Chapter 26

I stood before the grand doors of the Royal Concubine's court, my heart hammering against my ribs. The fabric of my gown, a shimmering emerald green, rustled softly with every anxious shift of my feet. The time had come. The time to face Royal Concubine Elana, a moment I had been dreading ever since the letter arrived at our doorstep. I drew a deep breath, straightened my back, and nodded to the guard who stood by the door. He gave me a solemn nod in return and pushed open the heavy doors, the sound echoing through the vast hall within.

Stepping inside, I was immediately struck by the opulence. Golden drapes cascaded from the ceiling, shimmering in the sunlight that streamed through the high windows. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes of mythical werewolves and legendary battles. And there, at the end of the hall, seated on a throne of carved ivory and velvet, was Royal Concubine Elana.

She was a vision of grace and power. Her raven black hair was woven into intricate braids that glistened with jewels. Her gown, a deep crimson, clung to her figure in a way that accentuated her every movement. But it was her eyes that captured my attention—sharp, calculating, and piercing, even as she smiled warmly at me.

"Cressida Carstairs," she greeted, her voice smooth and inviting. "Welcome to my court. Please, come closer."

Cressida. My new name, my new identity, this time, I hoped it didn't put me in more trouble. I swallowed hard, my hands clasped tightly in front of me as I made my way towards her. Each step felt like a lifetime, the weight of her gaze heavy upon me. When I finally stood before her, I dipped into a low curtsy, hoping my trembling was not as evident as it felt.

"Your Grace," I murmured, keeping my eyes lowered respectfully.

"Rise, my dear," she commanded gently. "There is no need for such formality here. We are all friends, after all."

I rose, lifting my gaze to meet hers. The warmth in her smile did little to ease the tension coiled within me. She gestured to a cushioned stool beside her throne, indicating I should sit. I did so, perching delicately on the edge.

"So, Cressida," Elana began, her tone conversational yet probing, "tell me about you. I barely know anything about you, how did you grow up?"

The question, innocuous as it seemed, brought a flood of my memories from the dungeons—most of them fresh and frightening. But I tried my best to regain my composure as I answered following the script I was supposed to. "I was a very sickly child, Your Grace," I replied softly. "I don't remember much of my childhood. It was spent mostly indoors, under the care of my healer and nanny."

Elana's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them. "I see. And yet, you managed to find your way to the castle instead of your sister Isabelle. Quite a journey for someone so frail."

There it was—the underlying implication. How had I, Cressida, made it here, and not my healthier, more capable sister Isabelle? Especially when the royal family weren't even aware of my existence. I took a steadying breath, preparing for the next inevitable question.

"Why did you pretend to be Isabelle?" she asked, her voice deceptively gentle.

Fear coiled in my stomach, but I met her gaze squarely. "I was afraid of everyone's reaction," I admitted. "Isabelle was always the stronger, more favored one. She was the one who was given the opportunity. I feared that if I came in my own name, I would not be given a chance."

Elana tilted her head, her eyes never leaving mine. "Fearful. Understandable, I suppose," she mused. "But deceit is a dangerous game, Cressida. I hope you understand that."

I nodded, feeling the weight of her words. "I do, Your Grace. And I am deeply sorry for the deception."

Her smile returned, though it did not reach her eyes. "Of course, dear. Now, there is another matter I am very very curious about. Prince Rowan's miraculous recovery. I don't understand it.  How did you manage such a feat?"

I hesitated, wondering and thinking of what I could tell her. "It was... a miraculous healing by the moon goddess," I said carefully. "I cannot take credit for it. I was merely divine intervention. I simply did my best to care for him like I was told to."

Elana's brows arched, skepticism evident. "The moon goddess, you say? Fascinating. And you have no details to share? No specific way it happened?"

I shook my head. "No, Your Grace. It was all very sudden and beyond my control."

She studied me for a long moment, her expression inscrutable. Then, she leaned back, a thoughtful look on her face. "I see. Well, whatever the truth may be, you have certainly earned a place of interest here. I would like you to visit me from time to time, Cressida. I find you... intriguing."

