Free Web NovelChapter 56: The Traitor 1
The next three days started with chaos. The palace courtyard buzzed with noise as messengers rushed in and out of the gates, shouting orders and carrying scrolls sealed with the royal crest. Soldiers in armor ran down the halls, some with dirt still on their boots. The air smelled of tension, sharp and heavy.
Aveloria had barely finished breakfast when one of the guards came to her door. "Your Highness," he said, breathless. "News from the border."
She stood immediately. "What news?"
"The patrol has been compromised. The Wanderers ambushed them again near the east ridge. It seems they knew the route." He said.
Aveloria froze. "Knew the route?"
He nodded grimly. "That’s what the report says. Someone must have leaked it."
Her stomach dropped. "How many casualties?"
"Ten dead, six missing, five wounded. Captain Arlen sent a message saying they’re pulling back to regroup."
She exhaled shakily. "Tell the captain I’ll come to the war room shortly."
"Yes, my lady." The guard bowed and left.
Aveloria stood there for a moment, her mind spinning. How could the Wanderers have known the exact patrol route? It was supposed to be classified. Only a few within the palace knew about it: herself, Theron, her father, and the council.
And perhaps...her thoughts darkened.
Eirene.
Of course, Eirene would use this. She could already picture her stepmother’s face, calm, composed, pretending to be concerned while stirring the fire behind closed doors.
By the time Aveloria reached the war room, the council had already gathered. Her father wasn’t present, but Trovald and a few elders were reviewing maps. When she walked in, all eyes turned to her.
One of the elders, Lord Havel, spoke first. "Heiress, you don’t have to be here. We will deal with this ourselves."
"I know you are capable. But I am not planning to leave. I’m here to understand what happened." She said, keeping her tone even.
Trovald looked tired. "We believe someone inside the palace informed the Wanderers of the route. They struck precisely where our men were stationed. It couldn’t have been a coincidence."
Aveloria crossed her arms. "Have you started an investigation?"
"Yes," he said. "But the problem is—"
He stopped suddenly as the doors opened again. Eirene stepped in, draped in a deep violet gown, her expression filled with mock sorrow.
"My, what a tragedy," she said softly. "Our brave soldiers, ambushed like that. It’s heartbreaking."
Her voice carried through the room like a blade wrapped in silk.
Aveloria’s jaw clenched. "What do you want, Eirene?"
"I want what everyone here wants, dear, the truth," she said sweetly. She turned to the others. "Isn’t that right, my lords?"
The elders murmured in agreement, clearly uncomfortable.
Eirene placed a hand on her chest. "I’m simply here to speak to the King. He deserves to know what’s happening in his kingdom. I believe he’s in his chambers?"
Trovald nodded hesitantly. "He is."
"Then I won’t keep you," she said, glancing briefly at Aveloria before leaving the room.
Aveloria didn’t like the look in her eyes. There was something too calm, too deliberate in her step.
"Keep investigating," she said to Trovald before turning away. "And double the guards at the inner gates. No one leaves or enters without being cleared by me."
"Yes, Heiress,"
As she walked out of the war room, her thoughts churned. She had to find her father before Eirene got to him. But she was already too late.
When Eirene entered King Alaric’s chambers, the guards bowed and stepped aside without question.
The King sat at his desk, reading the reports from the border. His face was drawn, the lines of age showing deeper with the weight of worry.
"Your Majesty, I came as soon as I heard the news," Eirene said softly, curtsying.
He didn’t look up immediately. "You shouldn’t be here, Eirene. I have enough on my mind already."
She walked closer, her expression calm. "I know, my King. That’s why I came. To help."
"I don’t need help. I need answers." He said freēwēbηovel.c૦m
"Exactly. And I believe I can give you some." She replied.
That made him pause. He looked up at her. "What do you mean?"
Eirene sighed heavily, as if reluctant to speak. "Please understand, I take no pleasure in this. But I fear the danger lies closer than we think."
"Speak plainly."
She clasped her hands together. "The Wanderers knew the patrol route. Someone inside leaked it. And who, may I ask, led the last patrol?"
He frowned. "My daughter."
"Exactly," she said quietly. "And who returned alive from a battle that should have claimed many more lives? Your daughter, escorted by two of her mates. And need I remind you, the news of a rogue entering the palace walls and leaving her chamber."
Alaric’s face hardened. "Are you implying Aveloria betrayed her kingdom?"
Eirene lowered her head. "No, never. But love can cloud judgment, can’t it? What if her rogue mate is not what he seems? What if he is in league with the Wanderers?"
"That’s absurd," he said sharply. "Lucien saved her once before when she crossed the bitter lands."
"Saved her," Eirene echoed, her tone careful. "Or ensured she owed him her trust. You know how rogues operate, my King. They don’t serve loyalty, they serve power. Perhaps he used her affection to learn about the patrol routes or the border defenses. And now the Wanderers strike at exactly the right moment. Doesn’t that seem strange to you?"
The King said nothing, but his brows furrowed deeply.
Eirene stepped closer. "You are a father first, my King. You want to protect your daughter. I understand that. But sometimes protection means saving her from herself."
She slipped her hand into her robe pocket, her fingers brushing a small bracelet laced in dark magic. It was smooth and black, etched with faint runes.
As she spoke, her thumb pressed against it. Her voice softened, slow and rhythmic. "Think of your kingdom, Your Majesty. Think of your people. You must act before the danger spreads. The rogue cannot be allowed near her again. You must keep her inside the palace, where she’s safe. No missions. No freedom. For her own good."
