Chapter 481
The moment Rafael’s question hung in the air, everyone’s hearts sank.
Noah hurriedly said, “Your Highness, please forgive me. No one bullied Lady Helen…”
“Earl of Gracehold, are you saying my mother is lying and falsely accusing you?” Rafael retorted coldly.
“N-no, that’s not what I meant.” The Earl of Gracehold, despite his courtly position, faltered before the Hell Monarch’s chilling presence—a seasoned battlefield general. Under Rafael’s piercing gaze, a chill ran down his spine.
“It’s all a misunderstanding—just a misunderstanding,” Noah stammered.
Gathering her wits, Dorothy immediately challenged, “Are you trying to throw your weight around, Your Highness?”
Samuel, suddenly recalling his scholarly pride and disdain for powerful princes like Rafael, scoffed coldly. “Lady Helen was the one throwing her weight around! She barged into our home to meddle in our affairs. And now you intervene to protect her? Are you going to bully our humble family, Your Highness?”
Rafael didn’t even glance at him, his eyes filled with indifference. “He talks too much. Dylan, slap him!”
Dylan, who had been waiting outside, entered with quick strides. He grabbed Samuel by the collar, swung his arm, and landed a hard slap, sending Samuel sprawling. Half of Samuel’s face went numb, his ears ringing, and his vision momentarily darkened. He tried to rise, only to receive another slap, this one drawing blood. He collapsed to the floor.
“Samuel!” Dorothy and Abigail cried out simultaneously, but Abigail remained hesitant. Only Dorothy, furious and panicked, shouted, “Help him up!”
The servants rushed to assist, but Samuel was dazed and trembling, barely able to stand. Despite his bloody mouth, he weakly roared, “Hell Monarch, you’ve gone too far!”
Heartbroken and furious, Dorothy turned to Harvey and demanded, “Your Highness, did you bring them here to deliberately bully our family?”
Seeing his son-in-law beaten, Harvey felt less sympathy than unease. He was considering de-escalation when Dorothy questioned him. He instinctively wanted to shake his head, but Rafael spoke coldly first: “Uncle Harvey, it’s best you stay out of this. I’ve heard my cousin is having complications with her pregnancy. Shouldn’t you be sending Aunt Heather to check on her?”
This was Rafael showing Harvey a respectful out, allowing him to focus on his daughter.
Yet, Harvey attempted to smooth things over. “Rafael, this must be a misunderstanding. Show some consideration, and let’s resolve this peacefully.” He desperately wanted to avoid a full-blown confrontation.
Having shown the minimum expected courtesy, Rafael turned away and coldly ordered, “The earl’s family dared to assault an honored concubine and falsely accuse the royal family. Since Samuel is a scholar, I’ll teach him a lesson on behalf of the king. Dylan, send word to Travis. Have him bring the household soldiers and smash everything in the earl’s residence.”
Travis, already waiting, was immediately dispatched. Soon, he returned with dozens of soldiers. Though unarmed—even household soldiers couldn't openly carry weapons in the capital—they used their fists and feet, smashing and destroying everything in sight.
The scene terrified the Earl of Gracehold’s family.
“Hell Monarch! How dare you insult our family like this? I’ll bash my head in and see how you explain this to the world!” Dorothy shrieked, her eyes dark with panic. She charged toward a pillar, intending to throw herself against it.