Free Web NovelChapter 239: Chapter 239
The sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears first, followed almost immediately by that smug, oily voice she could not stand even on the best of days. Not long after, Laheir emerged into view and came to a halt before her, dressed in layers of expensive robes stitched with fine embroidery, no doubt purchased with money siphoned straight from the palace coffers.
Nheera’s gaze flicked briefly around the room, taking in the towering spires visible through the tall arched windows, the polished marble floors that gleamed beneath the light, the ostentatious display of wealth meant to impress. This entire property, she was certain, had been paid for with the same stolen funds.
"I hope you didn’t have to wait long," Laheir said smoothly, though the words were nothing more than hollow pleasantries. He knew exactly how long she had waited; he had been informed the very moment she stepped onto the grounds. He had been the one to instruct his servant to usher her into the finely decorated guest parlor and ensure she remained there until he deemed it convenient to appear. And even if she had waited for hours, he would not have cared either way.
"I won’t pretend that it’s a pleasant surprise to have you here," Laheir continued, his gaze sweeping over her, "but it is the first time you’ve ever visited me at my home."
He took in the sight of Nheera seated comfortably on one of the plush chairs, her posture relaxed and unbothered, as though she were in her own domain. A small round table sat before her, laden with freshly baked pastries that were arranged carefully. She had yet to touch anything, save for the wine she sipped from intermittently as she waited for him to join her.
He made no attempt to bow or offer even the barest acknowledgment of her rank, an intentional slight, and one he knew would grate on her nerves.
She did not comment on his insolence, but he caught the subtle narrowing of her eyes, the faint tightening of her jaw.
Without looking up at him, Nheera set her cup down calmly.
"That’s because you are not worth the effort it would take to make the trip here," she said coolly. "You, of all people, should know how precious my time is."
Rather than taking offense at the blatant insult, the corner of Laheir’s mouth curved upward in faint amusement.
"What brings you here, then?" he asked as he stepped closer. Without asking permission, he dropped into the chair directly opposite her, claiming the space without thought.
He was usually the one who barged into her presence uninvited, not the other way around. She despised him nearly as much as she despised the king, and that hatred always bled through whenever they were forced to interact. So what, he wondered, could possibly be important enough for her to come here?
"I have been speaking with several nobles," Nheera began evenly, her tone devoid of emotion. "They believe that a strong marriage alliance between Hairan and the daughter of a prominent house would benefit him greatly and strengthen his influence in the kingdom. I find myself in agreement with them."
She paused just long enough for the words to sink in.
"Deliberations are still underway regarding who will be chosen. Once a decision is reached, wedding preparations will begin immediately. I thought it best that I be the one to inform you of this recent development."
The faint amusement drained from Laheir’s face at once. His jaw clenched, and in a sudden burst of anger, he shot to his feet.
"Do you think I’m stupid enough to believe that asinine excuse?" he snapped, his voice rising with every word. "Did Hairan tell you he has any intention of marrying? What exactly do you stand to gain by replacing my daughter?"
Nheera did not flinch. She didn’t so much as blink as she continued to regard him coolly.
Laheir was known for being shrewd and calculated, a man who wore control like armor, but there were moments—moments like this when his temper cracked and he saw red. Nheera had witnessed that loss of control often enough that his outburst barely registered.
"Sit back down, Tavish," she said calmly. "And be reasonable for once in your miserable life."
Her face remained impassive, her tone almost conversational, as though they were discussing the weather rather than matters that concerned both their children. There was a look in her pale eyes, one that warned him against repeating what he just did.
"Were you truly expecting Hairan to remain unmarried after Iliana? Or have you forgotten that he will require a wife at his side once he ascends the throne?"
"I didn’t expect you to start shoving women at him," Laheir snarled through gritted teeth, "not even a year after her death."
Nheera looked at him with a bland, unimpressed stare.
"Why delay the inevitable?" she asked softly, tracing the rim of her cup with a single finger. "Your daughter is dead, and nothing in this world will ever change that. But there are things at play that extend far beyond the both of us. Iliana was a remarkable young woman but clinging to a ghost will not win Hairan the throne."
The hatred in Laheir’s eyes was unmistakable as he slowly sank back into his seat.
"What did you do with Gerard?" Nheera asked abruptly, discarding the previous topic as though it had already started to bore her.
"I sent him to join the other rebel camp," Laheir replied begrudgingly. The words sounded like they were forced out of him.
"You should have killed him," Nheera said coolly, reaching at last for one of the untouched tea cakes. "It would have saved you a great deal of trouble in the future."
"I will, eventually. Right now, I still have use for him."
His words were met with a derisive scoff from Nheera.
"If it’s anything like the attack on Ragnar’s carriage, then don’t bother," she said coolly. "It would only be a waste of time. The attack itself, however, reeked of your involvement."
Most already knew what had happened to Ragnar and Circe that night. Word traveled swiftly among the nobility, and an incident as grave as a prince’s carriage being ambushed was not something that could be contained for long. Whispers had spread, embellished with speculations of who might have wanted to harm Ragnar and his human wife. By now, almost everyone in the capital must have heard some version of the tale. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
Laheir forced a smile to his lips. It felt wrong, strained, like the skin of his face was shifting unnaturally beneath the expression. The conversation they had shared earlier still lingered in his thoughts, and the way Nheera had spoken of Iliana with such careless cruelty continued to gnaw at him.
"It’s funny," he said lightly, though there was nothing light in his eyes. "I was just about to say the same thing about you. The attack was precisely the sort of thing you’re capable of."
Nheera smirked at that. "You know very well that if I wanted someone dead, they would be," she replied. "That fact has never changed."
She lifted her cup of wine and took another unhurried sip, her composure flawless.
A wicked gleam flickered across Laheir’s face as he leaned closer, invading her space. His eyes burned with malice, and when he spoke again, his voice dropped to a venomous whisper.
