The Sword and Heir of Shadows

Chapter 34: A Noble man.

The news of Hector's escape reached Marlow swiftly, igniting his determination to capture the elusive woodcarver. There was only one person who might know Hector's whereabouts: Neena. And Marlow knew he had to approach her with caution.

Thinking on his feet, Marlow devised a plan to divert any suspicion King Louis might have. He decided to pretend to summon a doctor to the King's chamber, a clever ruse to mask his actual intentions. He assigned one of his trusted female subordinates, skilled in disguise, to pose as the doctor. This would enable him to speak with Neena without raising King Louis's suspicions.

The disguised doctor made her way to Neena's chamber, where the young woman sat alone with her thoughts. The weight of her complicated situation bore down on her, the stress of her pregnancy and the web of lies she had spun. Neena couldn't help but ponder her involvement with Hector and how it had led her down this treacherous path.

As the doctor entered her chamber, Neena put on a brave face. She couldn't afford to reveal her distress to anyone, especially Marlow, who had already grown suspicious of her due to her pregnancy. She spoke to her unborn child, attempting to find solace amid her tangled emotions.

"Now, little one," Neena whispered, "your father is a great man. He may not be of noble birth, but he's brave and noble in his heart."

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Marlow entered the room alongside the disguised doctor, his expression inscrutable. The Soldiers assigned to Neena's security discreetly left, respecting her need for privacy. Marlow's attention, however, was solely on the pregnant young woman before him.

The doctor masked behind her facade, began to conduct a pretend examination of Neena, all the while keeping a keen ear on their conversation. Marlow, a master of deception, wanted to get to the bottom of Hector's whereabouts without alerting Neena or King Louis.

He approached Neena with feigned concern. "Mistress Neena," Marlow said softly, "I trust that you are well."

Neena, who had been anxious about Marlow's sudden arrival, managed a polite but tense smile. "Yes, Minister Marlow, I am as well as can be expected under the circumstances."

Marlow continued to maintain the fa?ade of worry for her well-being. "I have heard of your distress lately, and I wanted to ensure that you receive the best medical care. You are, after all, carrying the future heir of the kingdom."

Marlow knew that the thought of her unborn child would manipulate Neena's emotions and possibly lead to her revealing any information she had about Hector.

Neena nodded, her heart heavy with the burden of secrets. "I appreciate your concern, Minister. I know the importance of this child to our kingdom."

Marlow leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Mistress Neena, I believe there are things you are not telling me. I can sense that you are hiding something. This is not a situation that will benefit you or your child."

His words hung in the air, and Neena felt the pressure of the moment. It was clear that Marlow had a purpose beyond the pretense of medical concern. Her thoughts raced as she considered her options in the complex web of deceit and danger that surrounded her.

Marlow's impatience had grown, and he couldn't tolerate Neena's defiance any longer. He had arrived with an agenda - to unearth Hector's whereabouts - and he was prepared to go to great lengths to extract the information.

With no answers forthcoming, Marlow's frustration intensified. "Mistress Neena, you are playing a dangerous game by refusing to cooperate," he warned, his voice laced with exasperation. "You may have fooled the King, but you won't deceive me."

Neena remained resolute, her spirit unbroken. She had endured many hardships, and her resolve had solidified, especially with her child's future at stake. The young woman who had once cared for nothing but her survival now held a greater purpose in her heart.

Marlow's temper flared, and he resorted to a harsher approach. He raised his hand and delivered a stinging slap to Neena's cheek. Her head snapped to the side from the force of the blow, but she didn't shed a tear, nor did she beg for mercy. Instead, she met Marlow's gaze with steely determination.

The disguised doctor, a witness to Marlow's actions, saw an opportunity to use fear to her advantage. She leaned in and hissed, "You are in no position to defy Minister Marlow. Your secrets will be revealed, willingly or not."

Neena's will was unyielding, and she didn't waver. She had come this far in the elaborate web of deceit, and she had no intention of unraveling it now. She steeled herself against Marlow's onslaught, determined to protect her unborn child, even if it meant enduring harsh treatment.

Marlow knew that Neena's ties to Hector ran deep, and he believed she held crucial information that could lead him to the woodcarving ironsmith. The once-humble minister had a sinister side, one that surfaced when his quest for power and control was at stake.

The disguised doctor, continuing to play her part, gave Neena an ultimatum. "Mistress Neena, the next time the Minister resorts to such measures, it won't be a mere slap. You have a chance to prevent further harm, to your womb. Tell us where Hector is hiding, and you can save yourself from further suffering."

As Marlow watched Neena closely, the room fell into an uneasy silence. His temper simmered beneath the surface, while Neena, with her unwavering resolve, maintained a fa?ade of composure. She considered her choices carefully, her mind racing to protect her child and the man she loved.

Finally, Neena spoke, her voice tinged with defiance. "I've already told you all I know, Minister Marlow. I cannot provide information I do not possess. And no amount of punishment will change that."

The disguised doctor gave Marlow an inquisitive look as if she was awaiting his next move. The room remained tense as the power struggle between the determined young woman and the relentless minister unfolded. Marlow understood that he had to tread carefully and employ a different approach to extract the information he sought.

But Neena's unwavering spirit revealed a glimpse of her newfound strength. She had transformed from a woman living in fear to one who would face adversity head-on. In the shadows of the complex web of deceit, each move held higher stakes, and the fate of Hector, Neena, and her unborn child hung in the balance.