<b>Chapter </b>712


    At that moment, Barrett was gripped by the fear of impending death.


    Memories of his first battle at Victory Pass flooded his mind, when enemies had surrounded him and he nearly sumbed to their des. Wyatt Sullivan had saved him<b>, </b>sacrificing an arm in the process.


    That day, Barrett had also been fraught with the terror of dying.


    As he was lost in thought, Barrett was suddenly kicked to the ground. Panic surged as he caught sight of a glinting de rushing toward him. He rolled away desperately, tumbling until hended at Eleanor’s feet.


    “Die!” Eleanor’s face twisted in fury as she raised her sword, aiming for his chest.


    Barrett seized the sword’s de with both hands, hoping to use its momentum to rise, but the household soldiers were already closing in.


    Just as it seemed all was lost, a throng of capital guards burst in. Michael leaped from the staircase, delivering a swift kick that sent the household soldier aiming a de at Barrett sprawling.


    He saved Barrett just in time.


    The fight raged on. The elite troops led by Michael quickly turned the tide, overwhelming their foes with relentless force. It wasn’t long before swords were held to the throats of the remaining household


    soldiers.


    Eleanor watched as the situation shifted in an instant. Despite her earlier preparations, she was unwilling to ept the rapid and brutal defeat. She copsed weakly to the ground, feeling as if her very bones had been stripped away.


    The capital guards illuminated the dungeon with their torches, revealing it not as a prison but as a small arsenal. Upon spotting the gunpowder, a chill ran through Michael.


    “Extinguish the mes,” he ordered immediately.


    *


    A dim light flickered over the array of glinting weapons as the torches were snuffed out. Everyone present understood the implications of whaty before them.


    Michaelmanded that Barrett and the severely wounded capital guards be taken for medical treatment while the others were rounded up and led away.


    As for Eleanor, he had no authority to execute her. Instead, he stationed guards at the dungeon and assigned others to watch her. His action allowed her some freedom of movement but forbade her from leaving Harmony Pce.


    S


    The decision of how to deal with the situation rested with the king, who would decide the fate of all involved.


    Barrett and four other capital guards were gravely injured, and were taken to Harmony Pce’s household physician for immediate treatment.


    Rosalind had sent some people to summon more physicians, who arrived one after another. Michael had also sent for physicians from the Ministry of Health, tuming Harmony Pce into a makeshift hospital.


    Zane and the other high priests departed from Harmony Pce. As he turned back for onest nce, he


    knew he wouldn’t need to return the following year.


    No more innocent lives would be lost here.


    Under the capital guards‘ arrangements, Daniel, his family, and the otherdies left in an orderly fashion. As they stepped outside, their hands and feet felt icy, and cold sweat dripped from their brows.


    They could hardly fathom that Eleanor could be so ruthless. With her status, she could have forbidden her prince consort from taking concubines. Yet, she had permitted them to enter her home only to treat them with utter cruelty.


    Molly was visibly shaken. As she climbed into the carriage, she eximed, “Grand Princess Eleanor is too brutal! It would have been better if she had just killed them all!”


    Fiona’s expression was dark. She was already troubled by the events in the dungeon and anxious for news, so she felt a surge of irritation at Molly’s words.


    “Be quiet!” she snapped.


    Molly was startled at Fiona’s response. She whipped around and snarled furiously, “How dare you speak to me like that?!”


    She raised her hand to p Fiona, but her intended target quickly seized her wrist, twisting it until she cried in pain. Then, Fiona retaliated swiftly and struck her across the face.


    “Idiot! Don’t you realize the gravity of the situation?” Fiona yelled.


    Molly was stunned. She clutched her face in disbelief as she looked at Fiona. “How dare you hit me? I’m the rightful wife, and you’re just a concubine…<b>” </b>


    As her furious gaze met Fiona’s icy, merciless stare, a chill ran down her spine. The words on the tip of her tongue were suddenly swallowed back.


    Fiona had always been obedient and submissive. Why was she so terrifying right now? Original content from N?velDrama.Org.