Chapter 700

Jack and Curtis trembled uncontrollably. One moment they were safe at home; the next, rough men had dragged them away and imprisoned them. The elder child was not yet eight. Their fear was understandable.

Thalia, equally terrified, steeled herself as a mother. Pushing aside her fear and worry, she joined her husband in comforting their sons. But when they exchanged glances, despair and helplessness filled their eyes.

In the next cell, Rafael listened to Daniel and Thalia. He felt a surge of admiration. His father-in-law's spirit shone through every Sinclair son, especially considering Daniel's limited interaction with Hector. Daniel, a businessman, possessed unwavering resolve. Theodore had taught them well. They embodied true nobility. Their unity and integrity shamed many so-called noble families, even without significant court influence.

This angered Henry, who could never achieve Daniel's level of success. From his far-left cell, Rafael could hear Henry and Melanie Lester. Melanie's voice, soft with disappointment and sorrow, carried across the stone. "They're your daughters! How could you be so heartless?"

Henry replied, "Betraying the Grand Princess leads to a dead end. If I hadn't exposed her, it would have cost us our lives and endangered both our families. Melanie, I had no choice."

"No choice?" Melanie sobbed. "You've used that phrase for years! Whenever you had to choose, you claimed you had no choice. Why didn't you tell your family? They have the power to resist, or at least to survive by accepting the status quo. But every time, you say you had no choice. You say that to your concubines and daughters! Every time, someone dies. I'm so tired of you! Carmen is the only one fighting back. She has spirit, unlike her spineless father. When she came to see me, I saw a light in her eyes that I'd never seen in yours. You're her father, but you won't help her. And you exposed and harmed her!"

Melanie's voice faded, as if she were being forcibly restrained. Rafael, judging by her voice and breathing, knew she was frail. She would likely die within ten days if she remained imprisoned. Henry was despicable; he betrayed his concubines and even his daughters.

Chapter 700 +25 BONUS

Rafael recalled seeing Henry weeping in despair behind a rockery at a palace banquet. The man then was vastly different from the one he heard now. Perhaps Henry had once loved someone, but ultimately, he only loved himself.

After a long silence, Henry sighed. "You're only thinking of your own life. The Grand Princess hasn't sent medicine lately. I'm sneaking you some, but I don't know how long I can manage it. If Carmen works with the Hell Monarch's people on October 15th, you and she will be finished."

"It would be better to die!" a sharp voice cut through the gloom, laced with bitter sarcasm and despair, followed by soft sobs. "It would be better to die. I could join my son… My son…!"

The cries erupted, filling the cell block with weeping.

Henry barked, "Why are you all crying? You'll only attract attention! If the guards come, it won't be death—it'll be a beating! Do you think dying is so easy? If it were, would you still be suffering here?"

His words silenced them. The sobs and whimpers vanished, replaced by tense calm.

Daniel held his wife and children close. This wasn't a dungeon; it was hell. The hell of Harmony Palace—a place he never imagined.

Rafael listened in agony. How terrified Daniel and his family must be. He couldn't rescue them yet. Eleanor would notice their absence tomorrow, jeopardizing the plan for the following night. Tonight was a night of torment and endurance for many.