Beneath the Royal Veil

Ch 9

Evelina sat in the dimly lit chamber, the weight of the Queen’s words pressing heavily on her shoulders. The room felt suffocating, the air thick with the scent of anxiety and fear. Despite her efforts to stay calm, her mind raced with thoughts of her parents and Luca, and the unsettling silence of the palace only deepened her sense of isolation.

Caspian, seated across from her, watched with growing concern. He shifted uncomfortably, struggling to reconcile the brave woman who had saved him with the grief-stricken figure before him.

“I feel like I should thank you for earlier, but now... I feel like I should do something for you,” Caspian finally said, his voice low but resolute. “There must be something we can do.”

Evelina’s gaze met his, a flicker of gratitude softening her features. “Maybe you can speak to the trackers, see if they’ve found anything about my parents.”

Caspian nodded and rose to his feet, but before he could leave, Adriana entered the room, her face pale with worry. “Your Highness,” she began, her voice trembling slightly as her eyes fixated on Caspian. “I was so worried.”

Her slip was brief, but noticeable. Evelina’s forced smile didn’t reach her eyes. “We’re managing. Thank you for asking, Adriana.”

Adriana quickly corrected herself, turning toward Caspian. “Is there anything I can do for His Highness?”

Caspian hesitated for a moment, but nodded. “Yes. Help me find the trackers. I need to speak with them immediately.”

Adriana smiled a little too brightly. “Of course, I know exactly where they are. Please, follow me.”

Evelina watched them leave together, her heart aching with the weight of her dual responsibilities—to her family and to her new role. As the door closed, her Lycan, which had been silent for so long, stirred to life.

Stress is not good. Calm. Be vigilant. The voice was steady, protective.

Now you show up, Evelina thought, exhaustion creeping into her mind. I could’ve used you at the wedding. My heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest.

You didn’t need me for that. You can handle those things. But the pup needs us. And you need food.

Evelina sighed, conceding to her Lycan’s wisdom. She left the chamber in search of something to eat. The halls were eerily quiet as she made her way toward the kitchens, her thoughts consumed by the whereabouts of her parents. But as she turned a corner, she stopped in her tracks.

Ahead, Caspian and Adriana stood in a shadowed alcove, locked in an embrace. Evelina’s breath caught in her throat, and she pressed herself against the wall, unseen, her pulse quickening.

“You were with her? How could you?” Adriana’s voice was sharp with hurt.

“She is my wife, Adriana,” Caspian replied quietly. “What do you expect me to do? I have duties... as a future King. I’m sorry. We should have ended this a long time ago, but... I was a coward.”

Adriana’s voice trembled. “No, you’re my fated mate. I was meant for you, and you for me. We will figure out a way to be together.”

Caspian hesitated, and before he could reply, Adriana pulled him into a kiss. Evelina’s stomach churned as she watched, the betrayal slicing through her heart. The sound of heels clicking down the corridor echoed through the silence—Queen Valeria’s entourage.

The Queen appeared, regal and imposing, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight before her. “How interesting,” she drawled, her voice dripping with cold disdain. “I’ve been so worried about your wife fulfilling her duties, it didn’t even cross my mind that my own son would be the one to disgrace us.”

“Mother, I—”

“Quiet,” Queen Valeria snapped, her eyes like steel. “You have one role, Caspian. You are to be a future king and sire heirs with your naive little queen from that insufferable kingdom. I will not allow you to ruin this.”

Turning to her guards, she motioned sharply. “Take her.”

“Wait—no, please!” Caspian’s voice cracked with desperation as the guards moved to seize Adriana.

“It’s too late,” the Queen hissed. “Behaving like a commoner... consorting with one. You will not shame this family.”

The guards dragged a sobbing Adriana away, her cries echoing down the halls. Caspian stood frozen, his face ashen, while Evelina, hidden in the shadows, fought back the bile rising in her throat.

She stepped forward, her voice soft but filled with hurt. “Caspian…”

He turned to her, his expression unreadable, his jaw clenched. “Evelina. What are you doing here?”

“I—” she faltered, the words sticking in her throat.

“The trackers… they said there was no news. There was a fight, some bloodshed, but they don’t know whose.” Caspian's cold,

distant demeanor returned as he brushed past her, leaving her standing alone in the hall, the weight of his betrayal crushing her.

###

Evelina found her way to the dungeons, her heart pounding as the cold air bit at her skin. There, in the shadows, Adriana lay beaten and bruised, barely conscious. The faint torchlight flickered over her bloodied face, casting long, haunting shadows.

“Adriana…” Evelina whispered, her heart aching at the sight of the swollen eye and the deep cuts on her body. She knelt beside her, fighting the nausea rising in her throat.

Adriana stirred, her voice barely a whisper. “Evel…ina…”

“What happened?” Evelina crouched lower, her hands trembling as she gently brushed a lock of matted hair from Adriana’s face.

Tears welled in Adriana’s eyes, mixing with the blood and grime on her cheeks. “I… I’m sorry. So sorry. But… he’s my mate. I couldn’t help it… I love him.”

Evelina swallowed hard, her voice trembling as she struggled to understand. “Oh, Adriana. Why didn’t you tell me? I could have helped you.”

Adriana sobbed, her words broken and weak. “I couldn’t… I didn’t think you’d approve. How could I? You’re a princess…a future queen. And me… I’m nothing. Just a ladies maid, a servant.”

Evelina’s eyes softened, but the betrayal still stung deep. “Adriana, you were my friend, the only one I had for years. I would have listened… but now…”

“Please… forgive me,” Adriana pleaded, her voice cracking. “I never wanted it to end like this.”

Evelina steeled herself, her mind racing with the implications. She had to know the truth. “Tell me this, Adriana. Did you try to poison me?”

Adriana’s eyes widened in shock. “What? No! Is that why you didn’t want to drink the tea? I would never—”

Evelina cut her off, her tone sharp but pained. “It was poisoned. I don’t know how, but my beast knew. It’s why I didn’t drink it.”

Adriana’s tears flowed freely now, her voice shaking. “I swear, I would never… You are my friend… I couldn’t hurt you.”

Evelina’s brow furrowed, her instincts telling her there was more to this. “Then how? If not you, then who?”

Adriana winced, her breath shallow. “The Queen’s witch. She stopped me before I brought you the tray. I don’t know if she did anything, but… I felt it. Something was wrong. You have to watch her… and the Queen. They’re planning something. I don’t know what, but it’s dangerous.”

Evelina’s blood ran cold. “Why would they poison me? She has been on me about the future heir this and that, why would she try to poison me? ”

Adriana’s eyes fluttered as exhaustion and pain took their toll. “I don’t know… but you… you’re a threat to them. To their power… to everything.” She coughed weakly, blood speckling her lips. “Be careful… Evelina.”

Evelina stood slowly, her heart heavy with the weight of what she had just learned. She didn’t have all the answers yet, but she knew one thing—she couldn’t trust the Queen. Not with her life. Not with her child’s life.

She bent down one last time, pressing a gentle hand through the bars to Adriana’s shoulder. “Rest now. I will try to get you out.”

Adriana nodded weakly, her tears mingling with the dirt beneath her. “Thank you… I hope you forgive me.”

Evelina didn’t respond, her mind already turning to the battle ahead. She turned and walked away from the dungeon, her footsteps echoing through the cold, stone halls. As she climbed the stairs, her Lycan stirred once more.

They’ll come for us soon.