Chapter 5 - The Autopsy Lie
The giant display behind the altar flickered violently. A new document replaced the bridal suite video.
It was a medical toxicological report stamped with the emblem of the International Forensic Institute in Zurich.
Highlighted in glowing red text across the screen was Eleanor's name, dated just two weeks after her burial.
*Substance Detected: Thallium sulfate. Trace accumulation over six months.*
*Conclusion: Intentional, progressive administration of slow-acting neurotoxin.*
A collective scream echoed through the chapel. Several ladies fainted into the pews.
Alexander stared at the screen, his entire body trembling with a rage so terrifying that the air around him seemed to freeze. "You poisoned her."
"No! No, Alexander, you can't believe this!" Victoria shrieked, clutching her bridal skirt in both fists. "My father and I have served this throne for decades! We loved Eleanor!"
"You poisoned my wife while she was nursing my newborn son!" Alexander roared, his voice breaking into a primal scream that shattered the silence of the cathedral.
He didn't wait. He drew his ceremonial saber from its scabbard with a deafening metallic rasp.
The blade gleamed under the emergency lights. Guests scrambled in terror, diving under mahogany pews as Alexander advanced toward Duke Sterling.
"Protect the Duke!" Victoria screamed.
Four private guards wearing the Sterling family crest broke rank from the royal detachment, drawing tasers and batons. But the palace's elite Royal Guard—sworn directly to the Prince—instantly leveled their automatic rifles at Sterling’s men.
"Drop your weapons!" the Captain of the Royal Guard barked. "On your knees! Now!"
The click of fifty rifle bolts locking into place echoed simultaneously.
The Duke’s private men dropped their weapons onto the marble floor. They raised their hands, knowing any sudden move would result in an immediate firing squad.
Duke Sterling slumped into a front pew, his aristocratic arrogance evaporating into the pitiful wheeze of a cornered criminal.
Victoria, realizing her world had collapsed, made a desperate dart toward the side vestry door.
"Stop her!" Alexander commanded.
Two guards seized Victoria by her bare shoulders, twisting her arms behind her back. Her diamond tiara dislodged and hit the stone floor with a violent crash, the emeralds shattering across the tiles.
"Get your filthy hands off me!" Victoria spat, glaring at me with eyes full of pure venom. "You think you've won, waitress? You think you can just step into her shoes? You know nothing about this life! You will drown in this palace!"
As they dragged Victoria away, Oliver buried his face deeper into my chest, letting out a small, terrified sob.
May you like
Instinctively, I held him closer, whispering gentle reassurances against his hair.
Alexander lowered his sword, his breathing heavy and ragged. He turned back toward me, the lethal anger in his eyes slowly softening into an unbearable ocean of grief, disbelief, and gratitude.
