chapter 74
Chapter 74
Lila
The knock came before sunrise. Three soft raps. The last ringing with a finality that made my stomach lurch.
1 sat up too quickly, heart already pounding. The room was still dark, the sky outside my window just beginning to pale at the edges. I’d barely slags s dressed in the gown from the night before, creased and uncomfortable. My eyes burned.
He’d read the letter. That was the only explanation, wasn’t it?
I scrambled to fix my hair, splashed cold water across my face, and changed into something simple but respectful–a long charcoal blue dress with lace at the cuffs. My hands shook as I buttoned the front, but I forced them to stay steady.
This is it. I’ll either be kicked out, or forgiven… or killed. That last thought brought a surprising calmness with it that I didn’t expect. I guess I’ve made my peace with Damon knowing who I am, and whatever chaos that causes for me.
When I stepped into the hallway, a palace attendant was waiting–young, quiet, eyes downcast. He didn’t offer an explanation, only said, “You’re wanted in the Council Chamber, Lady Elena.”
Not the King’s chambers. The Council.
Still, I nodded and followed, hope thudding somewhere behind my ribs like a bird trying to fly too soon.
The walk through the palace felt different this morning–empty, still, like the corridors were holding their breath. The air was cool and dry, and I didn’t see another soul until we reached the corridor outside the council doors.
Two guards opened them without a word. Inside, the chamber was already assembled.
Council members sat in their raised seats, robes draped over their shoulders like armor. Jackson sat among them, arms folded, his face unreadable.
But Damon’s chair was empty.
My stomach dropped. He should’ve been here.
I stepped forward slowly, every instinct whispering that something was wrong.
“Lady Elena,” one of the senior councilors said with thin politeness. “Thank you for coming so promptly.”
“I was told the King-”
“There has been a matter brought to our attention,” he said, cutting smoothly across my words, “regarding your involvement in the manipulation of regional assignments.”
I blinked. “What?”
He didn’t flinch. “It’s come to our attention that you may have attempted to influence the selection of Pack placements for the next stage of the trials.
Another councilor unfurled a scroll. “We received a note, allegedly in your handwriting, addressed to an aide of the Western Border delegation. In it, you appear to suggest a switch in your assigned territory.”
The parchment was held aloft as if it proved anything. I couldn’t see the writing from here, but I knew–I knew–I’d never written it.
“That’s not mine,” I said, stepping forward. “I didn’t write that. I never–❞
“There are also two statements from staff who claim you approached them to inquire about alternative postings,” another voice said- female this time, cutting in its gentleness.
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Chapter 74
I never My voice cracked. I forced it steady. “That’s a lie. Someone’s framing me. This this doesn’t make sarise.
“You deny these charges?” the senior councilor asked, as if we were going through the motions of a play already rehearsed,
“Yes,” 1 said, louder now. “Completely. I asked to speak with the King. This is this isn’t why I came here.”
There was a long pause. Then Jackson spoke. His voice was quiet, but every word landed with weight. “The decision has been made.
The air teft my lungs in a rush.
“This is not an expulsion,” the councilor added, almost kindly. “But a redirection. You’ll still be participating in the trial. However, your posting will be reassigned, effective immediately. This is an opportunity to reflect and realign your intentions.”
I stared at them. It wasn’t discipline. It was a form of exile.
“Where is the King?” I whispered.
No one answered. The guards escorted me through the palace like I was still a guest of honor–silent, polite, two steps behind and always watching. It felt worse than being led away in chains.
My hands were cold. My legs moved automatically, one step after another, but my thoughts darted everywhere.
I have to find Emma.
My heart beat harder as we rounded the eastern corridor toward the front courtyard. Outside, I could already hear the distant creak of wagon wheels, the clatter of hooves, the hum of activity as the candidates prepared for departure.
“Please,” I said, turning to the guard on my left. “Just a moment. I need to speak with someone before I go.”
He glanced at his companion. “You have five minutes.”
I didn’t wait for more.
I broke away and scanned the crowd gathered at the gates. Uniformed drivers waited near elaborate carriages, each marked with Pack crests. Candidates stood in clusters, nervously chatting, eyes bright with anticipation and anxiety.
A few were already climbing into their transports. Vanessa stood by hers, perfectly coiffed, laughing at something I couldn’t hear. When she saw me, her expression turned curious… then smug.
Lignored her.
Emma. Where is-
There. She stood near the back, adjusting the strap of her travel satchel and speaking with a steward. Her hair was braided back simply, her expression calm. She hadn’t seen me yet.
I walked faster, my skirt catching against my boots.
“Emma!” I called, but my voice barely rose above the noise. I pushed forward, weaving through the bustle.
She turned just as I reached her.
“Elena?” Her face lit with concern. “Are you alright? I heard they changed your assignment-”
“I don’t have time,” I said, breathless. “But I need to tell you something. About Larian and… something else.”
Her brows knit together. “What?”
I opened my mouth. The words tangled in my throat.
14:30 Tue 3 Jum
Chapter 74
I wanted to warn her, I wanted to tell her about the charm. About the girl in the courtyard. About the practiced way Lanen handed out affection
favors.
But there were too many ears. Too many watching eyes. I felt them prickling against my back.
“I saw something,” I said instead, quieter now. “Something that makes me think he’s not being honest with you. That he’s… giving the same story to more than one girl.”
Emma’s expression shuttered. “Elena, I
“I’m not trying to hurt you,” I whispered. “I just don’t want him to break your heart.”
Her jaw worked as she fought for a response. Hurt flickered in her eyes, but not at me for me. “Why are you
“Because I thought maybe I was wrong,” I said. “And I don’t want to be too late.”
She looked down at the charm around her wrist, then back up at me. “I’ll be careful.”
It was something. A guard called my name.
only telling me nỪN?”
I reached for her hand. “I left you something. In my room. If t… if I don’t pass this trial, just promise me you’ll find it.”
Emma nodded with concern. “Of course. And you–be safe.”
I let go first. Walked back toward the carriage waiting for
me, its crest unfamiliar.
I didn’t look at the palace as I was ushered into it, but I felt it looming behind me. Like a door closing on a future pathway I could never come back to.
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