Chapter 9 Leopold knew I'd be overwhelmed . ] He handed me a handkerchief ] " In truth , " he said gently , " The Heartfords only raised you for twelve years . " ] " You lost the first three . " ] Then he placed two painted portraits before me . ] I stared at them there was something hauntingly familiar about the couple's faces . ] Especially the woman . [ ] She looked exactly like how I had dressed last night . " That's them !" I gasped . ] Leopold poured me a calming tea , then finally revealed the full truth . ] My mother , Lady Kingsley , was a refined and noble woman . [] When I was just three , Duke Reginald Blackwood set his sights on her Despite knowing she was married , he forced himself on her while my father was away from the capital ] Ashamed and devastated , my mother took her own life [ ] By the time my father returned , it was too late - all that remained was her lifeless body ( He kept the scandal buried , for my sake . [ ] But the Duke wasn't satisfied ] Less than a year later , he found a way to eliminate my father too I was spared - barely four years old and too young to understand That was when the Heartfords , who had just lost their own daughter , entered the picture . ] Their matriarch was dying , and they needed a replacement ] To keep me silent and under control , Blackwood handed me over to the Heartfords They took me in- But as I grew , my resemblance to my mother became undeniable ] Every time they looked at me , they were haunted by the past . ] So they devised a plan : ] Bring in another girl to pose as the Heartfords " true " daughter . [ ] They isolated me , accused me , even tried to have me killed . All to keep me from discovering the truth . My hands shook . How could people be this vile ? ] " Duke Blackwood has committed countless crimes , " Leopold said grimly . " Just recently , I uncovered his embezzlement of military funds . " }} He paused , then called my name . ]} ] " Evelyn " That name - your name - was given to you by Lord Kingsley himself . ] He wanted you to shine like the moonlight . " Chapter 9 My knees buckled as I dropped to the floor . ] " Your Highness … how can I ever repay you ?" ] Leopold chuckled softly . [ ] " Well … you could always marry me . " My cheeks turned scarlet . ] " 0 But then he stood , suddenly serious again . " No , not yet . I'll wait until you want to . " ] " For now , we have more important things to do - we're going to bring them all to justice . " [ ] He had been planning this for years . ] All to expose Duke Blackwood in front of the King . On New Year's Eve , the palace held a grand banquet . [ ] The Heartfords and Blackwood had been searching for me for over a month - and that night , I finally appeared . [ ] Just like before , I wore the same disguise and played the same piece . The moment he saw me , Blackwood screamed and leapt to his feet . ] Guards rushed to restrain him . ] But my playing only grew more intense . [ ] He writhed in their grip like a madman and finally broke free , fleeing in terror . ] Leopold grabbed a bow and shot an arrow straight through his shoulder . ] That stopped him cold . [ ] The banquet was ruined . [ ] The King rose , furious . ] " What is the meaning of this ? " Blackwood pointed at me , trembling . " A ghost ! A ghost ! She's a vengeful spirit ! " [ ] " If your conscience was clear , " Leopold said coldly , " Why would a ghost frighten you ? " ] " The King is here . No spirit would dare harm us - unless someone truly has blood on their hands . " ] Blackwood clutched his head and screamed , [] "She's here for revenge ! I killed them ! I killed both of them ! " ] Gasps rippled through the court . The King slammed his hand against the table . [ ] " How dare you , Duke Blackwood ! " " You , a trusted noble - committing murder so brazenly ?! " ]