The Wolf's Queen Vows

Chapter 43: Her Schemes

The air in Eirene’s chambers was thick with incense and strong perfume. The curtains were drawn halfway, letting in only a pale line of sunlight that fell across the floor. She sat by her dressing table, staring at the chest that held a bracelet in silence. Her thoughts had been restless since her confrontation with Aveloria the other day. The girl’s defiance humiliated her and threatened the years of quiet manipulation she had built within the royal walls.

A knock came at the door.

"Come in," she said.

Rowena slipped in and closed the door behind her. She looked uneasy. Her gown was half-creased, and her face showed signs of anxiety. She didn’t bother with pleasantries before speaking.

"Mother, I heard something," she said, stepping closer. "Some guards were talking outside the east hall. They said Aveloria’s been assigned to investigate the Wanderers’ attack near the border."

Eirene closed the chest slowly, turning to face her daughter. "Yes," she said. "I arranged for that to happen."

Rowena frowned. "You did?"

Eirene nodded once. "It was necessary. Her presence in the palace has become more dangerous than I expected. The King is growing soft toward her, and the council has started seeing her as the rightful heir they once doubted. It was time to redirect her attention, far away from here." freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Rowena crossed her arms, pacing. "That’s dangerous. If she’s leading the investigation herself, she’ll start asking questions. She’s not stupid, Mother. If there’s even a trace of evidence connecting us to anything—"

Eirene interrupted. "There won’t be."

"You can’t know that," Rowena said sharply. "She’s smart, and Galen is going with her. He’s loyal to her, completely. If she finds something that points to us, and she brings it back to the King—"

"She won’t," Eirene said calmly, standing now. "Aveloria won’t return to the palace once she leaves for that investigation."

Rowena froze. "What do you mean?"

Eirene walked over to the window and looked out. "I’ve made arrangements. She will be met with something she cannot handle when she reaches the woods."

"You’re planning to kill her?" Rowena asked, her voice dropping to a whisper.

Eirene didn’t answer directly. She turned back, her eyes sharp but composed. "She chose to walk into danger. The Wanderers are ruthless creatures. No one would question if a group of them attacked her convoy. The kingdom would mourn, yes, but they would accept it as a tragedy of leadership. A foolish heiress lost to her own pride."

Rowena took a step back. "You’re serious."

"I have never been more serious," Eirene said. "If she continues to live, she will ruin everything we’ve worked for. You like being a noble, don’t you? The dresses, the attention, the respect, and everything that comes from being seen as the King’s daughter?"

"Of course I do," Rowena said quickly. "But I don’t want to lose it because of her. That’s what scares me. If she finds something, Father will banish us to the Wastes. I couldn’t survive that humiliation."

"Then trust me," Eirene said. "I know what I’m doing."

Rowena swallowed and moved closer, lowering her voice. "How can you be so sure this plan will work? What if the patrol she takes is heavily guarded? Galen’s not an easy wolf to fool."

Eirene’s expression hardened. "I’ve thought about that. Yes, Galen is loyal to her, but he’s also bound by duty. He will protect her with everything he has. That’s what makes this easy."

Rowena frowned. "I don’t understand."

Eirene took a slow breath. "When the Wanderers strike, he’ll be too busy to save her. And when they both fall, it will look like a noble sacrifice. The King will mourn them as heroes. No one will think to look deeper."

Rowena stared at her mother, uncertain. "You’ve already sent word to them, haven’t you?"

Eirene gave a small smile. "Let’s just say there are those who owe me favors outside these palace walls. The Wanderers aren’t difficult to manipulate when they believe they’re serving their cause. They hate the royal bloodline as much as anyone. All I did was direct their hatred to the right person."

Rowena stood in silence, her stomach twisting. "You’re playing with dangerous people, Mother. What if they turn against you, too?"

"They wouldn’t dare," Eirene said. "Not while I still have something they want."

Rowena sank into a nearby chair. She looked at her hands, then at her mother again. "You’re certain she won’t come back?"

"She won’t," Eirene replied firmly.

Rowena let out a shaky breath and nodded. "Good. I can’t stand seeing her walking around like she owns the earth and it revolves around her. Whenever Father looks at her, I can tell he cares and loves her too much. The way he changes when she’s around makes me sick."

Eirene turned sharply. "Watch your words. You may despise her, but your jealousy must never be public. Let everyone think you’re indifferent. That’s how you win."

Rowena nodded obediently. "I understand."

Eirene’s eyes narrowed. "Do you, though? Because I notice something else."

"What?"

Eirene walked closer, studying her daughter. Her eyes dropped to Rowena’s wrist. "Where is the bracelet I gave you?"

Rowena hesitated before replying. "It’s in my room."

"Why aren’t you wearing it?"

"Because it’s useless," Rowena said with frustration. "I’ve tried. I wore it several times when I met Marek. At first, it seems to work; he looks at me like he’s interested. But then he starts talking about Aveloria again. Always her. He wants to know how to make her stop avoiding him, how to prove he’s her closest mate. He doesn’t even see me, Mother. It’s pathetic."

Eirene’s face tightened. "That’s impossible. The enchantment was strong. The Coven promised it would turn his desire toward you."

"Well, it’s not working," Rowena said bitterly. "Maybe it’s broken."

Eirene’s voice dropped to a whisper. "Have I been deceived?"

Rowena blinked. "What?"

Eirene shook her head quickly. "Nothing. It’s nothing you need to worry about." She straightened her robe