Elara's POV
I stood behind the pillars of the east corridor. I kept my body hidden in the deep shadows.
I saw Sophie leave the quarters of Queen Mother Isolde. She walked with a look of relief. Her head was high.
Alaric followed her after a few moments. His face was a mask of suspicion. He did not look at the servants. He did not look at the guards. He looked like a man hunting a predator.
What is going on? I asked myself. My chest felt tight. Sophie was supposed to be executed today. The three day deadline was a death sentence.
I expected to hear the sound of the iron bell. Signaling a death. Instead, I see the Chef walking free. And the King acting as her shield. I do not know what is happening in this kingdom anymore.
Alaric has cut me off. He no longer shares his plans. He no longer seeks my counsel. He moves in silence.
I am the lead consort, but I feel like a prisoner in this palace.
I rushed back to my chamber. I slammed the door behind me. Morgana stood by the window. She saw my agitation.
"What is going on?" I asked Morgana.
"I do not know, My Lady." Morgana replied. She lowered her head.
"The Alpha King moves in silence now. No one knows his next move. Not even the elite guards. He gives orders in private."
"Who talks to him?" I asked.
I paced the floor. The silk of my dress hissed against the floor.
"The only person who knows everything should be Cassian." Morgana said.
"And I know you are not on good terms with him."
I looked at Morgana. My heart raced. I felt a cold sweat on my palms. I am now powerless in my own kingdom.
This Sophie girl has made me a ghost. I have spent years building my influence. Now it is gone because of a girl who cooks.
"Now I have to stoop so low to talk to Cassian." I said.
"I have to ask that jester for information."
"It seems like that is our only option, My Lady." Morgana said.
"Go." I commanded.
"Go call Cassian. Tell him I request his presence."
Morgana left the room. I sat on my bed. I looked at the velvet curtains. I am no longer the woman Alaric cannot do without. I used to be his first thought in the morning. Now he does not care if I exist. I am invisible.
The door opened after a long wait. Cassian walked in. He had a smirk on his face. He leaned against the doorframe. He did not bow.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of visiting the most important consort of the Blackwood Kingdom?" Cassian asked.
"Spare me the pleasantries, Cassian." I roared.
"Why do you look so pained, Lady Elara?" Cassian asked. He walked further into the room.
"Did I tell you I am pained?" I asked him.
I stood up to face him. I didn't show any emotion.
"You look so." Cassian challenged.
He let out an annoying laugh. It echoed in the room.
"Or are you disturbed that your bed is now cold all night? Is the King too busy for your charms?"
I felt my face turn hot. I ignored his insult. I had to get the truth.
"I only called you here to know what is happening in this kingdom." I replied.
"What exactly do you want to know?" Cassian asked.
"What happened to Prince Daemon?" I asked.
"And why does Alaric now prefer the ghost chef to me?"
"Well, Prince Daemon is fine and well." Cassian said. He shrugged his shoulders.
"You do not expect him to be sick, do you?"
"I am just asking because I have seen Alaric visit there frequently." I replied.
"Then how do you conclude he was there to visit Prince Daemon?" Cassian asked.
"People talk, Cassian." I said.
"I hear the whispers in the halls."
"Well, I do not know what you have heard." Cassian said. He walked toward the door.
"Prince Daemon is fine and well. For the second question, you would have to ask Alaric yourself. He is the one making the choices."
"Why did I even send for you?" I snapped.
"I know you would have no useful information for me. You are just his shadow."
"Then all the best, Lady Elara." Cassian said.
Mockery dripped from his voice. He laughed. And he left the room.
I grabbed a glass vase from the table. I threw it against the door. It shattered into a thousand pieces.
"I should not have called this idiot!" I shouted.
"Sorry, My Lady." Morgana whispered.
"Sorry for yourself!" I yelled at her.
"Get out! You too!"
Morgana fled. I sat in the silence of my room. I was losing. I could feel the crown slipping away. I could not let this happen. I had to see Grand Prince Magnus. He is the only one who can help me.
I grabbed my heavy coat. I put it on. I pulled the hood over my head to hide my face.
I headed for the secretariat of Grand Prince Magnus. I moved through the side passages. I reached his door. Magnus sat by his fireplace. He held a cup of wine.
"You are the person I was hoping to see." Magnus said. He did not look surprised.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I thought you said no one would find out about what we did." Magnus asked. He looked at me with red eyes.
"Yes." I replied. I felt a wave of shock.
"There was supposed to be no trace. It was not a poison. It was a reaction."
"Well, Alaric was here. He just left my place not long ago." Magnus said.
"He asked why a new ingredient was added to Prince Daemon's medication. He was very specific."
"Alaric is not that attentive." I said. I shook my head.
"He does not know medicine."
"Well, he is getting attentive, little viper." Magnus said.
"I believe that ghost chef found out about the ingredient. Now they have given Daemon an antidote. He is well."
I opened my mouth in surprise. My plan had failed. "So that is why she is still breathing."
"Yes." Magnus replied.
"I had to save our image. I supply the medication. Alaric was already suspecting me. I had to give him a name."
"What did you do?" I asked.
"I told him the royal physician was the one who delivered the medication." Magnus said.
"What?" I asked. I felt my heart drop into my stomach.
"How is that saving our image? You gave him a trail to follow."
"Well, it gives you time to handle the situation." Magnus said. He took another drink of wine.
"You already sold us out." I said.
"Yes, the physician added the squirrel droppings." Magnus said.
"But I gave them to her. Alaric is looking for her now." I cut him short.
The room was quiet for a moment.
"Are you saying I should kill the royal physician?" I asked.
"You have to do anything to stay at the top, little viper." Magnus said.
He let out a drunken laugh. I looked at him. He was a fool. But he was right.
I had to silence the physician before Thomas or Cassian found her. If she talked, Alaric would have evidence against me. I have to save myself from this destruction.
I left the secretariat. My mind worked fast.
I needed a plan to reach the physician first. I had to act before dawn.
