Chapter 80

Once everything seemed alright, Anthony and Kathy sat together at the dining table, their plates nearly empty as they enjoyed the last bites of their meal. The soft glow of the chandelier above cast gentle shadows across the room, creating an atmosphere of warmth and tranquility.

Kathy paused, fork midway to her mouth. Her brow furrowed as an uneasy feeling crept over her. She glanced around the room, searching for the source of her discomfort. "Anthony," she whispered, "something feels off."

Before Anthony could respond, a sudden knock echoed through the hallway, shattering the calm. The two exchanged worried glances. Gathering himself, Anthony stood and walked toward the door, each step resonating with anticipation and concern.

He opened the door slowly to reveal one of the household servants standing just outside. She bowed her head respectfully, her hands clasped together as if she carried news of great importance. The flicker of candlelight from the corridor illuminated her face, which seemed tense and grave.

Kathy could just make out the servant's silhouette from her seat, her heart racing. What could have happened to disturb their peaceful evening?

Anthony addressed the servant gently, "Is everything alright? Do you need something?" The servant hesitated before speaking, her voice quiet but steady. "I'm sorry to interrupt, sir, but there is something you need to know."

The sense of unease grew stronger, but Anthony nodded, inviting her to continue. Kathy, now fully alert, watched and waited, knowing that whatever the servant had to say could change everything.

“King Frances needs to speck with you in his office. Don’t worry I will stay with Lady Kathy while you are away,” said the servant, aka Maria

“Anthony go ahead I don’t mind; the servants keep me company,” said Kathy

“I will be right back,”

Anthony walked past the servant and made his way down the corridor toward King Frances’s office, his mind racing with questions. Meanwhile, Maria quietly entered the room, her presence calm yet oddly intense. Kathy finished her last sip of juice, setting her glass down as she observed the servant, who seemed unusually interested in the nursery where the babies slept.

With a polite smile, Kathy rose from her seat and moved to close the nursery door, gently turning the handle until it clicked shut. She glanced back at Maria in the servant body, who watched her with an unreadable expression. A chill ran down Kathy’s spine, and she realized there was a mysterious air about the servant tonight—something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

Anthony reached the office and knocked softly. The door was opened by Robert, revealing King Frances inside along with several members of the household already gathered. Their faces were serious, and the atmosphere felt charged with urgency. Anthony stepped in, scanning the room, and asked, "Father, what is going on?"

King Frances looked up, the furrow in his brow deepening. He motioned for Anthony to come closer, then gestured toward a letter lying open on the desk. "Anthony," he said gravely, "we've just received troubling news from Queen Raine. There are reports of unrest—something we cannot ignore." The gathered household members exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of the moment settling over them all.

Robert glazed over as the guards were telling him that he found a body in the gazebo as he his clear then went over to Frances' desk.

Robert cleared his throat, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. "Lord Frances, I want to inform you that the guard found a body in the gazebo—it was one of the servants, and her body is in rigor mortis. Also, there is another body inside the palace; it seems her neck was broken," he announced gravely. The room fell silent, the gravity of his words settling over the assembled group, and King Frances's expression grew even more troubled as he processed the news.

“Queen Raine called me that she locked the hospital because Maria has escape by putting her soul into someone else body, and now they don’t what body she is in. Robert locked the palace I don’t know if she is in the here or not we can take risk,” said Frances

“Yes, my lord,”

King Frances turned to Robert, his tone firm. "The palace is now on lockdown. Make sure all the servants have left for the night, and instruct them to sign on the clips at the front door so we can account for everyone." The urgency in his voice underscored the seriousness of the situation, and Robert nodded, immediately moving to carry out the order.

“Son, where are Kathy and babies?” asked Vanessa

“Kathy is in the room with the servant to keep her company, however it was odd she told me that you want to see to me,”

“I never called for you, if I did I would tell Robert to do,”

Anthony's heart raced as realization struck—if his father hadn’t summoned him, then someone else must have. The urgency propelled him forward, and without another word, he sprinted from the office, his mind laser-focused on Kathy and the children. Arriving at the bedroom, he found the door locked tight. Desperately, he pounded on the wood, shouting, "Kathy, open up! Are you alright?" Each thud echoed his growing dread, as he listened for any sound from within.

In the bedroom, Maria puts a barrier up to keep anyone from entering in so that Kathy feels it, as she looks up the servant's eyes turn black, there is a black vein on her neck and face. There is a knife reappearing in her hand as she was about to attack Kathy but Kathy grabs her waist and kicked her in the stomach as she falls on the floor.

“You took everything from me. My mate and now I lost my child because of you. I will kill you,” said Maria.

Kathy steadied her breathing, staring at Maria with both sorrow and resolve. "Maria, you ruined your life. You should've never gotten involved with Samuel, Evelyn, or Noah in the first place. You should have walked away before it all spiraled out of control," she said softly, hoping to reach whatever remained of Maria.

Maria's voice wavered, heavy with bitterness. "You think I didn't try? But every time I saw Anthony happy with you, it made me desperate enough to help them with their plan. I wanted what you have, even if it meant losing myself." Her words hung in the tense air, the pain and jealousy clear in her eyes.

Suddenly, the commotion drew everyone to their floor, anxious and on edge. Anthony rushed into the nursery, where the cries of the babies filled the room, their distress mirroring the chaos just outside. He hurried to the connecting double doors leading to the master bedroom, only to find them locked tightly. All anyone could hear were frantic screams coming from within, followed by a chilling silence. Then, without warning, the two doors slowly unlocked, creaking open to reveal an empty room—Kathy and Maria were nowhere to be found.

"Kathy! The sound of Anthony's voice echoed through the house, WHERE ARE YOU?!"

After searching everywhere, Anthony's eyes landed on the open balcony door, where he found the servant and Kathy on the rain-soaked ground.