Chapter 23 Helen led us down to the grand hall where Damon waited with Ronan and several guards . The other candidates were gathered loosely around . Damon's imposing figure stood at the center of them all , arms crossed over his chest , his expression carved from stone . His eyes flickered toward me as I entered . Beside me , Vanessa stood with tears streaking down her face . " Your Highness , " she whimpered , casting me a pitiful glance . " Elena's been bullying me again , I don't know why she's targeting me . I've done nothing to her . " I nearly choked on my own laughter . The audacity . Damon said nothing at first . His silence stretched , heavy and suffocating until finally , he spoke . " I will find out exactly who has been causing trouble in my palace , " he said coldly . " And no one who is guilty will be spared . " A A shiver ran down my spine . His declaration carried the weight of a promise . The girls loyal to Vanessa exchanged nervous glances . Damon's piercing gaze swept over them . " Who stole Elena's clothes ? " Silence stretched and the tension thickened . I watched the way the girls fidgeted , some gripping their skirts , others avoiding eye contact . But no one spoke 1 exhaled sharply . " Not just that . I also want to know who swapped my lot … Your Highness . " I added as an after thought . Hesitantly , a timid woman stepped forward . Her hands trembled slightly as she avoided Vanessa's burning glare . " L … I saw them , " she admitted , her voice barely above a whisper . " Vanessa and the others … they took the clothes . " Vanessa scoffed " That's ridiculous . Where's your proof ? " Damon moved before anyone could respond . He reached into a small cloth bundle and threw my clothes onto the floor . And the room collectively held its breath Damon's eyes narrowed . " These still carry the scent of the she - wolf who stole them . How dare you lie to me ? " Vanessa's face paled , but she lifted her chin defiantly . " Anyone could have placed them there . " Before she could spew more excuses , Ronan stepped forward , his golden eyes glinting . " We found the thief . " A candidate from Vanessa's group , one of the women laughing at training , was dragged forward . She squirmed under the weight of everyone's stares , panic filling her eyes . " Your Highness , please , " she pleaded " I was only following orders ! " +15 Bonus " Then you can follow this one , " Damon said smoothly . " You're expelled . Get out . " Her cries were drowned out as the guards dragged her away . Vanessa , despite everything , still tried to play innocent . " I had nothing to do with this ! " Damon's gaze hardened . " Who swapped Elena's lot ? " Another from Vanessa's group stepped forward , trembling . She was the least favored among them , the one always used as a scapegoat . Vanessa crossed her arms . " Do you have proof ? " The girl flinched but held firm . " I did it , " she admitted , voice shaking . " It was me . " Such a Liar . I knew Vanessa had forced her into taking the blame . But before I could call her out , Ronan took the insignia lot , sniffing it carefully " This lot carries the scent of its original owner , " he announced . His eyes flicked to Vanessa . " It's yours . " The room erupted into hushed whispers . Vanessa's mask cracked . " That … that's not possible ! " She turned to Damon in desperation . " I was framed ! Elena must have planned all of this to get me expelled ! " Damon regarded her coolly . " Your father is one of my most trusted men . If not for that , I would expel you . " Vanessa's relief was short - lived as Damon continued , " But you will be punished . " Her shoulders stiffened . " Punished how ? " Damon's lips curled slightly . " You'll be cleaning the palace toilets for the next week . " A strangled noise escaped her throat . " I - I have never never touched a cleaning cloth ! " I couldn't help it - relief and satisfaction swept through me . Finally , someone who deserved it was being punished .