Chapter 97

Chapter 97.

Aisha’s POV.

Aurora’s piteous display did nothing to temper my rage, her contrived s obs falling on deaf ears. Nelly’s rapid footsteps drew closer, her anger palpable in the stillness of the night air. | remained rooted to the spot, arms folded across my chest, my stance a testament to my unwavering conviction.

“You know the price for your actions,” | seethed, my voice a low rumble that reverberated through the air.

“| didn’t do anything!” Aurora protested, but her words rang hollow, devoid of any truth or sincerity.

Nelly’s voice sliced through the air like a whip, her eyes darting back and forth between me and the sniveling Aurora. With arms folded across her chest, she took a protective stance, defending the treacherous maid before her.

“What's going on here?” Nelly demanded, her tone urgent and commanding.

| wasted no time in delivering my incriminating evidence. “Your beloved maid almost took your life today,” | spat.

| explained everything to her, how | saw Aurora trying to poison her drink and how she gave me a lake excuse for not drinking the drink. Nelly’s expression hardened skepticism marrying her features.

“That can’t be right,” she insisted. “There must be a mistake. Aurora can never poison me,” she defended her, irritating me the more.

“You're so quick to defend her, Nelly,” | seethed, my voice dripping with contempt. “Despite all the evidence, you still refuse to believe she’s a threat to your life. Aurora played you for a fool, manipulating you with her lies and deceit, yet you cling to her innocence like a drowning man clings to a life raft. You're either incredibly naive or willfully blind.”

Nelly’s gaze hardened, her face a mask of defiance.

“Aurora has always been loyal to me,” she insisted. “I can’t believe she would do something like this.” | scoff.

“How long have you known this lady? Less than a month Nelly! And you are here blabbing about loyalty,” | said, my voice tinged with disbelief. This wasn’t the Nelly | knew.

Nelly’s composure wavered as my words struck like a slap to the face. Her head bowed, defeated by the hard truths that shattered her illusions.

Aurora crawled to Nelly, tears flowing as she held her legs. “My lady, I’m innocent,” she cried out.

Aurora’s simpering pleas only served to sharpen my wrath, her self-serving drivel a vile insult to our intelligence.

“Stop your pathetic lies!” | snarled, my teeth bared in a feral display of longer you cling to this charade, the worse your fate will be.”

Aurora cowered, her face crumbling into a mask of desperation.

rage. “The “I'm telling the truth, my lady!” she said, her voice quivering and | let out a hiss.

“Enough with the crocodile tears!” | roared, my voice sharp as a whip. “Aurora, you’ve already been caught red-handed, and your pathetic attempts at denial only make you look more guilty. You'd be wise to confess before the punishment for your treachery becomes even more severe.”

Aurora’s chest heaved with ragged breaths as she struggled to maintain her composure.

“But I’m innocent!” she cried, her voice quivering with fear.

| bared my teeth in a ferocious snarl, my temper nearing its breaking point.

“Silence! Your lies are as....” But | was cut off by Nelly.

“Aisha reduce your voice, it’s my wedding,” Nelly said, her voice low. | let out a heavy sigh, the tension in my shoulders radiating down to my fingertips as | massaged the back of my neck.

My eyes followed Nelly’s movements as she extended a hand to help Aurora to her feet.

“Are you innocent?” she asked, her voice a mix of concern and confusion. Aurora’s nod was as weak as a newborn deer, her eyes brimming with tears.

Nelly’s naivety was maddening as she wiped away Aurora’s tears, her tenderness a stark contrast to my seething anger. | felt irritated.

“Nelly,” | called, my voice low and menacing, our eyes meeting in a clash of opposing forces.

| could see the flicker of uncertainty in Nelly’s gaze as she turned to face me, her lips pressing into a thin line. The air between us was thick with tension, the silence hanging heavy like a shroud.

“You can’t seriously believe this act,” | hissed, my words cutting through the silence like a blade.

Nelly’s smile was a forced curve of the lips, a thinly veiled attempt to soothe my growing frustration.

“| know what I’m doing,” she said, but her words lacked the conviction to sway me.

| rolled my eyes, my irritation reaching new heights as Nelly turned her attention back to Aurora.

“You'll need to prove your innocence,” she declared, her voice a blend of authority and compassion.

Aurora trembled, her voice quivering like a fragile leaf.

“I'll do anything to prove my innocence,” she pleaded, her eyes begging.

“Prove it, then,” | growled, my voice laced with skepticism. Aurora’s faltering confidence only served to deepen my distrust, her eyes betraying her.

“Where’s the drink?” Nelly asked, her piercing gaze searching for the elusive drink. | strode across the ground, my heels thudding against the earth as | picked the glass of drink.

Handing it to Nelly, | watched her scrutinize the vessel, her fingers tracing the smooth surface as she sought any evidence of treachery. After a moment's pause, she passed the glass to Aurora, her voice a blade of steel.

“Drink it,” Nelly commanded, her expression unwavering as she watched Aurora’s face blanch in terror.

“Wh-what?” she stammered, her voice quivering with terror.

“You heard her,” | growled, a sly smile playing at the corners of my mouth. “Drink it.”

Nelly’s posture remained rigid, her unflinching gaze boring into Aurora’s soul.

“You claim to be innocent,” she said, her voice a whip of ice. “Prove it.”

Aurora’s breathing became more labored, beads of sweat forming on her brow as she clutched the glass, her trembling hands betrayed her fears.

Her lips quivered, struggling to form words as she stared into the drink, uncertain if it held the key to her innocence or her demise.

| watched with gleeful anticipation, relishing the power | held over her.

“Aurora,” | purred, “the time for excuses has passed. You either drink the wine or admit your guilt.”

Nelly remained silent, a statuesque figure whose cold demeanor belied the tension brewing beneath the surface.

Aurora’s eyes fluttered shut, her chest rising and falling in sharp, shallow breaths. | watched with bated breath as she raised the wine glass to her lips, her hand trembling as she swallowed the liquid in a single, defiant gulp. My jaw dropped in disbelief, unable to fathom how she could have ingested the poison without hesitation.

As she opened her eyes, a mischievous glint danced in their depths, her gaze darting between Nelly and me. With a graceful bow of her head, she proffered the empty glass, a sly smirk playing across her lips.

Aurora’s composure was a masterful performance, her cool demeanor belying the lingering traces of poison that lingered on her lips. Nelly took the cup, her expression a mask of confusion as she processed this unexpected turn of events.

Aurora’s smirk widened, her eyes glinting with a playful malice as she reveled in the shock and uncertainty she had sown.

“| hope I’ve proven my innocence,” she purred, her voice a soft caress that belied the sharpness of her words.

“Sorry for the inconvenience,” you may leave,” Nelly said, her voice devoid from emotion.

| let out a low hiss, my body tensing as | struggled to contain my rage.

“Don't let the door hit you on the way out,” | growled, my tone dripping with venom.

Aurora’s mocking smile didn’t falter as she executed a flawless bow, her movements a subtle mockery. Nelly cleared her throat, and | turned to face her.

Nelly’s gaze bore into me, her piercing stare demanding an explanation.

“Explain!” She growled, crossing her arms.