The Guilt Of Chrysanthemum - Chapter 3 Innocents Despair

It was not a good of a morning that we encountered. I was told by Breath that one of the lower maids, Keisha, was killed last night. Her body was found beside the barn by Samuel, the old man from the bread production area. He proved himself innocent to our counselors and Anahaw that is why he isn’t one of the suspect. Anahaw was annoyed by my blabber earlier because I have been long telling him to let the women in the palace learn even basic fighting skills so they know how to proctect themselves because I am aware that even though our kingdom has a strong and trusted men, there would be some that would eventually turn their back against the rules of the palace. I am really on the verge of doing my plan to execute my brother right now but I still have something to find in order for it to be complete.

I just thought of killing my brother again, I felt a sting on my chest.

“She was strangled, your majesty. There are bruise marks on her arms and legs too. She must’ve been tied up.” Lance stated. He’s been very excellent in treating our wounded knights and investigating how people died. He was brought here even before our parents died that is why he has been one of our trusted doctors.

“That’s horrible. It could’ve been someone close to her because why would someone kill a lower maid? They won’t get anything with killing her. There must’ve been insanely complications.” Esmeraldo said.

Anahaw nodded, his face making a serious expression.

“Bring me all the lower maids.” brother said to a knight and sat down.

“Where were you last night?” Anahaw asked Fely. We were told that she is one of the closest friend of Keisha but there had been misunderstandings between them lately.

“I was sleeping already! I cannot do such a sinful deed, your majesty! Please believe me! Yes, we’ve been having some misunderstandings lately, but it doesn’t mean that I will kill her! We are friends!” Fely cried. I can see that she’s not lying, with her thin body, I bet she cannot even carry a sack of grain. No one could’ve helped her anyway.

With Anahaw carrying on the investigation, I wandered around the barn to see the place where it happened. I was greeted by the farmers and their children.

“If you were someone to kill somebody, what would be the reason?” I asked Breath as we walk and look around.

“If I were to kill somebody milady, that could be because of love. Oh my! I have been easily—” Oh darn, I remembered. Breath is someone romantic, she believes in knight in shining armor and stuff like that.

After searching around the place and found nothing, I went to the library for my afternoon read. I saw George, the librarian and he bowed down. Everyone knows that they are not allowed to go near the library aside from going inside to read. They know that if I am inside, there shouldn’t be a single noise that must come out from their mouth and sounds of footsteps even if they are walking around outside or near the room.

I slid my hands on the books and saw romance novels. Would someone really kill somebody out of love? I heard a soft thud from George’s area. It must’ve been a pen. I peeked a little and saw that he went outside. After searching for my book, I went to a seat. There is something sparkling below George’s seat. I stood up to look at it.

It’s a pendant with a name.

I went to Anahaw and brought George with me.

“Dear brother, I found your killer.” I said and dumped George in front.

“I-I didn’t! Please don’t kill me!” George pleaded. Tears of guilt streaming down his face. I can see the terrified look on his face. I can feel the nervousness within him.

“I saw Keisha’s pendant inside the library earlier. He dropped it when he went outside.” I stated. The look on my brother’s face became more ferocious.

“G-george?!” Fely shouted. “Why would you kill Keisha?! You love her!”

The whole room was susprised by the news.

George’s face turned to disgust when Fely uttered the word “love”.

“I have been waiting. I have been waiting for 3 years for her to accept and love me back but she never did! It is all pain left to me when I see her now and not love! She could’ve just dump me! And now that she’s dead, I won’t be able to see her anymore.” George smiled weirdly while crying. Is this what it feels when you kill someone you love? Will I also be the same with him when I got to the time where I can finally execute my brother? Darn, I am of course not. I should not compare myself to a weakling like him… right?

“Ohh my, a love that turned into sorrow.” Esmeraldo muttered.

After all that commotion, Breath told me that Keisha and Fely are fighting with each other because she had been convincing Keisha to dump George because she knows that Keisha doesn’t have the guts to do it.

I walked inside my brother’s room and saw that he’s writing on some papers.

“Breath should not be disturbed in early morning and at night same with her mates. The lower ones are not scheduled with them so you can bring with them when you need a companion.” Anahaw said.

I became delightful when I heard my brother’s words. He finally approved that women in the palace should learn fighting skills. Took him long enough to be convinced.

“What about the female knights?” I asked. I have also been asking him to let women who likes to join the knight be able to participate.

“The answer is no, Chrysanthemum. With them learning basic fighting skills should be enough.” Anahaw replied.

“Why?!”

“Don’t argue with me or i’ll rip this paper right now.”