Over the next few days, Aveline stayed close to Lydia, refusing to leave her alone for long.
Lucien moved quickly in the background. He formally transferred the case to the judicial branch, secured the testimony of the physicians who had treated Lydia, and ordered the Arcanum's records to be sealed so no one could alter or destroy evidence.
He also had the tower placed under guard and quietly instructed several trusted officials to preserve every piece of evidence before the noble families could make it disappear.
It was not enough.
The investigation soon uncovered something worse.
One of the four boys was the son of Lord Bolfrar, the Minister of Justice himself. Another belonged to the family of the Chancellor's wife, House Valcrest, a powerful noble house with deep connections throughout the court. The remaining two came from influential noble families as well.
The Chancellor was furious when he learned that the investigation was proceeding.
