Chapter 109 Trust Turned to Ashes

Chapter 109 Trust Turned to Ashes
POV Lysander

The fact that I had been poisoned with aconite took me completely by surprise. I couldn’t understand how I hadn’t noticed sooner what was happening to me. After all, according to what the physicians had explained, this was something slow and progressive.

They said that, given the amount of poison in my blood, I should already be dead—and I would be, if not for my power as an Alpha, as well as the small, constant doses I had been receiving.

That meant it had been something deliberate. Something measured. Something that had taken time—and therefore required proximity.

We had no proof, but according to the general consensus, there was no doubt about who the culprit could be. Astrid was the only one who had the opportunity, the closeness, and above all, a very clear motive to do it—especially after she had hidden what happened during her last meeting with her father.

And yet, as I stood before her and saw the desperation on her face as she tried to make me understand that she was innocent… I almost believed her.

At least, I did for a moment.

Because soon, something else caught my attention just a few feet behind her. On the small table beside her bed sat a cup of tea, one that carried a rather peculiar scent.

That cup became the only thing I could see—the only thing I could think about. Without another word, I ignored her and walked toward it. When I picked it up and brought it closer to my nose, I immediately recognized what it was.

I turned sharply toward her.

—Do you despise the idea of bearing my child so much that you resorted to poison? —I demanded, fury burning through my voice.

But all I saw in her eyes was confusion. Then she turned to look at my mother.

In that instant, I understood. It had been her who had given it to her. And that could only mean one thing—aconite was inside the palace. Which meant the chances of it reaching me one way or another were far greater than I had thought.

—Mother… —I began, ready to question her.

—Your Majesty —one of the guards called out.

I ignored him deliberately. I needed answers from her—immediately.

—Your Majesty, you need to see this —he insisted.

His persistence forced me to turn toward him, ready to reprimand him for interrupting.

But the words died in my throat the moment I saw what he held in his hand.

It was a small glass vial.

—What is that? —I asked, though by then, I already feared the answer.

—I don’t know, Your Majesty. We found it hidden there —he explained, gesturing toward a hollow space beneath the floorboards.

That only deepened my suspicions.

I stepped forward and took the vial from his hand. I hesitated for a brief moment before opening it, uneasy about what it might contain—an unfamiliar feeling for me.

—I swear it’s not what you think —she insisted, her voice trembling, far too nervous for someone claiming innocence.

I ignored her.

And opened it.

Inside was exactly what I had feared.

Pure aconite. Poison.

—Where did you get this? —I demanded, grabbing her shoulders firmly as I stepped closer.

—I… I… —she tried to answer, but the words never came.

I was so furious that the only thing I could think about was destroying her with my own hands. The anger coursing through me was so overwhelming that I didn’t know how I managed to restrain myself.

—Get her out of my sight. Take her straight to the dungeon —I ordered the guards immediately.

I needed answers, yes—but I wasn’t in any condition to demand them. I knew that if I stayed even one more second in front of her, I would kill her. And I could not allow that to happen.

The guards seized her by the arms to drag her away. She struggled against them.

—Please, just listen to me —she pleaded.

But it was useless.

—Take her away. Now —I repeated, my voice colder, harsher.

This time, they held her tighter and dragged her out of the room, even if they had to force her every step of the way. I could hear her pleas echoing down the corridor until her voice faded into the distance. Only then did I feel a slight sense of relief.

—I told you this would happen. I warned you that you couldn’t trust her —my mother reminded me, though it sounded more like she was throwing it in my face.

I wasn’t in the mood for that. I simply tried to walk away.

—I hope that this time you do what must be done and get rid of her once and for all —she added, not as advice, but as a command.

That only worsened my already foul mood.

—Not now, Mother. Just… leave me alone —I said, my nerves stretched to the breaking point.

—You’ve been attacked again, openly. You can’t stand idle, or you’ll show everyone that you’re weak—that you’re incapable of defending yourself —she pressed.

—Believe me, I will do what’s necessary. Don’t doubt that —I replied before walking away from her as fast as I could. I couldn’t stand being there for another second.

I made my way to my chambers. I needed to be alone.

It wasn’t just the rage consuming me. The truth was, I was far too weak to even remain standing.

The moment I was out of everyone’s sight, I collapsed to the floor, overcome by pain and exhaustion.

I couldn’t believe Astrid had tried to kill me.

I had let myself be deceived. I had believed she was a good person.

The thought filled me with such fury and disappointment that the only way I found to release it was by slamming my fist against the ground.

Again.

And again.

Until my knuckles split open and began to bleed.

And even then…

It wasn’t enough.