Chapter 38: From the Past

As she entered the large lobby, a group of servants awaited her, their heads bowed respectfully. Some fidgeted with nervousness. Rieka always commanded a mix of awe and trepidation, and she didn't mind it-one way to make the job easier. "Good morning," Rieka greeted them briskly. "We have a lot to cover, so let's get straight to it." The servants murmured their greetings in return, and Rieka began laying out her plans. Her voice carried authority as she assigned duties and clarified expectations. "Meals will now be served at precise intervals," she said, her gaze sharp as it swept across the room. "Delays will no longer be tolerated. The royals and high-ranking officials must not wait. Understood?" "Yes, Lady Rieka," the head steward replied, jotting down notes. "Good. As for cleanliness, I've noticed lapses in some quarters. That ends today. Assign additional rotations if necessary, but this palace will shine." She continued, making sure that every servant knew their role in the newly structured routine. The servants listened attentively, occasionally nodding or asking clarifying questions. Just as she was about to conclude, Rieka's sharp eyes caught movement near the entrance of the lobby. A figure glided into view-a woman with long, flowing dark hair and piercing green eyes that seemed to pierce through Rieka like arrows. Ariadne. The name struck Rieka like a peal of thunder, and for an instant, the world blurred around her. Memories of her life previously lived burst to the surface, striking and relentless. The battles, the betrayals, the fire in Ariadne's eyes-it all came flooding back in a tide of emotions. Rieka blinked, her jaw clenching as she sought to settle on the present. But Ariadne didn't just pass unnoticed. She stopped, an expression curling upon her lips, a smirk oozing venom. "Well, well," Ariadne drawled, her voice just loud enough to be heard from the servants. "Look who's playing the noble lady now." Rieka straightened, her hand instinctively clenching into a fist at her side. "Ariadne, this is neither the time nor the place." "When has that ever stopped you, Rieka?" Ariadne shot back, stepping closer. "Or should I say, Lady Golddigger? You've certainly wormed your way into wealth and power, haven't you?" A gasp rippled through the servants, and Rieka's eyes blazed with fury. "You don't know what you're talking about," she said in a low, dangerous tone. "Don't I?" Ariadne sneered. "Oh, I know exactly what kind of woman you are. Always grasping, always scheming. Did you think no one would notice?" Rieka's restraint snapped. "Leave. Now." "Or what?" Ariadne taunted, her gaze challenging. "You'll sic your pet wolves on me? Or perhaps you'll do it yourself?" The room seemed to grow colder as Rieka's wolf stirred within her, an uncontrollable force fueled by anger and the memories Ariadne had stirred. Her vision blurred, her senses sharpening, and before she could fully process it, her wolf surged forward. With a feral growl, Rieka launched herself at Ariadne, and in that instant, she was transformed. Her claws were out, and her eyes shone with an unnatural light. Ariadne had little time to react before Rieka tackled her to the floor. The lobby erupted into chaos as servants screamed and scrambled out of the way. Ariadne, though startled, fought back with a surprising ferocity, her nails clawing at Rieka's face. "How dare you!" Ariadne spat, her voice laced with both fear and defiance. "You don't get to accuse me of anything!" Rieka snarled, her voice a mix of human and wolf. "Not after everything you've done!" Ariadne managed to push Rieka off, scrambling to her feet with a grace that belied her disheveled state. "What have I done?" she retorted, her chest heaving. "You're the one who betrayed me!" "You betrayed yourself!" Rieka spat, launching herself at him again. The two women crashed together, their fight a blur of teeth and claws and raw emotion. "Stop this at once!" The commanding voice cut through the chaos like a blade. Rieka froze mid-strike, her glowing eyes snapping toward the source of the voice. Standing at the entrance of the lobby was the palace's chief steward, his face pale but resolute. "Lady Rieka, please!" he begged. "This is not the place for such… behavior." Rieka's chest rose and fell as she fought to regain control of her wolf. Slowly, her claws retracted, and the glow in her eyes dimmed. She stepped back, her gaze still locked on Ariadne, who stood with a triumphant smirk despite the scratches on her face. "This isn't over," Rieka said coldly. "It never is," Ariadne replied, dusting herself off. "But don't you worry, dear Rieka. I'll be around to remind everyone who you really are." With that, Ariadne turned and sauntered away, her confidence unmarred by the ordeal. Rieka stood in the center of the lobby, her fists clenched as she fought for control over her racing heart. The servants stared at her in stunned silence, their faces frozen in fear and awe. "Return to your duties," Rieka ordered, her voice hard. The servants scampered away, the tension in the air still so palpable that they were only too glad to be free of it. --- Later that evening, Rieka sat in her chambers, staring into the flickering flames of the fireplace. Her reflection danced in the golden light, her face etched with exhaustion and lingering anger. "She always knows how to push my buttons," Rieka muttered to herself. A knock at the door broke her reverie. "Come in," she called. The chief steward entered, his manner guarded. "Lady Rieka, are you all right?" "I'm fine," she said shortly. He seemed to hesitate, then continued, "If I may beg your pardon, but… what happened earlier could have serious repercussions. Ariadne may take this as an opportunity to sow discord among the nobles." "Let her try," Rieka said, her voice cold. "I won't let her undermine everything we've built here." The steward bowed. "As you wish, my lady. But please-be careful." After he left, Rieka leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. Ariadne's words had cut deeper than she cared to admit, and the memories they dredged up refused to fade. "I can't let her win," Rieka whispered to herself.