The maids exchanged nervous glances. None of them answered.

"I asked a question," she said sharply, moving closer. "Who started that rumor?"

"We didn’t mean any harm, my lady," one of them stammered. "We were only repeating what we heard—"

"From whom?" Aveloria cut in.

"The Queen’s maids," another whispered reluctantly. "They said it last night. We shouldn’t have repeated it, I’m sorry."

Aveloria stared at them, fury and disbelief burning behind her eyes. "Do you understand what you’re saying? You’re slandering a dead woman who served me with her life. You are spreading lies to protect someone else’s evil."

The maids dropped to their knees immediately, trembling. "Forgive us, my lady. We didn’t mean to offend you."

"Don’t apologize to me," Aveloria said coldly. "You should pray that Alin’s spirit forgives you."

She took a deep breath and turned away from them, her heart hammering in her chest. Her fists were tight by her sides as she stormed through the corridor. There was no doubt who had started that rumor in her mind: Eirene and her circle of loyal maids.

She walked fast, her steps echoing off the polished floors. Guards standing by the Queen’s quarters looked startled when she approached. None dared stop her as she pushed open the heavy door to Eirene’s chamber.

The room was decorated to impress, not comfort. Eirene sat by her vanity, brushing her lengthy hair, her lips curled in a bright smile when she saw Aveloria.

"What a pleasant surprise," Eirene said smoothly. "You rarely visit me. I was beginning to think you had forgotten your stepmother."

Aveloria didn’t return the greeting. She closed the door behind her and stood still momentarily, her eyes fixed on Eirene. "I came to warn you," she said quietly.

Eirene’s brush froze mid-air. "Warn me?"

"Yes," Aveloria replied. "Your days in this palace are numbered. Whatever you and Rowena are planning will end soon. I will expose you to everyone."

Eirene gave a soft laugh, pretending confusion. "Aveloria, what are you talking about? You sound unstable. You must have been under pressure since the bonds formed, but you should rest. You’re starting to sound paranoid."

"I’m not paranoid," Aveloria said firmly. "You know exactly what I’m talking about. Don’t act innocent."

Eirene’s expression turned cold briefly before she sighed and stood up slowly. "You’ve been through so much lately," she said softly. "Losing your maid, taking on the burden of leadership, juggling multiple mates. Understandably, you’re confused."

"I’m not confused."

Aveloria’s voice was steady now. "Remember that silly pendant you gave me, I know what it is," she said.

Eirene rolled her eyes. "I have given you so many gifts, Aveloria. I can’t remember which—"

"The one you gave me a few days before the festival of the moon a few years ago. You gave it to me in Father’s solar."

Eirene’s eyes flickered with recognition before she quickly masked it with feigned ignorance. "Well, that pendant cost me a lot. And you never thanked me for it properly," she said lightly.

"I haven’t been wearing it," Aveloria said coldly. "And I’m glad I didn’t. The runes on that pendant are dark magic, forbidden even to mention. The temple priestess said whoever gave it meant to drain my spirit—to kill me slowly."

Eirene’s act faltered. The false kindness in her face melted into something sharper. "You have proof of that?" she asked with a mocking smile.

Aveloria’s tone hardened. "I don’t need proof of what kind of woman you are. You’ve done this before, haven’t you? You and Rowena. I need time to expose you."

Eirene chuckled, a bitter sound that filled the room. "You should be careful with accusations like that, dear. It’s dangerous to speak without evidence."

"Keep pretending," Aveloria said, glaring at her. "But remember, I will not let you hurt anyone else."

"Maybe you should stop blaming everyone for your problems," Eirene said with a false sweetness. "The world doesn’t revolve around your suspicions, my dear Heiress."

Aveloria turned toward the door. "You’re right," she said. "It doesn’t. But justice will."

She left before Eirene could reply, slamming the door behind her. Her pulse was racing. Anger, frustration, and grief all mixed in her chest like fire she couldn’t control. She needed to talk to someone who would listen, someone with authority.

Her father.

Aveloria went to the Solar, where King Alaric usually handled private discussions. Two guards stood at the entrance. They bowed and opened the door for her.

Inside, Alaric sat by his desk, reviewing a stack of reports. He looked up as she entered, his expression softening with concern.

"Aveloria, you look troubled." He said.

"I am," she admitted, walking closer.

He gestured for her to sit, but she remained standing. "What is it?" he asked.

"It’s about the maids," she began. "The ones held in the dungeon for poisoning me. They are innocent."

Alaric frowned. "You can’t know that for sure. They are still being investigated and—"

"I know," Aveloria interrupted. "But I also know when someone is being used as a scapegoat. Those maids had nothing to do with poisoning me. But someone else in this palace did."

Alaric leaned back in his chair, his brows drawn together. "You’re saying there’s another culprit?"

"Yes," she said. "And I have a suspect. But I can’t accuse anyone until I have evidence."

Her father studied her carefully. "Who do you suspect?"

She hesitated. She wanted to tell him everything, about the pendant, the priestess’s words, Eirene and Rowena’s plans, but something inside warned her to wait. The priestess’s advice echoed again.

"I can’t say yet," she finally said. "But please, Father. Release the maids. Keeping them locked up will only cause fear and resentment. We’ll never find the truth if we punish the wrong people."

Alaric was silent for a moment. He tapped his fingers against the desk. "You’re asking me to undo an order based on your instinct?"

"Yes," she said. "You’ve always taught me to trust my instincts."

He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "You’ve grown stubborn, just like your mother."

She didn’t respond. He stood and walked toward the window, looking out at the courtyard. After a moment, he turned back to her.

"Very well," he said. "I’ll order their release. But if I find out this was a mistake—"

"It won’t be," she said confidently.

He nodded slowly. "Fine. I’ll have it done by evening."

"Thank you," she said, her tone softening.

He studied her for a long moment, his gaze sharp but filled with concern. "Aveloria," he said quietly, "I can see something is weighing on you. What is it that you’re not telling me?"

She hesitated again. She wanted to say a thousand things, about Eirene, her fear, and the feeling that history was repeating itself. But she shook her head. "Not yet," she said. "I need to be sure first."

He looked disappointed but didn’t press her further. "Then be careful," he said. "Whatever you’re walking into, don’t face it alone."

She nodded. "I won’t."

"Good," he said, walking back to his desk. "Now go. You’ve done enough worrying for one day."

As she turned to leave, Alaric called after her. "Aveloria," he said.

She stopped and looked back.

"I’m proud of you," he said. "You’re learning to stand your ground. That’s what a ruler does."

Her chest tightened slightly at his words. "Thank you, Father," she said softly before leaving the room.

Outside the Solar, she took a deep breath. The corridor was quiet, but her thoughts were not. Every step she took reminded her of how deeply this palace was soaked in secrets. Eirene’s mocking smile, Rowena’s false care, her father’s cautious trust tangled into something larger than she could see.

By the time she reached her chambers, her head ached. She sat on the bed, her fingers tightening around the edge of her gown. Aveloria knew this was only the beginning.

Eirene and Rowena wouldn’t stop. They never did. In her past life, she had been blind to it, blinded by love, loyalty, and the assumption that family couldn’t betray. Now, she had no such illusions.

She leaned back in her bed and closed her eyes. If Eirene wanted a war, Aveloria determined she would go to the battlefield with her and fight to win at any cost.