Chapter 90
“I’m here to see the Royal Concubine. Is she in her chambers?”
I asked the handmaiden in front of me. The woman sized me up and shook her head.
“No. The full moon approaches so the Royal Concubine has retreated into the woods for the time being. Would you like me to give her a message?”
“No.”
I murmured.
“I’d rather just see her privately. But if that’s not possible then I guess I’ll come back after the full moon. Please let her know that I came by. It’s very important.”
The handmaiden nodded.
“I will Princess.”
I walked away slowly, wondering where else to go.
I had hoped I could see the Royal concubine and ask her about what really happened that day. If Rowan truly didn’t know about my execution, but she wasn’t around. At least not when I needed her.
I didn’t have the best relationship with her, but I was sure that under the right circumstances she would talk.
The Royal concubine and Isabelle were present when the Alpha King passed judgment on me, I just didn’t know if they would be willing to talk to me about what happened that day.
Back in my chambers, I sat at the edge of my bed, my hands trembling as I thought about everything. The child growing inside me, Rowan knowing everything, Kaelin's warnings—everything weighed heavily on my chest. Tonight's full moon ceremony would give me the time I needed to uncover the truth.
Did Rowan truly know about my execution?
The thought burned in my mind. I was still trying to figure out how to find out the truth when Delilah popped into my head.
I had to find Delilah. Delilah was still married to Lucian by then. Perhaps she would be able to truly give me some insight on the situation. If anyone knew the truth, it would be her.
Just as I was lost in my thoughts, there was a knock at the door. Before I could answer, Milla stepped in, her usual smirk replaced with something more serious.
"I need to talk to you," she said, closing the door behind her.
I sighed. "Milla, I'm not in the mood right now—"
"This isn't a request, Princess Arin," she interrupted, her tone sharp.
I raised an eyebrow. "What is it now?"
Milla crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe. "I've kept your secrets, haven't I? All the sneaking around, you meeting with the Alpha King... I haven't said a word to anyone."
I tensed. "And I appreciate that."
"Do you?" she asked, her eyes narrowing. "Because now, I need something in return."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
Milla stepped closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "My mate is in the dungeons, Princess Arin. He was picked up and thrown in there. They think he’s working with the rogue wolves that have been terrorizing the borders. They might execute him in the few days if he can’t prove his innocence. I want you to get him out."
I blinked, caught off guard. "Your mate?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "He was falsely accused of working with rogue wolves and selling information to them. He's innocent, but no one will listen to me."
I shook my head, panic rising in my chest. "Milla, I can't just release someone from the dungeons! What real power do you think I have? I’m not even the Queen. That's not how this works."
"But you have the king's ear," she snapped. "You can hide it as much as you want but I know he likes you. The way he looks at you when he thinks no one is looking, the lengths he has gone through just to come here and see him. You can make it happen. If you don't..."
Her voice trailed off, but the threat was clear.
I stood, my fists clenched. "Are you blackmailing me?"
She gave me a tight smile. "Call it whatever you want. I'm just reminding you that I've seen things—heard things—that would make Queen Isabelle furious. How do you think she'd react if she found out you've been sharing her husband's bed? Or that you might be carrying his child?!”
“Or I wonder how your own husband Prince Lucian would feel? You’ve barely been married two weeks and you’re already with another man’s child. His brother’s child. And it’s nk secret how much Prince Lucian hates the Alpha King. If this information gets to the wrong hands, you could be executed for it.”
My stomach twisted. "You wouldn't."
"Wouldn't I?" Milla said, tilting her head. "My lady, I don't want to hurt you, you’ve been very good to me. But I will if it means saving my mate. And there's one more thing I need from you."
"What now?" I asked, exasperated.
"I need money," she said plainly. "Enough for both of us to leave this place for good. Whatever it is that you are planning with that Braamin woman you keep going to see in the shadows won’t be good. And we won’t stick around long enough to find out.”
Milla knew. Milla knew more than I thought she knew, more than she was expected to know.
How careless have I been? For her to find out so much about me?
I couldn’t let all of this come to light just when I was so close to the end.
I laughed bitterly. "Do I look like I have money, Milla? I'm a pawn in this castle, just like you. I don’t have any real power here."
"Don't lie to me," she shot back. "You have access to the king's wealth. You have access to your father’s wealth in Braam. You're the daughter of a high rank official in Braam and also the Alpha King’s mistress, aren't you? Convince either your father or the king to give you the money. Even the emperor if you must.”
I shook my head, pacing the room. "This is insane. Do you have any idea what you're asking of me?"
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