Chapter 577 - Five Hundred And Seventy-seven: An Attack To Launch Tonight

The third point of view:

"What is the meaning of this Lord Albert?" the queen queried him.

After she met with the kid's parents, he was the next to be summoned into her office. The queen might be old but she wasn't senile. Moreover, she had years of experience at her disposal.

Yes, she was madder at the kids for disrupting the dinner, she still reasoned. Although no evidence was found, it was suspicious. A kid who accused an aged man like Lord Albert of treason was suspicious, something must have happened.

"What is this talk of treason?" she went on, "If you have something to say to me right now, tell me?"

"Your majesty, as I said earlier, I have no idea of whatever allegation made against me. The child simply has a distorted view of me," Lord Albert still stood by his words, his head bowed. 

The queen didn't say anything, rather she stood from her seat and walked around her desk to him. There was a trace of pain in her gaze as she asked,

"Is this because of Fiona? Because of the banishment? Is that the reason?" she asked, hoping he came clean with her. 

Lord Albert had been a strong pillar and companion - it was quite a pity they didn't turn out to be in-laws. The queen knew if he confessed the truth, she was willing to forgive him which was why she gave him this chance - a chance to be sincere. 

However, Lord Albert at once fell on his knees, "How could I dare to think that your highness?!" He cried out. 

"Just tell me the truth?!" The queen bellowed, that was all she wanted. She trusted him and she needed to know that trust was reciprocated. 

"Yes, I was resentful!" Lord Albert confessed. 

The queen gasped. So she was right. 

"I blamed you for what happened to my daughter," 

"So you planned to rebel?" she gulped, fearful at the confirmation of the truth. 

But Lord Albert shook his head, "Yes, I had the thought, but you changed it,"

"I did?" the queen was surprised. 

"You promised to bring my daughter back home and give her the title of princess. My anger was doused out by that simple gesture," He claimed. 

The queen let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding in. He didn't betray her, he was still her royal servant - the one who had sworn to protect the crown. 

"I decided to trust you once again, Your majesty! So I decided to put my all into your protection - just as I have always done - it's quite a pity that the young child misunderstood me and tried to sow the seed of discord between us," his voice showed he was hurt by the queen's doubt towards him. 

He went on, "Your majesty, If I had thoughts for the crown, I would have taken it right after we crushed the invaders - the both of us knew that was a fragile time. However, I still did the right thing by installing the rightful monarchy. So why would I change that now? I'm just an old man who wants to live peacefully and wishes the best for his daughter,"

Guilt gnawed at queen Roselle's heart, she had doubted her most trusted lord because of a child's reckless claim - a child who knew nothing about the weight of the crown. She almost let a false claim cripple her political government - she knew how much control Lord Albert had over the others. 

The punishment she meted out on the kids was deserving. Don't blame her, even if she didn't want to punish them, the lords would demand one. Treason was a very sensitive matter in Lincolnshire. 

"Fine, I believe you," The queen said and he looked at up her in gratitude. 

"Thank you, your highness," He was still expressing his gratitude when the queen added. 

"However," She said, "We are still going to investigate this matter to appease everyone and fulfill all righteousness..." the queen said without noticing the way Lord Albert's expression shifted. 

"Since you are innocent, you don't have to do anything but to comply with the investigation and I'll make sure they don't go about it in a way that disrupts your daily life nor would word around to the public about it," the queen promised him. 

"I-Of course," Lord Albert recovered himself and bowed once more, "You're so magnanimous, my queen," 

"You can leave now," the queen dismissed him and he stood up. 

"Thank you, your majesty," He smiled at her, turning in the direction of the door. 

The instant Lord Albert was out, the smile on his face vanished at once. 

Why did he do this, she asks?

Because he wanted his child to survive. There was not a parent who wouldn't want their child to survive and he was doing just that. His days were numbered and he had to made sure his daughter was in a better place - even if it means going against the queen. 

Lord Albert was roused out of his thoughts when he bumped into someone hard. He looked forward, it was a girl with unnatural platinum blonde hair and piercing amber eyes glaring up at him.

His brows couldn't help but furrow, why was she staring at him that way as if he had offended her? He doesn't even know who she is.

Almost immediately, the girl slowly lowered her eyes - the glare must not have been for him. Someone else most have offended her and she transferred her aggression to him, he thought.

But then, even after bumping into him, she was about to walk away without an apology. What impudence! Lord Albert couldn't stand the insult.

"Stop there?" he commanded with authority.

She stopped and turned, but that took almost a minute, and muttered, "What?" in a nonchalant manner.

His anger rose to the surface, "You bumped into an elder and yet leave without even an apology? Children of nowadays, what's this world turning into?! " He lamented. 

"An apology," The girl scoffed and then stared him straight in the eyes as she tilted her head in a bored manner, "Get in line for an apology because I wasn't born with one," she said and strut away while he watched in shocked silence. 

"You!" Lord Albert pointed at the retreating figure and was close to an outburst. 

However, he controlled himself. That arrogant brat must be a daughter to one of the guests which was no wonder she had the impetus to speak to him in the manner. 

But now wasn't a moment to get riled up, not when he had an attack to launch tonight. 

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