Married To Darkness

Chapter 509: Banning Ava Layor

"To educate someone," Jean said.

That answer made Simon glance at Salviana.

"My lady?"

Salviana sighed, already knowing resistance had become useless.

"It seems we are visiting Ava Layor."

A faint silence followed.

Even Simon looked as though he understood trouble had just taken form.

Jean continued walking.

"If any princess decides to interfere," she said without slowing, "she may also receive whatever portion belongs to her."

Heappal nearly coughed.

Simon recovered first and stepped after them.

"Then we are definitely coming."

The knights fell into place behind them as the four moved through the long palace halls, boots and heels striking polished stone in measured rhythm.

Servants stepped aside quickly.

Something in Jean’s posture announced danger before words ever could.

Salviana glanced sideways at her friend.

"You are enjoying this too much."

"I have been gone too long," Jean said coolly. "Someone clearly forgot palace standards in my absence."

"And those standards involve threats?"

"No. Correction."

They passed beneath a vaulted arch where afternoon light spilled through tall windows.

Ahead, the western wing waited—the part of the palace where Ava Layor’s chambers stood, close enough to royalty to suggest favor, far enough to remind everyone what she truly was.

Jean’s expression sharpened as they approached.

"This foolish girl," she said quietly, "is about to learn that lying about a married demon lord was the most expensive decision of her season."

And this time, even Salviana did not try to stop her.

By the time they reached that area of the castle, the air around them had already changed.

There was movement near Ava Layor’s chambers—maids whispering, a steward carrying folded garments, two lower servants dragging a trunk across the polished floor with visible effort.

Jean slowed first.

"That does not look like a social visit," she murmured.

A palace maid standing near the chamber entrance noticed Salviana and immediately lowered herself into a hurried bow.

"My lady."

Salviana frowned as her gaze moved past her, toward the half-open chamber doors. "What is happening here?"

The maid looked uncertain for only a moment before answering.

"Ava Layor has been removed from the palace, my lady."

Jean’s brows rose sharply. "Removed?"

"She was banished this morning."

Even Simon and Heappal exchanged brief glances behind them.

Salviana stepped forward, confusion overtaking the purpose that had brought her there. "Banished?"

The maid nodded.

"Her chambers were emptied by royal order. She is no longer permitted within palace grounds."

"And her family?" Jean asked, voice already sharpening with interest.

The maid swallowed.

"The order extends to them as well. No member of House Layor may serve within the castle again."

For the first time since arriving, Jean looked almost impressed.

"Well," she said quietly, "someone woke up useful today."

Salviana’s eyes remained fixed on the chamber.

"Who gave the order?"

Before the maid could answer, another voice entered from behind.

"Oh, do not look so surprised."

Several women approached from the adjoining hall—princesses and noble ladies returning from the upper drawing room, behind was Florence, whose hand rested lightly over the curve of her pregnancy.

Jennifer walked beside ahead of them, already wearing an expression of open satisfaction.

Florence gave a tired sigh. "It was your demon husband."

At once, two of the ladies exchanged looks, and Jennifer rolled her eyes.

"And for once," she added, "we are grateful."

Princess Lilian folded her arms. "She was a pain on everyone’s neck."

Jennifer gave a short laugh. "That woman managed to insult every rank available to her."

Florence’s tone turned dry. "And sleep her way through half the royal corridors while doing it."

Jean’s eyes narrowed. "You tolerated that?"

Jennifer lifted a shoulder. "Tolerated? Hardly. Endured, perhaps."

Another princess muttered, "She slept with nearly all our husbands except the third prince, and frankly, even that may only be because he cannot stand perfume."

A ripple of reluctant agreement followed.

But Salviana did not smile. Her gaze shifted slowly from one face to another.

Then she asked, quietly—too quietly: "Then why did none of you dispute her lie that day?"

The question landed harder than expected.

A brief silence followed.

Florence looked at her first. Something softened in her expression. "Because I did not know," she confessed plainly.

Jennifer gave a small scoff. "Who cares about your feelings? We have bigger issues"

Lilian shook her head, "And because she lies so often that by the time one chooses whether to correct her, she has usually begun another performance."

Florence exhaled. "But also..." she added, looking directly at Salviana, "because none of us expected you to care."

That made Salviana blink.

Jennifer crossed her arms.

"You married a demon lord who terrifies half the kingdom and unsettles the other half. Most women here assumed nothing could touch your pride."

Salviana’s hurt remained visible.

Florence noticed.

Then, as though unwilling to leave the moment heavy, she tilted her head toward Jennifer.

"And for clarity," she said dryly, "she has not seen my husband’s body either, so kindly stop speaking as though all our households were included."

Jennifer turned immediately. "Oh, please, Florence, you don’t have to get your facts right yourself. We all know yours hardly leaves your side."

Florence lifted a brow. "He has standards."

A few ladies failed to suppress laughter.

Even Jean almost smiled. ’She’s pregnant and so sassy’

But Salviana still stood quieter than before.

It was Jennifer who noticed first. Her tone shifted, less mocking now.

"Ava was reckless, yes," she said. "But no one expected the punishment to come so swiftly."

Jean glanced toward the emptied chamber.

"Alaric gave the order himself?"

Florence nodded. "Before breakfast, apparently."

"He did not even send it through the council," Jennifer added. "Straight command. Immediate removal."

Another princess muttered, "The steward nearly fainted."

Jean slowly folded her arms.

"Well," she said, voice almost thoughtful now, "that explains why he did not wait for us to solve it ourselves."

Salviana said nothing.

Because beneath the surprise, another thought had quietly taken root—

He had heard. He had acted. And he had done so without telling her.

Without announcing it. Without waiting for gratitude.

As though protecting her name had required no discussion at all.

Jean turned slightly, catching the change in her face.

And because she knew Salviana too well, she leaned closer and murmured just low enough:

"You won’t pretend you are still offended?" she said, "that expression is dangerously close to softness." she teased her