Chapter 710

The assassins had already led Michael and Max Lewis to another dungeon. Inside, they found Daniel and his family huddled together—along with seven or eight women, some mad, others weak from illness. Michael's expression darkened at the sight of Daniel and his family.

“Get them out of here immediately,” he ordered. “Escort them with the ladies. Capital guards and Harmony Palace household soldiers are stationed outside; they’ll be safe there.”

Women were also imprisoned in adjoining cells, but they were severely disabled. Some had lost arms or legs; others were disfigured; some were mutilated beyond recognition. Their wounds had been treated carelessly, leaving many infected. One woman's severed leg had begun to rot.

The capital guards, upon witnessing this scene, could hardly believe this was a grand princess's residence. It was more like hell! Pinching their noses against the terrible stench, they forced themselves to remove each prisoner.

In the main courtyard, Zane continued his prayers with several high priests. As the number of capital guards and garrison unit soldiers increased, whispers circulated among the nobles that the number of assassins might also be growing.

Several ladies, led by Molly, wanted to flee. However, Zane's voice sharpened as he said, “You can’t leave now. You must see this through. Return to your seats.”

Molly was genuinely frightened. She had never encountered anything like this before. Torn between escape and obedience, she wept.

“Why can’t we leave with assassins on the loose? Sacrificing our lives for the dead is utter foolishness! Why would compassion demand human lives?” she wailed.

“The capital guards and garrison unit soldiers are here, so what are you afraid of? Look at Lady Fiona; she’s staying calm,” Natalie responded coolly.

In truth, Fiona was anything but calm. Her heart pounded. Having followed Yuvan for many years, she knew his plans and what lay in Eleanor's dungeon. Discovery of those items would lead to the grand princess being charged with treason. Even if Augustus himself returned, she couldn't escape punishment. Furthermore, the current king was her nephew.

Hearing Natalie, Fiona forced a smile. “If the noble ladies are unafraid, why should we be? The Capital Guard consists of our bravest armored troops. They’re not loafers.”

“If that’s the case, we’ll continue our prayers while they catch the assassins. Harmony Palace is filled with the wails of restless souls, like the world outside. Can you hear them?” Natalie said.

Fiona settled back, murmuring a prayer for peace and safety. Just as she composed herself, a man rushed in, cradling a four- or five-year-old child; a pregnant woman held the hand of an eight- or nine-year-old. The capital guards were escorting them inside.

Someone recognized them and exclaimed, “Isn’t that the missing Lady Sinclair and her children? How did they end up in Harmony Palace?”

“We were captured and brought here,” Thalia replied, her face pale and terror-stricken. Her eyes were swollen from crying. She collapsed to her knees upon entering the room.

Rosalind hurried to help. “Quick, sit on a cushion.”

“Thank you,” Thalia said, trembling. Nadine assisted, guiding her to a cushion.

“How did you end up here? Why?”

Confusion and doubt rippled through the crowd, though no one dared voice their suspicions openly.

The older ladies recognized Daniel and were surprised. Because he had been away for years, few had seen him. Even in the capital, he rarely met these women. Seeing a face resembling Hector's at Harmony Palace on Emberfest night was startling. It also stirred memories of the past.

Natalie regarded him closely. “You’re from the Sinclair family? How is Hector Sinclair related to you?”

Daniel, his hair disheveled, nodded respectfully. “I am Daniel Sinclair, and Hector was my elder cousin. I was kidnapped leaving the city. Fortunately, the capital guards rescued me.”

The older ladies who knew the old tale sighed, lamenting fate's cruelty.

Before more questions could be asked, another group arrived—women and young girls.

Chapter 210 (Note: This should be a separate document or clearly delineated section.) The provided text lacks context and appears incomplete. Please provide the full text for Chapter 210.