Chapter 40: The Vision in Contact

\- Maximus’ POV -

Eryndor's words still echoed in my head. What does he mean by his words?

A lion wears a sheep's skin to get close enough to tear the throat...

Damn it. Who the fuck is it.

And the fucking rumor is spreading like a fire. It was not simple, this was a carefully placed blade, pushed deep into the heart of the kingdom, waiting to tear it apart from the inside. And I needed to find who was holding the handle.

I walked down the empty hallway, my steps slow but heavy. Every corner of this palace was under my watch now. Every servant’s movement, every guard’s shift, every breath of those who claimed loyalty. No one was untouchable. Not anymore.

Caspian’s report earlier still burned in my mind... no trace of stolen goods found, no guards claiming to have seen anyone suspicious. That only meant one thing. Whoever the traitor was, they knew how this palace worked. They were inside these walls. Someone who breathed the same air as the rest of us.

My hand brushed against the cold marble wall as I walked. The palace felt colder than usual. It was almost as if the walls themselves were keeping secrets from me.

I turned a corner, lost in my own thoughts, when I collided with someone.

Using my quick senses, I immediately looked to see who the fuck dared to bump into me.

But my heart stopped, Lyra...

She was walking toward the courtyard with her head lowered, spacing out just like I was. But I was out of dazed when I saw her balance faltered, and my instinct took over.

I caught her by the waist before she could fall.

And then suddenly, a strange spark spread between us... warm and, sharp. It was as if something had woken inside me. My fingers froze against her. My eyes locked with hers, and for that single, fragile moment, the world went silent.

Her wide silver eyes stared up at me, confused and surprised. I could feel her heartbeat against my hand. It was too close and fast.

But then suddenly… a figure flashed through my vision.

A man.

It has Rowan’s face.

But it was not Rowan.

The figure of the man was standing before a monster, it was the fucking Kozhiem...

But Rowan was cold as the dark aura embraced him. His eyes held no fear, only the merciless void of a monster.

And in that vision, his hand reached out to touch Lyra’s shoulder, as if claiming her, under Kozhem's eyes.

My breath stilled.

The question that had been haunting me... who betrayed us had finally started to form an answer. It wasn’t clear. But it was enough to make my blood run cold.

I let go of her, even though my body wouldn't want to.

She blinked at me, confused. “Prince... M-Maximus…”

But I didn’t give her the chance to speak. I turned around and walked away. My face remained calm and cold. But inside… something dangerous was clawing to get out.

'Kill!'

My wolf was shouting for a kill.

I couldn’t let Lyra see my weakness. If the enemy was already this close, showing attachment was a death sentence, not just for me, but for her too.

I didn't know why and how I had that sudden vision but what's important for me now, is to eliminate the rat in the kingdom.

As I strode through the hallway, my fists tightened at my sides. My heartbeat wasn’t steady. Rowan. It had to be Rowan.

He had always been quiet. Loyal on the surface. But something about him never truly sat right with me. And now… that vision. That aura. That wasn’t something my mind made up. It was something real.

When I reached my office, I slammed the door behind me. The echo of it hitting the frame filled the room. My desk was still covered in scattered documents from the earlier meeting, but I ignored them. None of that mattered now.

I needed proof. And I needed it fast.

“Caspian,” I called, my voice low but sharp.

Not even a minute passed before he appeared at the door. As always, silent as a shadow. He stood there with his hands folded behind his back, his pale eyes remain emotionless.

“Master,” he greeted simply.

“Go to Rowan’s chamber,” I ordered. “I want every corner searched. Every paper. Every trace of his existence inside this palace. But do it quietly. He must not know.”

Caspian tilted his head slightly, acknowledging the weight of the task. “As you wish, Master.”

“Caspian,” I added, my voice even lower. “If you find anything that confirms what I suspect… bring it to me directly. No one else touches it.”

“Yes, Master.”

He left without another word, disappearing into the corridor like a ghost. That was why I trusted him. No questions. No hesitation. Just silent obedience.

I leaned my palms on the edge of the table, staring at the flickering lamp beside me.

The whispers outside the palace. The stolen goods. The riots. The rumors. All of it… it was building up to something. Someone was turning the people against me. Against my father and against the crown, only Kozhiem was eyeing it.

And the rat was closer than I thought.