The rest of the palace might not have known exactly what was happening, but even they were not ignorant of the rising tension in the atmosphere.

They were not blind enough to miss the sudden increase in security, the questioning of Fae servants around the palace about a strange butterfly, and the thorough searches being carried out in every corner.

While all of that was going on, Alaric was in the Queen’s chambers. It was even more surprising that not even Violet had been permitted inside.

Queen Seraphira said, "I’ve spelled the room so no one can eavesdrop on our conversation or watch us in secret."

Alaric looked genuinely surprised.

"That happens?"

Queen Seraphira gave him an incredulous look.

"This is the Fae Realm, Alpha Alaric. Everything happens."

Then she gestured toward the table set at the corner of the room.

"Sit."

Alaric obeyed, pulling out a chair and settling down.

The Queen followed right after, adjusting the layers of her long, voluminous gown as she sat across from him.

Then she asked,

"How long would it take you to work on the backup prototype?"

"A few hours," Alaric answered. "That’s all I’d need to get it functional."

What the others didn’t know was that the butterfly was not the only device they had.

Of course, there had been trial and error during its creation, and in the process, Alaric had preserved a backup prototype in case anything ever happened to the original design.

Queen Seraphira said,

"I want you to keep it from Violet and Asher."

Alaric stared at her like he had heard wrong.

"What?"

His shock was immediate.

"Why? Violet is your daughter. You can’t seriously think she’s the one who stole the device. And Asher is my Alpha brother. He would never do anything that would hurt Violet—and that means hurting you too."

But Queen Seraphira remained unmoved.

"I know exactly what you mean, Alaric," she said calmly. "But this is the Fae Realm. The walls have ears. I have seen parents turn against children and children turn against parents."

She added, "And surely you do not think it is mere coincidence that the device vanished a day before the competition."

That made Alaric pause. Because when she said it like that, it did not sound like a coincidence at all.

He opened his mouth to speak, but the Queen continued before he could.

"Or if you prefer," she said smoothly, "think of it as me narrowing the circle of suspicion."

Alaric frowned.

"This time around, only you and Zuru know there is a second device," she said. "Not even Lila is aware of it."

The logic became clear to Alaric. If the second device vanished too, then the blame could only fall on two people. Him, or Zuru. There would be no confusion or excuses. No two ways about it. The Queen was not being paranoid, but smart.

Alaric exhaled and rubbed a hand over his face.

"What do I tell Violet then?" he asked. "She’s going to want to know what we discussed in here and, I have to admit, I don’t know how to lie to her face."

Queen Seraphira answered without hesitation.

"Tell her you’re working on a new device."

Alaric narrowed his eyes at once.

"I thought Fae don’t lie."

"It is not exactly a lie," The Queen said with elegant calm. "It is hardly your fault if they assume you are starting all over again, when in reality, you are simply working on an already existing prototype."

Alaric stared at her, dumbfounded.

The Queen continued, "It would also serve as a cover. They would naturally presume the reason you are suddenly so busy is because you are racing against time to build me another device before tomorrow all while never realizing we already have one in motion today."

Silence followed.

Alaric couldn’t help but stare at Seraphira. It was moments like this that reminded him that beneath all that grace, softness, and polished elegance,

the Fae Queen still had a mean streak buried under her skin.

If only she had been this meaner then perhaps things wouldn’t have gotten to this point.

Finally, he sighed.

"Fine," Alaric told her. "I’ll do it."

If that meant keeping Violet and Asher far from suspicion, then so be it.

Queen Seraphira reached beneath the folds of her gown and brought out a small glass vial. Inside it was her blood.

She held it out to Alaric. "You needed my blood," she gave it to him.

Alaric took it carefully, his fingers curling around the vial with immediate caution.

The Queen’s expression turned serious.

"Once the entire process is complete, do not wait for my approval. Send out the butterfly immediately."

"As you wish, Your Majesty," Alaric answered.

Queen Seraphira gave a small nod.

"You may leave now."

Alaric rose to his feet at once, pushing his chair back carefully.

But just before he could fully turn away, the Queen added, "Send Violet in on your way out. I would speak with her too."

Alaric inclined his head.

Then her voice stopped him again.

"And remember our deal, Alaric."

He looked back.

Queen Seraphira’s eyes held his steadily.

"I want to believe I can rely on you.After all, this affects Violet’s future too."

That was enough to harden something in him. Alaric straightened fully and answered with firm conviction,

"You can depend on me."

The Queen nodded once.

Alaric turned and walked out.

The moment the chamber doors opened, Violet was already there waiting outside. The second she saw him, she stepped forward, worry all over her face.

"What’s going on?" she asked anxiously. "Why did my mother want to speak to you alone?"

Her eyes swept over him quickly as if scanning his body for injuries."Did she hurt you or anything because of the missing device?"

The thought alone made her eyes darken with anger.

"Calm down," Alaric shook his head. "Nothing like that happened."

Violet still looked unconvinced.

Alaric went on, "She only wanted me to attempt building the device again. I have to race against time now."

That seemed to calm Violet somewhat.

Then Alaric tilted his head toward the door. "You can go in now. She wants to speak with you."

Violet looked at him for one second longer, as though trying to decide if he was truly alright.

"Okay."

Then finally, she turned toward the Queen’s chambers.