Bodyguard's Love

Chapter 14

Angus froze in place as he heard the maid's words.

"What are you talking about ? It's not possible... It's not possible that you did that, Ruth ?!" he asked, completely shaken.

The maid only lowered her head and cried harder.

"B-but... What made you do that ? You're one of the people I trust the most here ! How could you betray us ?! Answer me !" he asked, shouting.

"I-I had no choice, Your Grace..." she whispered with a broken voice.

"What do you mean you had no choice ?!"

"T-they kidnapped my son ! They took Hugo from me ! And they made me do what they asked if I wanted to see him again ! They forced me to do so, Your Grace !" she exclaimed, crying.

"Who ? Who asked you to do this ? Who kidnapped your son ?" he asked, confused.

"A-A group of bandits called Aulsnam, Your Grace. I was out yesterday morning to do some shopping. I took Hugo with me since he was bored all alone at the palace. I was heading towards a small candy shop, a little far from the main square. Passing through a small alley, they surrounded us there..." she answered, trembling.

"How many were they ?"

"About ten men."

"And what happened next ?" Angus asked impatiently.

"They told me that if I wanted to see him again safe and sound, I had to put the poison they gave me in His Majesty's food. They told me that I have only five days ahead of me and that if they don't hear the news of His Majesty's death within the time limit... They... They... They will kill him... They will kill my son..." she continued, sobbing hard.

"But why didn't you say anything ? You could have warned us or asked for help," Matthew interjected.

"T-they threatened me that if I spoke about it to anyone, they would kill him immediately... My poor child must be scared now... He's only 6 years old..." she confessed, trembling like a leaf.

"When did you put the poison in His Majesty's food ?" Angus asked again.

"Last night... During dinner..." she confessed, lowering her head in shame.

"Fortunately, His Majesty didn't die. Otherwise, the consequences would have been more than serious," he added coldly.

"Regarding this... I made sure it was that way..."

"What do you mean ?" he asked, confused.

"I couldn't put the full dose on His Majesty's dinner... My conscience wouldn't allow it..." she answered, lowering her eyes.

"I see..."

Angus nodded thoughtfully.

"And how were they going to return your son to you after the mission is done ?" he asked.

"They asked me to go to their hideout to pick him up."

"At their hideout ?" Angus asked in astonishment.

"Yeah, Your Grace... I know it's completely stupid of me to go there alone... I know they'll get rid of me once I'm there... But do I really have a choice ? I'm ready to do everything to save Hugo."

The duke sighed.

"And where is this hideout ?"

"In the forest of Ogrence. In a small villa hidden by the trees."

"This forest isn't very far from here. It's not even two hours away," Azusa informed.

"Yeah, that's right. I've been there a few times for walks and trainings," Matthew added.