Chapter 214: Chapter 214

I watched him go, the door closing behind him with a soft thud. I leaned back in my chair, smiling to myself, my fingers drumming on the wooden table. Everything was moving exactly as I had planned. Every single piece was falling into place, as though the Moon Goddess herself stood behind me, guiding my steps.

"Finally," I muttered under my breath. "Finally, the palace will see who truly deserves power."

I rose to my feet, pacing across the chamber, my thoughts brimming with excitement. My laughter slipped out, low at first, then louder, until it echoed against the walls.

At that very moment, the door creaked open. I turned, and my eyes fell on Belinda.

She looked stunning, dressed in a long, flowing gown of deep emerald, her hair cascading over her shoulders like dark silk. She walked in slowly, her heels clicking against the stone floor, her lips curved in a knowing smile.

I straightened and raised my brows. "Oh my goodness, You look so beautiful, Belinda... You are here."

She smirked. "Yes, I am. And as you can see, I’ve been released."

I chuckled, spreading my arms wide as if to welcome her into my triumph. "Ah, so it is true. But seeing you standing here proves it. Free at last. Damon had no choice, did he?"

Her eyes glittered, and she tilted her head. "You are to thank for that, Uncle Fridolf. Without you pulling strings in the shadows, I’d still be locked away."

I gave her a slow, proud smile. "But why thank me with words alone? Surely you didn’t come here just to flatter me."

She moved closer, her gown brushing softly against the floor. Then, with deliberate grace, she reached into a small silk bag she carried and pulled out two small bottles.

"I brought you a gift," she said smoothly.

My eyes narrowed with interest. "A gift? What is this?" Googlᴇ search 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦·𝘯𝘦𝘵

She held the bottles up, the liquid inside catching the candlelight. "Poison," she answered with a wicked grin. "The very same one I almost used on Lisa."

I arched a brow. "Almost?"

"Yes," Belinda hissed, her eyes flashing with bitter anger. "I tried. But it failed me that night. The stupid maid that handled it then almost exposed me. But now... I’ve improved it. I thought you might find it useful."

A slow laugh rumbled from my chest. I stepped closer, reaching out to take one of the bottles, turning it over in my hand. The liquid inside swirled thickly, dark and dangerous.

"And you bring this to me? To add to my arsenal?" I asked.

Belinda’s smile widened. "Exactly. Add it to whatever you already have planned, and you will see its power double. The wolfbane alone is strong, yes, but mix it with this... and nothing, no one, will survive it."

At her words, my heart quickened. I couldn’t help the grin spreading across my face. I leaned closer to her, lowering my voice. "The wolfbane just arrived today."

Her eyes lit up, full of delight. "It did?"

"Yes," I said proudly. "A faithful hand brought it to me. Fresh. Potent. Enough to strike down even the strongest of them."

Belinda clasped her hands together in excitement. "Show me."

I laughed. "Oh, you wish to see?"

"Yes," she replied, almost breathless with eagerness.

I strode to the corner of the room, where I had carefully hidden the small chest Carlos had brought earlier. I bent down, unfastened the lock, and lifted the lid. Inside lay several vials, their contents a faint green, glowing faintly in the dim light.

I turned, holding one up. "Behold, the wolfbane."

Belinda’s gasp filled the air. She stepped forward, her eyes locked on the vial as though it were a treasure beyond price. "It’s beautiful," she whispered, her voice trembling with excitement. "Deadly and beautiful."

I laughed, the sound deep and satisfied. "Yes. Deadly indeed."

Together we stood over the chest, staring down at the weapons of poison that would soon change everything. Then Belinda looked up at me, her smile wicked.

"When will you use it?" she asked softly.

I met her gaze, my lips curling into a slow, sinister smile. "Tonight. The whole treachery begins tonight."

She inhaled sharply, her chest rising with anticipation. "Tonight?"

"Yes," I said firmly, my voice carrying the weight of promise. "No more waiting. No more delays. Tonight, the palace will tremble."

Belinda’s laughter joined mine, the sound twisting together in the chamber like two serpents hissing in the dark.

"Then let it begin," she whispered, her eyes gleaming.

She leaned forward, eyes bright as a child who’s found a new toy. "We must celebrate," Belinda said, voice small with triumph. "Tonight is the beginning of a new power. Bring wine. Bring me a drink. Let the house hear us laugh before it breaks."

I smiled, slow and pleased. "A celebration is fitting," I said. "A quiet cup for two before the storm."

Belinda snapped her fingers, sharp and confident, and at once a maid hurried into the chamber. The girl bowed low, her head nearly touching the floor, waiting for Luna’s words.

"Bring us the best spiced wine from the cellar," Belinda said, her tone smooth and commanding. "And honeyed mead. Make it warm, with cinnamon and cloves. Do not spare the citrus peel."

The maid curtsied quickly, murmuring her obedience before slipping away. Her skirts whispered across the stone floor, the sound fading as the door shut softly behind her.

She laughed softly and leaned back, the candlelight making her eyes dark and dangerous. "To a new order," she said, voice ringing. "To the night we act."

"To the new order," I echoed, and felt the syllables line up like soldiers.

The maid returned with a small tray. Two wooden cups, carved with simple runes, steamed faintly. The aroma of warm wine and honey rolled up and filled the room. The maid set the tray down, bowed, and retreated like a shadow.

Belinda reached for a cup, cradling it in both hands as if heat and hope were the same. "To patience," she said. "To good timing. To men who do not see the knife until it is at their throats."

"To patience," I repeated, and drank. The spiced wine was sharp and sweet, the drink of old halls and new schemes. It warmed my chest like a quiet promise.

We drank again and laughed, a soft, cruel sound that felt very like the start of something that could not be easily stopped. The candles burned low, and the palace went on thinking it slept.