The Queen Who Shares Love
S2 Chapter 30 Betrayal

"Saintess!" raymond shouted towards Ariana and Arion. He held Ariana's head with his hands. 

Leonard checked on the twins. Heavy sweat poured from their bodies enduring the pain. 

Leonard turned a confused look toward the Duchess who was wrathful at Idris. The arrival of Ariana and Arion was not planned in advance, either on what basis Idris poisoned them. 

"Flint, bring the priest here quickly. If you don't have a teleportation magic stone, use mine in my desk drawer!" judith's orders.

"Okay, Duchess." Flint loosened his overlap on Idris. Idris tried to break away, but the Duchess' sword was ready to slash her head when it moved.

"Raymond, quickly take Ariana and Arion to the guest room. The other waiter quickly helped her!" exclaim Judith. 

"Well, Duchess," replied the summoned simultaneously.

They immediately carried out the Duchess's orders. Flint ran towards the Duchess's study, while Raymond and the twins were carrying the twins to the living room. Leonard was about to help Raymond but the Duchess forbade him.

"Leonard you stay here," said Judith coldly.

Idris' laughter raised his ears. Marquis Loid told him not to trust Leonard. They try to investigate Leonard's loyalty after the Duchess's accident. The cure for the Duchess he was given was never replaced before. When the drug was disposed of, it was certain that Leonard was on the Duchess' side. 

The plan to poison the Duchess was actually just a joke. Marquis Loid's target was Arion. Idris would have put poison in Arion's drink if the prince had come to the Hillbright residence before or after Duches' birthday party, poisoning Arion during the party would have been very difficult because the guard would have been tightened. He poisoned Ariana because she happened to be there. With this the Marquis' plan in trapping the Duchess will succeed.

"Who told you to?" ask Duchess.

"You know that person yourself, don't you?" show Idris to Leonard. Leonard clenched his hands tightly, he was caught.

Judith held back her anger from earlier. If you do not want to hear an explanation from Idris that can be used to incriminate Marquis Loid, Judith will definitely behead the servant of that one.

"But you're one thing, Leonard has absolutely no intention of helping you. He just wants to see you bend your knees in front of him. That's why he agreed to the cooperation of Marquis Loid" Idris told Leonard's lies.

Judith's sword is shaking. Leonard denies Idris' words.

"That was, now I'm loyal to you, Duchess."

"really? Then why did you help me prepare the poison?" challenge Idris.

"I've never stuck" Leonard's words stuck in his throat. 

Two days ago, Leonard went with Idris to the capital in search of a traditional remedy that can treat a cough that does not go away. Leonard thought the medicine was for Idris himself because the waiter was coughing. However, looking at Idris who looked fine now, Leonard had been tricked. The drug was poison to give to Arion.

"You can't say it out of fear that your life will be jeopardized so sacrifice me," Idris recalls, turning his eyes from Leonard to the Duchees, "it's sad that, Duchess, you've been lied to by him all this time. You will also beg Marquis Loid for an antidote. Here's the reward of what you did to Mar-" 

Idris is unable to speak anymore. His head rolled to the side. Judith flicked her sword to get rid of the blood. He sheathed the sword and wiped his bloodied face.

"What did the man say was right?" ask Judith lirih.

"It's true that I hated you for humiliating me. I also accompanied him to the capital to buy medicine. But-"

The duchess interrupted Leonard before her sword wanted to take life again. "Is that why you want to become a noble so that one day you can repay me?" 

"That's not true! Me, me, me..." Leonard's tongue expresses love. He was afraid of rejection and even the Duchess would consider Leonard to be making it up.

"Why not continue? That's all true, isn't it?!" scream Judith. His hand clutched Leonard's collar. His teeth were grumbling with annoyance.

Leonard's eyes were wide. This was the first time, he saw the Duchess who was about to cry. Judith pushed Leonard. The guard retreated slowly, he was unable to speak anymore.

Leonard clenched his hand, leaving from there. 

Judith's tears were unstoppable. He continued wiping his wet cheeks while groaning.

***

Judith arrived at the guest room after getting dressed. The Pope is still busy healing Ariana and Arion. Beside him stood Leticia who looked worried to see the condition of her children. Rose embraced Leticia to calm her down.

After laying Arion and Ariana in the guest room, Raymond uses a magic stone to communicate with Rose. He kept taking her because sometimes his mother called him all of a sudden. 

Raymond told Ariana and Arion to his mother. Not wanting to waste any time, Rose immediately met Leticia, taking her friend to the Hillbright residence. Gerald cannot come because there must be work that cannot be left behind.

"How are Ana and Rion doing?" ask Judith.

Leticia turned towards Judith who was bowed limp. "They're better. The Pope is trying to neutralize the poison in Ana and Rion's body, Judith"

"Good, I'll give the count to Marquis Loid." Judith stepped out.

Leticia follows her strange looking daughter. He stopped Judith in the front hallway of the guest room. 

"It's not your fault, Judith," said Leticia to placate Duchess Hillbright. 

Judith nodded slowly. "It's my fault, Mother. I knew from the beginning that Marquis Loid had a scheming plan. I can directly torture the maidservant who teamed up with Marquis Loid to say everything. But I procrastinated instead, for fear that the bodyguards who were my avid agents and Marquis Loid would be affected. I look stupid because the bodyguard betrayed me. As a result, Arion and Ariana were poisoned."

Leticia hugged Judith. His hand caressed his daughter's head. "Don't blame yourself, Judith. You only intend to be good."

Judith is back. He buried his head on his mother's shoulder. Leticia continued to comfort Judith until she calmed down.

Judith took off her embrace. Leticia wiped Judith's tears trying to smile cheered her up.

"Remember your promise to Mother."

Judith nodded. "I'll be back safely Mother."

Leticia peeped at her first daughter's forehead. Judith hugged Leticia once more, then headed for Loid's residence. That one marquis won't get away.

***

Marquis Loid smiled widely at the arrival of the guests. Usually he met Duchess Hillbright, but the Duchess even went to him first. He believes his slave has done a good job.

Cold gazes continued to be fixed on Marquis Loid. Judith sat in front of the Marquis without waiting. Without further ado he said, "Is that your way of making me remember my past poisoning?"

Marquis Loid smirked. "I don't know what you're talking about, Duchess."

"What do you want, Marquis?"

"You know, but always reject it. I had to use a sneaky way. I wanted to spread rumors about the Duchess poisoning her own sister for the throne. I didn't think you'd come sooner. Must be the antidote to this poison, right?" The marquis reached into his pocket. A bottle of liquid in blue was shown to Judith.

Judith bergeming's. He stared intently at Marquis Loid without blinking. His hand was already impatient to hit or smash the sword at the Marquis.

"Unfortunately, I won't give it away for free. You must kill the Emperor first in order for your sisters to survive, Duchess."