Chapter 49: The Demon of Kingston
The stately chambers of the Queen's palace, with their opulent decor and the weight of history pressing against their walls, served as the backdrop for a confrontation of monumental significance. Sebastian Foxworth, once the Queen's most formidable asset, now found himself standing before her, a man burdened by the weight of his past actions and driven by a newfound resolve.
The Queen, regal as ever, sat upon her throne, her keen eyes fixed on Sebastian as he began to speak, his voice carrying a tremor of both defiance and resignation. "Your Majesty, I find myself unable to continue in my duties," he declared, his gaze unwavering. "The actions I have taken, the lives I have impacted... they cannot go unpunished. I am here to accept whatever judgment you deem fit."
There was a heavy pause, the air thick with tension. Then, slowly, Sebastian knelt before her, his head bowed, presenting himself at the mercy of the crown.
The Queen leaned forward, her expression inscrutable. "Has Miss Bridgerton gotten to you, Sebastian?" she inquired, her voice laced with a curiosity that belied her poised exterior.
Feeling a protective surge rush through him, Sebastian rose to his feet, his response firm. "Eloise has nothing to do with my decision," he stated clearly, ensuring the Queen understood his motives were his own.
Yet, the Queen chuckled softly, a sound that chilled the room. "Oh, but I believe she is the very cause of this... change of heart," she remarked slyly. "It seems something must be done about Miss Bridgerton."
At those words, Sebastian's eyes flared with a fire that had not been seen since his days as the feared 'Demon of Kingston.' "If anything—anything—happens to Eloise," he began, his voice low and threatening, "I swear to you, I will burn this country to the ground, starting with your palace."
The room tensed, the Queen's guards instinctively reaching for their weapons. But with a simple wave of her hand, the Queen stilled them, her amusement at Sebastian's declaration evident. "Oh, my dear Sebastian," she said with a mocking smile, "I have always admired your passion. It's what made you such an effective tool for the crown."
She paused, her gaze studying him like one might a fascinating, if dangerous, artifact. "However, I am a fan of true love," she continued, her voice softening ever so slightly. "Therefore, I assure you, no harm will come to Miss Bridgerton—lest she invoke the wrath of the 'Demon of Kingston.'"
The irony and significance of her words hung heavily between them. Sebastian, his message delivered and his threat made clear, nodded stiffly.
"Your service to the crown is no longer required, Sebastian," the Queen concluded, dismissing him with a casual flick of her wrist. "You are free to go."
As Sebastian exited the chamber, his footsteps echoing through the hall, he felt a tumult of emotions. Relief, for the safety promised to Eloise; resignation, for the end of his role as the crown's weapon; and a lingering sense of dread for what the future might hold without the structure his duty had provided.
Outside the palace, the cool air of London seemed to clear his mind. Sebastian's thoughts turned to Eloise, to her courage in facing the Queen, and to the future they might now have a chance to explore together. The path would not be easy, nor the transition smooth, but for the first time in a long while, Sebastian felt a flicker of hope—an ember that he was determined to keep alive.
As he made his way through the bustling streets back to Bridgerton house, Sebastian pondered the Queen's parting words. True love had indeed turned him, not into a weapon, but back into a man—one who dared to dream of redemption and a life beyond the shadows of power and war.