Chapter 21: Chapter 21: I Want Her Head
"Your Highness! I didn’t poison the juice!" Lysa fell on her knees, her palms pressed tightly together as she rubbed them anxiously. "P-please have mercy on me!"
Theron glared at her, the veins on his forehead bulging. He was on the last thread of restraint from strangling her, but he wasn’t that kind of person.
"Who’s out there?!" he thundered.
The door swung open and Jane stepped in with her head bowed.
"You... call the pack’s doctor right now!" Theron ordered.
Jane’s eyes briefly moved to Theron, who was struggling to breathe, and a faint smile appeared on her lips before she quickly masked it with a poker face.
"Yes, Your Highness."
She took a few steps back without turning and left the room. The door shut behind her. She straightened her back and walked past the lines of guards toward her lady’s quarters.
Her hand lifted and she gently knocked on the door twice.
"My lady, the servant has successfully delivered your welcoming gift."
Elowen’s eyes moved from the fur coat draped around her shoulders and turned toward the door. A sly smile slowly crawled across her lips.
"Perfect." She smiled before continuing. "Inform the cook to cancel the meal. We will be hosting a banquet instead."
"This calls for a wonderful celebration," she added, the corners of her lips stretching wide as she struggled to contain her excitement.
Jane stepped back and hurried off to deliver the message to the cook.
.
.
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Back in the chamber
"No! Lysa can never do such a thing! I’m begging you to listen to me!" Seren screamed, her arms spread wide as she stood protectively in front of Lysa, who was sobbing uncontrollably.
"Step aside."
Theron’s lips twitched in irritation, his eyes fixed on the servant kneeling behind Seren.
"No!" Seren spat stubbornly.
Theron’s gaze shifted from Lysa to her.
"I won’t let you harm her. She’s innocent."
Theron frowned and his lips parted to speak, but someone beat him to it.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Elowen’s voice came from outside the door.
Theron turned toward it.
Seren didn’t move. She kept staring at Theron, afraid that if she turned her back he might attack Lysa.
"Do you happen to know who the culprit is?" Elowen asked calmly.
The door pushed open and her presence filled the room.
Her steps slowed as she stopped behind Lysa. Her gaze moved from the trembling girl to Theron.
"If you know something, say it and save this poor girl’s life," she added, feigning worry on her face.
Seren gritted her teeth, her thoughts in complete disarray. She had no idea who could have poisoned the heir and used Lysa as a pawn.
"I don’t know who it is, but I assure you Lysa isn’t the one—"
"Ugh, what a sorry excuse."
Elowen sighed softly, pressing her fingers against her forehead as if easing a headache.
"Are you toying with us now?" she continued lazily. "Brothers, your servant has forgotten her place... shouldn’t you have her tongue cut off?"
Her fingers stopped massaging her forehead as she glanced at them.
"Or is there a reason you’re holding back?"
Cold sweat washed over Seren as those words left Elowen’s lips. For the first time, Seren slowly turned her head to look behind her.
She saw the wicked smile on Elowen’s face.
Only one thought crossed her mind.
’She did this.’ Her eyes widened in realization.
Elowen’s smile stretched further when she saw the shock on Seren’s face.
’What a delightful sight. Let’s see how you get out of this mess, brothers.’
Kael suddenly coughed violently, snapping everyone out of their thoughts.
He struggled to his feet, gripping the hilt of his sword and dragging it from its sheath.
His body was ghostly pale and patches of skin were peeling.
He staggered toward Lysa, his feet scraping heavily against the floor.
"Move," he ordered coldly.
Seren stared at him, her entire body trembling violently.
She didn’t know what to do.
"Do not make me repeat myself!" he roared.
His voice blasted through the room.
Seren’s legs gave out and she collapsed onto the floor in front of Lysa.
Tears streamed down Lysa’s face as she stared at the ground.
She knew she was done for.
Her heart pounded wildly and her head spun from fear and confusion. She struggled to stay conscious, but the pressure from Kael and the suffocating tension in the room made it nearly impossible.
