Chapter 96 Her Evil Intentions

Chapter 96 Her Evil Intentions
NYRA

I did not move from the bin for longer than I should have instead my eyes stayed fixed on the closed box like it might somehow open itself again and confess everything I already knew.

The room was quiet, and it only made the realization settle deeper into my bones even if it was already something I knew before hand.

A knock came again, softer this time, familiar.
“Lady, Nyra?” Aria’s voice followed.

I knew immediately that she might probably be with a guard or someone as she only addressed me fully when we had company

I exhaled once before straightening. “Come in.”

She stepped in quickly, her gaze sweeping the room first out of instinct before settling on me.

A guard walked in and dropped a box beside my mirror stand. I eyed it suspiciously as he stood there as of awaiting further instructions.

“Handled,” she said. “You can leave.”

He stood and cast a glance in my direction instead.

I nodded faintly. “I am good.”

He walked out after bowing slightly. Immediately the door shut behind him her eyes narrowed almost immediately to where I was.

.“What happened?” she asked.

I stepped aside slightly, tilting my head toward the bin. “We have a second problem.”

That was all it took. Aria crossed the room in two quick strides and looked down into the bin. When she saw the box, her brows pulled together.

“What is this?” She asked.

“Guess who brought that." I said smirking.

“Humm, who?" She asked.

“Samantha,” I replied simply.

She looked back at me sharply. “What?”

“She brought it. Said it was a peace offering.” I crossed my arms loosely, leaning against the edge of the table. “Cake.”

Aria’s expression shifted from confusion to suspicion in seconds. “And you threw it away?”

“Do you expect me not to?” I rolled my eyes.

That alone told her enough. Her posture stiffened as it appeared she wasn't exactly happy with that decision.

“You’re sure this is the right choice?” she asked again.

“Yes.” I shrugged.

She didn’t hesitate after that. Aria reached into the bin, pulling the box out carefully like it might explode in her hands. She placed it on the table, already reaching for something to open it properly.

“We should test it,” she said.

“No.” I rolled my eyes. “A big No!" I sounded rather dramatic.

She paused mid-motion, glancing at me. “No?”

“It’s pointless.”

Her brows furrowed. “Pointless? Nyra, someone just tried to—”

“I know what she tried to do,” I cut in, my tone calm but firm. “And I don’t need confirmation to prove what I already know.”

Aria studied me for a moment, searching my face. “You’re not even curious what she used?”

“I am,” I admitted. “But knowing doesn’t change anything right now.”

That seemed to frustrate her. “It changes everything. It tells us how dangerous she is.”

I shook my head slowly. “No... It tells us how she wants to play and that she is getting into our heads.”

That made her go quiet. I pushed off the table and walked closer, my gaze dropping briefly to the box before returning to her.

“If we test it, she gains nothing. If we confront her, she denies it. Either way, she adjusts her whatever and strike again.”

Aria’s lips pressed into a thin line. “So what do you want to do?”

A small, cold smile touched my lips. “We watch her. ”

Her eyes flickered with understanding. “ I don't get.”

I touched my hand to my temple. "We watch her at dinner and check for her reaction.”

“And if she tries something again?”

“She will,” I said simply. “People like her don’t stop after one attempt. They get bolder.”

Aria exhaled slowly, then nodded. “Alright.”

Her gaze dropped back to the cake. “Still feels like a waste.”

“It’s not,” I replied. “It already told me everything I needed to know.”

Silence settled for a brief moment before Aria glanced up at me again. “You’re late.”

I frowned slightly. “What?”

“Dinner,” she said. “You’re going to be late…It is past Six.”

I cursed under my breath. “I lost track of time.”

“Clearly,” she muttered.

I moved quickly after that, fixing my hair with practiced ease and adjusting my outfit just enough to look like I had not been standing over a poisoned cake minutes ago.

Aria watched me the entire time..“You’re too calm,” she said at some point.

I met her eyes through the mirror. “No. I’m just doing better right thing trust me.”

That did not fully convince her, but she let it go.

“Let’s go,” I said finally.

By the time we stepped into the dining hall, I was already late. The room was filled, voices low but present, the soft clinking of cutlery blending into the background.

