proceedings unfold.
His hands were cuffed and he dared not lift his head. He didn’t speak a word during the entire process. His eyes were lifeless as the reality set in. He was finished.
He spent a week in that cold, damp prison cell. From anger, to fright to slow acceptance, he went through everything.
The evidence she had gathered was presented piece by piece: the birth certificate, letters from Alice, and testimonies from servants who had suffered under the Duke’s rule.
Each revelation was met with gasps and murmurs from the crowd. Everett stood as one of the key witnesses, his voice steady as he recounted his experiences.