Chapter 71: Chapter 70

Something about the way he said it set off alarms in Eleanor's mind. A sense of unease crept into her heart, and she glanced at John, who seemed to share her concern. "What if you are wrong?" she asked, her voice trembling. "What if your test is faulty?"

A murmur rippled through the villagers, a subtle tide of agreement with Eleanor's words. They had known the king to be cruel and heartless; perhaps this was one instance where his judgment was flawed, another way he wanted to keep them in check. But still, no one dared say a thing; they only whispered their thoughts amongst each other.

Cedric surveyed the crowd. "That is impossible," the king said, his smile turning cold. "The test is infallible. It has never failed. I assure you that it will not fail now."