A chill ran down my spine at her words. Despite her warm demeanor, I knew the underlying danger in her invitation. "Of course, Your Grace," I replied, forcing a smile. "I would be honored."

"Good," she said, rising gracefully from her throne. "I shall look forward to our future conversations. You are dismissed, my dear."

I stood and curtsied once more, my mind racing with questions and uncertainties. As I turned to leave, I felt her eyes on my back, a predator watching its prey. The doors closed behind me with a resounding thud, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

The hallway outside felt cooler, the air less oppressive. I walked briskly, my footsteps echoing off the marble floors. The encounter had left me shaken, yet more determined than ever to protect Rowan and I's secrets. Elana was dangerous, of that I was certain. I knew her, even if she didn't remember me, I remembered her very clearly. Her curiosity about Prince Rowan's healing, her probing questions about my past—they were not the idle musings of a disinterested party. She was seeking something, and I had to be careful not to give her more than I intended or let her find out who I truly was.

As I navigated the labyrinthine corridors of the palace, my thoughts drifted back to what Rowan had said. He seemed to think I had a hand in his healing and as much as I wished that was true, I didn't have any special powers so it was not possible. His healing had indeed been a miracle, one I still struggled to comprehend fully.

And now, Elana wanted to uncover those reasons. I had to tread carefully, for my safety and that of Rowan.

I reached the stairway that led to Prince Rowan’s chambers, leaning against it with a sigh. The familiar surroundings offered little comfort. I could still feel Elana's piercing gaze, her words echoing in my mind. "Deceit is a dangerous game, Cressida."

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

The corridors seemed to stretch endlessly, but finally, I reached the heavy oak doors of Rowan's chambers. I hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath before pushing them open. Inside, I found Rowan pacing back and forth, his handsome face etched with worry. At the sight of me his expression transformed. Relief washed over his face like a tidal wave, and he crossed the room in three quick strides, pulling me into his arms.

"Ariadne," he murmured, his voice a mixture of concern and overwhelming relief. "Thank the goddess you're back. How did it go?"

I allowed herself to sink into his embrace for a moment before pulling back slightly to meet his gaze. "It went surprisingly well," she said, her voice steady. "The Royal Concubine asked many questions about my childhood, why I took Isabelle’s place... and about how you were healed. But don't worry, Rowan. I kept all our secrets well."

Rowan's tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and he let out a breath. "I am relieved to hear that," he said. "But I was very worried she might have put you through something more... intense."

"It was intense," I admitted, "when I was standing in front of her, all I could think of was that horrible dungeon and how I don’t want to go back in there."

“Oh I promise you Ariadne you will never have to go back there. You’re safe here.”

He said and I sighed in relief.

“Now that you’re here, I have some news of my own to tell you.”

“News? What news?”

I asked him.

Rowan's eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. "Ariadne, I have been reinstated to the royal council. My Father... the Alpha King has also decided to give us a new, larger chamber closer to the royal family."

“I believe this means we’re finally being accepted into court and maybe back into the royal family.”

My heart skipped a beat at the news. "That's wonderful!" I exclaimed, but my voice carried a note of caution. "But I can’t help but wonder. What changed his mind?"

Rowan's expression turned serious. "I have my reservations about this sudden change too. I don’t think it’s genuine, especially with the sort of reactions I garnered at the Banquet. The Alpha King has always been stern and unyielding, especially towards me. And I don’t even think my brother would have approved of this decision. But whatever his reasons, we must make good use of this opportunity. We have been invited to dinner tonight. We must prepare."

I nodded, my mind already racing with thoughts of what this new position could mean for us. "Then we will need to be careful, Rowan. This could be a trap, or it could be a genuine attempt at reconciliation. Either way, we must be ready for whatever they want to throw our way."

Rowan took my hands in his, squeezing them gently. "I know, Ariadne.”

“Now, let's get ready for dinner."