The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)
Chapter 525

Natalia froze, her mind racing with confusion. Just moments before, when she had left the room, Rowell had been his usual self. What on earth had happened in her short absence?

Before she could sort through her thoughts, Lydia was at her side, leaping like a panther, fingers clawing for Natalia's collar. "It had to be you! You must've pressured the Duke into signing that will, and when he refused, you did him in! I'll knock your lights out, you wench!"

Magnus stepped in swiftly, batting Lydia's accusing hand away with a stern glare. "Watch your tongue, and keep your hands to yourself. Lay another finger on my wife, and I'll chop those claws right off!" Lydia nearly toppled over from Magnus' push, her eyes turning to the Queen with a pitiful gaze. "Your Majesty, please, we beg you to stand up for us poor souls! This heartless illegitimate child has returned only to orchestrate the Duke's demise, and now her husband is threatening me. Oh, woe is me! Why must my life be filled with such torment?"

Magnus scowled deeply. If he had known that such a catastrophe would unfold, he would've never allowed Natalia to come and bid Rowell farewell. Now Rowell was dead, his body turned a strange color, and Natalia and Magnus were the last to have seen him alive. They couldn't possibly escape the implications of this affair.

Just as Magnus had predicted, Lydia, unable to contain her rage, pointed an accusing finger at Natalia. "You, you illegitimate daughter! Your damned mother ensnared my husband years ago, and now you've come to finish off what she started. What did I ever do in a past life to deserve such misery from you and your family? Give me back my husband's life!"

Rowell's scandalous escapades were no secret, so the nobles who had accompanied the Queen showed no sign of surprise at Lydia's outburst.

Natalia's eyes, however, brimmed with tears. She remembered her mother's humiliation and turned a steely gaze upon Lydia. "You can insult me all you want, but you will not slander my mother!" "Slander? Pah!" Lydia spat, lunging toward Natalia again, only to be frozen in place by the Queen's authoritative look. "Enough! The Earl Rowell's body is barely cold, and here you are creating a spectacle. Where is your dignity?"

Lydia, visibly shaken, stammered her plea to the Queen. "Your Majesty, I'm simply overcome with grief, which has led to my erratic behavior. I implore you, on behalf of the McKinney family, to deliver us justice."

Alice raced out from the other room, collapsing at the Queen's feet. "Your Majesty, you must avenge my father! Oh, his end was so tragic!"

With all eyes upon her, the Queen, despite her fondness for Natalia, could not openly defend her in this situation. She addressed Natalia with a grave tone. "Ms. Natalia, I do indeed admire your talent, but given your possible connection to Earl Rowell's death, I must ask you to cooperate with the investigation. Do you object?"

Natalia shook her head. "Not at all. I hope for a swift inquiry into my father's death to clear my name and seek justice on my behalf."

In her heart, Natalia resolved that the truth would come to light, and when it did, she would take the reins of the McKinney estate, settling scores with Lydia once and for all.

Magnus, who had been about to speak up, was silenced by a tug on his sleeve from Natalia. Ever the obedient husband, he fell silent and followed the guards with Natalia to a room in the McKinney Castle, where they were to be confined.

Once in the room, Magnus finally voiced his confusion. "Darling, you know they're framing you. Why didn't you defend yourself?"

"What's the use of defense at this point? I want to uncover the truth as well. Why did my father's body change color so suddenly? I believe that justice will prevail, and the truth will soon be revealed for all to see," Natalia replied with calm confidence.

Jonas tilted his head, looking at Natalia. "Mommy, did someone hurt Grandpa?"

Natalia gently shook her head. "I don't think so, sweetheart. We saw Grandpa pass away with our own eyes, and there was no sign of pain on his face. I'm puzzled as to why his body turned black so unexpectedly."

Jonas nodded thoughtfully and wandered off to ponder the mystery on his own.

Magnus admired his wife's serene composure. He wrapped his arms around her. His voice was filled with emotion. "My dear, you've grown so steady and strong. You shine with a brilliant light, enchanting me to the point where I can't take my eyes off of you."

Natalia met Magnus' gaze. "Adversity breeds growth. After being through so much, if I remained naïve, that would be the real folly."

His heart ached with guilt. If only he had been more cautious, she wouldn't have had to endure so much hardship. "I'm sorry, my love. I failed to protect you," Magnus whispered, cupping her face tenderly, drawn to kiss her.

Natalia quickly covered his lips with her hand. "Not now, we're not alone. Jonas is here." She glanced toward where Jonas had been, only to replace him missing.

"Where's Jonas?" Panic flickered in Natalia's eyes. Her nerves were still raw from past experiences of loss and danger involving her son.

"Don't worry. He's a smart boy," Magnus reassured her, before asking a guard, "Have you seen my son?"

The guard nodded. "Yes, he wanted to use the restroom, so we let him go."

To the guards, Jonas was just a child, and since the Queen's orders were to watch Natalia and Magnus, they saw no reason to stop him.

"Thank you," Magnus said, but inside, he wondered why Jonas would leave when there was a bathroom in their room. Assuming Jonas just wanted a break from the tension, Magnus didn't dwell on it further. He offered Natalia a few reassuring words, telling her Jonas would be back before she knew it.

At that moment, there were no guards posted at the door of Rowell's room downstairs. Everyone in the castle had been summoned by the Queen to relay the events surrounding Rowell's untimely demise.

In no time at all, Alice's figure appeared in the hallway, almost like a wraith in its silent approach. She cautiously looked around, ensuring that the coast was clear, then swiftly turned the doorknob and slipped into Rowell's room.

Alice had just returned from her audience with the Queen, where she had vehemently accused Natalia of being Rowell's murderer. But the truth was hers alone to bear, so as soon as she was dismissed, she hurried to Rowell's room, seeking to make amends.