Chapter 28
Julian's POV
I watched Fiona leave the front hall cheerfully with Ella, a faint smile playing at the corner of my lips.
I knew exactly what that woman was plotting. Using Fiona's kindness to get close to her, then leveraging the Princess to escape the West Wing—clever, but too transparent.
Still, I didn't call her out. Sometimes letting people play their hand makes things more interesting.
"What are you smiling about, brother?" Kane's voice interrupted my thoughts.
I withdrew my gaze and took a sip of tea, my tone flat. "Nothing. Just recalled something amusing."
Victoria leaned gently against Kane's side, one hand resting on her belly, her face radiating triumph. She thought she'd secured her position as mistress of the West Wing, oblivious that the real threat wasn't that lowly Omega, but whether the child in her womb could sustain Kane's crumbling ambitions.
I set down my teacup, my expression turning serious. "Kane, there's something I need to discuss with you."
Kane raised an eyebrow. "Brother, please speak."
"Recent reports from the north," I began slowly, "suggest the Blood River Pack is showing unusual activity. Several border outposts have observed abnormal troop movements. The ceasefire treaty may be weakening."
Kane's expression flickered briefly before returning to normal.
"And so?" Kane leaned back in his chair, his tone casual.
"You and Victoria command the warrior squad," I met his eyes. "I hope you'll prepare the troops and fortify our defenses. If Blood River truly tears up the treaty, we can't be caught unprepared."
The moment I finished, Kane laughed—a laugh dripping with disdain.
"Brother, you jest," he leaned forward, hands folded on his knees. "When your frost element activates, ice blankets the land for miles, and Blood River's remnants turn to dust in an instant! Why would you still worry about my small warrior squad? Would you really bear to send soldiers into hand-to-hand combat?"
I didn't get angry, just looked at him calmly. "Allow me to remind you—the fire element possessed by the Blood River Pack is equally devastating."
Kane's smile froze for an instant, but quickly recovered.
"Brother, you wield elemental power yet remain so timid?" His tone grew more provocative. "You ask us who possess nothing to prepare for battle? If I commanded elemental power, I could face a million enemies alone." He paused, a mocking smile curling his lips. "Besides, the Crimson Flame Warlord has been in hiding for years, his fate unknown. Does brother still fear such an old relic?"
Silence hung in the air for several seconds.
Sage's voice echoed in my mind with a cold laugh. "He knows something. Stella must have told him."
I forced an awkward smile and waved my hand dismissively. "There's no harm in vigilance. I simply hope you'll be prepared, nothing more."
I stood and straightened my robes. "I won't disturb you further. I should check on Fiona."
"Safe travels, brother." Kane and Victoria both rose to see me off.
I turned and left the front hall, walking through the corridor toward the servants' quarters. My footsteps echoed in the empty hallway, but my thoughts wandered far.
Stella had indeed told him about the Crimson Flame Warlord. And his hunger for elemental power was laid bare.
Ella's escape would be difficult now...
"What do you plan to do with that woman?" Sage suddenly asked.
"Let's see how far she can get," I responded internally. "If she can actually convince Fiona, that wouldn't be a bad thing for us."
"Aren't you afraid Kane will lose his mind?"
"He already has," I sneered. "He just hasn't completely lost control yet."
Turning the corner, I saw the servants' quarters door slightly ajar.
Through the gap, I could see Fiona sitting on the bed, holding a stuffed bear. Ella stood nearby, wearing a carefully crafted smile, though her eyes harbored calculation...
Just then, Ella suddenly dropped to her knees.
"Your Highness..." Her trembling voice carried out.
Fiona jumped, nearly dropping the bear. "What—what's wrong?"
I didn't push the door open, just stood quietly outside, watching the scene unfold.
Ella turned around and loosened the ties of her shirt, exposing the crisscrossing scars on her back.
Fiona gasped.
"These were all... left by the Lord of the West Wing," Ella's voice was eerily calm. "He says I'm his property, that he can do with me as he pleases."
Fiona's face turned deathly pale in an instant. "This—this is outrageous!" She stood up, trembling with fury. "How can such oppression exist in such a great pack! I'm going to confront Kane right now!"
"No—no, Your Highness." Ella quickly grabbed her arm. "You only need to take me away from the West Wing..."
"No!" Fiona said stubbornly. "I have to get to the bottom of this. How could Brother Kane treat you this way? I'm going to ask him to his face!"
She strode toward the door.
Ella followed, her heart a mixture of tension and anticipation.
If she could use the Princess's voice to expose Kane's cruelty, perhaps...
I pushed the door open and stood before them.
"Brother?" Fiona stopped in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
My gaze lingered on Ella's face for a heartbeat before shifting to Fiona. "Fiona, go back. I need to speak with Ella alone."
"But—"
"Go." My tone brooked no argument.
Fiona bit her lip, then reluctantly left.
Before going, she glanced back at Ella, her eyes full of worry and reluctance.
The room was left with only Ella and me.
I walked in, closed the door, and leaned against the frame, watching her.
"I can see exactly what you're plotting," I said slowly.
She lowered her head, saying nothing.
I could hear her rapid heartbeat, like a bird trapped in a cage.
I didn't scold her, just watched her quietly.
After a moment, I asked, "Tell me, Ella. What is your true identity?"
She stiffened, looking up at me with terror in her eyes. "Your Highness, I... I don't understand what you mean."
"Don't understand?" I let out a cold laugh. "Then let me rephrase. Where are you from? Who are your family? And how did you become Kane's slave?"
Her lips trembled, tears welling in her eyes. "I... I'm just an unremarkable Blood River slave, brought to Silver Moon by Lord Kane. I have no family, no past, nothing..."
"Liar!" I suddenly shouted.
She stumbled back, her back hitting the wall, tears streaming down her face. "I'm not lying! I really... I really don't remember anything! I only remember being cold and hungry in Blood River, then being selected for the hostage camp to become Lord Kane's servant... Everything else, I don't remember anything!"
She sobbed uncontrollably, nearly collapsing.
"She's probably not lying..." Sage said in my mind.
"Just as we thought..." I responded.
"The seal," Sage said. "That same seal locked away her memories."
I took a deep breath and approached Ella, raising my right hand.
Ice-blue elemental power gathered at my fingertips, radiating a faint chill.
"Your Highness, what... what are you doing?" Ella looked at me in terror.
"Don't be afraid," I said softly. "I just want to see your past."
I extended my finger and gently touched her forehead.
Instantly, the entire world transformed.