Chapter 19 Traces
Everywhere I go, people stop talking and pretend everything is normal. They look at me apprehensively. What on earth was happening?
"This means danger for all of us. If something like this came so close, imagine what else will come to us!" I hear the worried lament of a caregiver.
But again, when I approach them, they all lower their heads and leave after bowing. Was I the cause of all this commotion? Had they managed to trace the black magic I performed yesterday?
I see Richard from afar, in the middle of the hall, with some other soldiers. I walk towards him, ready to get answers.
"Richard!" I call his attention.
Richard looks at me and then turns his attention back to the soldiers. He gives some order and everyone leaves, leaving only the two of us.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" he asks seriously.
His expression was closed, unlike the relaxed person he usually was. I begin to feel a knot in my stomach, feeling the dread growing inside me.
"What's happening? Why is everyone so worried?" I ask quickly, hugging myself.
"Nothing is happening, Your Majesty. Everyone is just very busy with the upcoming inauguration party," Richard replies, feigning a smile.
His smile lasts only a few seconds, and soon his serious expression returns to his face.
"I thought we were friends, why are you lying to me?" I question.
I see his jaw tighten and his gaze shift from mine for a few seconds. Then his hard gaze is fixed on mine.
"You are my queen, the Luna of my King. I am just a soldier, hired to protect you. We are not friends." His harsh words hit me hard.
I stare at him, mouth agape, wondering what had happened that was so serious. Was he already despising me for being a hybrid?
"So, shall we talk about hierarchy? If I am your queen and you were hired to protect me, tell me the truth. What is happening?" I repeat, making my words firmer.
I needed to know, even if it made me seem arrogant at the moment.
"I'm sorry, Queen." I notice his acidic tone. "I obey the King first. If you want to find out something, you'll have to ask the King himself." He replies and leaves, without waiting for my answer.
I stare at him, perplexed. My confidence wavers, and I even feel dizzy. I remember Conrad's note. It was normal, without any indication. I go to the dining room, and the breakfast table is already set. I sit down and take a sip of juice.
I look at the caretakers around me, who always have their heads down. But I could feel the different tension in the air. I could only expect the worst. The cold look of contempt or even disgust on Conrad's face.
Black magic is forbidden by law. At the very least, I would be banished from the kingdom; justly, I would be executed. Executed just as all the hybrids were. There was no place for our kind in this kingdom, that was certain.
I get up and go back to my room. I pick up the book and start flipping through it. Again desperate for a solution. But everything seemed risky or cruel. I would never cast a spell on Conrad or on the people of this kingdom. I didn't want to turn them into puppets.
I didn't want to use any of these tricks, especially against my mate, whom I already loved with all my heart. I hear the doorknob and panic. Instead of putting the book under the bed, I end up putting it under the pillow.
I see Conrad enter the room, with a tired expression. I look at him worriedly, but the only thing I can see is his exhaustion.
"What happened? Are you okay?" I ask, walking towards him.
Conrad looks at me strangely, as if I had horns on my head.
"What happened to your eyes?" he asks, confused, coming towards me. "And your hair?"
"Didn't you like it?" I ask, head down, afraid of his reaction.
"You're perfect, my love. And I love every detail of your body! Why change something that's already perfect?" he asks, pulling me by the waist and showering kisses on my face and chest.
"I just wanted to change a little. My hair will grow back anyway, and the contact lenses are so I don't shock anyone. On the day of the party, I don't want anyone whispering about how strange the color of my eyes or hair is." I explain, and Conrad becomes thoughtful.
"Okay. If you feel better this way, then it's all right." Conrad concludes.
I place my hands on his face, caressing it. His eyes close, as if my touch had brought some relief to his agony.
"Aren't you going to tell me what happened to make everyone so desperate?" I insist on the question.
"Just some problems in the kingdom. Nothing my queen should worry about." He replies, placing a brief kiss on my lips.
"It doesn't seem simple. Everyone is worried, and you're shaken." I say as I lead him towards the bed.
"I'll take care of everything. Just focus on organizing a big party." He says, feigning excitement.
I sit him on the bed and stand behind him. I begin to massage his back, trying to ease his tension.
"I am your mate. Your responsibility will be shared with me. We will both have the duty to protect our kingdom. But if you allow me, I would like to know and help in any way I can."
Conrad holds my hands and kisses them. Soon I am lifted onto his lap, his hands holding me firmly.
"You're right, my love. I just wanted you to be worried," he explains, and I kiss his lips, enchanted by Conrad's care for me.
"Don't worry about it. We'll find a solution together!" I say confidently.
Conrad lets out a heavy sigh and takes a breath to speak.
"The attacks on the wolf packs are still ongoing. There have already been 13 dead and countless wounded. But none of them remember what happened. What seemed like random attacks before are now interconnected," he explains with a serious expression, becoming thoughtful. "Not to mention that we found evidence of dark magic," he confesses, and my heart leaps.
I thank heaven that my partner is so thoughtful that he doesn't see my expression of pure panic and guilt.
"And where exactly did they find it?" I gather the courage to ask, trying not to raise any suspicion with my wavering tone.