Stolen by the Beastly Lycan King-Chapter 58: The Benefactor

With the sudden benefactor's identity hidden, Lorelai could not help but doubt whether such an arrangement was a good idea after all. However, since Count Elion was a very paranoid person, he only trusted the princess's supporters, which meant that the money he had received belonged to someone from their trusted inner circle.

Thinking about it that way finally put Lorelai's mind at ease, and as exhaustion washed over her, she sighed and decided to get some sleep, attributing her sudden, intolerable fatigue to the herbal tea given to her by the queen.

'That tea was strong... I hope it won't affect me this badly tomorrow. I need to stay alert for as long as I can to finish what I've been preparing for.'

***

Lorelai stood before the tall mirror, quietly examining her reflection while Marianna adjusted the hem of her dress.

Tonight, the princess wore a breathtaking gown of midnight blue velvet, its long, flowing skirt edged with delicate silver embroidery that shimmered like starlight.

Fitted at the waist, the bodice was decorated with tiny, glistening crystals that caught the light with her every move, creating an almost ethereal glow. Her shoulders were draped in sheer, silken fabric that gave her an air of mystery, while her face was concealed behind an ornate silver mask.

The mask, shaped like delicate wings, was encrusted with intricate gemstones and feathers that framed her beautiful green eyes, giving her a mesmerizing, otherworldly allure in the dancing candlelight.

Since the princess did not want to be recognized, she opted to hide her real hair under a wig of long red locks, feeling absolutely alienated as her unrecognizable reflection stared back at her.

'Now I look like Althea and Kai. Perhaps this is not a good disguise after all...'

Once her attire was in order, Marianna stepped aside, assessing the fruit of her labor. "I don't think anyone will be able to tell it's you, Your Highness. It's just... well, simply not you!"

Lorelai giggled, nodding in agreement.

"Marianna," she then said in a more serious tone. "I need you to do me another favor."

"Of course, Your Highness. What is it?"

The princess shot a brief look at her cane, then shifted her eyes back to her aide, letting out a quiet sigh. "I cannot use my cane tonight; it will be a definite giveaway. I cannot openly limp either. People will notice. So..."

She bit her lower lip, offering the woman a rather guilty expression, and Marianna widened her eyes as she finally understood the princess's words.

"Your Highness, you mustn't! It's a vile drug, and I hate using it on you!"

"Marianna, please," Lorelai pleaded as she grabbed the woman's hands. "This is the only thing that alleviates my pain for a long time, and I need to stay hidden for as long as possible! You know, gambling can take up my whole night; there is no way I can allow myself to be exposed like that! Please."

Marianna frowned as she looked into Lorelai's fearless eyes, her heart throbbing with regret.

The princess wanted a morphine injection directly into her hip. It was not something extraordinary; in fact, many people who had returned from war with significant injuries were constantly using such injections to relieve the pain from their wounds.

However, even in small doses, morphine was a dangerous drug, and Marianna hated that she had once introduced it to the princess, regardless of her initial intent.

But she had no choice. She knew that the injection would last longer and definitely help Lorelai endure the pain. Her goal was both dangerous and noble, and she did not want to stand in the way by simply being stubborn.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

With a defeated sigh, she finally caved in.

"Very well. Let me bring the morphine, Your Highness."

***

As the night wrapped the capital in its dark, starry veil, it was finally time to start the long-anticipated masquerade banquet.

In order to keep the guests' identities hidden, the royal family hired dozens of carriages outside the palace to help the participating nobles reach the banquet hall while remaining anonymous.

The venue, too, was selected carefully. The guests were invited to one of the royal mansions located in the oldest part of the capital on the outskirts of the city. Vast and dark, it was decorated beautifully, promoting the mystery and intrigue of the masquerade banquet.

As Lorelai's carriage stopped at the main entrance, the princess fixed her mask and adjusted her wig, exhaling nervously.

'This is it. This is my only chance.'