Emma's POV:
I had never thought that one day I would have the chance to testify against the murderer of my friend.
My hands trembled when I looked at that vicious man, who didn't deserve to be called a king at all.
A part of me was scared, but I also felt excited, and above all, happy.
After all, I finally had the chance to avenge my friend's death.
A few days ago, when Anthony's asked me if I was willing to testify against Austin and expose his
crimes to the world, I thought I was dreaming.
"Emma, don't be afraid.Justice will prevail.Please face everyone and tell them the truth," Anthony said
to encourage me.
"All right!"
I held back my tears and took a deep breath before I pointed my finger at Austin.
"This man is nothing but a depraved animal! He raped and killed my dear friend Lisa!"
Then I told them everything I had witnessed with my own eyes a few years ago.
"Lisa worked as a maid at the royal palace.The king took a fancy to her because she was more
beautiful than the other maids.When he asked Lisa to be his mistress, she refused him, and in return,
he tried to rape her.When Lisa fought back desperately, he got furious."
I couldn't help but close my eyes to stop the tears from falling as I spoke.I took deep breaths to control
my emotions because I wanted to tell everyone the whole story.
"He raped Lisa before strangled her with his own hands.He didn't let go of her throat until she stopped
moving.After that, Lisa's dead body was found in a well nearby.It had decayed that we could hardly
recognize her.Everyone thought that she died from drowning.I was just outside the room where Lisa
died.I heard her screaming and crying for help, but no one came.Although I was able to take photos
through the crack between the door and the door frame, I didn't dare to speak up about it earlier
because I knew that no one would believe a maid."
I kept picturing Lisa's face in my head when I spoke, smiling at me as if she was standing right before
me.
She was a kind-hearted soul, who never failed to bake me a cake on my birthdays.
We were poor, but we were happy because we could always rely on each other.
The more I thought about it, the sadder I felt and eventually I couldn't help but break into tears.
I regretted not being able to do anything to help her at that time.
"Don't cry, sweet girl! Your courage will be deeply appreciated by your late friend,"
Anthony's mate said as she walked up to me with a smile and held my hands.
Her presence gave my heart warmth and comfort.
"Thank you, Jennifer.” That's very kind of you to say.
"I hurried to express my gratitude.”
Anthony was a kind man, and his mate was just as considerate as he was.They were a perfect match.
"No, that was just a misunderstanding.I just wanted to be close to Lisa because I had feelings for her."
Austin refused to admit his crime.
But I knew his words were useless.
Soon enough, Anthony showed everyone the photos I had sent to him on the TV.
Although the photos were blurry, it still showed Austin choking Lisa's throat until she lost
consciousness.
Suddenly, the voices of the people whispering became louder, as if they were enraged.
One of them picked up a fruit from the table and hurled it at Austin.
When I saw this, I wiped my tears away with my hand and drew a cross on my chest, feeling relieved.
‘’Lisa, I hope you can see this from where you are! The murderer who killed you is finally going to be
punished.’’
Anthony's POV:
I glared coldly at Austin without uttering a word as he stood in his place fidgeting nervously.
The evidence presented against him was enough to incriminate him for his actions.
I had to overthrow Austin today.
If I let him get away, Austin would make sure that Jennifer and I would never oppose him again.
"Kill that traitor!"
"That's right! We must avenge the former king!"
"Austin is a traitor!"
"Tyrant! He killed the innocent!"
As soon as I posted the photos, the crowd in the banquet hall became mad with rage.
Many people shouted at Austin.
I didn't show any sign of joy in my expression, even though everything was going according to my plan,
because I knew that Austin wouldn't surrender so easily.
"I am not going to admit to anything I haven't done! These are all lies they've made up to overthrow me!
"
Austin's eyes became red and his voice cracked.
"They are all fake” Anthony forged them to turn you against me.
He's doing this because he wants to usurp the throne.
Who would have thought that my dear brother would do such a thing to me? Arrest them all!
Austin waved at the royal guards, who started to march towards me and my private guards.
After all, loyalty to the king was the duty of the royal guards.
I was not surprised that they followed Austin's order.
I raised an eyebrow as I cast them a sideways glance.
If Austin wanted a fight to the death, then I was prepared to give him what he wanted!
"Jerome, keep Skylar safe! She is pregnant!" I told Jerome without hesitation.
"No problem, Mr.Jones.I will protect her with my life," Jerome replied firmly.
Then, Jennifer and I exchanged firm glances with each other as we were prepared to fight.
Out of the blue, Austin took out a pistol and shot at me three times in a row.
Unfortunately for him, I was able to dodge as I saw him coming from a mile away.
"Let's go!"
With a roar, I transformed into a wolf and sprang at Austin.
Austin's face started to contort as he threw away the pistol and transformed into a wolf, too.
My private guards followed suit and transformed into wolves as well.
Within seconds, chaos ensued throughout the banquet hall.
"Anthony, I will take the witnesses away from here and keep them safe.I'll let you deal with Austin on
your own,"
Jennifer shouted at me from behind.
I didn't respond, but I praised her in my head.
Then, I focused my attention on Austin.
I unfurled my sharp claws and sunk them into his neck.
"Anthony, do you really think you can defeat me?" Austin shouted at me, gritting his teeth in pain.
"You must pay for what you have done!"
I didn't let him provoke me into breaking concentration.
I studied his every move, looking for a flaw.
Austin was smart enough to know that he wouldn't win in a fair fight against me, so he kept dodging
and using his own men to block the bullets.
I grabbed a royal guard's arm and ripped it out of his body as his blood splashed all over my face.
As the fight went on, the hall looked bloody.
The elders attempted to flee from there as they ran with their hands over their heads.
"Stop! Stop! What are you doing? This is the royal palace.You can't fight here!" a white-bearded elder
shouted.
"Don't get in my way, old man!"
Austin kicked him aside before he could even finish his words.
The other elders looked at him in shock as they ran towards the exit.
I could tell that Austin was desperate.
I winked at my private guards, signaling to them to preserve their strength.
After all, the royal guards led by Austin were formidable fighters, and we couldn't risk defeat at their
hands.
Neither side managed to gain the upper hand even after several bouts of fighting.
I could hardly raise my arm and I noticed that Austin was limping.
We stood far from each other as if to assess the situation before making the next move.
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