Sophie POV

I looked at Queen Mother Isolde. I looked at the young prince. My heart raced against my ribs. Daemon began to jerk. His limbs struck the silk sheets. His body stiffened. I felt a cold sweat on my neck.

What could be wrong? I asked myself. Alaric took the same antidote. He stood properly. He looked strong.

What is wrong with the Young Prince? Was I wrong all along? I felt the weight of the silver dagger in my mind.

I rushed to the royal doctor. I grabbed his sleeve.

"Wh... what is wrong with him?" I asked. My voice shook.

"The boy is jerking because the antidote is too strong for his system." The doctor said. He wiped his forehead.

"Is it because he has not been eating anything?" I asked.

"His stomach is empty. His blood is thin."

"It could be." The doctor replied.

"His body cannot hold the power of the antidote. It is fighting itself."

"I need to make something for him to regain his strength." I said.

"He needs fuel to survive the cure."

I turned to leave the room. I needed the heat of the kitchen. I needed to be in the right frame of mind.

"Where is she going?" Isolde asked. Her voice was a sharp blade.

"Is she trying to run away after she has killed my son?"

Alaric stepped forward. He looked at Isolde with anger.

"What is wrong with you, woman?" Alaric responded.

"Did you not hear her say she would make something for him to regain his strength?"

"The same food that put him in this situation?" Isolde challenged. She pointed a finger at me.

"Quiet, Isolde." The Grand Queen Mother said. Her voice was like stone. It stopped the room.

"She found what the problem was in two days. We could not do that. If she wanted to run, she would not come here in the first place. I know your son is ill. Do not let that cloud your sense of reasoning."

The Grand Queen Mother looked at me. She nodded once.

"Please go and make the meal for him." Alaric said. He looked at me with trust.

I walked out of her quarters. I headed for the royal kitchen. I moved with speed. I did not think about the insults from Isolde. I did not think about anything else. I just wanted the Young Prince to be fine.

I reached the kitchen. The heat greeted me.

"Prep the ingredients!" I shouted to the other chefs.

"I need oats. I need dried fruits. I need clean water."

I wanted to make an oat blend. I would grind the oats with fruits. This helps a patient regain energy fast.

We need something not too strong. It must digest easily. It must circulate in his body immediately.

We worked with precision. We ground the oats into a fine flour. We smashed the dried dates. We added a hint of honey. We stirred the mixture over a low flame.

In 30 minutes, I was done. I dished the warm meal into a wooden bowl.

I headed back to the quarters of Queen Mother Isolde. I held the bowl steady. I entered the room. Alaric looked up.

"Oh, she is here." Alaric said. He looked relieved.

"Bring the food this way."

I walked toward the bed. The royal taster stepped forward. He reached for a spoon. Isolde stepped in his way.

"No." Isolde yelled.

"I will not give my son that thing. I do not even know what it is."

"Isolde, let her explain the dish if that is what you want." Grand Queen Mother interrupted her.

"I ground oats and fruits." I told her.

"He cannot eat hard food. He cannot chew fresh fruits yet. I ground dry fruits and oats to restore his strength. It is liquid enough to swallow."

The royal doctor nodded.

"Indeed, that is what he needs right now." He said.

"What if she poisoned it?" Isolde asked.

Alaric stepped toward her. He looked like he would explode.

"We are trying to help you and you just keep saying rubbish." Alaric roared.

"Why would she find the solution only to poison him again? Besides, the royal taster tests the food before it is given to Prince Daemon."

"Then let her taste it herself." Isolde said. She looked at me with suspicion.

Alaric took the spoon from my hand.

"I will taste it since you now believe we are plotting to kill your son." Alaric said.

"I will die instead."

"Alaric, drop the spoon!" Grand Queen Mother shouted. Her eyes were wide.

"It is a taboo for the Alpha King to taste the food first. Allow the royal tasters do their job."

