Chapter 174 Find the truth

Chapter 174 Find the truth
As soon as Freya walked into the small house, the young woman offered her a seat. But before Freya could sit down, the young woman quickly began wiping the chair as though her life depended on it. It was clear that she was honored to have someone as influential as the Queen visit her humble home.

"There's no need for you to do that," Freya urged her, and just like that, the young woman stepped back.

"I'm sorry, my Queen, but I have to. You're the Queen of our kingdom and you cannot sit on a dirty chair. That would be an insult to you as my visitor," she responded in a very low voice.

Looking at the young woman, Freya could tell she was no older than twenty-five years of age. However, years of working hard on the farm had made her appear much older. Her hands were rough and calloused, unlike those of women who had been raised in noble homes.

Freya sat down on the chair, and the young woman took the seat opposite her. The only thing separating them was a wooden table that had clearly seen better days.

"Would you like me to get you something to eat, my Queen? We don't have anything lavish, but I baked fresh bread this morning," the young woman offered. She sounded like a child who had been given everything she had ever wished for. Despite the harsh life had dealt her, she seemed genuinely excited to have the Queen in her home.

Freya turned her head only to see two children, no older than five, running around the room. As soon as they noticed her, they immediately stopped and bowed their heads as a sign of respect to the Queen. Even at such a young age, they were already being taught to honor nobility.

Freya smiled warmly at them before turning her attention back to their mother, who was watching her children with unmistakable pride in her eyes. A little boy rested in her arms, and she gently bounced him to keep him calm whenever he threatened to cry.

"Are these your children?" Freya asked. The young woman nodded, her face glowing with pride.

"Yes, my Queen."

"Well, they're very beautiful."

"Thank you, my Queen. And I know that you too will be blessed with beautiful children," the young woman responded. Her words made Freya feel slightly emotional because, although no one could see it, she was already carrying a child in her womb.

"Thank you for inviting me into your home, but I actually came here because there is something urgent I need to discuss..."

"There is no need to worry, my Queen. I know that you are here to discuss my late husband," the young woman interrupted. Freya looked at her with a confused expression.

"I beg your pardon?" she asked.

"The man who was accused of helping Lady Iris was my husband. I was informed of everything that happened. But, my Queen, I can assure you that my husband was never one to betray the King. He was an honest man, and I know for a fact that he was forced to say all those things."As tears filled the young woman's eyes, Freya remained silent.

"My dear, your husband confessed to helping Lady Iris sneak into the castle to help murder Lady Sapphire."

"I know what it sounds like, my Queen, but my husband was most loyal to the King. In fact, he was loyal to the crown. The day you were accused, that morning, he told me that very soon we would have a good life and that I should not judge him for whatever happened. He also told me that someone would be coming to our house to hand us gold coins and take us to a better home. Then he said that whatever happened, he did not do it... he was simply forced to say those things. When I asked him what it was that he meant, he told me nothing," the young woman spoke before pausing as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"So what you're trying to tell me is that your husband did not do all these things and that he was simply framed?" Freya asked.

"Yes, my Queen, that is exactly what I'm trying to tell you. Because after it was reported to me that he had committed suicide, a soldier from the King's army came to my door and handed me forty pieces of silver, which was far more than my husband had ever earned."

"Wait... so you're telling me that a soldier from the King's army came to your house and handed you forty pieces of silver without telling you what it was for?"

"No, my Queen, but I knew that it was definitely payment for whatever my husband had been made to take the fall for. Even with that money, we're still poor because we had to pay off all the debts that we owed, and now we have nothing left," the young woman continued.

Freya sat down on a nearby chair, unable to believe everything that was being said to her. But as she looked into the young woman's eyes, she knew she was being told nothing but the truth. It only confirmed what Freya had always suspected... that Henry had simply lied to the King and had never kept his promise of taking care of the servant's family once the poor man had taken the fall.

"It's okay. I believe everything you've said to me, and I promise you that I will get to the bottom of this. I will come and see you again as soon as possible, but until then, I need you to be very careful. Don't tell anyone else these things, okay?"

"Yes, my Queen. I will do as you say," the young woman agreed.

Just like that, Freya pulled the cape over her head and walked out of the small property and into the village. She quietly made her way back toward the castle, her mind filled with questions that desperately needed answers.

Then Henry could not believe what he saw.

He had come to the poorer side of the village to meet one of his men and discuss how they would move the gold from one place to another. While sitting inside a nearby pub, he noticed a woman wearing a dark cape. Suddenly, the wind blew, brushing the cape away from the woman's face. Before she could quickly cover herself again, Henry froze and spat out the liquor he had just drunk because he instantly recognized the face he had seen.

It was the Queen.

Henry rushed out of the pub and ran in the direction the Queen had taken, only to discover that she was no longer there. His heart began beating rapidly. He had no idea why the Queen had come to this part of the village, but he knew he needed to find out quickly. Someone like her could easily ruin his entire plan, especially when she already suspected him. Whatever business had brought her there, Henry was determined to discover it before she managed to get to the bottom of the matter.