Chapter 15: Our Hidden Betrayal

FELDA

"Did I say something funny, Your Grace?"

I shook my head slowly, still caught in the laughter that had slipped from my lips without control.

I didn’t even know what exactly triggered it, but something about Arianna thinking Isolde could actually steal Prince Finnian’s heart had cracked something inside me.

The nerve. That would be treason of the highest order, falling for your husband’s brother?

Arianna joined my laugh, confused but entertained, which made it even more ridiculous. She didn’t understand it yet. But I did.

"That’s not possible, Arianna," I said at last, my voice lowering into something softer, more amused.

Her brows creased immediately. “What do you mean, Your Grace? What’s not possible?”

“She can’t steal Prince Finnian’s heart. She only admires him... because of how he treated her.” I gave her the kind of answer that I knew wouldn’t satisfy her, and I was right... she didn’t look convinced.

“I hope so,” she said flatly, voice stiff like an unbent blade.

But the question lingered. What if she was right?

What if Isolde actually... wanted him?

It didn’t make sense, not with the way she still looked at King Rowan. That soft gaze that tried to hide pain beneath loyalty. Isolde wasn’t the type to let go of a man she loved, especially not one she begged to find his fated mate just to save him. There was still something between them. A spark. Faint, maybe. But there was.

I glanced back at Arianna, who was still watching me like she had more questions than answers.

“So,” I leaned forward, resting my elbows lazily on my knees, “what do you plan to do with her?”

That lit something in her eyes.

A fire.

It was exactly what I wanted to see.

“I want her out of his life,” she whispered.

“Gone completely?” I asked, knowing what she meant before she said it.

She nodded slowly.

“Die?”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

The word hung in the air like poison. She didn’t say yes, but she didn’t say no either. Her eyes did the talking.

I smiled faintly and shook my head. “No.”

Her voice dropped. “Why? I thought you also wanted her dead.”

I did.

Gods, I did.

But not like that. Not in a way that would dirty my hands or draw suspicion. I wanted her erased, yes. But not if it meant putting a knife in her myself.

“There’s no need for that,” I said calmly, resting my hand over hers. “But we can make sure she disappears from his life... forever.”

Her fingers twitched under mine, then she smiled, like we were two little girls bonding over a shared secret.

“But you’ll have a lot to do,” I warned her.

“I’m ready to do anything for you, Your Grace,” she said without hesitation.

I smiled wider. She was mine now. And we had the same enemy.

Isolde wouldn’t die by our hands.

But wherever I was sending her... she’d never come back from it.

I stood to leave, brushing invisible dust off my dress. The sky was darker now, and I couldn’t let any of the wolves get suspicious, wondering why I was out here talking to a maid in private.

Then again, they’d probably think we were gossiping or sharing love woes. Not plotting a royal takedown.

They couldn’t hear us. Only Prince Finnian or King Rowan had the power to do that. And they weren’t around here.

“We’ll see again soon,” I told her gently.

She rose too, nodding eagerly, ready to walk me back to my chamber.

“No need. It’s late,” I told her, even though I knew she wouldn’t listen.

And I was right.

“Arianna!”

That voice.

Sharp. Annoyed.

Familiar.

We both turned at once.

And there he was.

Daze.

His expression was unreadable, lips pressed into a line, brows furrowed, his shoulders tense. Even his bow was stiff and sarcastic, like it was forced out of his bones.

“I need to see you,” he said to Arianna, not even sparing me a second glance.

I raised a brow. So, I was invisible now?

Arianna bowed to me and turned to follow him, her eyes flicking once in apology.

I smirked and walked off.

Of course, he’d come because of me.

I was the reason he was pacing like a mad wolf, calling Arianna like a possessive husband.

I stepped into the hallway of my chamber and sighed. No guards. No maids.

Right. I’d chased them all away earlier. Sometimes, their stupid faces made me want to set the whole palace on fire.

I entered my room, dragging the heavy door behind me with one hand. But it stopped halfway, stuck on something.

My eyes narrowed.

What was that now?

I yanked harder.

Still stuck.

“Who the hell is there?” I barked, swinging it open and stepping into the hallway.

No one.

But I knew someone had been there. I could feel it. The air was heavier. Someone or something had been watching me.

Or maybe it was just the aura of a spirit.

I hissed and slammed the door.

This time, it closed.

But when I turned...

I froze.

Seeing Daze.

Standing right in front of me, arms folded, jaw clenched.

“You scared the hell out of me!” I yelled at him, reacting with a slap before I could stop myself. My palm met his cheek fast, and then I backed away as if it didn’t happen.

“What were you doing with Arianna?” he snapped. “What the hell were you doing with my girlfriend?”

I let out a dry, mocking laugh.

“C’mon. Spare me the jealous lover routine,” I said, voice dripping with sarcasm. “I wasn’t going to eat her.”

“You’re a witch. All you do is hurt people,” he bit back.

I smiled slowly, walking toward him. “I don’t hurt my friends.”

“She’s not your friend. Don’t befriend her. Leave her alone.”

I tilted my head. “Is that a warning... or a threat?”

“I’m telling you,” he said, voice tight. “Leave her alone.”

I stopped just an inch from him. Close enough to feel his breath. I tiptoed up slightly, my lips brushing the words as they came out.

“Why do you care so much about someone who doesn’t love you, huh?” I asked quietly. “Someone who’s already given her heart to someone else?”

His face twitched.

He pushed me back.

“It’s none of your business. Get away from me.”

I ignored the sting on my shoulder and watched him stalk toward the door.

“That’s what I came to tell you. I’m leaving,” he said.

Oh no, you’re not.

Before he could even reach the handle, I cast a speed spell, and in a blink, I was there, blocking the door.

“Move,” he growled.

But instead, I wrapped my arms around his neck and crashed my lips into his.

He tried to fight me off.

He always did.

But I didn’t stop. Not this time.

Not when I needed to feel something other than anger.

He didn’t move. Didn’t kiss me back either.

But he didn’t push me away again.

Then...

Knock. Knock.

“Queen Felda, are you in there?”

My arms froze where they were.

His hands were still gripping my hips.

Our lips parted, our breath still shared.

That voice again.

It was her.

“Can I come in?”

She asked gently, innocently.

But Daze and I both stared at each other with widened eyes.

Arianna.

She was at the door.

And we were about to be caught.

'Goddess, What the hell was she doing here?' I mumbled under my breath.