Alaric POV
I stomped out of Elara's chamber. The heavy wooden doors slammed behind me.
I headed for my quarters. My boots struck the stone floor with a rhythmic thud.
It had been a long day. I needed to rest.
I entered my room. I sat on the edge of my bed. I could not rest. I was restless.
I paced the floor. I watched the shadows of the flickering candles on the wall. Elara seemed to look innocent. She was firm. She did not show fear. Her eyes were like stone.
Could someone have paid Morgana to do this to the young prince? I asked myself.
The air in my room felt thick. Who could they be? Thomas said the physician did not mention names. She said they were many. This implies a network of traitors.
I called for Thomas. He came almost immediately. He stood by the door. His leather armor was dusty.
"Have you been able to get any information from Morgana?" I asked Thomas.
"I have tortured her enough to make her talk." Thomas replied.
He looked at his hands.
"But it seems the person she is working for is paying her enough to make it worthwhile."
"Go and torture her more." I roared.
I felt the wolf inside me growl.
"If she refuses to talk, prepare the execution blade. Maybe that will make her change her mind. I must know the people behind all this."
Thomas bowed and left. I sat in the dark of my room. I did not light more candles. I did not call for wine.
I could not sleep. It had been a week of chaos. Sophie is always caught in the middle. She is the woman I love. She is also the target of every hidden blade in this palace. I need to end this once and for all.
I watched the hourglass on my desk. The sand fell slowly. Just then, Thomas returned in a haste. He did not knock. He burst into the room. He was panting.
"Your Majesty, Morgana is dead." Thomas said faintly. He tried to catch his breath.
I stood up immediately. My chair fell backward.
"Dead?" I asked.
"How is that possible? She was under guard."
"I don't know, Your Majesty." Thomas responded.
"It looks like suicide. She preferred death than to face your wrath. She chose the silent grave over the rack."
My heart felt heavy. The weight of the kingdom pressed against my chest. The only lead remaining committed suicide. The trail was cold. The truth was buried in a prison cell.
"Who was the guard on duty at the prison entrance?" I asked.
My voice was a sharp edge.
"It is Ryker." Thomas said.
"He confirmed nobody visited her. She was alone. She chose death over punishment."
I dismissed Thomas with a wave of my hand. I did not want to see anyone. Thomas left.
I sat in the silence of the night. My thoughts were louder than any other sound in the palace.
Indeed, it is not just the work of one person. Many people are working together. They want to make sure the truth does not come to light. They are organized. They are close.
I did not know the sun was already rising. The light began to bleed through the window. My thoughts overshadowed me. I could not sleep. I could not even close my eyes. Every time I did, I saw the physician with an arrow in her throat. I saw Morgana cold on the floor.
A knock distracted my thoughts. Cassian walked in. He looked tired. He held a scroll in his hand.
"Your Majesty, the elders are gathered for the morning assembly." Cassian said.
"They say they must see you today. You have been too busy. You have not attended to the affairs of the Kingdom for a long time now."
I looked at him. I knew he was saying the truth. I had neglected my duties to protect Sophie. Maybe I should address the matters of the Kingdom. This is the only way to get to the root of this matter. I need to see who speaks and who stays silent in the Great Hall.
"Give the Alpha some minutes to get ready." I said to him.
Cassian nodded and left. I washed my face with cold water. I put on my royal tunic.
I headed for the Great Hall. The halls were filled with the smell of morning incense. The whispers stopped as soon as I got there. The elders stood in a semi circle. I sat on the throne. The wood felt hard against my back.
"Update me on what is happening so far in the Kingdom." I commanded.
They began to speak. They talked about the Young Prince. They talked about tax and levy. They talked about the concerns of the pack.
I did not hear much of what they said. My mind was distant. I thought about the hairpin in Morgana's hand. Something felt wrong about her death.
I heard the last thing the elders said. It snapped me back to the present.
"The envoy of the northern clan arrived yesterday for their annual reckoning." Elder Hrothgar said.
"Alpha Stone from the Moon Crescent Pack has requested the same offerings given to them last year."
I turned to him slowly. I narrowed my eyes.
"The northern clan arrived yesterday?" I asked.
"How come I am just hearing about it now?"
"You have refused to attend to any palace duty for more than a week now, Alpha." Elder Matthias replied. He sounded bold.
"Is that why they are requesting that we give them the same offering as last year?" I asked with anger.
"Are we not the one to give them what we please?"
"M...maybe they like what we gave them the last time." Elder Hrothgar stuttered.
He looked at my uncle.
"Grand Prince Magnus?"
"Ha..ha..ha" Magnus made his drunken laugh. The sound filled the hall.
He smelled of cheap ale.
"Ermm. Yes. You are correct. What did you say again?" Magnus asked.
"You are drunk this early morning, Uncle." I faced Magnus.
"Anyways, how have you received them so far?" I asked Elder Hrothgar.
"They have refused to eat the food made by the chef of Blackwood Kingdom." Elder Hrothgar said.
"In fact, Alpha Stone came with three of the finest chefs known in this time. He said he cannot eat the kind of food we eat here."
"Then let him starve!" I yelled.
I stood up.
The hall became noisy. The elders whispered among themselves. They looked worried.
"Silence!" I roared.
The room went still.
Elder Matthias cleared his throat.
"Ermm, Your Majesty, letting them starve is a bad reception. It might bring war between both Kingdoms. We need peace for the harvest."
"If he refuses to eat what we eat, should he be forced?" I asked.
"He brought three of the finest chefs known in this time." Elder Hrothgar replied.
"I doubt he would starve."
"Better for him." I said.
I prepared to dismiss them.
"But Your Majesty, he has requested a competition." Elder Matthias stated.
"He wants a match between his chefs and the chefs of Blackwood Kingdom. He said he had heard of the ghost chef. He said he doubts she is competent enough to compete with his chefs."
I opened my eyes wide.
My heart hammered.
I have not finished unraveling the mystery that Sophie is entangled in. Now they want to put her life at risk again.
They want to put her on a stage in front of our enemies.
