My chest tightened painfully at the thought when I saw another figure emerging beside him.
Josephine.
She came slightly behind her brother, as if he was his sheild. She kept twisting her finger into the fabric of her dress.
Her expression was grim. Her eyes were also swollen, and rimmed red as if she had been crying for hours. The tears still clung delicately to her lashes, which I don't know how she managed to do that.
Her posture, expression, everything were on point for depicting the image of an innocent sister terrified for her future sister‑in‑law.
Perfect.
Too perfect.
"She did. Josephine saw her near the drinks last night." Marcus said again, his voice low. From outside, he may seem calm and composed, but the way his jaws were clenched. It may seem that he was restraining himself from lashing out at once.
His gaze locked onto me, and I actually felt the weight of it like a blade pressed to my throat. The corridor again erupted into whispers, as words like murders, evil, and witch fell into my ear.
I closed my eyes for a brief moment, trying not to break down in front of them. As I opened my eyes, I found his gaze upon me. The stranger whom I helped stood between them and me like a wall.
Our eyes met for a brief moment, and something was exchanged between.
A hope.
A confidence lit in me, as if he were here, then nothing would happen to me.
Josephine stepped forward, clutching Marcus's arm as though drawing strength from him, breaking the moment.
"Brother, please," she softly murmured.
Then she looked at me, eyes brimming with tears, "I didn't want to accuse anyone… truly, but after what happened to Selene..."
She took a deep breath as if it were difficult to even say it out loud, then continued, "I couldn't stay silent."
I swallowed hard, seeing her award-winning acting skills. If she were in our world, she would have made it in the film industry with a click. A low yet manly voice then echoed in the room, breaking the chain of my thoughts.
"Marcus, did Selene actually drink the poisoned wine?" The man in front of me broke the ice, getting all their gazes on him, including mine.
The duke went deathly still.
The silence stretched long enough to make me insane. Why does he have to be so quiet? I even doubt it could be a good cliffhanger for the novel. Fortunately, I am in it to heart it all.
"Selene collapsed shortly after midnight. The physicians confirmed poison in her system." Marcus said at last. Each word sounded like it had been dagger-thrown at me.
My knees nearly gave out.
Damn it! In my original story, Selene never drank the poison, but now it seems like changing the plot had its consequences after all.
A breath escaped my lungs before I could stop it. Terror and uncertainty tangled violently in my chest.
Josephine continued, wiping her tears with a trembling hand, "I saw her standing near the table… just for a moment. When she noticed me, she looked frightened, like she was startled. Then she left quickly."
My nails dug into my palms, controlling myself not to claw her hair out of her head. So that's how she planned to frame me.
Not a direct accusation but an indirect approach. Just making it suspicious enough for everyone to think. She knew people never searched for truth; they tried to make their own theories to make suspicion real.
Even if I came out to be an innocent, people would still be suspicious, making my life a hell, which was enough to point fingers. Enough to ruin my life.
"Being near a table is not a crime," the man said calmly.
Marcus's eyes flicked sharply toward him. "Then why did Selene collapse? Why was poison found in her wine?" he demanded.
I shook my head desperately and found my voice, "I never touched it. I swear. I didn't even see Selene last night. I assure you, your grace. I was nowhere near her."
Josephine let out a soft sob. "Why would lie even now, Irene?" she whispered.
My blood ran cold as Josephine's sob grew louder.
"Please, Irene. There's no need to lie anymore. If you tell the truth now, my brother will be merciful. He won't let any harm come to you," she said through trembling lips, voice breaking just enough to sound sincere.
I lifted my head slowly, meeting her gaze. My voice came out hoarse, but firm. "I am telling the truth. I was not there, Lady Josephine."
I looked around to expect people to contemplate, but it seemed people were going on her side. My heart sank as Marcus's face also went cold. My eyes started to fill up, tears at its verge of coming out.
I did not want to show my weakness, but when I saw the same looks at their faces that I used to watch on my parents' faces.
That prejudiced look of not believing a word. My word. Just that in my previous life it was my sister, Lyla, and here it's Jospehine.
Different faces, but same outcome. I swallowed hard, my throat burning.
"Why… why does no one consider my words at all? Why do none of you give me one chance to prove my innocence?"
Josephine flinched, and for a fleeting second, her mask cracked but the next moment, she composed herself.
She turned abruptly toward Marcus, burying her face against his chest. "Brother… I tried. I really did. But she keeps denying it."
Her sobs grew louder, silencing my voice. Again.
"Enough! Take this woman into custody. Until we identify the source of the poison, she will be confined," he shouted, his voice echoing harshly against the walls.
The guards stepped forward immediately.
My breath hitched.
So this was it. Maybe it was my end now.
"She was with me," The words cut through the chaos with terrifying calm. Everyone stopped in their tracks. Even Josephine's sobs died mid‑breath. Slowly, I turned to him as he stepped forward.
His face had this same no-expression mask. As if nothing in here would be able to break him.
"She was with me the entire night. If there is a crime, then I am her alibi," the man repeated, his voice steady enough to make the ground feel less solid.
The silence was absolute.
Marcus stared at him, disbelief flickering across his exhausted features. "What do you mean, Xander?" he said slowly.
Xander.
The name struck me like lightning.
My heart dropped straight into my stomach as realization crashed over me.
Xander. As if, Xander Alaric Arcturus.
The Third Prince.