Chapter 33: Another Rumor in the morning

Early morning light came in through Reika's windows. She sat on her bed, rehearsing to herself the happenings of last night. A quick knock at the door cut into her thoughts. "Come in," Rieka called, though her voice was far steadier than she was feeling. Daisy entered with a tray of tea and bread. "Good morning, my lady," she said brightly but faltered as she noticed Rieka's pale face. "You look. troubled. Did something happen?" Rieka hesitated. She had grown to trust Daisy, but the events of the night felt too heavy to share. Instead, she offered a faint smile. "Just restless dreams," she said. Daisy frowned, she didn't believe her. "There's a buzz in the palace this morning," she began on a different note. "Discussion of the ambush at the western border. They say that Alpha Ileus is furious." Rieka nodded, grateful for the change in subject. "He does, with every reason in the world. Kael told me there's a suspicion of a spy among us. Daisy's eyes had widened in surprise, and she almost dropped the tray. "A spy? In the palace? "Perhaps," Rieka said. "But we will not know for sure until Kael completes his investigation." Daisy placed the tray on the table, wringing her hands nervously. "If there is a traitor, do you think they're working with Alpha Kieran? "It is likely," Rieka said, her voice grave. "Kieran has always been ambitious. An alliance with a spy would give him the upper hand." Before Daisy could respond, another knock came at the door, this one more urgent. "Enter," Rieka called. Kael stepped in, his face shadowed with tension. His usually composed demeanor was shaken, and Rieka's heart sank. "What is it?" she asked, standing. Kael looked to Daisy, then back to Rieka. "It's best if we speak privately." Rieka nodded, turning to Daisy. "Leave us, please." Daisy curtsied and scurried from the room, closing the door behind her. Kael wasted no time. "We've confirmed the presence of a spy," he said bluntly. "And they're not just feeding information to Kieran—they're actively coordinating attacks." Rieka felt a surge of anger. "Who is it?" "We don't have a name yet," Kael admitted. "But we've intercepted a message intended for Kieran. It details troop movements and security weaknesses in the palace." Rieka's mind worked overtime. "How did they get that information?" "That's what we're trying to figure out," Kael said. "But there's more. The message also mentioned you." "Me?" Kael nodded, his expression dark. "They referred to you as a threat that needs to be eliminated." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The words hung in the air like a thundercloud. Rieka felt a chill run down her spine, but she quickly masked her fear. "Then we need to act fast," she said. "If they see me as a threat, that means I'm disrupting their plans. We can use that to our advantage." Kael studied her, admiration flickering in his eyes. "You're not afraid?" "Of course I am afraid," Rieka admitted. "But I am not going to be stopped by fear. We must get this traitor and bring them to a halt before they do any more damage." Kael nodded. "I will increase the security around you and double the guards at the palace gates. Meanwhile, I will continue my investigation. Anything you hear or see that might seem suspicious, you let me know." "Agreed," Rieka said. Turning to leave, Kael found his movement forestalled by Rieka. "Kael," she said, her voice softer. He turned back to her, his expression questioning. "Thank you," she said. "For protecting me." A faint smile tugged on the corners of Kael's lips. "It's my duty." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Later that afternoon, Rieka needed freshening of her mind and walked in the palace gardens. It was a beautiful place to stroll around, for an instant, the world seemed to have quieted. The peace was short-lived, though. As she came around a bend in the path, she saw two maids standing near the fountain, their heads bent towards each other, whispering to one another. The sight of them immediately put Rieka on edge. She recognized them as the same maids who had been spying on her the previous day. "Excuse me," Rieka said, her voice sharp. The maids jumped, their whispers silenced. They turned to face her. "Yes, my lady?" one of them said, executing a curtsy. "Why were you whispering just now?" Rieka asked, her eyes piercing. The maid stammered. "We were just. talking about chores, my lady." Rieka didn't buy that for one second. With a cold voice, she advanced on them. "And if I find out that either of you have been spreading rumors or speaking about anything you shouldn't be speaking of, there will be repercussions. Do I make myself clear?" The maids nodded frantically, paling. "Good," Rieka said matter-of-factly. "Now get back to work." The maids all scampered off in all directions, leaving Rieka by the fountain alone. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Down the street , she saw a figure in the distance, coming the opposite way toward her. Araidne. At the sight of her, Rieka's anger surged. Memories swam in from her last life-memories of betrayal, pain, and humiliation. Araidne was dressed in a different leather jumpsuit this time, with no apology. Her smile showed as she approached them. Rieka," she said, her every word dripping with contempt. "How nice to finally see you. I would have thought queens like you stuck to their thrones." Rieka clamped her fist but remained polite. "What is it you want, Araidne? Araidne laughed then, cold and bitter. "I just wanted to remind you that you will never be my queen. You do not belong here, and everyone knows it. Rieka met her gaze, her voice calm but firm. "You might have succeeded in destroying me once, but not this time. Your words mean nothing to me." Araidne's smirk faltered, confusion flickering across her face. "What are you talking about?" Rieka did not respond. She simply turned and walked away, leaving Araidne standing in the hall, without a word.