Reborn To Change My Fate-Chapter 326 - Three Hundred And Twenty Five

The name tore through the freezing winter air. Derek’s shout, "LIAM!!!!", was so loud and full of raw fury that the royal guards actually took a step backward in the snow. Their hands gripped the hilts of their swords tightly. They waited for the Grand Duke to charge. They were ready to cut him down.

Prince Liam flinched slightly at the sheer volume of Derek’s voice, but he quickly recovered. He squeezed Marissa’s waist even tighter, holding her firmly against his chest. He smiled, thinking he had finally pushed Derek past the breaking point. He wanted Derek to attack. If Derek attacked first, Liam could kill him and claim it was self-defense.

But Derek did not charge.

Derek stopped walking. He stood firmly in the center of the snowy courtyard. He took a deep, heavy breath, forcing the violent, blinding anger back down into his chest. He needed a clear mind for this.

He slowly lowered his heavy longsword until the sharp tip rested gently on the snow-covered stones. With his free left hand, Derek reached deep inside his thick, dark winter cloak.

Liam watched him carefully. The cruel smile faded from the Prince’s bruised face. He wondered if Derek was pulling out a hidden dagger or a signal flare.

Derek pulled his hand out. He was not holding a weapon. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

He was holding a thick, dark leather book.

Derek raised the ledger up high into the cold air so the Prince and every single guard could see it clearly.

"I have evidence of your treason," Derek stated. His voice was no longer a furious roar. It was loud, steady, and incredibly calm. It echoed perfectly in the quiet, snowy courtyard.

The word "treason" made the royal guards shift uncomfortably. They looked at each other with nervous eyes. Treason meant death for anyone involved.

Liam’s body suddenly went completely stiff. The grip he had on Marissa’s waist loosened just a fraction. His red, swollen eyes locked onto the dark leather book in Derek’s hand.

"You used the High Cathedral of Strathmore," Derek announced, his voice carrying absolute authority. He wanted everyone in the courtyard to hear the truth. "You used a holy place to store illegal weapons, massive food supplies, and chests of stolen money for a revolt."

Ashlyn, who was standing a few feet away, gasped out loud. Her pale eyes darted to Prince Liam. A revolt? Treason? She suddenly realized the man she was trying to ally with was not just a cruel prince; he was a traitor to the crown. If he fell, anyone standing near him would hang from the gallows. She slowly took a small step backward, trying to hide in the shadows.

Derek took one step closer. He held the ledger higher.

"The ledger of your deeds is in my hands," Derek declared confidently. "I know about your deal with the West. I know about the gold you took from the Mercians. Every single detail, every secret letter, is written right here."

Liam felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead, despite the freezing winter wind. His heart dropped into his stomach.

How? his mind screamed. How did he find out? Only Father Adams and Captain Nigel knew the truth!

He stared at the leather book. If the King saw that book, Liam would not just lose his crown. He would lose his head.

Derek outstretched his left arm, offering the ledger toward the Prince.

"Release Marissa," Derek demanded firmly. "I will trade you the ledger for her."

Marissa’s eyes widened in total panic.

She stopped acting docile. She started to struggle violently against Liam’s hold. She knew exactly what that ledger meant to Derek. She knew about his brother’s murder. She knew about the massacred Thompson army. Derek had spent years searching for this exact proof. It was his only chance to get justice and protect his family.

"Derek, no!" Marissa shouted. Her voice was loud and desperate.

She looked at her husband standing in the snow. She shook her head frantically. She would rather die tonight than let him give up his life’s mission for her.

"Derek, this is the evidence that will ruin him for good!" Marissa pleaded, fighting against Liam’s arms. "Do not do this! Do not give it to him! Do not be reckless because of me!"

Derek looked at her. His hard, angry face softened for just one second. He saw her bravery. He saw how much she loved him, willing to sacrifice herself for his cause. But he also knew something she did not. He knew the book in his hand was just a copy. The real evidence was already safe with Ian which will be presented to the King by sunrise.

"It’s okay, Marissa," Derek said softly, sending her a look that told her to trust him.

Liam, however, had recovered from his initial shock. The panic was quickly replaced by his usual, arrogant logic. He looked at the forty armed guards surrounding Derek.

Liam threw his head back and let out a harsh, loud laugh.

"A trade?" Liam mocked. "Why would I make a trade with a dead man?"

He tightened his grip on Marissa again, holding her still.

"I will kill you first," Liam sneered, his eyes filled with dark malice. "I will order my men to cut you into pieces. And then, I will simply walk over to your dead body and take the ledger from your bloody hands. Isn’t it the exact same result for me? I get the book, and I get your wife."

Liam raised his hand, ready to signal his guards to attack.

Derek did not raise his sword to defend himself. Instead, Derek smirked.

It was a slow, incredibly confident smile. It was the smile of a Grand Duke who was ten steps ahead of his enemy in a game of chess.

"Having fought Your Highness multiple times," Derek said smoothly, dropping his sword hand slightly to show he was not afraid. "You should know I am not a fool. If I were unprepared, how would I dare barge into your home alone?"