Chapter 83
I folded my arms, keeping my expression neutral. "Do you think it's that simple? Do you think anyone else would have found it easy? What makes me perfect for this is because I know this castle. I know the people and the kingdom very well because I've lived in it. And I know you're expecting the country to be weak because of Alpha King's Rowan's unexpected arrival into power but it is not. And the wolf clans are fiercely loyal to Rowan."
Kaelin's smirk faded, replaced by a hard glare. "Excuses won't suffice Ariadne. You told us you were working on destroying the family from within. It was one of the reasons we didn't mind your marriage to Prince Lucian. You promised us information that could bring the kingdom down."
"I'm working on it," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
Sylvia leaned forward, her gaze piercing. "What about the council meeting? Did you learn anything useful?"
I hesitated, the memory of the meeting fresh in my mind. "The wolf clan elders are restless. They're unhappy that an heir hasn't been produced yet. There's talk of deposing Queen Isabelle."
Kaelin raised an eyebrow. "Queen Isabelle is more or less useless to us anyway. Her being deposed wouldn't do much of us. But what about the Alpha King. What weakness of him can we use to bring him down?"
I clenched my fists, unwilling to share more than necessary. "Rowan is as strong as ever. I don't believe he has any weakness."
"That's impossible," Kaelin snapped. "I'm sure there should be something you must have missed. You mentioned Prince Lucian wants to take his brother's throne. What happened to that plan? Why isn't he here? Are you getting too comfortable in your new role as princess? Have you somehow forgotten your main role?"
The accusation stung, but I refused to let it show. "I haven't forgotten my mission," I said coolly.
Sylvia's gaze didn't waver. "Then prove it. We need chaos, Arin. Distract Rowan. Undermine the council. Do whatever it takes to weaken their foundation."
Kaelin stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Remember why you're here. If you've grown attached to this place, let me remind you what's at stake."
I swallowed hard, my mind flashing to my time in Braam. "I haven't forgotten," I said quietly.
"Good," Kaelin said, his smirk returning. "Because we're watching. And we're running out of time."
The tension in the room was suffocating. I nodded curtly, excusing myself before they could press me any further.
.............
As I walked back to my chambers, my thoughts were a chaotic mess. Their words echoed in my mind, each one a reminder of the precarious position I was in.
Kaelin's smirk. Sylvia's piercing gaze. The weight of their expectations pressed heavily on my chest.
I had agreed to this mission out of necessity, out of loyalty to Braam and most of all because of my unquestionable thirst for revenge. But now, I wasn't so sure I wanted revenge anymore.
My steps faltered as I reached my chambers. Leaning against the door, I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
Whatever happened next, I had to be careful. One wrong move could cost me everything.
..........
A sharp knock interrupted the quiet of my chambers. Before I could even respond, the door swung open, and Kaelin strode in, her sharp features alight with fury.
I stood up quickly, alarmed by her expression. "Kaelin? What are you doing here?"
She shut the door firmly behind her, her piercing eyes locking onto mine. "We need to talk, Ariadne. Now."
Her tone brooked no argument, and I stiffened. "What's this about?"
Kaelin stepped closer, her voice sharp as a blade. "Don't play dumb with me. I saw what you did at the meeting—the way you spoke up for Rowan. What the hell was that?"
"I didn't speak of for him," I said defensively, crossing my arms. "What are you talking about? I only said he is not as weak as you all think he is."
Kaelin's laugh was cold and biting. "Oh spare me all of the excuses Ariadne. That was loyalty. To him. Why say anything in his favour? How do you think that looks to them?"
I opened my mouth to deny it, but her glare stopped me.
"You still care for him, don't you?" she demanded, her voice rising. "After everything he has done, after the way he cast you aside, and forgot about you. How he didn't care if you were dead or alive you still have feelings for that bastard!"
"That's not true," I protested, though my voice wavered.
"Then why are you defending him?" Kaelin snapped. "Why are you so desperate to believe he's not the monster we both know he is?"
I clenched my fists, trying to keep my composure. "Because I've spoken to him, Kaelin. He told me he doesn't love Isabelle. He had no choice but to marry her—"
Kaelin's laugh cut me off, bitter and scornful. "Can you hear yourself Ariadne? Can you hear the words coming out of your mouth? If he loved you so much, why didn't he search for you? Why didn't he try to look for you? Did he even mourn you?!"
"How can you believe him? How can you believe that? You actually believe his lies? My gods, Ariadne, you're more naive than I thought."
"It's not like that," I said, my voice shaking.
"Oh, isn't it?" Kaelin's eyes narrowed, and her voice turned icy. "Let me remind you of who you are dealing with. This is not just any werewolf. He isn't some tragic hero forced into impossible choices. This is the descendant of the wolves who destroyed everything we had."
"What are you talking about?" I asked, my throat tightening.
Kaelin stepped closer, her face a mask of anger and pain. "Do you even know the history of this land? Of what they did to us? Do you know why we are fighting so hard to recover what was lost and taken from us?"
"Do you know why I hate those damned werewolves so much?!"
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