All Chapters of Whispering Shadows: The Lost Bond: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

"Yes, your highness, we are acutely aware of your stance on this issue. However, this is a trial conducted under the laws of the kingdom, and the accused has the right to be heard, as does the accuser," a trembling voice interjected, clearly disapproving of Leo's outburst. "We will hear from you shortly, Anastasia Calixto, but first, I will read the list of charges brought against you and the punishment the accusers are seeking." I nodded silently, fixing my gaze on my father's impatient face. I needed to see if there was any trace of regard left for me in his eyes. Emotions are easy to disguise over a phone call, and deep inside, I craved this final confirmation that he had truly washed his hands of me. "You are summoned here today and charged with the violent assault of the King's daughter by his current wife and her unborn child. Both Eve and Nerissa have provided accounts of the day, as has Alpha King Leo. They view this as an attack on the royal lineage itself and are askin

Eve took a shaky breath as I turned my focus toward her. For a fleeting moment, our eyes locked, and I glimpsed the raw, unfiltered hatred simmering within Eve, only for it to be swiftly replaced by the all-too-familiar, doe-eyed innocence that often characterized her demeanor."Well, we approached Anastasia with the sincere intention of mending fences. I truly wished to try once more to foster peace between us. I am aware of my past mistakes, and if given the chance to rewind time, I would certainly choose to act differently. But... yearning for change does not effectuate it," Eve spoke softly, her voice tinged with regret as she sighed deeply, lifting her gaze to meet mine, as though attempting to convey genuine remorse."Things had started to unfold positively; she had agreed to see us—at least to engage in conversation—and we ventured into her office with the basket of items we had thoughtfully prepared for her. It was meant as a symbolic gesture, a sincere attempt to reach out. I

"I had not recognized it at the time, but following the incident, my personal assistant approached me and reminded me of a camera I had installed in my office upon assuming my role. There had been certain acts of sabotage resulting from internal discontent with my appointment, so the camera was installed to identify the perpetrator and hold them accountable for their actions," I explained, managing to keep the nerves from seeping into my voice."Once the incident was resolved, I found little reason to utilize the camera again, yet it continued operating, consistently saving backups to the dedicated server and storage system we had established. I was well aware of what had transpired in my office; however, it became a matter of my word against Eve's. Thus, having discovered this evidence only recently, I felt it crucial to provide you with the opportunity to witness it for yourselves.""That is utterly preposterous! It will merely be a fabrication created to discredit Eve!" Leo hissed

"It is your responsibility to be aware, Leo! If you cannot maintain control over the happenings within your own household, how can you ever guarantee the safety of an entire kingdom?!" thundered the ancient voice, its fury resonating so intensely that even I felt a pang of pity for my father. They were right; he ought to have foreseen this situation."We cannot allow this transgression to go unpunished, Leo." A female voice rose above the din, laced with sorrow. "In honor of the former Luna Queen, who now rests with the Goddess, and in consideration of her child, who stands falsely accused before us, the elder council has reached a consensus. Your requested judgment of exile is hereby denied."Maine howled in approval, but in that moment, I felt utterly devoid of emotion, as if a profound emptiness consumed me. It was never supposed to escalate to this point."Furthermore, your blatant disregard for kingdom-wide matters in recent years, coupled with your political actions in the past

3rd POVEve may have been impulsive and acted rashly, but she was not entirely foolish. She understood that her mother's love was entirely conditional on her usefulness, and with the outcome of the trial, her usefulness had nearly come to an end.Subconsciously, she wrapped her arms around her stomach and gently patted her small bump, her eyes welling with the burning sensation of unshed tears, threatening to spill forth at any moment.She had to find a way to escape this dire situation for the sake of her unborn child. Eve's stomach twisted uncomfortably at the thought. No matter what her mother expressed through her words or emotions, this baby was the most significant priority in her life, and she was determined to fight with every ounce of strength until her child had a chance to see the light of day.The vehicle came to a sudden halt, jolting Eve from her spiral of anxious thoughts. The guards swiftly maneuvered them out of the car and into the palace, ignoring the inquiries pose