Chapter 85
By the time Althea paused to rest, sweat clung to her skin. Still, an achieved smile tugged at her lips when she took in the finished result of their cleaning. The cottage felt roomy and right—perfect for a workspace. There was even a rooftop she could use for practice.
Something tugged at her mind, though, so she stepped outside and asked Rudy, “Would it be possible to replace all the furniture inside p>
“Of course, My Lady. I will make the arrangements,” Rudy answered. Althea returned his smile and wandered the yard. The space around the cottage was wide and sunlit—ideal for a greenhouse.
Elsa came back with snacks and drinks. Everyone collapsed onto a makeshift bench around a long table, breathing heavily to take a break.
“I can’t believe I worked like an Omega to—” Trudis began, but Ben’s sharp elbow cut her off.
Althea remained calm. “I’m sorry for the trouble today. I’ll make it up to you all, I promise p>
Trudis snorted. “If you’re still alive by then p>
Melva’s face flamed. “What is wrong with you? She saved your life—how can you be so cruel p>
“That’s enough, Melva,” Althea said gently, holding up a hand to stop the argument.
Melva leaned forward, anger and hurt in her voice. “My Lady, Trudis is being disrespectful even after you saved her. If she ever gets into trouble again, why should you help? People who have no gratitude don’t deserve kindness. You give and they only repay you with spite p>
Althea studied Trudis, searching for any hint of remorse. The woman’s jaw was tight, her eyes defensive. For a moment, the group sat in uneasy silence, the afternoon sun warming the yard but not the mood.
Althea took a breath and decided to steer them back to work. “We’ll rest for a bit, then finish the greenhouse plans. Once the furniture is replaced and the place is set up, we’ll celebrate. For now, let’s keep this peaceful—no more jabs please p>
Reluctant nods followed. The tension eased, just enough for them to share the food and sip their drinks.
Althea drew in a slow breath. Trudis’s harsh words lingered in her mind, and she couldn’t deny their weight. If the Alpha King had once killed the woman he loved most, then what chance did a traitor’s daughter like her truly have?
By the time the sun dipped low, the work was nearly done. The cottage no longer looked abandoned but cleaned, aired out, and ready to be used. Yet a chill still clung to its walls.
“It looks better, but I still don’t feel comfortable here,” Melva muttered as she joined Althea on the balcony. Her eyes flicked uneasily to the shadows inside. “Someone died here. Doesn’t it bother you? Maybe the Alpha King gave you this cottage so everyone will know he wants you to be cursed by the ghost of his past lover p>
Althea’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“My Lady, don’t smile like that,” Melva pressed, frowning. “This isn’t something to be happy about. Places like this… they carry omens. It’s like he’s jinxing you, binding you to her fate p>
Althea leaned on the railing, her expression remained calm. She checked that no one else was nearby, then lowered her voice.
“Do you know what I think, Melva?” she asked quietly.
Melva tilted her head. “What, My Lady p>
Althea’s gaze swept over the yard, the quiet space untouched by anyone for years. “I think he gave me this place because it’s safe. While he’s away, I can work here in peace. No one will dare disturb me. You heard Elsa earlier, even the Queen Mother has never set foot inside since Lady Rizza’s death p>
Her tone carried a hum of conviction. It was her own interpretation, her own way of making sense of Gavriel’s choice. Maybe she was wrong, but her instincts rarely failed her. And deep down, she trusted her hunch… this was not a curse, but a shield.
At the Dungeon of Royal Estate
Ava covered her nose with her sleeve as she walked past the rows of iron bars. The guards bowed their heads when they saw her but said nothing, only unlocking the gate that led her deeper inside.
She clenched her jaw at the bitter thought—why should she be the one forced to go down to the dungeon just to see her father, when it was the traitor’s daughter who deserved to be rotting in there?
Her steps slowed when she reached the last cell. Behind the iron bars sat her father with iron chains around his body. He lifted his head at the sound of her approach.
“My daughter,” he said in a rough voice. “You came.” Google seaʀᴄh.net
Ava’s chest tightened. She hated seeing him like this—reduced, locked away like a common criminal. For a moment, she gripped the bars, staring at him with determination burning in her gaze.
“I’m sorry,” she weakly whispered. “I promise I won’t let you stay here forever. I’ll become Alpha Queen. And when I do, I’ll take you out of this place p>
Thanos chuckled lowly, though there was pride in his eyes. “You sound just like me when I was young. I trust you, daughter, so don’t worry too much about me. Focus on your goal and the task at hand p>
“I know.” She nodded firmly. “I don’t care how difficult it is. I’ll get that crown. I’ll make the Alpha King see me as his queen. And then… I’ll free you. That breeder will pay and I’ll make sure she’ll disappear without a trace p>
Thanos finally leaned back against the wall, a faint smirk curling at his mouth. “Then go, Ava. Don’t waste your time here. Use everything left in our family’s power. You know who you go to should there be problems p>
Ava’s fingers tightened on the cold iron. “Yes, Father,” her voice steady. “Just wait for me. Your time in chains is almost over. I will make sure you won’t wait long p>
With that, she turned and walked away. When she walked her way to her bedchamber at the South Palace, Nilda crossed her path in the corridor, heading back toward the West Palace.
Ava stopped her and gave a small vial into her hand. “Don’t forget—make sure to add this potion to Riela’s medicine p>