Chapter 29

Von

I stood there, listening to Anna’s words, and something inside me snapped. My blood was already boiling from the earlier news about Rae, and now, this?

“Your majesty,” Anna said in a smooth voice. “I know you don’t believe me, but I’m telling you the truth.”

I didn’t need to hear anymore. “Stop spitting out lies, Anna!” I snapped. “You think I’m a fool? My guards saw Rae escape. So why the hell are you lying?”

Her eyes didn’t waver. “Those guards are lying to you, your majesty.“

I clenched my fists. This was ridiculous. “So, what, you’re saying Rae didn’t escape and she was taken? Is that what you're trying to tell me?”

Anna didn’t flinch. “Yes.”

I shook my head. “How do you know this?”

“I was going to see Rae when I saw some of your guards dragging her down the hall. I wanted to help her but I knew if I did they would come after me, and I wouldn’t be able to deliver this news to you.”

I scoffed, shaking my head. “Did Rae put you up to this?”

Anna’s expression changed.

“What do you mean, your majesty?”

“Stop acting clueless. I know this is all part of her plan. First, she staged this fake fire then she lied that Landon was behind it and now your allegations make it clear that she isn’t relenting with her plans.”

She shook her head, a look of frustration crossing her face. “This isn’t a plan sire. Rae was taken because she knew about Landon’s plan to kill you. Landon…he’s the one to blame for all this and he also has some of your guards working with him. According to what Rae told me he’s not going to stop until you’re dead.”

I gritted my teeth, disbelief filling me. “This is all bullshit. You’re talking nonsense.”

Anna's stern gaze grew as she spoke. “No, Your Majesty. I wouldn’t dare lie to you especially when I’m aware of the consequences that would come with it. You have to believe me. Landon has been manipulating everything from the shadows, and Rae got in his way and now she’s paying for it.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You expect me to believe this? This sounds like some twisted story.”

Anna stepped closer, lowering her voice. “I don’t know how to make you see the truth but you need to monitor your guards more carefully. Look at how things are operating in your palace.”

I scoffed. “I would stand on my words. This is a fucking lie.”

My words seemed to make her look more angry. “There are people working against you. How could be so blind—“

She didn’t finish her sentence and when her eyes landed on me the bold look she carried had disappeared.

From the look on her face, it was clear she realized that she had overstepped.

“I’m sorry Your Majesty.” Her voice dropped as she took a step backward. “I didn’t mean to—“

“Shut up, Anna,” I said coldly. “You’ve said enough.”

I motioned to the guard standing nearby. “Take her to the dungeon. Now.”

As they dragged her away, Anna kicked her feet against the stone floor, her voice ringing in my ears.

“Please don’t do this, your majesty.” She pleaded. “Keeping me locked up is only going to cost your life.”

“You have to listen to me, Your Majesty! Please! Before it’s too late!”

Her words followed me like a shadow, even though I tried to push them away. They replayed in my mind over and over again.

This was worse than a broken record.

I had a restless night, unable to find any peace. The thought of Rae, her disappearance, and Anna’s accusations swirled in my mind.

By morning, I was no closer to an answer. I sent out more guards to search for Rae, but they returned with the same news that she couldn’t be found.

I planned to investigate by myself not because Anna’s words were getting into my head and I didn’t trust them but because I felt like I would do a better job.

But before I could do that I had to head to town and address the people in the town, and I still had the investigation into Landon’s attack still hanging over me.

Rae would come later.

I addressed the crowd, but my mind wasn’t on my speech. I could barely focus as I spoke.

“Thank you for addressing the people!” Silas approached me once I was done speaking.

“I’m only doing my job!” I stated.

“I hope solstice night is still going to hold.” His words were more of a demand than a question.

“The people need this.”

I didn’t reply. I just shook my head.

I went back to my car and the minute I was seated. I told my driver to take me to Landon’s house.

Ever since the attack on Landon, I have shown up at his house trying to see if I would catch a glimpse of who had attacked him.

Landon had told me the attacker informed him that he would keep coming back to his home until he was dead. I hadn’t sighted him on any of my visits.

I was starting to feel those were empty threats.

When we arrived, I stepped out of the car and walked around the house.

And then I saw him—a figure moving around the back of the house. My instincts kicked in, and I moved toward him, stepping lightly but quickly. The moment the person saw me, he broke into a sprint.

“Hey!” I shouted, chasing after him.

I was fast, and I quickly closed the distance between us. When I caught up, I grabbed him, pulling him to a stop.

"Who are you?" I demanded. "Were you the one sent to attack Landon?"

The man didn’t answer, just struggled against my grip.

“Answer me!” I growled.

I yanked his mask off his face, and my breath caught in my throat as I saw who it was.

It couldn’t be.