Chapter 11: “Worst Betrayal”

Eleanora’s pov ~

The last piece of hope I had inside me died at her words. Rena had betrayed me, thrown me out and lied blatantly to everyone.

In the end, she was like those nobles too.

So this is what Maria was trying to tell me, this is what she felt all over the years Rena had stayed with us.

I had loved her so much, trusted her, and yet she was now acting like I meant nothing to her.

Rena’s eyes began to fill with tears as her voice trembled.

“She persuaded me to try and escape with her, but I know now she didn’t tell me the whole story.

.....

I thought I was going to be helping a poor girl who needed someone to care for her. Instead, I ended up abiding a criminal with something so heinous.”

She turned her teary eyes to Jena, crying during her words.

“Queen... I don’t know how you could ever forgive me, but I truly did not mean you any harm.

I believed I was bringing you a peace offering from her that day, not dosing you with the death of your child.

I thought she wanted to make amends one final time before we left. I was wrong... so wrong... I am so sorry....”

Her voice broke off into sobs and the crowd was whispering among themselves.

They all believed her.

They believed every lie she was telling.

And there was nothing I could do.

I become a pathetic evil woman because of her lies.

Jena, No, Jennifer suddenly stood up and everyone became silent to watch, anticipating a violent scene towards the woman who had poisoned her.

Her walk was shaky and unsteady as she strode up to Rena as if to emphasise on her recent hospitalisation.

However, to everyone’s surprise, when she finally reached Rena, she engulfed her in a hug.

They hugged as if they’d known each other as good friends.

When Jena finally broke away she smiled benevolently up at the older woman, grasping Rena’s hands in her own.

“...I forgive you, Rena,”

Jena said, making a show of her mercy.

“I know you did not mean me or my baby any harm, and so I can’t blame you for the sins of your superior.”

I looked out into the crowd to see they were enamoured by everything she was saying.

And i felt ridiculous. So this was all her planning for so long before.

I trusted and loved a person who was sent for my doom. This was all pre planned by the Duke of Ravens along with his daughter.

Fortunately i didn’t mentioned my pregnancy in my letter or to her. Otherwise they would say i did this to make my own child the heir.

I could see what she was doing now.

They had some sort of deal, I was sure of it.

Rena’s co-operation and false testimony in exchange for her freedom post-trial.

Jena smilled at Cathain, “I hope you can forgive her Cain. She had no choice.”

historical

Cathain nooded in agreement, who was fascinated by her kindness.

Calling him by nickname “Cain” was also another power move, it showed everyone how close they were.

No one had called him by that name publicly since his father had died.

I was his empress, but i wasn’t allowed to call him by his name.

Even when we were together in the bed, i wasn’t allowed to touch him as i wished.

This was all a show to win the hearts of the people, to make them look up to her like she was a merciful saint.

And I was the devil, a baby killer, a murderer.

I felt betrayed, wronged... just what crimes i did to deserve this ending?

Moreover, i felt hatred for this empire, for Cathain, for the nobles who are laughing at my poor state.

The crowd instantly filled with applause at the scene they had just witnessed.

Their new soon-to-be empress had shown great love and forgiveness to the person who admitted to poisoning her.

She was beautiful, kind and strong.

I knew they had never felt those things about me.

I had always held their respect, but never their adoration even after what i did for them.

“I think we’ve seen enough,”

Cathain said gently, standing back up. He walked up to Jena and wrapped an arm around her possessively.

I wanted to kill them... tear apart Jena from his arms and then strangle Cathain for what he did to me.

It was then that I saw it. Something that made my blood boil.

There, on her neck, was hanging the small ruby locket necklace that was passed down to empress’s for generation at their first night.

Something he had never given me, something he had always refused me even after we got married.

He had gave it Jena to prove her as his own, showing the world his favour for her.

It had only been a week and already hed done this, wasting no time to make her the next empress.

I felt pathetic, weak... i wanted to cry out loud but my body was also shivering thinking about my death.

I was angry, furious. I no longer loved him, but to think I begged him to give it to me for years without him wavering, only to see him give it to her within a week.

I hated him. I hated Jena. I hated this empire. I hated Rena.

Yes, Rena, I hated her the most.

She has given me the worst betrayal one can ever get.

What did i ever did to her?

I loved her, treated her like my own mother, respected her.

But what i got in the end?

Nothing but her betrayal that is sending me to my doom now.

I failed to judge her, believed her lies, it must be her who helped the duke to poison me and made me lost my child.

Am sure of it. It must be them!