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 chambers, 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. 1 sat lazily on my bed, silly turning a letter in my hands–the one Rowan had sent me.
“How did you even manage
age this to my chamber? And at just the right time, too, I murmured, studying the parchment.
“The “inspection‘ will be held today. What could you be planning!”
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 Mill 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 cate
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!”
A wry 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 did not 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 the every day, a 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. 1 saw hesitation in her eyes before she kneli, Then, with her face pale and drawn she spoke.
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“My queen, I have committed a grave mistake.”
My gaze sharpened. “Speak”
Last night your servant Faye allowed Lord Silas into your chambers without your permission.” She lowered her head until it nearly touched the Boor. “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 overnaled my previous order to imprison Faye. Yet Anita had acted against his command to fulfill mine?
“You defied Silas” I asked, watching her intently.
“Loverheard your order to imprison her she confessed, trembling. “If I overstepped my authority, please punish me.”
Indied her in adence: This old woman had risked her life to carry-
yout my will: To disregard Silas‘ order, didn’t she know what she might face!
“What is your name!” 1 dnally 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 forner king!
The former king was a just king that was loved by his loyal servant.
Chapter 18
“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, in this life, 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
are my queen. The one I serve.”
Her words made me laugh. “And where was this loyalty before?” I asked, my voice sharped.
Where was Anita when I was treated as a doll in my own castle! Where was she when treason erupted in my last life?
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,
It was a sharp truth. In the past. I have let Silas and the council role in my stead, I completely trusted thern and remained in the castle, blinded to their schemes.
“And now?” Lasked with a smirk. “I no longer follow him?”
“My queen, you were never his follower, You are the queen blessed by the Moon Goddess. It was your own will that gave Lord Silas authority”
“But now, you have decided to no longer do that, my queen, Anita said, her tone resolute
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, “Rise”
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.”
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 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”
Immediately, the tension between-us became even thicker. It was like an unspoken challenge was hanging in the air, until 1 decided to directly put it forward. My gaze sharpened even more..
“If you dare to stop me,” I said firmly, meeting his gaze with unflinching resolve,
am ready to fight you
Silas quietly observed me. To my surprise, he responded calmly. “There is no need for that, my lady. I am here as your loyall 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 warriors,” he continued, stepping 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 if enjoying my shock, Silas turned back to me, a cold smirk tugging at his lips. His eyes gleamed with something dangerous as he added, “And as your loyal supporter, it is my duty to keep you safe”
His voice slowed, each word deliberately chosen to cut through my composure.
this inspection, I shall escort you.”
The finality in his tone was like a blade, sharp and unyielding. Fach word left a bitter taste in my mouth.
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