56

Julianne’s POV

I felt my heart pounding in my chest as I walked toward Jasmine, who was holding a plate with a glass of juice in her hands. She didn’t see me coming, her back turned to me as she hummed to herself. I know she would be so damn happy that her crazy plans are about to come to pass. Something inside me was bubbling with anger. I knew what she had done, and I couldn’t let her get away with it.

Without thinking, I marched right up to her and, in one swift motion, I knocked the plate from her hands. The juice splashed everywhere, staining the floor and the hem of her dress.

“Who do you think you are?” I snapped, my voice trembling with fury. “You’re so cheap, trying to use that love potion on Arthur.”

Her eyes widened, and she gasped as the juice soaked her dress. For a moment, she seemed frozen, but then her eyes narrowed into slits, and a venomous smile crept onto her face.

“Why would you spill the juice, Julianne?” she sneered, her voice laced with false sweetness. “That was meant for Arthur.”

I took a step closer, my fists clenched at my sides. “I know what you did, Jasmine. I know you spiked that juice with a love potion. Don’t try to deny it.”

At first, Jasmine’s face turned pale, and her lips parted as if she were about to deny everything. But then she closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. When she opened them again, there was no mistaking the glint of malice in her gaze.

“You think you can stop me? You think by knocking down the juice in my hands, you have stopped me from going on with what is in my hands?” she spat, her voice low and dangerous. “You have no idea what and who you’re dealing with. I’m going to destroy your little relationship with Arthur. I’m going to take my rightful place as his Luna.”

Her words struck me like a slap across the face. The anger inside me flared even hotter, and I felt my eyes starting to burn with fury. A dark glow began to creep into my vision, and my breath quickened. The power inside me wanted to break free, but I knew I couldn’t let it get the best of me—not in front of her.

Jasmine noticed the change in me and stepped back, her confidence faltering for just a moment. “You think you can stop me? You’re nothing, Julianne. You’re just a mistake.”

Before I could respond, a calm voice broke through the tension. “That’s enough, both of you, there is enough bullshit both of you have had,” Loretta’s voice rang out, sharp but controlled.

Loretta appeared between us, her presence commanding and strong. She reached out and gently placed a hand on my shoulder, guiding me away from Jasmine. My mind was still racing, my heart pounding as the dark glow began to fade from my eyes, but I could still feel the anger burning deep within me.

“Julianne, calm down,” Loretta said softly. “Don’t do anything you’ll regret. Don't forget she is till the concubine to your husband and you have to be careful when dealing with matters like this.”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but I couldn’t shake the rage that threatened to overtake me. I looked back at Jasmine, who was still standing there, a smug look on her face.

“She won’t win,” I muttered, my words filled with venom. “I won’t let her take what is rightfully mine.”

Loretta took my hand and pulled me away from Jasmine, she led me into a nearby room and closed the door behind us. We sat down, and I could feel my heart still racing. I didn’t want to be here. I wanted to march back into that hallway and confront Jasmine again. I wanted to tear her down and make her pay for what she had done. I wanted to make her understand that she just can't toy with my man— my Arthur by being devious. This is a game, and we all have to play it fair; we have to fight and win his heart and not cheat. But Loretta’s presence was grounding, and I knew she was right to stop me; I could have injured, or done something bad and wrong to hurt her, thereby incurring the wrath of Arthur on me, and he believed she was pregnant.

Loretta sat across from me, her eyes fixed on me with a mixture of concern and understanding. “You’re still upset, I know and I understand how you feel,” she said quietly.

I didn’t respond at first. My mind was spinning with everything that had just happened. How could Jasmine think she could get away with this? How could she believe she could just take Arthur away from me? How could she buy a love potion to spite his food?

“I was so close to losing control,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I could feel it, Loretta. The rage inside me. It wanted to take over.”

Loretta nodded slowly. “It’s okay to feel that way. But you need to be careful. If you let the anger control you, you could hurt more than just Jasmine. You could hurt yourself, too.”

I clenched my fists in my lap, my nails digging into my skin. I hated feeling weak. I hated feeling like I couldn’t protect what was mine; my family was on the edge of tearing apart, and I couldn't do anything. But Loretta was right. If I gave in to my rage and anger, I could destroy everything. And I wasn’t ready for that.

"And why are you staring at me?" I questioned crossing her gaze with mine.

Instead, she stood up and walked to the mirror. "Come," she said to me, and I reluctantly stood up.

She checked my face, especially my eyes, from the mirror but found nothing. "Sorry, I thought I saw something flowing in your eyes when you confronted Jasmine, but it is gone." She answered, and I shrugged, not understanding what she meant."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. “I need to tell Arthur,” I said suddenly, the words coming out before I could think about them. “I need to tell him what Jasmine did. He has to know.”

Loretta shook her head, her expression serious. “No. You can’t just tell him without proof. If you accuse Jasmine without evidence, it will only make you look like the one who’s trying to tear them apart.”

“But I know what she did,” I protested, my frustration rising again. “She spiked the juice! How is that not enough proof?”

Loretta’s gaze softened, but she remained firm. “It’s not enough. Not yet. You need something concrete. Something Arthur can see for himself. Otherwise, she’ll twist the story, and you’ll be the one who loses. And you what that means? Everyone will call you a lair.”

I didn’t want to hear it. I wanted to take action, to tell Arthur right now. But Loretta’s words made sense. If I couldn’t prove it, I risked making things worse.

“I’ll find proof,” I promised, my voice determined. “I won’t let her win.”

Later that night, when everyone had settled into their rooms for the night, I knew it was my chance. I had to get into Jasmine’s room. I had to find the evidence I needed to expose her.

I waited until the hallways were quiet, the sound of footsteps and voices fading into the distance. My heart raced as I moved silently through the corridors, careful not to make a sound. When I reached Jasmine’s room, I hesitated for a moment, my hand resting on the door handle. If I was caught, it would be over. But I had to do this.

I pushed the door open just a crack, peering inside. The room was dark, and there was no sign of Jasmine. She must have already gone out or left the room for Arthur's or wherever; I don't care; so far, she is not in the room, and I can carry out my task very appropriately. I slipped inside and moved quickly, searching through drawers and cabinets.

After what felt like hours, I finally found what I was looking for. Hidden in the back of a drawer, I discovered two small bottles—one labeled in a strange, unfamiliar script, which I recognized as the love potion the witch showed us, and the other just a plain glass bottle. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized it as the other drugs the witch talked about, the one she always comes to get now and then. These were the bottles the witch had warned us about.

I grabbed both bottles, feeling a rush of triumph. I had the evidence. This would prove everything. But just as I was about to leave, I froze. The door creaked open behind me, and I turned to see Arthur standing in the doorway, his eyes wide with shock.