Chapter 14. Unproven accusation

"This is not a joke, Ms. Hera. Your father was the one who stole the imperial jewel, and he will be held accountable for violating the rules. Once the case has been concluded, and the court has found him guilty, he will no longer be authorized in public, as punishment for theft against the emperor and the castle itself," the man explicated with all his heart which made Hera's blood boil even more. "He was taken for interrogation at Avenin Constitution. You should go back home because some of the knights were already there to investigate."

She couldn't believe it. It took every ounce of restraint she had not to shriek and hit something, but she did not want to draw any attention to herself because she knew that would only make things worse. Afterward, Hera and Scarlett agreed to leave the man without further explanation for his statement.

With heavy breath in her chest, Hera was striving to manage her sentiments, not letting them devour the whole atom of her because she knew it wouldn't help her. She was nervous even though the man's utterances weren't certain. However, Scarlett was wordless.

It took them almost fifteen minutes before they arrived at their destination. Hera was the first to enter their residence, and she was stupefied to see numerous knights standing in every corner; some were taking their possession from the walls, furniture, and other parts around. The house is filled with broken glass, and most of the paintings and drawings along the way are missing.

Hera's eyes scanned the entrance to the living room where everyone was standing, and her gaze landed on her mother, who looked utterly terrified and hopeless. She was crying.

"Mother!" she strode toward her and embraced her tightly, ignoring the knights. Scarlett followed behind them after making sure there were no intruders nearby.

When they broke the embrace and faced each other again, Hera could read all the emotions smeared across her mother's face. Her mother was terrified and confused. "What happened, mother? What's this all about? Where is my father?

Her questions only resulted in more tears pouring from her mother's beautiful eyes. She looked so vulnerable and lost. "I'm sorry, s-sweetheart. The knights have a-arrested your father... and keep claiming he stole the emperor's jewel. Y-your father won't commit any crimes; I swear you know that... r-right?" she stuttered, crying.

"Yes, I do, mother. Please, calm down. We will find a way."

"You don't have a choice, Hera.... there is nothing you can do."

"Don't say that. Please, mother? I won't allow this."

"Sweetheart, please, don't try to oppose them. I can't resist the thought of losing you, my daughter."

"No. You will never lose me, mother. Please, listen. I will find a way to sort this out because he is innocent, and you have to believe me. Now I need you to leave while I talk to the knights."

"But—"

"Please?" she said softly as she caressed her cheek. "Just do as I ask. It may sound difficult, but I promise everything will turn out alright, okay?"

Hera glanced at Scarlett, who was now watching them worriedly. "Scarlett, please bring her to the Liberio Cozet. I'll talk to Cayden about this matter."

Her friend assented immediately. "I'll take care of her. Please, be careful with all of this."

Hera nodded as her heart clenched upon remembering her father. "I will." with another tight embrace, she let go. "Go now."

Hera walked fast while the knights kept taking their stuff, ignoring her presence like she wasn't there. She wanted to yell in a fury but kept her composure until she caught a man standing in the corner who kept giving orders to his subordinates.

"Cayden?" Hera called out as she stood next to him. "My father has been serving your father for almost twenty years and hasn't done anything wrong. If this is your father's choice, please help me..." she felt herself trembling with despair.

The man's head curved toward her direction, giving him an unperturbed aura. He looked empty. "Your father was a good man for twenty years, as you claim, but not now. Your father was convicted of theft and sentenced to life imprisonment. Aren't you aware of that?"

"How dare you say that! You cannot stand here in our residence and insult my father for such a thing he never did!"

"Don't you understand? He stole my father's treasure; what do you expect me to do?"

"You don't know what you're saying. Did you watch him steal the treasure? Did he lie to you?" Hera inquired as she endeavored not to show discourtesy. "And do you know that this is trespassing? How could you step on our property with your unproven accusation?!"

Cayden chortled upon hearing her words until his gaze turned aggrieved. "I am the son of an emperor, so permission is granted to trespass freely anywhere I wish."

She glared at him as she tried to suppress her rage. Hera wanted to punch him, but she knew it would cause much trouble.

He smiled wryly when she still didn't respond.

"Where is your evidence then?" she demanded, glaring at his face. "We both know that my father is not a criminal. Why can't you understand that fact? If anything, you should feel ashamed for thinking of arresting my father just because you can't get what you want."

He raised one of his eyebrows, bewildered. "What are you trying to say?"

"I know you're doing this nonsensically. Just because I rejected you doesn't mean you have the right to wreck anyone around me. Why are you so selfish, Cayden?" Hera replied with exasperation in her voice as she shook her head.

His smile widened when she uttered those words. His voice sounded playful when he spoke up. "I'm selfish? Then why can't you see how eager I was to prove that you deserve me, but you made things worse, Hera!"

"I did nothing," Hera replied uninterestedly. She closed her eyes for a second, then opened them to respire. "My father is innocent, and I will make you see that. All of you."

With a bitter smile, she swiveled around and was about to take a few steps, but then Cayden pulled her arms forcefully.

Without uncertainty, he kneeled on the floor and grasped her hands tightly, entreating for something from her. Hera was about to shove him away, but then Cayden spoke, which stopped her.