Chapter 58
At the South Palace
News had already reached Ava that Princess Riela was missing, and the West Palace had erupted into chaos as everyone searched for her. It wasn’t the first time this had happened. Ever since the Princess had lost her sanity, there had been episodes like this—sometimes violent, sometimes even deadly.
Still, they always managed to track Riela down before things went too far. That was why the Queen Mother never allowed anyone into the West Palace except those she trusted most. For this very reason, the palace was heavily guarded and kept under strict watch.
She smirked, setting aside the manuscript she had been reading.
Today, things had certainly turned messy, but what caught her off guard was Gavriel’s decisiveness. Not only had he dealt with the uproar, but he had even stripped her father Thanos of his post just like that as Minister of Law and Justice.
“That breeder is causing far too much trouble after just a single day in the royal estate,” Ava muttered, her lip curling as she thought of the whore.
Her eyes gleamed with calculation. “This is the perfect chance to distract Gavriel.. She looked at her maidservant, Ursula and instructed, “Send word to our men in the royal court. Make sure Riela, in her bloodthirsty state, finds her way into the North Palace—where that breeder is p>
Her maidservant, Ursula, bowed deeply. “Understood, My Lady.” With that, she hurried out of the chamber.
Ava rose gracefully from her seat, smoothing her gown. She knew the Queen Mother would be in distress, and there was no better time to visit than now, when her presence would be most welcomed.
Ava arrived at West Palace and as she expected, everyone was busy looking for Riela. She entered the Queen Mother’s chamber quietly. The room was dim, heavy with the scent of calming herbs. On the bed, the Queen Mother lay asleep.
“My Lady,” everyone in the room greeted as Ava entered, but her eyes went straight to Nilda, who returned her gaze with quiet understanding.
A faint smile touched Ava’s lips before she turned to the attendants nearby, their eyes lowered in respect.
“I will help with the search for Princess Riela,” she said calmly. “Stay close to Her Majesty and keep her at ease when she regains consciousness p>
She stepped forward, her expression steady yet gentle. “This matter must remain confidential. We cannot allow panic to spread through the court. Inform the commanders that I’ll assist discreetly. Princess Riela must be found before news escapes the palace walls p>
The attendants exchanged uneasy glances until one finally bowed. “As you command, Lady Ava p>
Ava gave a small nod, her gaze drifting back to the Queen Mother’s sleeping form. Then, she left the Queen Mother’s chamber to head straight to where Gavriel was.
The corridors were buzzing with guards rushing in and out, but they bowed curtly as they passed by her. She found Gavriel with Simon inside the maze, where Riela was first reported missing.
Ava stepped forward and bowed gracefully. “Your Majesty,” she said softly, her voice calm in contrast to the restless air around them.
Gavriel’s gaze flicked toward her, cold and unreadable. “Why are you here p>
“I came from the Queen Mother’s chambers,” Ava explained, lifting her chin just enough to show confidence without overstepping. “She is resting peacefully under Nilda’s care. I thought it best to assure you of that p>
When Gavriel gave no reply, she continued carefully, “I also wish to offer my help in the search for Princess Riela. Discreetly, of course. The less the court knows, the better. I only want to ease your burden where I can p>
It wasn’t the first time Ava had offered her help. She often did.
Gavriel gave her a simple nod, and that was all she needed. Without wasting another moment, Ava began her search, quietly gathering a few of her men, spies she had already placed inside the West Palace.
“Inform me the moment she breaches the North Palace,” Ava whispered to them before they all slipped away into the shadows. Google seaʀᴄh
At the North Palace, Althea had returned to her bedchamber adjacent to the Alpha King’s. After freshening up, she now sat down for dinner with Melva, while Amy and Mila stood at the sides, attending to them.
From time to time, Althea glanced at Amy and Mila, quietly reaching into their thoughts.
‘Why would the Queen Mother suddenly stop the poisoning? Was it fear? Maybe because of how the Alpha King reacted in court today… he slaughtered everyone tied to the case p>
‘This whore is dangerous! The Alpha King is obsessed with her. She must have bewitched him. What sort of witchcraft is she using? Or is the matebond really so strong that even a Lycan can’t think straight p>
‘If we’re not poisoning her anymore, then why keep serving her like this? I’d rather be at the West Palace helping search for Princess Riela than wasting time here, waiting for these two bitches to finish their damn meal p>
Althea froze, her hand tightening around her cup as the words sank in. ‘Princess Riela is missing p>
Just then, a piercing scream echoed from outside, followed by a heavy thud that shook the silence of the chamber.
Althea’s breath caught as another scream tore through the corridor. She pushed back her chair and hurried to the door. The moment she flung it open, the sight before her made her heart pound.
Trudis, Ben, and Rudy staggered down the hall, blood staining their clothes. Trudis clutched her side, pale and gasping. Ben’s arm hung limp, while Rudy, bleeding from his temple, barked orders despite his pain.
“Ben! Send word to the Alpha King—quickly!” Rudy shouted, his voice raw with urgency. “Tell him Princess Riela has breached the North Palace p>
His gaze swept over the guards gathering nearby. “No one is to harm her! Catch her alive and restrain her, do you hear me? Don’t spill her blood p>
Trudis, bracing herself against the wall, cried out to those still frozen in shock. “Lock your doors! Now p>
The order jolted everyone into action. Doors slammed shut along the corridor, bolts clattering into place. Inside Althea’s chamber, Mila and Amy trembled, their faces pale with fear.
“This is terrible,’ Mila whispered, clutching her hands to her chest as she gazed out of the window at the sky. The sun had just set and the moon was rising. “The moon… it’s full tonight p>
Amy’s eyes widened, filling with dread. “Not a good sign. Princess Riela is a Lycan… restraining her under a full moon will be near impossible. She’ll tear through anyone who tries to stop her. If the Alpha King doesn’t get here soon, we’re all as good as dead p>