Alaric refused. He was stubborn. He scooped the oat mixture. He took it into his mouth. He swallowed. He closed his eyes.

"Hmmmmmm." Alaric let out the sound in amusement.

"Why have you not made this for me, Sophie?"

Isolde looked at him for a minute. She saw he did not drop dead. She saw he enjoyed the taste. The room was silent.

"Feed the boy immediately." Grand Queen Mother commanded.

Isolde took the bowl. Her hands were trembling.

She scooped the oat blend. She took it to the mouth of Prince Daemon. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She was a mother in pain. She gave him one spoon. Then two. By the fifth spoon, Daemon stirred. His eyes fluttered.

"Mother." Daemon said. His voice was a whisper.

Isolde grabbed him. She pulled him to her chest. Her face lit up. The dark clouds in the room vanished. The boy was back.

I looked at everyone in their excitement. Alaric was watching his brother. The doctor was checking the pulse. The Grand Queen Mother was watching me.

I felt the weight of the week on my shoulders. I was tired for the day. My bones ached. I needed to return to my quarters and rest.

I survived another day at the Blackwood kingdom. I knew there were more trials to come.

I knew the person who added the squirrel droppings was still out there. But for now, the prince was breathing.

Alaric POV

I watched Sophie leave the room. I saw the relief in her eyes. Her shoulders dropped. She looked like she had carried the weight of the whole kingdom for three days.

I knew I had to do something. Her life is at stake in this kingdom. She proved her innocence. Now I must prove my power.

I left the quarters of Queen Mother Isolde. I walked with purpose. My boots echoed against the floor. I reached my chamber. I sent for Cassian. He arrived within minutes.

"Cassian, go to the palace archives." I commanded.

"Check the records for Prince Daemon's medication. I want to know if squirrel droppings have been used in his medication before. Look at every entry for the last year."

"I will go now, Sire." Cassian said.

He bowed and turned on his heel.

I sent for the palace doctor next. He entered the room with a nervous look. He kept his eyes on the floor.

"Did you have any contact with the medication before it reached my step mother's quarters?" I asked.

"No, Alpha." The doctor replied.

"Grand Prince Magnus always supplies the medication himself. He brings the sack. He ensures the seal is intact. We do not touch them until the administration time."

I dismissed him with a wave of my hand.

I sat at my desk. I waited.

Cassian returned after some time. He held a leather bound ledger.

"The squirrel droppings were never found in the records, Alpha." Cassian said.

He pointed to a specific line in the text. "The ingredients listed in the archives state that it was added only for this new week. It is a fresh change. Grand Prince Magnus supplied the shipment personally."

I looked at the ledger. I felt a cold knot in my stomach.

I am not saying Grand Prince Magnus is trying to kill the Prince Daemon. But what are the odds that this ingredient is added now? It was added the same week Prince Daemon prepared to dine with me. It was added when someone knew she used ginger in all her dish.

I stood up. I headed for the secretariat of Grand Prince Magnus.

I walked past the guards. I did not wait for an announcement. I pushed the doors open.

I saw Uncle Magnus sitting beside his fireplace. The room smelled of old wood and smoke. Magnus sat in a large chair. He looked disheveled. He was drunk with wine. He reeked of alcohol.

He looked at me with glazed eyes.

"Sit, Alaric." Magnus said. He gestured to a chair.

I sat with him. I watched the fire.

"Young Prince Daemon is fine and well." I told him.

"All thanks to the Moon Goddess." Magnus said. He took a long sip from his cup.

"It came to my notice that an ingredient in the medication was added recently." I said.

"This ingredient caused the illness. You are the one in charge. You usually examine the medication before sending it out."

Magnus laughed. The sound was dry. He shook his head.

"I did not add any new ingredient to the medication." He said.

"It is the same thing I usually supply. I have no reason to change the formula."

"The palace archive says otherwise." I interrupted.

"The records show a change in the shipment this week."

Magnus leaned forward. He squinted at me.

