Chapter 41
The hall of judgement. That was what the guards had said.
The room where the King questioned people was vast.
It was intimidating with walls lined with swords and animal skin.
People stood looking around as I was brought in. Haven’t spent up to a month in my role and I was already being brought in for judgment.
Oh chim.
The ceilings were high, the walls lined with stone pillars, and at the very end, Alaric sat on his throne.
But I wasn’t looking at him.
No I was looking at the person in the middle.
What was she doing here? That was my first thought.
Amira.
She stood in the middle of the room, her emerald dress flowing like a river, her auburn curls perfectly styled, and her violet eyes sharp with fake sadness.
My stomach dropped.
This reminded me of a situation a long time ago.
But then I had been foolish enough to fall for it.
Alaric wasn’t looking at me.
He was looking at her–with a sneer.
“Explain,” he said curtly, his voice cold as steel.
Amira turned toward me, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Liana poisoned me.”
I blinked.
What.
My mouth parted in sheer shock, my brows flying up.
She continued, her voice smooth and tragically wounded. “Last night at the gathering, I was drinking my wine, and by the time I returned to my chambers, I was covered in a rash.”
She turned her head slightly, exposing reddish blotches on her neck.
I stared at them.
Then back at her.
Then at Alaric.
He hadn’t moved, but his fingers tapped once against the armrest of his throne–a movement so small most people wouldn’t notice. But I did.
I swallowed. “Amira. You cannot be serious.”
Her eyes widened, full of mock hurt. “You’re not even going to deny it?”
“1–what?” I let out a laugh, pure disbelief bubbling up. “Of course I’m denying it! This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!” Amira pressed a hand to her chest. “I don’t know why you would do this to me, sister”
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Chapter 41
Oh.
Oh, she was good. Before our parents died, they had signed Amira up for acting classes, they must be proud.
I actually took a step back, as if that would help me process the audacity of this girl.
Alaric’s gaze was still locked on her, his expression blank.
“Continue,” he said flatly.
Amira sighed delicately, as if this was all too much for her fragile little heart. “The Harvest Summit is crucial for me and Max. We’ve been working for months to be included in the trade agreements.”
I rolled my eyes. “We?”
Amira ignored me. “If I’m unable to attend, our negotiations will be ruined. And I know Liana has no desire to see me succeed.”
I gaped. “Oh, you are absolutely unhinged.”
She gasped as if I had slapped her. “You see? This is exactly what I mean! She’s always been jealous of me.”
laughed out loud.
I have been accused of many things in my life.
But jealousy?
Of her?
Well maybe I use to be. Because she is a thief!!
All she knows how to do is steal.
Alaric’s gaze snapped to me.
I clamped my lips shut, inhaling through my nose.
His eyes flicked back to Amira. “Do you have proof of this?”
Amira gestured to her rash like it was absolute evidence.
Alaric’s expression didn’t change. “That could be from anything.”
Amira sighed again–dramatic, long–suffering. “I had no issues before the gathering. I had no symptoms until after I drank from my cup. You can ask the maids. The food was fine. The drink was fine. And yet, I woke up like this.”
My head tilted. “And you think that was me?”
She nodded. “Who else would want me gone?”
I opened my mouth. Paused.
Then I actually thought about it.
The list of people who would love to see Amira suffer was not small.
Max, who was probably sick of her by now.
Oh wait, he is crazy too.
Brielle, who saw her as competition.
The maids who had to deal with her daily tantrums.
The gods themselves, just for fun.
But sure, yeah. Let’s blame me
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Chapter 41
I exhaled sharply and looked at Alaric. “If I was going to poison her, do you really think I’d be this sloppy?”
Amira’s brows furrowed. “Excuse me?”
I turned back to her. “You’re claiming I poisoned you in the middle of a noble gathering, with hundreds of witnesses, and that this is my grand master plan? To give you an annoying rash?”
Silence.
The guards exchanged glances.
One of them actually coughed.
Amira’s lips pressed together.
I shrugged. “Frankly, I’d be more creative.”
Alaric made a noise in his throat–almost like a laugh–but covered it by clearing his throat.
Amira’s face twisted. “You just admitted you’d want to harm me.”
I admitted I’d be better at it.” I smirked. “There’s a difference.”
Alaric leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. “Enough.”
Amira stilled.
His gaze settled on her, and though his voice was calm, his eyes were cold. “Liana is many things. But reckless? No.”
That sent a rush of warmth through my chest.
Not because I needed his defense.
But because he knew me well enough to say it.
Amira’s face twisted.
But as always, she didn’t know when to quit.
“I see,” she murmured, bowing slightly. “Then why don’t we check her room? Then we would know?”
I stared at her, the calmness in her voice making my stomach turn.
Alaric didn’t react right away.
But then he leaned back in his chair, tilting his head. “Is that what you want?”
Amira nodded slowly. “If she is innocent, she has nothing to hide.”
My jaw clenched. “This is ridiculous.”
But Alaric’s expression gave nothing away.
Finally, he gestured to the guards. “Fine. Search her room.”
I stormed after them, my heart pounding as we made our way to my chambers.
This was insane.
There was nothing in my room.
Nothing to be found. But yet Amira is suspicious, she could do anything to hurt me.
But the moment the guards pushed open my door, the moment they began their search, a chill crept down my spine.
Because they weren’t hesitant
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8:29 PM
Chapter 41
They weren’t careful.
It was like they already knew.
And sure enough-
One of them pulled open a drawer.
And froze.
A second later, he turned around.
Holding a small vial filled with a dark liquid.
I blinked.
No.
No, that wasn’t-
“That’s not mine,” I said immediately.
The guard didn’t move.
Alaric took a slow step forward, his gaze locked on the vial.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
“This is absurd,” I said, louder this time. “I just left my room. That wasn’t there before.”
Amira made a small noise in her throat. “And yet–there it is.”
My head snapped toward her. “You-”
Her expression was innocent, but her eyes glowed with triumph.
This bitch.
Alaric was silent, his eyes darkening as he took the vial from the guard’s hand.
I swallowed hard, my pulse a violent drumbeat in my ears.
“I didn’t do this,” I said, forcing my voice to stay calm. “You know I didn’t.”
