<h4>Chapter 58: Full Moon</h4>


    At the South Pce


    News had already reached Ava that Princess Ri was missing, and the West Pce had erupted into chaos as everyone searched for her. It wasn’t the first time this had happened. Ever since the Princess had lost her sanity, there had been episodes like this—sometimes violent, sometimes even deadly.


    Still, they always managed to track Ri down before things went too far. That was why the Queen Mother never allowed anyone into the West Pce except those she trusted most. For this very reason, the pce was heavily guarded and kept under strict watch.


    She smirked, setting aside the manuscript she had been reading.


    Today, things had certainly turned messy, but what caught her off guard was Gavriel’s decisiveness. Not only had he dealt with the uproar, but he had even stripped her father Thanos of his post just like that as Minister of Law and Justice.


    “That breeder is causing far too much trouble after just a single day in the royal estate,” Ava muttered, her lip curling as she thought of the whore.


    Her eyes gleamed with calction. “This is the perfect chance to distract Gavriel.. She looked at her maidservant, Urs and instructed, “Send word to our men in the royal court. Make sure Ri, in her bloodthirsty state, finds her way into the North Pce—where that breeder is.”


    Her maidservant, Urs, bowed deeply. “Understood, My Lady.” With that, she hurried out of the chamber.


    Ava rose gracefully from her seat, smoothing her gown. She knew the Queen Mother would be in distress, and there was no better time to visit than now, when her presence would be most weed.


    Ava arrived at West Pce and as she expected, everyone was busy looking for Ri. She entered the Queen Mother’s chamber quietly. The room was dim, heavy with the scent of calming herbs. On the bed, the Queen Mothery asleep.


    “My Lady,” everyone in the room greeted as Ava entered, but her eyes went straight to Nilda, who returned her gaze with quiet understanding.


    A faint smile touched Ava’s lips before she turned to the attendants nearby, their eyes lowered in respect.


    “I will help with the search for Princess Ri,” she said calmly. “Stay close to Her Majesty and keep her at ease when she regains consciousness.”


    She stepped forward, her expression steady yet gentle. “This matter must remain confidential. We cannot allow panic to spread through the court. Inform themanders that I’ll assist discreetly. Princess Ri must be found before news escapes the pce walls.”


    The attendants exchanged uneasy nces until one finally bowed. “As youmand, Lady Ava.”


    Ava gave a small nod, her gaze drifting back to the Queen Mother’s sleeping form. Then, she left the Queen Mother’s chamber to head straight to where Gavriel was.


    The corridors were buzzing with guards rushing in and out, but they bowed curtly as they passed by her. She found Gavriel with Simon inside the maze, where Ri was first reported missing.


    Ava stepped forward and bowed gracefully. “Your Majesty,” she said softly, her voice calm in contrast to the restless air around them.


    Gavriel’s gaze flicked toward her, cold and unreadable. “Why are you here?”


    “I came from the Queen Mother’s chambers,” Ava exined, lifting her chin just enough to show confidence without overstepping. “She is resting peacefully under Nilda’s care. I thought it best to assure you of that.”


    When Gavriel gave no reply, she continued carefully, “I also wish to offer my help in the search for Princess Ri. Discreetly, of course. The less the court knows, the better. I only want to ease your burden where I can.”


    It wasn’t the first time Ava had offered her help. She often did.


    Gavriel gave her a simple nod, and that was all she needed. Without wasting another moment, Ava began her search, quietly gathering a few of her men, spies she had already ced inside the West Pce.


    “Inform me the moment she breaches the North Pce,” Ava whispered to them before they all slipped away into the shadows.


    ****


    At the North Pce, Althea had returned to her bedchamber adjacent to the Alpha King’s. After freshening up, she now sat down for dinner with Melva, while Amy and M stood at the sides, attending to them.


    From time to time, Althea nced at Amy and M, quietly reaching into their thoughts.


    ‘Why would the Queen Mother suddenly stop the poisoning? Was it fear? Maybe because of how the Alpha King reacted in court today... he ughtered everyone tied to the case.’


    ‘This whore is dangerous! The Alpha King is obsessed with her. She must have bewitched him. What sort of witchcraft is she using? Or is the matebond really so strong that even a Lycan can’t think straight?!’


    ‘If we’re not poisoning her anymore, then why keep serving her like this? I’d rather be at the West Pce helping search for Princess Ri than wasting time here, waiting for these two bitches to finish their damn meal!’


    Althea froze, her hand tightening around her cup as the words sank in. ‘Princess Ri is missing?!’


    Just then, a piercing scream echoed from outside, followed by a heavy thud that shook the silence of the chamber.


    Althea’s breath caught as another scream tore through the corridor. She pushed back her chair and hurried to the door. The moment she flung it open, the sight before her made her heart pound.


    Trudis, Ben, and Rudy staggered down the hall, blood staining their clothes. Trudis clutched her side, pale and gasping. Ben’s arm hung limp, while Rudy, bleeding from his temple, barked orders despite his pain.


    "Ben! Send word to the Alpha King—quickly!” Rudy shouted, his voice raw with urgency. “Tell him Princess Ri has breached the North Pce!”


    His gaze swept over the guards gathering nearby. “No one is to harm her! Catch her alive and restrain her, do you hear me? Don’t spill her blood!”


    Trudis, bracing herself against the wall, cried out to those still frozen in shock. “Lock your doors! Now!”


    The order jolted everyone into action. Doors mmed shut along the corridor, bolts ttering into ce. Inside Althea’s chamber, M and Amy trembled, their faces pale with fear.


    “This is terrible,’ M whispered, clutching her hands to her chest as she gazed out of the window at the sky. The sun had just set and the moon was rising. “The moon... it’s full tonight.”


    Amy’s eyes widened, filling with dread. “Not a good sign. Princess Ri is a Lycan... restraining her under a full moon will be near impossible. She’ll tear through anyone who tries to stop her. If the Alpha King doesn’t get here soon, we’re all as good as dead.”