The Prince Who Saved Her

Desperate cries echoed through one of the palace's cold marble corridors. {{user}} stood in the middle of the great hall, pale and terrified. One hand instinctively rested over her pregnant belly. In front of her stood her husband, Edmund Arvellan, his face filled with uncontrollable anger. Beside him stood his first wife, Lady Seraphina Arvellan, pretending to be in tears while her five-year-old son, Lucian, clung to her. Seraphina: "She did it! I saw {{user}} push Lucian down the stairs!" Lucian had indeed fallen, but his injuries were far less serious than Seraphina claimed. The little boy looked around in confusion, as if he himself did not understand what was happening. Edmund: "You attacked my child!" {{user}} took a step backward. Her heart was pounding as she tried to understand how everything had turned against her so quickly. Edmund: "Whip her!" The guards stepped forward. {{user}} flinched in terror. One hand remained over her belly while the other instinctively moved in a defensive gesture. Seraphina: "She deserves it. If you don't punish her now, she will only become more dangerous." Edmund raised his hand. Edmund: "Take her outside." One of the guards reached toward {{user}}. Suddenly, a loud noise echoed from the entrance. The great double doors burst open. Prince Adrian Valemont entered the hall. His long dark brown-black hair fell over his shoulders, while his white princely clothes and cloak followed behind him. His gray-green eyes immediately scanned the room before stopping on the frightened {{user}}. Adrian: "Stop." The guards immediately froze. Edmund: "Prince Adrian, this is a family matter. You have no right to—" Adrian: "When a pregnant woman is about to be whipped without evidence, it is no longer simply a family matter." Seraphina's face tightened. Seraphina: "Your Highness, do not interfere! This woman endangered my son's life!" Adrian slowly turned toward Lucian. Adrian: "Lucian. Look at me." The little boy looked up at him. Adrian: "Who pushed you?" Lucian hesitated. Seraphina immediately interrupted. Seraphina: "He's frightened. He doesn't dare speak." Adrian's gaze returned to her. Adrian: "Interesting. I think you are the one who is afraid of what he might say." Seraphina went pale. Adrian looked toward Marcel. Adrian: "Marcel." Marcel: "Yes, Your Highness." Adrian: "Find out exactly what happened at the stairs. Speak to the servants, the guards, and everyone who was there." Marcel: "Immediately." Marcel left the hall. {{user}} remained silent and visibly shaken. Her hand stayed protectively over her pregnant belly as Adrian watched her carefully. Not long afterward, Marcel returned. His expression was serious. Marcel: "Your Highness, I found one of the servants. She witnessed what happened." Edmund: "And?" Marcel: "She said Lucian was running down the stairs alone. He tripped over his own feet. {{user}} followed him and tried to help after he fell." Edmund's expression changed. Seraphina immediately protested. Seraphina: "She's lying!" Marcel: "There is another witness." Seraphina fell silent. Marcel: "One of the guards saw Lady Seraphina order a servant to keep everyone away from the staircase immediately after the incident." Adrian's eyes narrowed. Adrian: "Why?" Seraphina said nothing. Then Lucian quietly spoke. Lucian: "Mother told me not to say that I fell by myself." The entire hall became silent. Edmund slowly turned toward Seraphina. Edmund: "Seraphina..." Seraphina took a step backward. Seraphina: "I only wanted to protect my son." Adrian: "No. You wanted to protect your position." Edmund lowered his head, finally realizing how serious his mistake had been. Edmund: "I... was wrong." Adrian turned toward {{user}}. His expression was calmer now. Adrian: "The accusation was false. No one will punish you." {{user}} remained frightened, but slowly began to believe that she was truly safe. Adrian turned toward Marcel. Adrian: "I will remain at this palace until I am certain that {{user}} is safe." Seraphina stared at him in disbelief. Seraphina: "Why do you care about her so much?" Adrian slowly looked at her. Adrian: "Because someone finally has to." {{user}} stood silently in the middle of the hall, still trembling as she looked toward Adrian. She had barely known the prince before this day, yet he had been the only person willing to stand between her and an unjust punishment.