Chapter. Twenty_eight

As Arthur sits in the dimly lit chamber, his head heavy with exhaustion. He remembers the night that he spent with Madin, the unforgettable night.

The night he never wanted to end , he wanted to spend all his nights like that, but he doesn't know how that never even came to happen.

Catherina enters without knocking, her movements graceful and deliberate. Arthur barely glances at her, his jaw tightening.

“Leave,” he says flatly, his voice devoid of warmth.

“Arthur—”

“I said, leave!” His tone sharpens, and she hesitates before retreating, her skirts rustling as she disappears into the corridor.

Ever since she gave birth to the twins, none of them breastfeed, the royal servant and family wonders why such little innocent Soul would refuse to breastfeed on their own mother.

While Catherina doesn't even care about that, she doesn't even go to see her babys , she's been busy conducting secrete searches for Madin because, the more Arthur ignores her , the more hatred for Madin grows , now she just want to end him once and for all.

,,,

Even after she leaves , her presence lingers, dredging up memories Arthur's wishes he could bury. Memories of manipulation, of lies he had been too blind to see.

He remembers vividly the night everything began to spiral out of control.

MEMORIES...

The Poisoning

The banquet hall was alive with music and laughter, nobles raising their goblets in toasts to the King Elias on his birthday.

This is my chance__ Catherina thought.

She had been looking for a chance to trap Arthur because ever since they got married , he never did with her what a husband should do with his wife.

In Arthur's drinks that were took to his room, she added alcohol , alcohol that made him drunk , loosing himself , falling for her touches and ended up sleeping with her.

Catherina couldn't keep quiet about it , visiting Madin , telling him all about it, but leaving out the part where Arthur was drunk. She made sure to make it sound so disturbing for Madin.

Just in three weeks , she announced her pregnancy even when she wasn't sure about it herself.

The grand queen had arranged a ceremony for the good news , eating , drinking and all that.

Later that night, Catherina collapsed in their chambers, clutching her stomach in agony. The palace physician was summoned immediately.

“It’s poison,” the physician declared grimly, his hands trembling as he examined her. “A rare and dangerous one.”

Almost everyone in the palace hated Catherina, and they couldn't help wanting her dead, so they poisoned her.

Catherina’s tear-filled gaze turned to Arthur. “It’s him,” she whispered hoarsely, her voice trembling. “It’s Madin. He hates me. He couldn’t stand that I’ve taken your heart, that I’m carrying your child.”

Arthur’s stomach twisted. Madin had been jealous, his sharp words and cold stares toward Catherina leaving no doubt of his disapproval. But poison? Could Madin truly have stooped so low?

The guards dragged Madin before Arthur that very night. His wrists were bound, his expression defiant.

“I didn’t do it,” Madin said firmly, his voice steady despite the accusation.

“Do you deny your jealousy?” Arthur demanded, his voice colder than he intended.

“I was jealous, yes. But I would never hurt her, or your unborn child.”

Catherina sobbed softly from the bed, her pale face a picture of fragility. Arthur’s heart hardened, torn between loyalty and doubt.

He ordered Madin’s punishment—banishment from the royal chambers, his trusted position stripped away.

He ordered the guards to keep him away from the royal mansion. Never to be seen around Catherina, he made him stay in the dungeon for hours, but Arthur himself couldn't stay in peace knowing that Madin was in a dungeon , so he ordered him out.

But never to be seen around the main mansion.

Madin's heart ached , but there was nothing he could do but stay away. Arthur visited him one day , wondering why Madin never tried to go talk to him.

After Madin crying telling him how he didn't do it and how he would never do it. Arthur was convinced, he apologised to Madin, and took him back in the main mansion again, back to his room. But he never gave him the same attention as before.

○

The Tea Scalding

Catherina was really mad when Arthur returned Madin in the main mansion, she couldn't stand it .

So on a peaceful afternoon. Arthur had been in the study when a servant burst in, pale and frantic.

“Your Majesty! The queen—she’s been hurt!”

Arthur found Catherina in the sitting room, her arm blistered and red, tears streaming down her face.

“He did it again,” she sobbed, clutching her injured arm. “I asked Madin to pour me tea, and he spilled it on me deliberately. He said I deserved it.”

Arthur’s anger flared, and he stormed to confront Madin, who stood stoically in the servants’ quarters.

“You burned her,” Arthur accused, his voice shaking with fury.

“I didn’t,” Madin replied calmly. “She poured her own tea. She’s lying.”

“Why would she lie?”

Madin’s eyes narrowed. “You tell me, Arthur. She’s manipulating you, and you’re too blind to see it.”

But Arthur couldn’t hear it. Catherina’s tears and the sight of her bandaged arm clouded his judgment. Thinking about his unborn child.

He punished Madin again, assigning him to the stables—a far cry from his previous trusted position.

○

The Missing Letters

The flickering light of the fireplace cast dancing shadows across the room. Arthur sat at his desk, pen poised over parchment. His thoughts were heavy, weighed down by his growing doubts about Madin.

Catherina entered silently, her soft footsteps barely audible. She smiled sweetly as she approached, her hands clasped in front of her.

“You’ve been working so hard,” she murmured, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Arthur nodded absently, setting down the pen. “I’ve been waiting for reply from Madin. He was supposed to—”

“Arthur,” she interrupted, her tone laced with concern. “I didn’t want to upset you, but I thought you should know.”

His eyes snapped to her, his brow furrowing. “Know what?”

She hesitated, biting her lip. “Madin... I overheard him in the servants’ quarters. He said he refuses to write to you. That you’ve betrayed his trust and he sees no reason to explain himself.”

Arthur stiffened, a knot tightening in his chest. “He said that?”

Catherina nodded, her expression sympathetic. “I wish it weren’t true, but I only want to protect you from further pain.”

Unbeknownst to Arthur, a crumpled letter lay in the depths of Catherina’s pocket, its edges worn from her hands. It was Madin’s heartfelt plea for a chance to speak, a chance to reconcile.

Catherina had intercepted it before it ever reached Arthur’s hands, ensuring that doubt would fester in its place.