Chapter 177
ATASHA’S POV
“My lady…” Grace leaned close, her hand tightening on my arm.
“Demon Fangs,” she muttered.
My stomach dropped. For a moment, I felt like the world tilted sideways. The crowd’s voices faded. All I could hear was that one name. Demon Fangs. Attacking the western border. Again. Why are they attacking the North now?
I believe this would be the first time that they actually attacked the western borders of the north. Was it all a coincidence?
Grace steadied me before I swayed. “They’re pushing through the outposts. Lady Kenneth is being informed now.”
Before I could say anything, Lady Kenneth approached.
“Your Highness,” she said. “Congratulations. You passed the test. I will relay the results to the King personally.”
I nodded. My throat felt tight. “Thank you. I appreciate your presence today. But I’ll need to rest. I won’t be joining your company after this.”
She gave a shallow bow. “Of course. Your health is the priority.”
I managed a small smile. My gaze slid back to the Stone of the Goddess. From where I was standing, it looked smooth. Yet, only I could still feel the memory of it under my palm.
I breathed out slowly. After I fainted in the mausoleum, I woke up the next morning barely able to lift my head. My body felt drained, empty in a way I couldn’t describe.I knew I was not sick, nor was I poisoned. I just felt… emptied out.
Cassian had been the one sitting beside the bed. He didn’t say anything at first, just waited until I was awake enough to understand him.
“This is your chance,” he said. “Let them see you like this. Let them think you’re someone who bleeds and breaks. They need to believe you’re not invincible.”
I didn’t understand what he meant until now. Everything came together the moment the crowd reacted to me, the way I trembled when I walked, the unstable steps, the way people gasped like I might collapse any second. All of it made sense. Cassian wanted them to see someone who could break, someone they needed to protect.
Cassian planned it from the start. Let the people side with me. Let them resent Yara. Let them doubt Lady Kenneth and the crown. He wanted their loyalty to turn before the test even began. And it worked.
Not because I acted well. But because Cassian took the pain meant for me.
All of it.
The stone never hurt me because the moment I saw it, his body absorbed the pain. He didn’t tell me how he did it but I knew it had something to do with the stone that Elder Agape gave me before I left the mansion. He said it was a fae stone that belonged to the royalties who had met their mate.
Now, all I wanted was to leave this place and get back to him.
I turned to Grace. “Let’s go.”
Grace nodded immediately. Sister Veris moved to my other side, her hand firm on my back. They guided me carefully down the steps as the crowd shifted away to make a path.
The murmurs followed us as we moved. I didn’t need to listen closely to understand what they meant. I saw it on their faces, worry from some, relief from others, and anger from the rest. Anger that I had been pushed into this test in my condition. All of it lined up exactly the way Cassian intended.
Soon enough, we reached the carriage. Grace helped me up the steps while Sister Veris kept close, ready to catch me if my legs gave out.
As soon as I sat inside, the tension in my shoulders eased a little. The door closed. The noise outside faded.
And the only thing I could think about was Cassian. He had taken the pain meant for me, carried it without letting anyone notice, and kept the truth hidden so the crowd would never question my condition. He stayed close enough to protect me through all of it, yet distant enough that I wouldn’t see what it was costing him.
I leaned back against the cushions, breath slow. “Take me to him,” I whispered.
“My lady, I received news that Lord Cassian is already on his way to the western borders to tackle the current rebels,” Grace suddenly said. “And- “
“And what?” I asked.
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“My lady… he instructed us to take you to the mansion,” Grace finished.
I stared at her. “No. I’m going to the borders.”
Grace tightened her grip on the strap near the window. “You can’t, not right now. Elder Agape is waiting for you in the mansion.”
That was all it took. The message was clear. He must have wanted the stone back. I still had it. And if Cassian had already left, it meant he trusted me to return it myself.
I let out a slow breath. “Fine. Take me to the mansion.” Then, I will go see Cassian. I have to see him.
Grace nodded and tapped the side of the carriage. It jerked into motion. The farther we got from the square, the more I felt the shaking in my hands settle. Not because I was better, but because I finally knew what I needed to do.
By the time we reached the mansion, the guards were already doubling their posts. By now, words of the attacked must have already reached everyone’s ears. Grace immediately helped me down. “Where is he?” I
asked.
“In the east wing, my lady. Elder Agape requested privacy,” Grace answered.
I walked there without stopping. Grace stayed behind me, almost glued to my shoulder. We reached the long hallway that led to the Elder’s room, and as soon as I stepped in, I saw them.
Elder Agape stood near the table, hands folded behind him. And beside him was Prince Kaelith.
I didn’t wait for them to speak. I reached into my cloak and took out the stone.
It rested in my palm, no bigger than my thumb. It looked harmless now. But I knew what it had done for me.
“Thank you,” I said to Elder Agape. “This helped me more than you know.”
Elder Agape nodded without saying a word.
Then, I turned to Prince Kaelith and extended the stone toward him. “I believe this belongs to you. Or your family.”
To my surprise however, Prince Kaelith turned towards the Elder and said. “So… you were right. She is not one of us. She is one of them.”
