Chapter 18
After the night that felt endless, the dawn finally broke. Like the day before, the castle was again buzzed with excitement and anxiety. From my chamber. I could hear the clatter of warriors. Many of them were scrambling to gather weapons and supplies, and from where I stood, I could hear their whispers carrying faintly through the stone walls,
Most spoke of me, their queen, and how crazy I have become.
Hmmm. They don’t even try to hide it, I thought as I heard their complaints.
“But, I’m not surprised
While the castle was steeped in tension. I sat lazily on my bed, idly turning a letter in my hands–the one Rowan had sent me.
“How did you even manage this to my chamber? And at just the right time, too,” I murmured, studying the parchment –
you be planning!
“The “impection will be held today. What could you be
I thought back to the night Rowan had first visited me, a few days before the Founding Celebration. His piercing gaze and sharp words at that time were still fresh in my mind
Back then, he had questioned my reasons for inviting him… an enemy… to the heart of the kingdom. To do so was audacious, reckless even, unless I
had an ulterior motive.
Like the kind of motive to catch or ambush him while he serves as my escort in the celebration_
“But you boldly attended the Founding Celebration as my escort even if briefly, I had mused to myself then.
“Now that I will salk straight into your lair. What will you have for me!“
did not
Awry smile touched my lips. Is it my time to worry whether you’ll ambush me while I am in your pack? For some reason, that thought d worry me.
“Compared to this prison I call a castle,” I whispered, “I’m rather curious to see what you’ve prepared for me. A flicker of crimson appeared in my golden eyes, reflecting my power that I have been trying to supress
At that moment, a soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. The servant who entered was the same one who had tended to me every day… silent, gray–haired woman who had never so much as spoken out of turn.
I closely observed her. In my past life, when the invaders had surrounded my chambers, every servant had conveniently vanished, leaving me alone to face the attackers. It was the same for this old servant.
Yet, she had always seemed different. Unlike the others. Unlike the other servants that serve me perfunctoryly, this old servant observed me keenly and not just performing her duties mindlessly.
The old servant looked at me for a moment. I saw hesitation in her eyes before she knelt. Then, with her face pale and drawn she spoke.
“My queen, I have commisled a grave mistake.”
My gaze slurpened. “Speak
“Last night… your servant Faye allowed Lord Silas into your chambers without your permission. She lowered her head until it nearly touched the floor. “Faye is under my supervision, so I will accept your punishment, Your Majesty.”
I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. After a pause, I asked, “Where is Faye now!”
Anita hesitated again before answering. “I ordered the warriors to detain her, my queen”
My interest deepened. Silas had overruled my previous order to imprison Faye. Yet Anita had acted against his command to fulfill mine!
“You defied Silas Lasked, watching her intently.
Loverheard your order to imprison her,” she confessed, trembling. “If Loverstepped my authority, please punish me.”
1 Mudied her in silence. This old woman had risked her life to carry out my will? Tu sisregard Silas‘ order, didn’t she know what she might face?
“What is your name?” I finally asked.
“Anita, my queen. I once served as a servant to the former king and now as your senior attendant.”
A former servant to the former king!
Chapter Is
The former king was a just king that was loved by
by his lo
loyal servant
“Is that so!” A faint smile played on my lips. In the past, Anita had worked quietly in the background. I had barely noticed her only now where things had changed so drastically.
“You disobeyed Silas. Are you not afraid of the consequences?”
Anita’s gaze was steady as she replied. “My lady, you are my queen. The one I serve.”
Her words made me laugh. “And where was this loyalty before?” I asked, my voice sharped.
in this lit
y last life?
Where was Anita when I was treated as a doll in my own castle! Where was she when treason erupted in my
Surprisingly. Anita did not flinch. She answered with a voice filled with conviction. “In the past, Lord Silas will was also your will,” she said simply.
I was a sharp truth. In the past, I have let Silas and the council rule in my stead. I completely trusted them and remained in the castle, blinded to their schemes.
*And
now?” I asked with a smirk. “I no longer follow him?”
are the queen blessed by the Moon Goddess. It was your own will that gave Lord Silas authority.
“My queen, you were never his follower. You are
But now, you have decided to no longer do that, my queen,” Anita said, her tone resolute
I regarded her silently for a long moment. Anita did not say anything and quietly kept kneeling on the floor. It was only after a few minutes when I nodded and said. “Rive
Surprise was evident on Anita’s face as she stood. But her eyes turned even wider when I told her, “I will be away for the inspection Lady Anita, prove yourself to me. Serve me as your queen, your one and only ruler, even while I am gone.”
Xxx
A few hours later, when I opened the door of my chamber, annoyance flared in me instantly.
“What are you doing here again?” I asked, my
my voice laced with annoyance.
Standing before me was Silas. His imposing figure a meter away from me and blocking the doorway.
Behind him, Ael hovered like an obedient dog desperate for approval. My brows furrowed, and the temperature in the room immediately drop as my aura turned cold.
“Lord Silas,” I began sharply, “Rowan has already approved the inspection. It is not your place to stop me from going to the Pack of Ambel
was like an unspoken challenge was hanging in the air, until I decided to directly put it
Immediately, the tension between us became even thicker. It was forward. My gaze sharpened even more.
“If you dare to stop me,” I said firmly, meeting his gaze with unflinching resolve,
” and ready to fight you!
Salas quietly observed me. To my surprise, le responded calmly. “There is no need for that, my lady. I am here as your loyal retainer” His tone was devoid of mockery yet it was filled with an unsettling undercurrent.
My loyal retainer!
What a perfect joke. I felt a chill run down my spine. My aura grew even colder. However, Silas seemed unfazed.
“I have prepared our
our warriors,” he continued, stepplag aside slightly to gesture toward the window.
I followed his gaze and saw them–rows upon rows of werewolf warriors. Each of them had weapons glinting in the early light. They stood in perfect formation, their expressions grim and ready.
This was no escort. it was an army prepared for battle
My eyes turned even colder. Unfortunately, it was not the worst news I have heard.
As il enjoying my shock, Silas turned back to me, a cold smirk tagging at his lips. His eyes gleamed with something dangerous as he added, “And as your loyal supporter, it is iny duty to keep you ule”
His wore slowed, each word deliberately chosen to cut through my compusia
“For this inspection, I shall escort you”
Chapter 18
The finality in his tone was like a blade, sharp and unyielding. Each word left a bitter taste in
