The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 227: Chapter 227

~~Lunaris Citedal.~~
Arianna didn’t let go of Brigid’s hand. Not even once.
Hours had passed. Brigid was quiet now, lost as she sat on the floor while the mage continued the ritual.
Toran’s lifeless body was wrapped from head to toe.
“He doesn’t deserve you, Brigid,” Arianna whispered, and she slowly turned her head to her.
“I know,” she whispered. A tear rolled down her cheek. “I just... I just couldn’t take it in. He took me in when I needed someone the most... and I just couldn’t see the cracks. He hurt me so much, and I just can’t stop my heart from beating for him. It’s wild... I feel so trapped. And I feel so stupid for that.”
Brigid lowered her head, shame washing over her face.
“Well, I’m not sorry for doing this. But I hope you find the one who truly deserves you.”
“Thanks for... helping me through this,” Brigid shook her head. “I hope you’ll forgive me, Aria. I’ve wronged you in so many ways. I really hope you do.”
Arianna gave a small nod.
Brigid let out a shaky breath of relief.
“What about Lylah? Is she... is she alright?”
Arianna nodded.
Brigid dragged a palm over her face. “I’m glad.”
A beat of silence.
Sahrak subtly glanced at them. Arianna caught it but decided to deal with him later. The mage was suspicious.
“I heard your children were killed at birth,” Arianna said. She felt Brigid stiffen through the hold. “Who killed them?”
“It was Valoreth’s order. He threatened Toran for an heir, and my children were killed.”
“Who carried out the task?” Arianna still had her gaze fixed on the mage, but she felt Brigid look at her.
“Uhm... it was the head maid. Gatha.”
Arianna frowned and finally turned to Brigid. “Gatha?”
Brigid nodded.
Why does that name feel familiar to Arianna? She couldn’t pinpoint where she had heard it.
Who was Gatha?
••••••••
"Why did you let the Queen lock you up for so long?" Amy asked the middle-aged woman as she ate.
"Because I wanted it."
"So you provoked her?"
"Isn't that what I've been doing all these years?"
Amy stayed quiet, her fists clenched on her knees.
"Did you come over just to tell me she’s in the realm?"
Amy’s lips parted, then pressed shut hesitantly.
Gatha gave her a look. "Spit it out, Amy. Give me all the details of what’s going on in the palace. That's why I approached you in the first place."
"First… I—I heard Yvonne, the king's mistress, was found dead in her chamber."
Gatha paused, her spoon mid-air. "Dead?"
"There are whispers that the Queen killed her."
A beat of silence.
"And the child?"
"Still alive. It seems they both had an argument. The maids outside said they heard the mistress threatening to kill the Queen and ran off to get soldiers. But when they returned, they only found the mistress’s body."
Gatha squinted. "That doesn’t make sense. How did the Queen disappear without anyone spotting her? Did they investigate this properly?"
Amy shook her head. "Lord Valoreth didn’t take it too seriously. He was planning to end… the mistress anyway, and give the child to Brigid. The mistress’s fate was already sealed."
Gatha’s jaw moved as she chewed, her eyes fixed on nothing as she digested the information.
"I must say, Amy. You being a human and a sharp servant is really a great gift. You shall be rewarded once this is all over."
Amy nodded with a smile. "It’s a pleasure, my lady... One more thing." Gatha’s gaze flicked back to her. "I sent a message to... Lord Merek."
Gatha groaned. "Aaaammmyyy."
"I had no choice. Something bad could’ve happened to you in that cell."
The head maid groaned again.
A few minutes later, Amy quietly led Gatha to the abandoned storehouse in the Citadel, to the room where they waited.
Lord Merek stood immediately when they stepped in, his shoulders tense.
"Gatha," his voice shook as he approached. "Are you alright?"
"Stop overreacting, Merek. It was just a cell."
"Just a cell?"
"It’s not so bad. The rats and roaches were pretty nice. I kinda deserved it, though. I provoked the Queen a little too far," she said.
"Your male is going to have a heart attack, Lady Gatha. Be soft," Atheon finally spoke from his spot.
"I’m fine," Gatha said as she walked further in. "Heard Arianna is back."
"So we’ve heard as well," Atheon sighed. "But it’s quite confusing. They say Arianna’s skull and Lylah’s head are being hung on spikes as we speak."
Gatha blinked. "Could she be the one who made them think that? I mean, it’s the best way to divert Valoreth’s attention. Look at this letter." She unwrapped a small scroll. "She’s the Dragon Queen they’re talking about. The description matches her."
Merek glanced through it before tossing it over to Lord Atheon, who read it.
"The realm is definitely seeing a few changes. Like a mysterious savior or something."
"Like Arianna."
Merek placed a hand on her shoulder. "Take off the mask at least. Let me see you."
Amy couldn’t help but smile at Lord Merek’s softer side.
Gatha tilted her head. "Aww... Look who’s missing me. Sorry honey, I’m not done yet."
"I don’t think it’s necessary anymore. Valoreth plans to sacrifice Toran using Brigid as the caster. Then he’ll force Sahrak to use that mask you’re wearing and pretend to be the king."
"That motherfucking bastard," Gatha cursed. "But to be fair... Toran kinda deserves it."
"We should go out and see if this Dragon Queen is truly Arianna. Only then... we’ll know. The realm has suffered enough. It’s hard being on my seat and pretending to be chained by that bastard," Merek mumbled.
Gatha exhaled. "We had no choice, honey."
She reached for the mask and gently peeled it off her face, revealing the stunning female beneath. Green eyes, a sharp nose, and a well-shaped jaw. Despite being an ancient Lycan, she still looked stunning.
Merek didn’t wait. He leaned down and kissed her lips gently. “I’ve missed you so much, Gatha.”
“I missed you too,” she whispered, kissing his jaw. “It’s pretty exhausting pretending to be an old female wolf for seven years.” She glanced down at the mask. “That mage is really good with mask though. None of those fools suspected a thing.”
“Can’t blame them. You’re so good at acting,” Merek said, holding her waist. Still affectionate that made Lord Atheon pinch the bridge of his nose.
“I’ll have to talk to the Queen,” Gatha said, and Merek nodded, understanding what she meant.
If Brigid had gone to Valoreth and exposed the truth about Yvonne and her child, then Gatha would’ve kept that information to herself.
But Brigid had proved her wrong.
“So, what’s next?” she asked. “Does he know?”
Just like that, the air turned tense.
The expressions of the males froze. Even Amy behind them felt a chill down her spine.