Post by Juliette Deveraux on Mar 27, 2018 16:10:37 GMT -5
This was getting out of hand. Looking between the two knights, ready to come to blows, Juliette frowned at Emile's reaction. Then again, she should have expected his disbelief, though she wondered why he found it so incredible in light of all Benoit had done before this point. Taking a deep breath, she replied, her tone cool versus the heat of her cousin's voice. "All right, all of you, that is enough! Tristan, for goodness's sake, put your sword away. Emile, would you please sit down? I realize how absolutely ludicrous this sounds, but I promise you, I have plenty of witnesses to confirm every word of this."
Sighing heavily, she stood and rested a restraining hand on Tristan's arm, turning a pleading look on him. Juliette appreciated his protective nature where she was concerned, but Emile was family and Tory was his fellow knight. They were not here to harm her. She trusted him, because her sisters trusted him independently of Benoit. They did not hold the son responsible for the father's sins or his brother's madness.
Facing her cousin, she met Emile's eyes calmly, letting him see there was no guile in her. Juliette had no reason to concoct such a tale. If anything, the horror she'd witnessed still lurked in the blue gaze. "He had help, I am sorry to say. He found those who supported him in the Clavigers, in the Royal Guard, even some of the nobles. He laid his plans very carefully, I have to say, and knew he had to work quickly. This is no trick, Emile. I give you my word as a Deveraux, I have no reason to lie to you. Benoit tried to kill Nicolette, murdered several nobles, and is holding the rest hostage. And no, I am not holding you responsible. Why would I?"
She shook her head, the frown returning. "You're in shock, I understand that, but try to think. If I thought you had any part in this, would I have sent word asking you to come here so I could tell you, rather than let you reach the city and be arrested without so much as a chance to speak? The city has been sealed, Emile. We," Juliette indicated Tristan and herself, "barely made it out ourselves. Do you think I don't know that you have no part in your father's schemes? I may not like politics, but that doesn't mean I don't know how they work."
Reaching out, Juliette seized his hands and gripped them tightly, hoping to convey her sincerity. "I asked you to come here because I know you're not involved, and because the city is no longer in Deveraux hands. Do you think so little of me that you believe I'd let you walk blind into what might be a trap? Do you?"
She stared at her cousin, praying that the sense of her words penetrated his obvious (and somewhat understandable) paranoia.
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Tristan Deschênes, Salvatore Deliambre, Emile Deveraux