<i>Zephyrine </i>


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    They left one by one. Lord Dareth and his three children. I could tell from their silence and the sharpness in their gaze that they already loathed me. I remained still, my head bowed over the breakfast before me, my appetitepletely gone.


    “You should eat your breakfast. It’s not poisoned,” Princess Mearez said softly. I looked up at her. She still appeared shaken from what had happened, but the calm in her expression suggested she’d seen Lycannar snap like this before.


    I turned my attention back to the meal and picked up my cutlery, but before I could take a bite, a messenger entered and bowed low.


    “Mydy? Your friend is outside,” he said. My eyes widened, and I stared at him.


    A friend? Just then, the faint scent of the Dusk household swirled in the air.


    It was Dessyn.


    I hurried to the exit, stepping into the open courtyard, and saw her standing beside my carriage, a wide smile on her face as she marveled at the kingdom.


    “Dessyn?” I called, and she paused, turning toward me.


    “Zephyr.” She rushed into my arms, hugging me tightly. “My gods… you’ve only been gone a day, but it felt like a year.”


    I pulled back, taking in her face.


    “Why are you here?”


    She looked past me at the vast kingdom, sighing softly.


    “Wealth at its peak. If I were you, I wouldn’t even bothering home. But then again… you are an Ashmere. A werewolf from the richest pack in the empire.”


    I raised an eyebrow at her words and nudged her gently.


    “Learn to keep myst name off your lips until I reveal myself. What are you doing here?” I asked again, more firmly.


    She let out a weary sigh.


    “My mom is back from her trip… and she wants to see you.”


    I froze, confusion crossing my face.


    “She knows I’m here?”


    “Yes. And she urgently wants you back home. She sounded… bothered, even after I assured her you were in safe hands. Apex can kill anyone but certainly not you. Still, she insists, and here I am.”


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    I frowned at her words but finally nodded.


    “I… I need to say my goodbyes to the Lycan royals, then I’ll go.”


    I returned to the dining hall, but only the Lycan princesses remained. Lycannar was nowhere to be seen. I approached them quickly.


    “It’s my friend who’se. I have to go. Where is Lycannar?”


    “He left just now. He should return soon,” Princess Mearez replied, while Princess Serena grumbled beside her.


    “They ruined my breakfast. I still don’t understand why my uncle Dareth would speak so carelessly in front of the King. Didn’t he know how much Lycannar cherishes Zephyrine?”


    I swallowed hard. Princess Mearez rose and took my wrist, guiding me toward the window with a sigh.


    “Zephyrine… have you discussed birth control with my brother?” she asked.


    “He doesn’t want any dy,” I whispered, and at once a small smile tug at her lips. She paused, then asked softly.


    “And you? What do you think?”


    I studied her face, seeing how desperately she wanted a certain answer.


    “I love Lycannar… and I would also love to have his pup.”


    The color drained from Princess Mearez’s face, shock written across her features. She stared at me a long moment before suddenly pulling me into a tight hug.


    “Thank you so much, Zephyrine,” she whispered, looking into my eyes when she pull back. “Have you confessed to him already?”


    I nodded, exhaling slowly.


    “Last night.”


    “My gods… Lycannar will be even more intense now. The voices in his head will be…” she began, then paused to caution herself but I nodded.


    “I already know about it. He told mest night. He thought the voices came from the empire grove, but… no. They were there before that. We n on facing it together.”


    She gazed at me again, gratitude shining in her eyes.


    “Thank you, Zephyrine. You have no idea what he has endured. I am so d he has a piece of your heart.”


    “You make it sound like I’m doing him a favor. Hepletes me, cherishes me, and makes me feel love. I am blessed too, Princess Mearez.”


    Silence fell between us, broken only when she lowered her gaze, speaking softly.


    “Zephyrine… the poison that made you sick days ago, it wasn’t from your meal or your water. It came from


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    poisonous blood. Just a drop can be deadly. Then I thought back… and remembered the duel you fought a week ago. That rogue you killed… his blood sshed on you. That mean it was poisoned. Who could do such evil? Who would hold such a grudge against you that they’d try to kill you without your knowledge?”


    My knees went weak at her words.


    Ka.


    It had to be Ka.


    A cold chill ran down my spine as the thought crossed my mind. Nyroth… he must have known about it, right?


    “Zephyrine?”


    “Please… tell Lycannar I’ve left,” I said urgently, moving to go. Then I paused, turning back to grasp Princess Mearez’s hand, pleading. “Please don’t tell my love about this. He would go insane and that would mean more bloodshed.”<fn2619> Th?s chapter is updated by Find?Novel</fn2619>


    “Isn’t that what whoever did this deserves?” she asked gently.


    “Sometimes… death is too merciful.” I released her hand. “I’ll see you again, Princess Mearez.”


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