"What reason do I have to lie? Why would I want to kill Daemon? He is my own blood. I have served this family for decades."

"I am not accusing you, Uncle." I said. My voice was calm but firm.

"I am inquiring to know what is going on in my kingdom. Someone changed the medicine."

Magnus smiled. It was a slow, tired smile. He leaned back in his chair.

"I do not know anything about any new ingredient. I do not handle the small details of the mixture."

"Did anyone else come in contact with the medication?" I asked.

"Did anyone touch the sack before they reached Isolde?"

"I examine the ingredients." Magnus said.

"Then I gave the sack to the royal physician. She drops them off. She handles the final delivery."

"The royal physician?" I asked. I felt a sharp spark of suspicion.

"Yes." Magnus said.

"If any changes were made, she should be able to answer for it. She is the last person to hold the sack."

"Thank you." I said. I stood up to leave.

"Alaric." Magnus called my name.

I stopped.

"You are a good brother to Daemon. You care for your own."

I did not answer. I moved fast.

I returned to my chambers. I felt the wolf inside me pacing. The trail was getting warm.

I called for Cassian and Thomas. They both arrived almost immediately. They saw the look on my face.

"Cassian, go check when the royal physician was last seen in the palace." I said.

"Check the gate logs. Check her station."

"Thomas, go to her house." I commanded.

"Check the perimeter. Look for signs of flight. I want her here right now. She must tell me who paid her. She must tell me who provided the squirrel droppings."

Thomas nodded. He vanished into the shadows.

Cassian left through the main door.

I walked to the window. I looked out over Blackwood. The sun was gone. The darkness was total.

Today, the person behind this must face the full wrath of the Alpha. I will find the truth. I will protect Sophie.

I will tear down anyone who stands in my way.

Elara's POV

I stood behind the pillars of the east corridor. I kept my body hidden in the deep shadows. 

I saw Sophie leave the quarters of Queen Mother Isolde. She walked with a look of relief. Her head was high. 

Alaric followed her after a few moments. His face was a mask of suspicion. He did not look at the servants. He did not look at the guards. He looked like a man hunting a predator.

What is going on? I asked myself. My chest felt tight. Sophie was supposed to be executed today. The three day deadline was a death sentence. 

I expected to hear the sound of the iron bell. Signaling a death. Instead, I see the Chef walking free. And the King acting as her shield. I do not know what is happening in this kingdom anymore.

Alaric has cut me off. He no longer shares his plans. He no longer seeks my counsel. He moves in silence. 

I am the lead consort, but I feel like a prisoner in this palace. 

I rushed back to my chamber. I slammed the door behind me. Morgana stood by the window. She saw my agitation.

"What is going on?" I asked Morgana.

"I do not know, My Lady." Morgana replied. She lowered her head.

"The Alpha King moves in silence now. No one knows his next move. Not even the elite guards. He gives orders in private."

"Who talks to him?" I asked. 

I paced the floor. The silk of my dress hissed against the floor.

"The only person who knows everything should be Cassian." Morgana said. 

"And I know you are not on good terms with him."

I looked at Morgana. My heart raced. I felt a cold sweat on my palms. I am now powerless in my own kingdom.

This Sophie girl has made me a ghost. I have spent years building my influence. Now it is gone because of a girl who cooks.

"Now I have to stoop so low to talk to Cassian." I said. 

"I have to ask that jester for information."

"It seems like that is our only option, My Lady." Morgana said.

"Go." I commanded. 

"Go call Cassian. Tell him I request his presence."

Morgana left the room. I sat on my bed. I looked at the velvet curtains. I am no longer the woman Alaric cannot do without. I used to be his first thought in the morning. Now he does not care if I exist. I am invisible.

The door opened after a long wait. Cassian walked in. He had a smirk on his face. He leaned against the doorframe. He did not bow.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of visiting the most important consort of the Blackwood Kingdom?" Cassian asked.

"Spare me the pleasantries, Cassian." I roared.

