Chapter 46
The guards stiffened at Dorothy’s command before moving toward Althea.
“No! Please, no! You can’t do this to her, My Lady!” Melva cried out hysterically, trying to push forward, but was held back.
Althea, however, did not flinch. She caught Melva’s trembling hand and squeezed it firmly, her calm eyes meeting her maid’s frantic ones.
“Stay calm,” she said softly, almost soothingly. “I’ll be out soon p>
Then she leaned closer, her lips barely moving as she whispered in Melva’s ear, “Focus on the task at hand p>
Melva nodded, but worry clouded her eyes. Althea smiled softly and even gave her a playful wink, trying to pacify her friend.
“No need to drag me. I’ll come with you. Please, lead the way,” she said calmly to the guards.
They hesitated, glancing at Dorothy, who gave them a signal to take her.
‘Let’s see how you get out of this! I’m sure you’re nothing but a witch… a pest to our kingdom just like your father p>
Dorothy’s thoughts rang sharp in Althea’s mind. From that alone, she knew the woman had nothing to do with the poisoning; her malice was aimed at Althea’s downfall, thinking she was responsible.
As the guards moved, Elsa stepped forward with trembling hands. “I… I am so sorry, My Lady p>
It was only then that Althea managed to skim through Elsa’s frantic thoughts. She had been too focused earlier on saving the woman to notice, but now the weight of it struck her.
‘I need to gain her trust and become one of her personal maids. If not, Lady Ava will make my life and my family’s life a living hell,’ Elsa thought.
Althea suddenly felt her knees give out, her body swaying as if she was about to fall.
“My Lady!” Rudy rushed forward, grabbing her just before she hit the ground.
If she didn’t have the gift of reading minds, Althea would’ve been fooled already. Trusting people so easily… she couldn’t afford that.
She had never even met Lady Ava, and yet Ava was already moving against her—sending a spy right into her side.
This poisoning was clearly Lady Ava’s doing. But the bigger question was… how could Althea prove it?
Dorothy’s eyes widened, and her voice lashed out like a whip. “What is the meaning of this?! Why are you helping her? Why are you even following her p>
Ben stepped up, scratching his head awkwardly but speaking firmly. “Because those were the Alpha King’s orders. He told us never to let Lady Althea out of our sight, especially when he isn’t here. Our duty is to ensure that she’s also unharmed p>
Trudis swallowed hard before adding, “He made it clear, My Lady Dorothy… if anything happens to her, it’s our heads. He also said no one—no one—is allowed to touch her or do her harm. Only the Alpha King himself has that right p>
Althea pursed her lips. Not long ago, Trudis had openly said their task was to make sure she didn’t escape. That alone had left a bitter taste in her mouth. Now, hearing these words from Ben and Trudis confused her. She wasn’t sure what to feel.
But she couldn’t deny it… Those words lit a small spark inside her. The thought that Gavriel might actually care for her… it warmed her chest in a way she hadn’t expected. For the first time that night, she felt her spirits lift, even just a little.
Rudy straightened, his hand still steadying Althea. His voice was calm but resolute. “So if she’s to be locked in the dungeon, then we’ll follow and stay with her. That’s our order p>
“This is insane. Fine. You three, go with her!” Dorothy snapped, her voice sharp with authority.
The guards closed in immediately, and Althea moved without protest. Her steps were calm, but her heart was pounding as she walked between them. Rudy, Trudis, and Ben had no choice but to follow.
“You don’t need to come with me to the dungeon,” Althea said softly, glancing back at them.
Her calm tone didn’t ease the unease in the air.
Trudis scoffed, though her voice carried a nervous edge. “We don’t really have a choice, do we p>
Rudy stayed silent, his jaw tight. Ben walked stiffly, eyes darting around as if the walls themselves were closing in. None of them wanted to be near the dungeon, yet Dorothy’s command left them no way out.
The sound of heavy boots echoed through the corridor, each step dragging them closer to the cold, suffocating darkness below.
“The North Palace has its own dungeon?” Althea asked curiously as they were led into a ruined building. A hidden passage opened beneath it, leading them down.
“Yes,” Ben replied. “The Alpha King usually keeps here the ones he wants to question personally. Sometimes traitors too, and p>
“That’s enough. Don’t give her too many details,” Trudis quickly cut him off, her tone sharp with warning. Thıs content belongs to ⓝovelFind.net
Then silence fell. The dungeon was eerily quiet, every step echoing against the stone walls. Althea was led into a private cell barred with thick iron, and to her surprise, Trudis, Ben, and Rudy followed inside with her.
The guards locked the door from the outside, shaking their heads as if they found the situation ridiculous. Why were there three attendants inside with a prisoner? Still, they didn’t question the order.
A little later, they returned with trays of food, three servings placed neatly in front of Trudis, Ben, and Rudy.
None was given to Althea.
The dungeon guards glanced at her for a moment, pity flickering in their eyes, before walking away in silence.
The smell of warm stew and bread filled the cell, and soon her stomach betrayed her with a loud grumble. Trudis smirked, tearing off a piece of bread slowly, clearly savoring the moment. Ben avoided looking at her, but Rudy hesitated.
At last, Rudy pushed his tray toward Althea. “Here, you can have p>
The dungeon guards cut him off sharply. “Don’t even think about it. The High Stewardess ordered that none of you will get any portion if you share it with the witch p>
Rudy froze, pulling the tray back with a guilty glance at Althea. Trudis chuckled, clearly pleased with the rule, while Ben’s jaw tightened.
Althea stayed quiet, hugging her knees to her chest as her stomach kept grumbling, the smell of food only making her suffering worse.