CHAPTER 45
Grace lost her patience. She moved swiftly, striking the intruder across the face with a sharp slap. It had been a long time since she let anger control her hands.
The gathered citizens didn't react with shock, King Quicke's fury was nothing new.
Queen Judith stepped closer, placing a calming hand on Grace's shoulder, but Grace ignored her entirely, her body rigid with irritation.
"You will speak immediately," she commanded with a low voice . "Or I will deal with you as I see fit."
The intruder let out a soft, mocking chuckle. "I owe you no explanation, King," he said, his voice laced with hatred.
Grace's expression darkened. With a quick gesture, she signaled the commanders. "Strip his shirt and give him strokes until he learns respect."
The flogging began, the sharp sound of leather against flesh cutting through the air. The intruder gritted his teeth, refusing to cry out. The crowd watched in silence until another voice cut through. "Stop."
It was Queen Jonah.
She approached with her usual air of composure, her movements slow. Every eye turned to her.
Grace, unfazed, spoke over the murmurs, her deep voice steady and filled with authority. "Why do you speak against my command, Jonah?"
Jonah didn't answer immediately. She reached the intruder's side, and despite his pain, he straightened at her presence.
"You do not torture someone you seek information from, King," Jonah said evenly. "If you want him to speak, you must handle him differently."
Grace scoffed. "Handle him differently, you say?" Her lips curled into a slow grin. "Or does he look familiar to you?"
A flicker of something crossed Jonah's face. Not fear, but unease. It was brief, so brief that most wouldn't have noticed, but Grace did.
Jonah recovered quickly. "He does not look familiar," she said smoothly. "But how do you expect to get answers if you beat him to death?"
By now, nearly everyone in the castle had come outside, curiosity drawing them to the commotion.
Queen Juliet stepped forward, as if she wanted to intervene. Before she could, Grace shot her a cold glance. "Stay clear."
Grace shifted her attention back to Jonah. "I have allowed you to challenge me since you arrived, Jonah. But not anymore. You will show me respect. I am King Quicke, and I will not tolerate insolence from you any longer."
A hush fell over the crowd. Grace could feel their tensed eyes on her. Some of the castle's members looked almost pleased. As if they had been waiting for this moment.
"Step back, Jonah," Grace ordered, her voice ringing with finality.
Jonah hesitated for only a fraction of a second before stepping away, retreating into the crowd without another word, and for the first time, Grace felt victorious because Queen Jonah had finally yielded.
She turned her gaze back to the kneeling intruder. "I will ask you one last time. Who are you, and why were you sneaking out of the grand gate?"
The man hesitated before speaking. "Nuel…" His voice was unsteady. "It's Nuel, King."
Grace gave a slight nod. "Nuel," she repeated. "That is a new name." Her tone was unreadable. "And why were you sneaking out?"
A long silence followed. The only sound was the distant chirping of birds.
"I do not belong here," Nuel finally said. "I was only returning to my country."
"Your country?" Grace's eyes narrowed. "Then how did you get in? Who let you through the gates?"
Nuel hesitated before slowly lifting his hand. He pointed. Grace followed the direction of his finger and it landed at Queen Jonah.
The moment her name left Grace's lips, Jonah remained still. "Queen Jonah," Grace called, her voice was more commanding.
Jonah stepped forward, meeting Grace's gaze with steadiness. Grace didn't look away from Nuel. "Care to explain to the entire kingdom why you let an intruder in without informing us?"
Jonah's voice took on a softer, calculated tone. "I did no such thing, King. Would you choose to believe an intruder over your wife's cousin?"
Grace turned to her fully now, her expression unreadable. "I choose what is right," she said coolly. "And for your sake, I suggest you be truthful."
A voice interrupted before Jonah could respond.
"She may be telling the truth, King," Queen Judith spoke up. "I can almost swear I know this man. If he is who I believe, he came in with the others." She gestured toward Nuel.
Grace wasn't convinced. She knew what Jonah was capable of. And she knew that Nuel wouldn't make false accusations out of desperation just so sudden.
She turned back to him. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
Nuel lifted his head fully this time, his expression resolute. He pointed again, at Jonah.
"She let me in, King," he said. "She wanted me to stay, but I refused. I feared I would be caught. She threatened to kill me and told me never to speak of this. That's why I hesitated when you questioned me."
There was silence over the crowd, and then, Jonah burst into tears. Without another word, she turned and ran into the castle.
Grace's jaw clenched. "Throw him into the prison gates," she ordered, her voice filled with anger. "Until the truth is revealed."
The commanders seized Nuel, dragging him away as he cried out for mercy, but no one spared him a glance. The entire castle now moved, no longer watching him, they were following Grace.
She stormed after Jonah, calling her name again and again and Queen Jonah didn't stop. It was obvious that Grace wasn't going to let this slide.
She ran quickly after Queen Jonah, who was already seated at the grand table, but now, she wasn't crying again.
"What is wrong with you woman?" Grace snapped.
Queen Jonah, let out a soft chuckle, one she always does before giving a striking response.
"King Quicke, I see you're becoming commanding, you have the guts to embarrass me in front of the whole kingdom?"