Leander's jaw dropped. Artemesia went completely still.
Whispers rippled through the crowd. Confusion, satisfaction, unease.
Two powerful houses cancelling a wedding was no small event.
"Why would they…?"
"That's horrible…!"
"...I know right! She deserved better.""
Julian, as if on instinct, noticed that the tide was not shifting in their favor. He nudged his father, who quickly noticed and nodded.
"Calm, calm!" he waved his hands in a frantic gesture, "Please, my esteemed guests, do not misunderstand my words!"
Julian stared at the crowd, faces distorted with disbelief. He then glanced at the seat of honor, hoping to have gotten a satisfactory reaction from the victims.
However, it was quite the opposite. The Crown Prince was leaning back, arms crossed. Wine swirled in Artemesia's cup as she watched with analytical interest.
Their gazes bore into him, as if reading all his next moves.
A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead. This was not going as planned.
They can see right through me.
…Wait.
If they could read all the logical moves…
Then, he can make an impulsive one.
Suddenly, he walked in front of his mother. Alice took a step back in surprise.
"Julian-?"
"I know that many of you think that I am in the wrong," he began, his voice loud and clear, "but would you please lend me your ear for a moment longer?"
The whispering stopped, the figures were attentive once again.
Rowan paused. "Prince? What are you…?"
The realization struck him.
Oh no. He surely isn't going to-
"Such a strange world, isn't it? Even as you try to do good, only misfortune seems to follow you."
It took a moment for the implication to land.
Noblewomen flapped open their fans, while the gentlemen covered their mouths in shock.
"Isn't it so pitiful? I remained loyal to my fiancee, yet I was the one getting betrayed." he addressed the crowd once again, but this time, his eyes traveled over the masses and locked on a pair of shocked gray ones as he concluded:
"Artemesia Montclair has committed adultery, with none other than the Crown Prince of Halycra!"
The air went cold.
Nobody spoke. Not a single soul even moved.
All eyes were fixed on the strange, unfamiliar expression of Leander Halycra. His golden brows were furrowed, and a vein popped on his temple.
Alice just recovered from the shock when she pulled her son back. "M-my goodness, Julian. Are you sure you haven't had too much wine-"
"I am perfectly sober and in my right state of mind." he cut her off, and shoved her aside.
The mother stumbled to her husband, who was watching the scene with eyes as wide as a saucer.
What he declared at that moment, was a serious accusation. Treasonous, even. One that can not easily be withdrawn at will. One that Rowan was not willing to get involved in.
"Lady Montclair indulged in indecent behaviours with the Crown Prince, bringing down her and her House's name with her," he shouted, pointing directly at the seat of honor.
"Not only that, she had planned to frame Blackridge-"
Suddenly, there was a loud bang.
"Enough."
The Prince was now on his feet, his teeth gritted. Artemesia had risen too, her fan covering the lower half of her scowling face.
"I refuse to listen to any more of this nonsense." Leander declared. His voice was not loud, but it could be heard clearly.
Rowan finally decided it was enough, and grabbed Julian by the arm and yanked him aside.
He looked at his father, confused. "What-"
"Adultery? Me?" Lady Montclair snapped the fan closed, and stepped down the podium.
"I would like to clarify, the only guilty one here is none other than Julian Blackridge." She stepped in front of the crowd, not bothering to elevate herself.
"They hoped to gain a political and military advantage by this marriage, and used unjust means to pressure my family into confirming the marriage date," she glanced behind her, at the family's furious faces.
"Moreover, Lord Julian was the unfaithful one, as he was the one indulging in indecent behaviours behind my back. And before anyone could ask for proof, almost every servant was witness to this display, and they will no doubt be more than ready to present their testimony."
Julian stared at the back of Artemesia's head.
She finally turned, and met his gaze.
Cold, sharp, unforgiving.
"Quite bold of you to assume a mere servant's words would be taken seriously, Miss Artemesia." Alice spoke up, defending her son.
She raised a brow, "Oh? Let me rephrase then; any noble who attended the occasional tea parties at the Montclair Estate is witness."
The Duchess froze. Servants, she could manipulate. But nobles? And those who were watching this spectacle, specifically? Never.
"That doesn't explain why you were escorted here by His Highness." Julian found his tongue again, as he threw a dirty glance sideways.
"My presence has nothing to do with The Lady's innocence," Leander finally decided to intercede.
"I was lacking a suitable partner for this occasion, and the Lady had a favor to repay me," he explained calmly, previous traces of his anger now vanished, "and… I couldn't help but feel sorry at how terribly her fiance treated her."
Julian barked a laugh, "So you took her to a feast out of pity? An unmarried Lady?"
The Crown Prince finally stepped down the podium, and stood in front of his Lady.
"Yes, an unmarried Lady, for whom my affections were for all to see," he took her hand, "and I have held her in high regard much before you even knew her name."
He gestured for his guards. A few rushed over to his side, while others went out to inform the coachman.
"I have faced terrible humiliation today," he spared the Duke and Duchess a glance, before turning his back, "and I leave this gathering terribly unsatisfied and disappointed."
The Crown Prince walked to the door, the crowd parting in his wake. Lady Montclair walked beside him, her face expressionless, as the grand doors to the Banquet Hall opened for them.
"My Father shall hear about this."
Thud. His parting words were as loud as the silence that followed.