Villains also get Second chance

Chapter 84: Not a puppet

Cassius pov

Finally, the case ended. I closed my eyes and walked out of the courtroom, but just as I came out sir Halmington was waiting for me. 

I sighed and followed him. 

"Your highness, I had done what you said," he replied, bowing and I wondered what to tell about it. He had specially called me.

"And," I asked and he shook his head, 

"Then you may go now." With that, I took a step but Ian was already standing there smiling.

"If I would have been you, I would not go out for now." like always his words were roundabout manner.

I furrowed my brows and walked out when I saw Marianne was hugging his lawyer, my eyes stayed on them for a while, but before I could say something they laughed and walked towards her chamber.

I thought she would have said thank you, but then when had I ever said sorry to her.

"Your highness" I closed my eyes as I knew what was about to come. I had given my first statement very smartly, but who would have thought there would be a second.

"Your highness, can we talk for a minute." her father asked, and I nodded.

We all walked to my chamber and settled in my office.

"Yes, marquees Wiltshire, is there something I could help you with?" I asked with a neutral voice, though I knew what the matter was.

"Your highness, I had thought, you were going to support my daughter Isabella," he said with an aggrieved tone.

"I did what she had requested me to do, I even left the right to make decisions to support that I had helped her, in finding evidence from the stale soup, no matter how absurd it sounded,'' I replied and he nodded but his face was full of suspicions.

"Yes, but this statement went against us," he replied and I laughed.

"It's because you have never cleared me to hide the fact that Isabella was the one who contacted me, and she should have paid more attention to her words, as she was the one who gave a statement after me," I replied with a cold done and she gulped.

Her father gave her a narrowed gaze and looked back at me, "I understand your highness, it's her fault. But we still could have won if you would have supported her in the second statement."

My expressions hardened further. Did they think I was their puppet? "I had supported you enough as the father of my previous wife, but how would you expect me to lie about my wife when even the maids were in support of her?

Marquees, from the start, your case was weak, yet you accused my wife and asked me to support you instead of her, and I did.

But that did not mean I turned a blind eye and accept your every word like a fool. Or do you think I am a fool sitting here." my words were dripping with ice and he gulped. 

"I apologise, your highness, I had not analysed the situation well," he replied and I chuckled.

"When have you ever done so, ask your daughter to stay at home for a while, let the matter die down, or else the situation may turn worse for her." 

"Yes, your highness, I understand." he bowed and stood up. "I apologise to waste your time, your highness." With that they walked out, I closed my eyes as I took a deep breath.

This man! He did not take her daughters as human but assets who should be used for his gain, he had done that with Elizabeth, and now he was doing the same with Isabella. I wonder who did I hate more, him or his daughter.

"Your highness" entered Ian with the head maid following him.

"Hmm"

"Duchess chamber had sent yours lunch, your highness, with a thank you note." only god knows why my expressions loosened after hearing his words.

"Alright, serve the lunch." I was famished already.

The lunch was spread and I noticed it was no less than a feast. Then I remembered them, laughing with each other from a distance.

"Is Marquees Essendon still with Marianne," I asked, not taking the name of others and sounding very formal.

"Yes, your highness, they all are having lunch together." with that the first plate was served and Clara started eating the food, I could see she was eating every piece like it was made of gunpowder, did she think Marianne had other motives in sending food.

"The food is alright, your highness, shall I serve you and sir Ian now" we nodded and she started serving but then I did not know what came in me, that I stood up.

"Is there something wrong, your highness?" she asked me and I shook my head.

"Serve the meal to the rest of the maids, we are going to the duchess chamber to have our meal," I replied and they both looked at me as if I had suddenly grown another head.

"I have some work with Marquees Essendon," I added and only then did Ian nodded and started following me.

I could see his face was blooming with happiness and I sighed, this kid, why did he always be so happy when it came to Marianne.

"Why don't you work with her, instead of me?" I taunted and he chuckled.

"Her highness had offered me the post, a few days ago," he replied and my legs halted.

I looked back at him and he shook his head, "but I denied, I could not leave you, your highness"

I snorted as I started walking again, "who needs you, don't give yourself so much importance.'' I replied and he chuckled again.

"Alright"

We could hear the laughing chatters from the entrance, and it felt it had been ages since I heard laughers reverberating in the palace, after my parents died, it was like the grievance never ended after Elizabeth, it entered in our bones, making the place no less than the graveyard.

"Since you are that rich, why have you not offered a good fee to me", asked Damien furrowing his brows, these were the words I heard when I entered the chamber.