Chapter 107

A sharp silence followed his words. I stiffened. He was in my bed just last night and now he would be sleeping with another woman in the next two days. 

Royal Concubine Elana, seated further down the table, let out a scoff. "Two days?" she repeated, raising a perfectly arched brow. "Why the rush, Your Majesty? One might think you were hiding something."

Rowan's eyes darkened as he turned to her. "There is nothing to hide," he said coldly. "I only wish to marry quickly to secure an heir. It is my duty to the kingdom."

Lucian, who had been silent so far, leaned back in his chair. His sharp gaze met Rowan's. "An heir?" he repeated. "Then tell me, brother. Is it true what Queen Isabelle claimed? I thought she was trying to stir up trouble but now it seems as if you are truly trying to conceal something. 

Rowan's expression didn't change, but I saw the flicker of something in his eyes.

Lucian pressed on. "She said you were infertile. That you could never father a child and that was the reason why your marriage lasted so long without an heir." 

A tense silence fell over the room. All eyes were on Rowan now.

He exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "Baseless accusations from a scorned woman," he said firmly. "Isabelle was desperate to ruin me because she was deposed. She wanted to destroy my rule, but she failed."

Reagan, who had been swirling his wine lazily, set down his goblet. "Even so, don't you think it's too soon?" he asked. "Marriage is a serious matter. You've barely had time to know Lady Lilian. For all we know, she could be another Isabelle. I think you should take the time to assess her." 

Several others murmured in agreement, voicing concerns about the rushed wedding. But Rowan didn't waver.

"When Lucian rushed into marriage with Arin here none of you here mentioned anything about taking time to assess her. To be honest, Lucian did the complete opposite of what I told him to do. Anyway, my decision is final," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument. "The wedding will proceed as planned with it without your support. 

The tension at the table was thick, but the servants soon arrived with the first course, and conversation slowly resumed.

I barely touched my food. My mind was still spinning from Rowan's announcement. Something wasn't right at the dinner table. Lucian's presence, he looked anxious next to me. It was as if he was expecting something to happen. 

And then it happened.

The dowager queen, seated near Rowan, suddenly let out a harsh cough. At first, it seemed minor, but then her body jerked forward, and a violent fit of coughing followed. She clutched at her throat, her face contorting in pain.

"Grandmother?" Reagan said, rising from his seat.

She couldn't respond. Her eyes widened in panic, her hands trembling as she gripped the table. A moment later, foam bubbled at her lips.

A gasp swept through the room.

"Poison!" Rowan whispered.

Rowan moved first, pushing back his chair so forcefully that it nearly toppled over. In an instant, he lifted the dowager queen into his arms. "Clear the way!" he commanded, his voice sharp and urgent.

I didn't think. I just acted.

I pushed my chair back, Lucian held my hand, attempting to hold me back but I pulled my hand away and rushed after them, my heart pounding in my chest. Princess Blanca and Royal Concubine Elana followed closely behind me.

We hurried through the halls, our footsteps echoing in the long corridors.

But before we could reach the royal physician, the dowager queen's body went still. The terrible coughing stopped.

Rowan halted, his arms still cradling her.

"Grandmother?" His voice was low, uncertain.

There was no response.

One of the royal healers stepped forward, pressing two fingers to the old queen's neck. His face turned grim. He looked up at Rowan and shook his head.

"She's gone Alpha King. I'm sorry." 

A sharp silence fell over us. 

Dead. Just like that.

My stomach twisted as I stared at the foam still at the corners of her lips. Poison.

Rowan was right when he said it was poison. 

Elana pressed a hand to her mouth. Blanca looked pale, her hands gripping her gown tightly.

Shock and horror filled me.

Someone had just killed the dowager queen. And they had done it right in front of us.

..................

Rowan's voice cut through the chaos. "Find whoever did this!" he roared, his face dark with fury. "No one leaves the castle until we know who is responsible."

"I want everyone who was responsible for serving us today to be questioned thoroughly. Nobody leaves until questions are answered!" 

Guards scattered, moving through the halls as orders were shouted. Servants cowered, whispering among themselves. The dowager queen's body had been taken away, but the tension in the air remained thick.

I stood near Lucian who had been brought to us in a wheelchair, trying to process everything. The way she had collapsed—the foam at her lips—there was no doubt in my mind that she had been poisoned.

But who would dare? Who would dare poison a member of the royal family? 

Lucian sighed, shaking his head. "Perhaps it was a wrong diagnosis." His voice was calm, almost too calm. "She was old, and sudden deaths happen at that age. We shouldn't jump to conclusions."

Elana nodded in agreement, folding her arms across her chest. "Lucian is right. No one would be bold enough to kill the dowager queen, not with so many people around." She turned to Rowan. "Are you certain it wasn't something she ate? A simple allergic reaction? It could have been that." 

Rowan clenched his jaw, his eyes burning with frustration. "You saw her," he snapped. "That was no accident. How could you call that an accident?!" 

I stepped forward. "The manner in which she died was unusual," I said firmly. "She wasn't sick earlier. I saw her at midday, and she was fine."

Elana's lips curled into a small smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "So quick to claim it was poison, Princess Arin," she said smoothly. "Is it because you are accustomed to such things in Braam? Zaire is quite different. Nobody would dare kill a member of the royal family so carelessly." 

I held her gaze. "I speak the truth. You could see the foam in her mouth. Perhaps the healers can help us determine that. The dowager queen's death wasn't natural."

Blanca, who had been quiet until now, let out a soft sigh. "Whether it was natural or not, one thing is clear, the dowager queen is dead. She had lived for over a century and now she is dead. She must be honoured with a befitting burial rite." 

Elana nodded solemnly. "Yes. Now that the dowager queen is dead, all other activities must be halted like tradition demands. We must focus on her burial rites. I shall inform the wolf clans and preparations will start." 

Her words sent a chill down my spine.

All other activities.

My stomach twisted. "What activity are you referring to?" I asked slowly.

Elana tilted her head, as if amused by my question. "The Alpha King's marriage, of course. No joyous celebration like that can be held after such a big loss. We have to mourn the loss of the Dowager Queen." 

I froze.

Understanding hit me like a wave.

The timing. The way she had died just as the wedding was announced. The sudden urgency to postpone everything.

They had done this on purpose.

They had poisoned the dowager queen to stall the wedding.

I swallowed hard, keeping my expression neutral. But inside, my mind was racing.

Rowan let out a frustrated sigh. "We will deal with the funeral, but the wedding—"

"—must wait," Elana interrupted smoothly. "It would be improper to hold a celebration while mourning the loss of the dowager queen. It is tradition. You know this." 

Blanca nodded. "Your Majesty, she is right. She was a respected elder. It would be disgraceful."

Rowan's hands curled into fists, but he didn't argue.

I knew then that he had lost control of the situation.

They had forced his hand.

The conversation shifted toward funeral arrangements—how long the mourning period would be, who would be invited, what customs must be observed. I barely heard any of it.

My pulse pounded in my ears.

I needed to leave.

Slowly, I stepped backward, making sure no one was watching me too closely. Then, when the moment was right, I slipped out of the hall.

I moved quickly through the corridors, my breath shallow.

I had just discovered something dangerous.

And if they realized I knew the truth...

I didn't even want to think about what they would do to me.