Chapter 210

Chapter 210
Eleanor's POV

I recounted Lyric's confession, watching Amelia's face grow increasingly troubled as I described the organization's reach and plans.

"She implicated Juliet Riddick as well," I added. "Apparently, she's been working with them for years."

Amelia's eyes widened. "Elton's daughter? That's... shocking."

"Not really, when you consider her history," I countered. "This was her chance to gain power for herself."

"Poor Elton," Amelia murmured, "To find out your own child betrayed you like that... it's unconscionable."

I nodded, thinking of Fox and Lyric.

Amelia's expression hardened. "What about Elowen? Has she been arrested yet?"

"Not yet, but she will be. Sebastian is coordinating with Edward and Killian to make arrests across all territories simultaneously."

"Good." Amelia spat the word. "That two-faced bitch deserves whatever she gets. After everything we did for her family..."

She shook her head in disgust. "To think she lived here, ate with us, pretended to be loyal while plotting against us... it makes my blood boil."

I understood the feeling. The idea that Elowen had been under the same roof as us, perhaps watching and reporting our movements, made my skin crawl. What would Evanth think when he found out?

"Do you think we can trust what Lyric told us?" Amelia asked, changing the subject. "She could be feeding us misinformation."

"I think we can," I replied thoughtfully. "I plan to leverage her maternal instincts. Despite everything, she does love her son, and she knows her life is in our hands now."

"You tried a similar approach with Eliza," Amelia pointed out gently. "That didn't work out as planned."

My cheeks burned with shame. "This is different. Eliza had nothing to lose. Lyric has her son to think about, and her own life."

I looked away, embarrassed by my misjudgment of Eliza.

Amelia patted my hand sympathetically. "Don't be too hard on yourself. You wanted to see the good in her. That's not a flaw."

"Maybe not, but it was naive," I muttered.

"Let's not dwell on Eliza," Amelia said, clearly sensing my discomfort.

"I don't think this is the same group from Nathanael's time," Amelia continued. "They might have recruited some survivors from that period, but their methods are completely different."

"How so?" I asked.

"Nathanael's opponents were more direct. This group operates in the shadows, using manipulation and psychological tactics." She shook her head. "No, I think our current enemy is someone new. Someone who's studied history but isn't bound by it."

I considered her words carefully. She made valid points, but something still nagged at me.

"On a more positive note," I said, changing the subject, "Edward and Killian have agreed to support Sebastian as the Alpha King of all territories."

Amelia's face lit up with genuine excitement. "Really? That's wonderful news!"

"Yes, though we'll need to keep them here at the manor for their protection until all the conspirators are caught."

Amelia's brow furrowed slightly at this, but she didn't comment further. She glanced at my tired face and stood up. "You need to rest. You look ready to collapse."

I was too exhausted to argue. Lying back on the bed, I closed my eyes.

"Would you mind I staying until you fall asleep? I'd like to hear the recording of Lyric's confession." Amelia said softly.

"Of course."

I pulled out my phone, found the file, and handed it to her. As Lyric's voice filled the room, describing the organization and their plans, I felt myself drifting off.

I woke to darkness, disoriented for a moment before realizing I'd slept much longer than intended. The room was dimly lit by a small lamp, and Sebastian sat beside me on the bed, a laptop open on his knees. He was working silently, his face illuminated by the screen's blue glow.

He looked calm and composed, but I knew him well enough to see the tension in his shoulders, the slight furrow between his brows that indicated deep concentration.

"Hey," I murmured, my voice rough with sleep.

Sebastian immediately closed his laptop and set it aside. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't," I assured him, shifting to sit up. "How long have I been asleep?"

"A few hours. It's past midnight now."

I rubbed my eyes, trying to clear the fog of sleep. "Amelia's gone?"

"Yes, she left shortly after you fell asleep." He paused. "I listened to the recording."

I studied his face, trying to gauge his reaction. "What did the others think?"

"Killian didn't take it well," Sebastian admitted.

That wasn't surprising.

"What's the plan now?" I asked.

"We're moving forward with the arrests. Two days from now, we'll strike simultaneously across all territories." His voice was steady, determined. "The suspects will be brought here first for questioning, then transferred to secure facilities."

I nodded slowly, processing this information. Though I understood the strategy, I couldn't help feeling uneasy about keeping Edward and Killian at the manor. Edward especially... being so close to him again was complicated.

"Have you arranged for Claire's interrogation?" Sebastian asked.

"I've pushed it to tomorrow," I replied. "I wanted to be well-rested before questioning her."

Sebastian nodded. He sighed heavily. "I never thought our wedding preparations would be overshadowed by something like this."

"I'm sorry," He said softly, reaching for my hand.

"Don't be." I squeezed his fingers gently.

Sebastian's expression grew serious. "Benedict and Samuel raised an interesting point today. They suspect Helena's son might be behind all this."

"What?" I asked, surprised.

Sebastian's brow furrowed. "We're dealing with someone who believes the throne is rightfully theirs, someone who's willing to go to extreme lengths to claim it. The fact that their followers are so devoted, so willing to sacrifice themselves and their families... it speaks to someone with tremendous charisma and conviction."

"Lyric mentioned the king being old," I pointed out.

"That could be misdirection," Sebastian countered. "Make us look for an older man while the real threat is younger. Or it could be that the 'old' reference is relative, to a teenager, anyone over thirty might seem ancient."

I couldn't argue with that logic.

"Whoever it is," Sebastian continued, his voice hardening, "they're smart. Too smart to be caught easily. But they've made mistakes, and we're closing in."

"I hope you're right," I said, leaning against his shoulder. "The sooner this is over, the better."

I understood Sebastian's reasoning, and it made sense. But I couldn't completely dismiss what Amelia had said about Nathanael's enemies. What if some of them had survived and were now seeking revenge? It seemed unlikely, but not impossible.