Chapter 215: Chapter 215

The wine burned down my throat, sweet with spice, heavy with warmth. My cup had been filled and emptied more times than I could count, and still I drank. Belinda’s laughter had long turned into slurred whispers and half-closed eyes. She swayed in her chair, her smile stupid and soft. I smirked at the sight. Powerful one moment, weak the next, that was Belinda. Useful, yes, but never more than a pawn.

I set my cup down with a thud and waved my hand sharply. "Adrik!"

The guard appeared from the shadows as if he had been carved out of them. He bowed low, hand to chest.

I pointed at Belinda, who was slumped in her chair, barely awake. "Take her back to her room. She’s had enough."

Adrik stepped forward, lifting her carefully into his arms. She murmured something faint against his shoulder but didn’t wake. Her head lolled back, dark hair spilling over his arm.

I leaned forward, my voice low, sharp like the edge of a blade. "This is your chance, Adrik. Do you hear me?"

He froze slightly, eyes darting to mine. "My chance, my lord?"

I smirked, leaning back in my chair. "Yes. Your chance to have her. To make her fall so deeply for you that she forgets the world. Women are weak when they are comforted. Use that weakness. Make her yours. It will keep her tied to me, through you."

Adrik bowed lower, his voice steady. "I understand, my lord. I will do as you command."

"Good," I said, waving him off. "Go."

I watched him carry Belinda away, her gown brushing against the stone floor as he disappeared down the corridor.

The room grew quiet, save for the crackle of fire. I stood, heavy with wine but sharp with thought, and crossed to the window. Outside, the sky bled into deep purple; the sun was gone, and night crept close. Shadows stretched long across the courtyard. My time was coming.

I turned sharply. "You," I snapped at one of maids lingering nervously at the outside of the room. She jumped, bowing quickly.

Her head bobbed up and down. "At once, my lord."

She ran out, skirts fluttering behind her. I stayed at the window, tapping my fingers against the sill. The palace air was cool, carrying the faint scent of smoke from the kitchens. My lips twisted into a smile. Tonight, the game would truly begin.

It wasn’t long before the maid returned. Lisa entered the room, her steps hesitant. She was flanked by two guards who walked with stiff posture, as if her very presence demanded protection. She bowed to me, her face pale, her movements cautious.

"Uncle Fridolf," she said softly.

The guards stood like statues, hands at their swords. I didn’t want them here. They were walls I didn’t need.

"Stay outside," I ordered.

The guards stiffened but glanced at Lisa. She gave them a small nod, her voice firm though quiet. "Wait outside. It’s fine."

Reluctantly, they obeyed, stepping out into the hall. The maid closed the heavy door behind them, the lock clicking.

Lisa turned to me, her eyes wide, questioning. "Why did you send for me, Uncle?"

I smiled, letting silence fill the space for a moment. Then I stepped closer, my voice smooth. "I told you this morning, didn’t I? That I needed your help."

Her brows knitted, worry clear in her face. "Yes... you said that. I thought it was nothing. But...."

"But it is something," I cut her off, my smile sharpening. I reached into the folds of my cloak and pulled out a small container. The light of the fire danced off the metal, gleaming. I held it up. "This. I want you to take this."

She blinked, stepping closer but stopping short, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "What... what is it?"

"A supplement," I said smoothly. "Something to strengthen the alphas. You know they must remain strong. You will give it to Damon. In his food. But he must not know."

Her lips parted, confusion clouding her face. She stared at the container in my hand. "A supplement?"

"Yes," I said. My voice was steady, calm, like I was speaking of something ordinary. "Something rare. Something powerful. It will make him... better."

She hesitated, glancing from the container to my face. Her hand lifted slowly, as if to take it, but then she stopped and frowned. Her eyes narrowed just a little, suspicion breaking through her fear.

"What if I refuse?" she asked quietly. "I don’t know what is inside. And you... You look... suspicious."

Her words, though soft, cut sharply. My smile faltered for a heartbeat, then twisted into something darker. I stepped closer, looming over her.

"You would refuse me?" I asked, my voice low, sharp, carrying the weight of a warning.

Lisa froze. Her small hands clutched at the folds of her dress as though it might shield her from me. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard, but still she spoke, her words trembling.

"I only ask because... because I don’t understand," she whispered. "You say it is a supplement, but why must Damon not know? If it is good for him, why hide it?"

Her question pierced deeper than I expected. My eyes narrowed, and I tightened my grip on the small container until my knuckles whitened. That spark in her eyes, suspicion, curiosity, it was dangerous. She was sharper than I liked, too cautious for my liking.

"You ask too many questions," I snapped, my tone cutting like a whip. "This is simple. Take it. Do as I say."

Lisa’s lips trembled. She shook her head slightly, her voice so soft that I almost missed it. Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⁂𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⁂𝕟𝕖𝕥

"No... I cannot," she breathed. "Not without knowing. What if it harms him? What if..." Her voice faltered, her eyes shining with fear and something else, genuine worry.

Heat flared in my chest, rage threatening to break loose. How dare she question me? How dare a mere human resist? I wanted to slam my fist against the table, to shout until she broke. But I forced myself to hold back. Losing control now would ruin everything.

I drew in a deep breath and steadied my voice, lowering it to something almost gentle. "Lisa, I want you to take this from me," I said, each syllable measured.

She looked up at me with wide eyes, and I could see the fear there. But I could also see doubt.

I leaned closer, lowering my voice to a whisper that pressed against her ear. "You will take it. Because if you do not... There is a consequence for every action. Do you understand me?"

Her whole body froze. Her lips parted, but no words came. Her hand instinctively touched her stomach, protective, trembling.

I straightened again, smiling coldly. "Good. Then we understand each other."