Chapter 291: The Trial (2)
"These are Maggie and Jude. Mine and my mother’s chambermaid-"
"Your Majesty!" Isabel began again, this time pointing at the chambermaids, glaring at Evanna and Loraven. "How can these witnesses be used when they work for them?! They are not reliable witnesses!"
"Be silent, Isabel or be gone from this hall," King Osian snapped, giving her a stern look.
Isabel’s frustrated expression turned to Queen Eleanor, her eyes becoming misty. Eleanor subtly shook her head, and her daughter lowered her gaze, allowing Evanna to continue. However, this did leave the nobles to murmur among themselves.
"Maggie and Jude claim to be taking orders from Queen Eleanor to poison Lady Loraven. I will allow the witnesses to speak for themselves. Please come forward." Evanna gestured for chambermaids to step forward. Gingerly, they did; Jude glanced at Maggie nervously and then to the Queen, whose intense gaze was sharp on the woman.
"It is as Princess Evanna says, milords and ladies. My king," Maggie began, wiping her clammy hands on the front of her stained dress. "I was not paid by either the princess or the Queen. But if I did not follow the Queen’s orders, then my family was threatened. They’re all I have... And.. And..."
Maggie’s bottom lip started to tremble, and she covered her face with a gasp before forcing her hands down and flicking her gaze to Loraven. "I didn’t want to... And I know... I know this could have been too late, but I am sorry; I’m sorry for the pain I’ve put you both through." Her voice was raw with emotion as tears welled in her eyes.
The chambermaid then looked to the king and the nobles, swallowing down her guilt and finished her statement. "Queen Eleanor ordered me to put some liquid in Lady Loraven’s teas when Jude could not. I didn’t question it at first, and when I saw how it was affecting m’lady’s wellbeing, I questioned the Queen. By doing so, my youngest woke up to the same symptoms within the week. I will say this: I don’t know a lot of things, but what I had to put in Lady Loraven’s teas were not some herbal elixirs to freshen her up or help her wellbeing. It was toxic to her health."
"And you want to do the right thing now?" Duke Ember drawled, his icy gaze on the chambermaid, no doubt trying to intimidate her.