Chapter 4

That voice, filled with a concern and panic I hadn't heard in years, cut straight through me.

I pulled my strike back instantly.

A woman in a magnificent gold-embroidered gown rushed in, sweat glistening at her temples. She had clearly run all the way here.

That face looked identical to the Eleanor in my memories.

"Jaylon!" Her voice trembled as she pulled the boy tightly into her arms.

Jaylon sobbed against her while pointing an accusing finger at my nose. "Mother! This crazy woman barged in with a dead body and tried to kill me! She disrespected the imperial family!"

"Silence!" Eleanor snapped sharply before softening her tone as she turned to me. "Isabel, I'm sorry I'm late. It really is you! You came back!"

As she spoke, she gently nudged Jaylon in her arms forward. "Jaylon, apologize to Isabel right now! She's my best friend. How could she ever hurt you?"

Prodded by her, Jaylon begrudgingly muttered an apology.

I gave a faint reply, my focus completely on observing Eleanor.

The face and voice in front of me tore violently at my sanity. It was Eleanor, yet the expression didn't belong to her at all!

Almost on instinct, I reached out and took the hand she offered. The warmth radiating from her palm was so real.

Five years of built-up longing and worry threatened to burst into tears right then and there.

"Eleanor…" I forced the words out, my voice raspy and dry. "I-I thought…"

I thought she had died, and in such a horrific manner at that.

I bit down hard on my lip, forcing the rest of my words down before they could leave my mouth.

Seeming to understand what I left unsaid, Eleanor squeezed my hand tightly. "This is no place to talk. Isabel, come to my chamber with me. We have so much catching up to do!"

She naturally took my hand and led me toward Aurelia Court, where the empress resided.

Her palm remained warm, and my eyes drifted down to her right pinky.

My mind settled slightly. Maybe I really was just overthinking things.

Once we returned to Aurelia Court, the maids took Jaylon away to settle down.

Eleanor poured a cup of tea and handed it to me, her smile gentle and graceful.

Even though she felt familiar, my heart kept pounding out of control.

"I remember you used to be horribly allergic to pollen. But this entire garden is filled with flowers…"

At my words, her hand holding the teacup stiffened for an imperceptible second before her smile returned.

"It's all thanks to His Majesty. He searched high and low for famous physicians. Last year, he finally found a shaman from the southern border who cured my ailment."

She lowered her eyes, her tone carrying a carefully measured mix of shyness and devotion.

Curing a severe pollen allergy? Even modern medicine could only manage the symptoms.

Besides, the way she covered her nose seemed natural at first glance, yet carried a subtle hint of affectation.

If Declan had gone to such lengths to cure her, why wouldn't he just remove the triggers in the first place?

Back then, he had every single flower in the imperial gardens ripped out solely for her.

The thought of that female corpse pierced my heart like a thorn.

"Is that so? That's wonderful then."

I forced down the rising suspicion and managed to squeeze out a faint smile.

As if sensing my gaze, she pulled her hand back into her sleeve, looking uneasy.

At that moment, a horrific thought slithered into my mind.

My fingers shot out, gripping her right hand with absolute precision. I pressed down hard.

No!

In an instant, every single one of doubts surfaced.

I stared dead into that face—the face that was identical to Eleanor's—and growled out word by word, "You're not Eleanor. Who are you? What did you do to Eleanor?"

The woman's expression froze, replaced instantly by sheer terror.

Before her panic could settle, Declan walked in, draped in his royal-gold imperial robes.

The moment he noticed the trembling woman, his gaze turned dark and menacing.

"Isabel Gibson! I permitted you into the palace to visit an old friend out of respect for the past! How dare you attempt an assassination!"

Watching this sickening display of devotion and remembering the skinless body beneath the white cloth, I let out a bitter scoff. "Declan, you'd better take a good look at this."

I summoned the system and brought the body out into the open.

Under everyone's horrified gazes, a sudden gust of wind swept away the white cloth covering the corpse.

Her face had been flayed clean off, exposing bare bones and dried flesh.

I took a step forward and enunciated every single word, "Declan, look at her! If the woman in your arms is the Eleanor who bore your child and gave you everything…"

I raised my hand, pointing straight at the corpse. "Then who is she? Declan, if you really killed Eleanor, I swear I will tear your empire to pieces and leave your royal line in ruin!"