The Hero's Forsaken Princess
Chapter 20: A Deal

Chapter 20: A Deal

It was already nighttime when Eve woke up. There was a warm cloth on her forehead. Her fever had already gone down.

’Where am I?’

She blinked several times, staring at the ceiling. She tried to sit up, her emerald eyes sweeping her surroundings.

Her heart sank as soon as she realized she was back at Lotus Pavilion. Wanting to find Annie, she hurriedly got off the bed but due to her weak body, she struggled to keep her balance, causing her to fall on the floor.

"Annie," she murmured in her hoarse voice as she began to sob.

Losing Annie was still a big shock to her. She felt like her world crumbled at the moment. She was used to seeing Annie standing by her side, smiling at her.

Thinking about her moments with her, the tears continued to flow like raindrops. She clutched her chest tightly as sobs wracked her body.

’Annie is gone. She is gone.’ Eve slammed her eyes shut as she cried silently, preventing others from hearing her cry.

As much as possible, she didn’t want anyone from the palace to know that her voice had returned.

’I’ll avenge her death. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him.’ Eve thought to herself, clenching her fists.

With renewed resolve, Eve stood up and immediately looked for a dagger. If Alaric would come and try to kill her, she wouldn’t hesitate to stab him. This was her way of protecting herself.

Inside the palace, she wasn’t safe. She felt as if dangers were lurking around her.

Then she recalled Annie’s last words. She told her to go to her quarters and look for her mother’s belongings. They were placed under her bed, in a wooden box.

Eve was about to leave her chambers when she bumped into someone. Her eyes went round upon recognizing the intruder. It was Gavin.

Reflexively, she stepped back while pointing the dagger at Gavin.

"Whoa, Princess. Put your weapon down. That’s dangerous. I’m not here to hurt you." Gavin tried to talk to her.

But Eve didn’t listen. She remained in her fighting stance, holding the dagger tightly using both hands. She wouldn’t allow Gavin to touch her again.

She shook her head, telling him not to go near her, otherwise, she would attack him.

On the other hand, Gavin stayed calm while engaging her in a conversation.

"I’m not your enemy. I’m here to help you, Princess Eve. Aren’t you aware that you are in big trouble?"

The crease on Eve’s forehead deepened further. She looked at him with confusion. ’Of course, I’m in big trouble. My own husband wants to kill me. What does Gavin know?’

Seeing her questioning gaze, Gavin enlightened Eve.

"The queen put you under house arrest. You can’t leave Lotus Pavilion. Furthermore, you are going to be punished by the queen for your misconduct. Your punishment is fifty floggings."

Eve became more confused. ’Why am I getting punished? What have I done wrong this time?’

"Your servant here in Lotus Pavilion claimed that you eloped with another guy. They accused you of having a secret affair. King Solomon was so mad when he heard this."

Eve gasped in disbelief. How could this happen?

’No! This is unfair! I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m innocent!’ Eve screamed in her mind while gritting her teeth.

"Your lover was also caught by the royal guards. He was the one who informed us that you were kidnapped by the bandits!" Gavin continued supplying her with information.

By simply watching Eve’s expression, Gavin could tell that she realized that she was being framed for a crime she didn’t do.

Eve shook her head frantically, her eyes seemed to tell him– ’They are lying! I don’t have a secret affair!’

Gavin could see the helplessness in her eyes, so he grabbed this opportunity to show her that he was on her side.

"Don’t worry, Eve. I don’t believe their lies. I’m here to offer you some help. I can save you from this predicament. Are you willing to talk to me now? Please put your weapon down and hear me out first."

After careful consideration, Eve decided to listen to Gavin. She didn’t have a choice. Her husband wanted to get rid of her and now, she was being accused of something she didn’t do.

Though she stopped pointing her dagger at Gavin, she moved away from him, keeping her distance. She still couldn’t trust this guy.

Meanwhile, Gavin heaved a sigh of relief when Eve agreed to talk to him. He watched her silently as she grabbed her quill pen and pad.

[ So how are you going to help me? ] Eve asked him directly.

"I can prove your innocence. I know the guy who is pretending to be your lover. Princess Eve, I want you to know that the queen is involved in this incident. They are trying to frame you, making it look like you committed adultery. He confessed to me that Queen Amara instructed him to make false statements against you."

Eve wasn’t surprised anymore when she heard about Queen Amara’s involvement.

’In the beginning, Queen Amara already supported the marriage between Alaric and Princess Thalia. So it seems that my husband is in cahoots with Queen Amara.’ Eve folded her fingers into fists, gripping her quill pen tightly.

’My words against these two powerful figures in the palace... no one will ever believe me. Even if I tell everyone that Alaric hired the bandits to kill me, people will just laugh at me. They will doubt my words, but not their hero’s words.’ Eve was saddened by those thoughts.

’I have no choice but to accept Gavin’s offer of help. However, I have to prepare myself. What will he ask me in return?’

Eve glanced at Gavin with mixed emotions. She knew that this man was not acting out of goodwill. He would eventually ask something of her.

[ Why do you want to help me? ]

After reading her notes, Gavin grinned mischievously. He stepped closer to Eve as he said, "I’m going to help you because I want you to grant my request. Let’s make a deal, Princess."

Gavin paused for a moment, his eyes scanning her from head to toe. Licking his lips, he added, "Can you fulfill my wish, my Princess?"

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