Conversations moved like waves across the space but they stilled just slightly as I entered.

It was bot enough to be obvious but it was just enough to be noticed. My gaze moved instinctively and landed on him… Rowan.

He was already looking at me since i walked in but there was something in his expression that shifted the moment our eyes met, something lighter, almost relieved. It was subtle, but I saw it. And then he smiled.

It wasn’t broad or exaggerated. Just enough to reach his eyes.

“Nyra,” he said, his voice carrying just enough to reach me.

I walked toward him, aware of the eyes that followed but choosing to ignore them. Aria stayed a step behind, silent as always.

“You’re late,” Rowan added as I got closer.

“I know,” I replied. “Got held up with some ladies stuff.”

He didn’t press further. Instead, he stood.That alone drew more attention than anything else.

Rowan stepped around his chair and pulled it out for me. The gesture was simple, almost effortless, but it drew attention.

I could feel it in the way the room shifted again, in the way conversations dipped just slightly.

I met his gaze for a brief second before sitting.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

He nodded once before returning to his seat.

“I was starting to think you wouldn’t come,” he said lightly.

I picked up the glass in front of me, my expression calm. “You’d be disappointed.”

“I would,” he admitted without hesitation
.
That caught my attention more than it should have. Before I could respond, movement to my left drew my focus Samantha who apparently had been watching us.

Her smile was still there, but it had changed. It was tighter now, less natural making it obvious she was faking it as jealousy flickered in her eyes before she masked it again.

“Rowan,” she called softly, leaning slightly forward. “You didn’t wait for me earlier.”

Her tone was light, almost playful, but there was an edge beneath it.

Rowan glanced at her briefly. “I had things to attend to.”

“Oh,” she said, her smile widening just a bit. “You always do.”

She reached for her drink, her movements deliberate, like she wanted to be seen.

“I was hoping we could talk tonight,” she added.

“I’m sure we’ll find time,” he replied.

I saw the way her fingers tightened slightly around her glass and stopped myself from almost laughing out loud from his she was trying so hard to get his attention.

Dinner continued and I paid attention not to the food or to the conversations but to her.

Every glance, every shift she made and every small reaction she thought no one noticed…I caught each and every bit.

She kept looking at Rowan and when he did not return that attention the way she wanted, her focus shifted to me.

I met her gaze once, just briefly and smiled.

Her expression faltered for a fraction of a second before she looked away as a sharp, deliberate tap cut through the room.

Rowan stood and lifted his cup and tapped it lightly again to draw attention.

Conversations died almost instantly as all eyes turned to him. I leaned back slightly, watching.

Rowan stood slowly, his presence commanding without effort. He did not rush or any of that sort instead he simply waited until the room was fully his.

Then he spoke. “Since everyone is here,” he began, his voice steady, “there’s something I’d like to announce.”

A ripple of curiosity moved through the room and I felt it too but I did not move.

Rowan’s gaze shifted then to me. It held for a second longer than necessary before he continued.

“On the next full moon,” he said, “Nyra will be officially recognized as my Luna.”

For a moment, the words did not register then they did. The room reacted instantly.

First in whispers of surprise and shock then applauses. I barely heard any of it because I was looking at Samantha.

It was not subtle but I watched as she choked as her drink went down the wrong way, and she coughed sharply, her hand flying to her mouth as she struggled to recover.

The sound cut through everything and heads turned to her direction.

I almost laughed but controlled myself once again as I felt it rise, sudden and uncontrollable, pressing against my chest.

I had to press my lips together to stop it, to keep my composure intact…

Aria who stood veside me, made a quiet sound that could have been a cough but wasn’t.

I did not look at her…If I did, I would lose it.

Samantha was still trying to recover, her face flushed, her eyes watering slightly as she reached for a napkin looking embarrassed and shocked. Maybe both.

None of that caught my attention till something darker flickered beneath that look in her eyes.

I exhaled slowly, steadying myself. When I finally looked back at Rowan, he was already watching me as if waiting.

There was no uncertainty in his expression just this look of feeling intrigued.

Perhaps I won this round, but for how long?