"Why do you look so pained, Lady Elara?" Cassian asked. He walked further into the room.

"Did I tell you I am pained?" I asked him. 

I stood up to face him. I didn't show any emotion. 

"You look so." Cassian challenged. 

He let out an annoying laugh. It echoed in the room. 

"Or are you disturbed that your bed is now cold all night? Is the King too busy for your charms?"

I felt my face turn hot. I ignored his insult. I had to get the truth. 

"I only called you here to know what is happening in this kingdom." I replied.

"What exactly do you want to know?" Cassian asked.

"What happened to Prince Daemon?" I asked. 

"And why does Alaric now prefer the ghost chef to me?"

"Well, Prince Daemon is fine and well." Cassian said. He shrugged his shoulders. 

"You do not expect him to be sick, do you?"

"I am just asking because I have seen Alaric visit there frequently." I replied.

"Then how do you conclude he was there to visit Prince Daemon?" Cassian asked.

"People talk, Cassian." I said. 

"I hear the whispers in the halls."

"Well, I do not know what you have heard." Cassian said. He walked toward the door. 

"Prince Daemon is fine and well. For the second question, you would have to ask Alaric yourself. He is the one making the choices."

"Why did I even send for you?" I snapped. 

"I know you would have no useful information for me. You are just his shadow."

"Then all the best, Lady Elara." Cassian said. 

Mockery dripped from his voice. He laughed. And he left the room.

I grabbed a glass vase from the table. I threw it against the door. It shattered into a thousand pieces. 

"I should not have called this idiot!" I shouted.

"Sorry, My Lady." Morgana whispered.

"Sorry for yourself!" I yelled at her. 

"Get out! You too!"

Morgana fled. I sat in the silence of my room. I was losing. I could feel the crown slipping away. I could not let this happen. I had to see Grand Prince Magnus. He is the only one who can help me.

I grabbed my heavy coat. I put it on. I pulled the hood over my head to hide my face. 

I headed for the secretariat of Grand Prince Magnus. I moved through the side passages. I reached his door. Magnus sat by his fireplace. He held a cup of wine.

"You are the person I was hoping to see." Magnus said. He did not look surprised.

"What happened?" I asked.

"I thought you said no one would find out about what we did." Magnus asked. He looked at me with red eyes.

"Yes." I replied. I felt a wave of shock.

"There was supposed to be no trace. It was not a poison. It was a reaction."

"Well, Alaric was here. He just left my place not long ago." Magnus said. 

"He asked why a new ingredient was added to Prince Daemon's medication. He was very specific."

"Alaric is not that attentive." I said. I shook my head. 

"He does not know medicine."

"Well, he is getting attentive, little viper." Magnus said. 

"I believe that ghost chef found out about the ingredient. Now they have given Daemon an antidote. He is well."

I opened my mouth in surprise. My plan had failed. "So that is why she is still breathing." 

"Yes." Magnus replied. 

"I had to save our image. I supply the medication. Alaric was already suspecting me. I had to give him a name."

"What did you do?" I asked.

"I told him the royal physician was the one who delivered the medication." Magnus said.

"What?" I asked. I felt my heart drop into my stomach. 

"How is that saving our image? You gave him a trail to follow."

"Well, it gives you time to handle the situation." Magnus said. He took another drink of wine.

"You already sold us out." I said.

"Yes, the physician added the squirrel droppings." Magnus said. 

"But I gave them to her. Alaric is looking for her now." I cut him short.

The room was quiet for a moment.

"Are you saying I should kill the royal physician?" I asked.

"You have to do anything to stay at the top, little viper." Magnus said.

He let out a drunken laugh. I looked at him. He was a fool. But he was right. 

I had to silence the physician before Thomas or Cassian found her. If she talked, Alaric would have evidence against me. I have to save myself from this destruction.

I left the secretariat. My mind worked fast. 

I needed a plan to reach the physician first. I had to act before dawn.