Elowen watched the scene unfold with a smirk.
She was waiting for her brothers to make a mistake. Once they did, the council hall would hear how they favored a human servant.
’I had my suspicions about that servant the moment Theron brought her to me.’ Her eyes moved to Theron, who was also looking at her.
’He detests the sight of humans, even though he wears that warm mask to gain their trust. He is more despicable and cunning than I am.’ She frowned.
’I wonder why Aeron and Kael haven’t noticed yet.’
Her gaze shifted to Seren on the floor.
’This should serve as a warning to this pest for going against me and challenging me. I’m sure this lesson will be enough to return her to her obedient state like every other servant in this palace.’
’I will make good use of you.’ She smirked.
"Kael," she called.
But Kael’s eyes were still locked on Seren, his blade hesitating.
"Kael!"
He snapped his head toward her.
"What are you waiting for?" Elowen asked softly.
"I want that servant’s head."
"What?" Theron frowned.
"I said I want her head." Elowen tilted her head slightly and pointed at Seren.
"That stubborn one."
"N-no... please, Your Highness."
Seren’s lips trembled as she scrambled onto her knees, her hands pressing tightly against her lap.
She looked up at Elowen with pleading eyes, her mind in chaos.
She didn’t know whom to turn to for help.
Lysa was still in danger and she didn’t want attention to shift to herself... but...
"Enough."
Aeron finally spoke after remaining silent for so long.
Everyone turned toward him except Seren, who was still facing Elowen.
Aeron gently pressed his fingers against his forehead as if easing a headache before closing his eyes.
"Throw her in the dungeon until I say she can be released."
"Brother, what are you doing? That servant poisoned Kael!" Theron thundered.
Aeron slowly opened his eyes, a faint frown forming.
"I never said that one. Seren."
He pointed calmly.
"Throw her in the dungeon until I ask for her release."
Cold sweat spread across Seren’s body.
Her eyes trembled violently and her fists clenched tightly as the sharp sting of betrayal settled in her chest.
"Elowen," Aeron called.
She turned to him.
"She will be punished for speaking out of turn and supporting a traitor."
A soft scoff escaped Elowen’s lips.
She knew Aeron had tactically saved Seren from death.
Still, she had already achieved what she came here for.
Everything had fallen perfectly into place.
"And as for the second servant..."
Aeron continued coldly.
"Have her killed tomorrow in public. Hang her head on the palace poles and spread word to everyone that she is a traitor who poisoned one of the heirs."
His voice remained calm and merciless.
"This will burn away the disappointment in the people’s hearts after the war and make them think twice before attacking the heirs."
Lysa’s body went limp instantly and she collapsed onto the floor.
"Lysa!" Seren cried in horror.
Elowen glanced at Aeron.
His eyes were closed again, his fingers pressing against his forehead.
She bit her lip briefly before turning and leaving the room.
At that moment, the door opened and the old doctor hurried in with his medical box.
He opened his mouth to complain, but the moment he saw the scene before him, he fell silent.
Guards entered the room and dragged Lysa away.
Two of them moved to grab Seren, but she bit one of their arms and ran toward Theron.
She fell at his feet.
"P-please, don’t do this to me!" she cried, shaking her head desperately.
"I can prove she’s innocent! Please believe me!"
Theron’s eyes settled on her.
Her heart pounded wildly as she waited for his answer.
Slowly, his lips parted.
"What are you waiting for?"
His voice came out cold and tight with anger.
"Take her away."
Seren’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Her fingers slowly slipped from his clothes as a breathless whisper escaped her lips.
"No..."
"No! Please!"
The guards grabbed her shoulders and dragged her out of the room, her feet scraping helplessly across the floor.
The door slammed shut behind her.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Lysa being dragged in the opposite direction.
Tears filled her eyes as overwhelming guilt crashed down on her.
She knew very well she was the reason Lysa was suffering like this.
"I’m sorry," she murmured, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I’m very sorry."
She saw a figure hiding in a corner, but before she could register who it was the person hid behind the wall.
