Chapter 21: Proof of your claims

"I need time, Your Majesty," Caroline answered, keeping her gaze lowered in deference.

"The girl is lying," Seraphina declared, dismissing her out of hand.

"Seraphina, we cannot undo what has already transpired," Davian said, turning toward his wife with a heavy sigh. "They are legally bound, which makes Caroline a member of our royal family. The press was present at the ceremony and the news has already circulated."

"Your Majesty, you cannot possibly accept this," Seraphina countered, her expression darkening with confusion and disbelief.

Andrew stepped between them. "I have tolerated enough of this family drama for one day. It makes no difference whether any of you accept our mate bond. The truth will come to light soon enough, and when it does, you will be forced to hold your own daughter accountable for her crimes."

"You have one month to present proof of your claims," Davian warned, his tone rigid as he set the ultimatum. "Fail to do so, and your marriage to Andrew will be dissolved. You will face swift punishment for lying to the crown and manipulating my son."

"I understand, Your Majesty," Caroline replied, bowing her head slightly before raising her gaze to meet his. "If I bring forth the evidence proving the crimes Victor committed, as well as Princess Nina’s order to slaughter my family and execute me, will Your Majesty hold them accountable?"

"Nina had no hand in this! Do not dare accuse her when you possess not a single shred of proof," Seraphina interjected, her face contorted in anger. "Who do you think you are to speak so recklessly about my daughter?"

"She is my wife," Andrew cut in smoothly, his voice laced with implicit threat. "Caroline Andrew Kensington."

Davian tilted his head, giving his wife a sharp, silent gesture to hold her tongue before fixing his gaze back on Caroline.

"If the evidence holds, they will be punished according to the full extent of the law," Davian stated.

A faint smile touched Caroline’s lips. "Thank you, Your Majesty," she said, bowing once more.

As she straightened up, a sharp pain flared deep in her lower abdomen, and the room tilted slightly as her vision blurred. Shaking her head to clear the haze, she forced herself to stand tall, but the darkness at the edge of her sight only began to spread.

She stumbled forward, her eyelids fluttering shut just before Andrew caught her against his chest.

"Caroline," he murmured softly.

"I-I’m fine," she forced out, but cold sweat glistened across her temple. Unable to hold her weight, her hand drifted down to clutch at her lower abdomen.

"Call the doctor!" Andrew commanded Miller, his voice sharp with sudden panic. Without a second glance at his parents or brothers, he scooped Caroline into his arms and rushed up the grand staircase.

"I don’t think she’s lying, Mother," Ilias said, watching Andrew disappear into the upper hall. "She didn’t look well yesterday, either. She has clearly survived severe trauma."

"I am not denying she suffered a loss," Seraphina replied, her tone dripping with bitterness. "But whoever fathered that pup is to blame. She simply latched onto Andrew because no one else would take her in."

Davian nodded in agreement with his wife. "Andrew never listens to us. I know the girl will be out of his life within a month anyway. Let’s return," he stated, turning toward the exit.

"I will stay behind," Ilias said, stepping back from his brothers.

Davian gave a brief nod, leaving the estate alongside his wife and two remaining sons.

Upstairs, Andrew carefully laid Caroline across the mattress. "Why did you let her leave this room?" he growled, turning his sharp gaze onto the maid standing nearby.

"Your Highness, when I returned with the food, Madam was already gone," the maid squeaked, dropping instantly to her knees to plead for mercy.

"Get out of my sight!" Andrew snapped. The maid scrambled to her feet and rushed out of the room.

A firm knock sounded at the door before Miller stepped inside. "The doctor is here, Your Highness."

Dr. Vance, the physician stationed at the estate for emergencies, hurried in behind him, setting his medical bag on the bedside table.

"She fainted," Andrew said, his voice laced with suppressed anxiety as he stepped back to give him room.

Dr. Vance pulled out his stethoscope and checked her pulse before examining her eyes. "Her blood pressure is dangerously low, Your Highness," he reported, his forehead furrowed with concern.

"Do something, then!" Andrew ordered, feeling panicked.

"I am, Your Highness," Dr. Vance replied swiftly.

He retrieved a saline bag from his kit and handed it to Miller. "Hold this high."

Miller took the bag without question, lifting it high while Dr. Vance gently took Caroline’s left arm. Locating a vein, he expertly inserted the IV needle into her skin. Even in her deep, unconscious haze, Caroline flinched slightly at the sharp prick, her brow furrowing before settling again.

Andrew watched every movement with a tight, nervous knot twisting in his chest. Dr. Vance placed a soft bolster beneath her feet, elevating her legs above her heart level to force blood flow back toward her head and torso. Taking her wrist once more, the physician pressed his fingers against her pulse point, timing the subtle thumps under his breath.

After a long, tense silence, Dr. Vance finally let out a slow breath and looked up. "Her pulse has stabilized, my Lord."

"Great," Andrew said. "She... She even felt pain in her lower abdomen."

"I think exhaustion took over her not physical but mental. I advise Prince Andrew to keep her from any kind of stress. The pain in lower abdomen is possibly because of the miscarriage and the blood loss followed by it. That’s the reason she needs proper and prolonged rest."

Andrew hummed before the doctor left while Jeremy walked in with saline bag stand. Miller fixed it there before they both left, leaving Andrew alone with Caroline.

He sat down beside her and took her both hands. "Sorry. This was the last time you gave them answers like you were the culprit." He rubbed her cold hands, warming them up.

"Why haven’t you left, Ilias?" His eyes reflected pink. "I don’t want any of you here. So, leave."

~~~~~

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