Chapter 103 - Punishment
The maid ran towards Gabriel and kneel in front of him, she banged her head on the ground before pleading "Your Majesty, please spare me. I did as the Princess ordered, I didn't see anything. Please spare my life, Please.."
The maid bawled in front of Gabriel and Andrea looked at her with resentment. She never thought that her plan would backfire and she is going to suffer.
'What should I do?' Andrea is feeling nervous.
'`Guards' ' Gabriel called and two guards came inside and bowed in front of him. "Take this maid and throw her in jail," Gabriel ordered and the guards took action immediately. The maid also did not resist and went along with them.
Once they left Gabriel started speaking. "Since all the evidence is clear,"
"Apologizes, Your Majesty." Allora cut him and said "Please pardon my insolence but all the culprits are not found out. Your Royal Highness mentioned that she helped someone to drug my daughter. I request you to question the Princess who is the mastermind behind it."
Allora had enough of these people schemes, they tried not only once but thrice. This time they tried to harm her daughter in the palace itself.
"Princess Andrea, Who is the one you helped?" Allora inquired and her eyes bore straight into Andrea's soul.
Andrea never felt this kind of humiliation, fear, despair. All she did was help her brother to get him what he wanted. She did it previously as well but no one stopped her and questioned her, then why now? Is it just because of Aivyn?
Her parents are also aware of this because in the palace nothing can go unseen by them but they never said anything at that time to stop her, she took it for granted and continued doing. They only warn me to not mess with these families but she can't do it after all she is used to that, on top of that her love is involved.
"I.. I... I didn't do anything. It's a slip of tongue." Andrea denied. In this time ignorance is the best weapon.
"Tskā¦ How can the Great Princess of Krayton have a slip of tongue? Don't take us as fools." Allora sneered.
"Princess Allora. Enough." Gabriel interrupted, he can't stand these people speaking all they want in front of him, if he can't show their places in future again they will show this side. He has to show their place and also show them who the King is. He is afraid that if they revolt against him but he can't stand insulting royalty, he can punish them for this.
"Your Majesty, either you ask the Princess to confess or leave us to get the information," Allora spoke calmly. She almost understands his thoughts, they all know it is a great sin to speak like this in front of the King but they can't help it.
If his majesty wants to protect his family then so they were.
"I will interrogate this matter and provide proper justification on this. I will create a new and secret investigation team to solve this." Gabriel said sternly.
Simon and Allora are agitated by his words, everything is in front of him but still, he wants to investigate. They know it will be going to be the end of the discussion and the proper justice will not happen.
Veronica felt relieved inside seeing the dejected looks on Simon and Allora. If they went on like this she wouldn't know what punishment he would implement on the Princess.
Her peace is broken by a powerful and cold voice "Your Majesty, I guess there is no need. As per your orders, I helped Lord Simon in the first accident but they solved it before I helped them properly. And also I am the main witness who saw the culprit who tried to kidnap Ms Aivyn and rescued her from him."
"Due to my failure in the first one I tried to help them in this, my men went behind the culprit and caught him. Now he is in my control, I came to inform you about this matter only." Gavon stated. He covered all the ways to make King refute him or Dalton family members.
Gabriel felt the real headache this time, he knows how loyal Gavon is to his duty and there is no way anyone can doubt him if he is informed that he was the culprit. Now he has to give the justification.
"Who is it?" Gabriel asked and his eyes were having a displeased look.
Gavon didn't bother about his look, he got used to it and now he dont feel anything for that "It is the Prince spy."
Veronica's heart dropped to her stomach, her body became stiff and all colours drained on her face. She never had this kind of roller coaster in her life.
'Is this retribution? For the sin, I committed?' Veronica fell into her thoughts.
"Lord Gavon, Think twice before slandering the Prince," Gabriel warned him coldly.
"Your Majesty, from my birth I only know how to serve you and I am loyal to the throne. This is a sensitive matter and I don't make any mistakes in this." Gavon replied without any fear.
"Okay, present him in front of me and after hearing it only I can believe it. Calvin, what do you think?" Gabriel inquired.
Calvin came forward and answered "Yes Your Majesty, what you are saying is correct. Hence it involves Royal Highness. It is better to present them in front of his majesty." Calvin suggested.
"Minister Calvin, I agree with you. But I am afraid that before taking him here anything may happen. SO I request you to come with me to testify behind the walls and be the ultimate proof if any mishap happens." Gavon voiced his opinion.
Gavon knows these kinds of dirty methods and he is not sure whether he can bring Theo here or not. Who knows if he suddenly dies out of thin air, he can't blame the prince for that.
"Your Majesty, with your permission." Calvin looked at Gabriel.
Gabriel looked at Simon who is looking blank without any kind of expression and he is hard to read, Gavon who is standing straightly doing his duty with utmost sincerity.
Gabriel gave in and said, "Sure, Go Ahead."
"Thank You, Your Majesty." Calvin and Gavon thanked him.
Simon and Allora looked at each other before speaking "Your Majesty, as Prince issue is taken care of by Minister Calvin we have complete faith in this matter. Whereas today and the poisoning incident we request your utmost grace and justice to my family."
After saying that Simon and Allora bowed slightly to show their sincerity. Gabriel felt relieved seeing their normal behaviour, he had already decided the princess and she is of no use to him anymore.
"Sure. Hence all the evidence is clear and proves that Princess Andrea is the one who is behind hurting Ms Aivyn. Taking advantage of her position and harming others is not acceptable and considering this as a crime."
"I, Gabriel Drackston, hereby declare the punishment to the Princess that she will be stripped down from her position as Princess and grounded her in the back palace without any maids until further investigation. If the final investigation proves that she is involved in Ms Aivyn kidnap she will be jailed. For Prince, he will be grounded for time being until further reports." Gabriel declared and his powerful voice echoed in the whole room.
Andrea collapsed on the ground and her eyes are filled with terror. Veronica also felt helpless in this but at least she felt glad that she still had her position to help her daughter out.
"As for Aivyn both physical and mental stress, we are rewarding her with a few things from our royal treasure. Minister Calvin, send them to Dalton's Mansion." Gabriel stated and Calvin bowed his head in approval.
"And also Ms Aivyn's marriage will be held in the palace in future. I am still waiting for your answer Ms Aivyn." Gabriel looked at Aivyn and smiled.
"Thank You for your grace, Your Majesty. I am blessed." Ivy bowed with a curtsy.
"Thank You, Your Majesty. We won't hinder you more. Please permit us to leave." Simon bowed and asked for permission.
"Sure.." Gabriel dismissed them and everyone left the room quietly.