Chapter 86

Chapter 86 Someone tried to poison her

CA SSANDRA

A lump formed in my throat and my heart began to race as I stood frozen in the doorway. Beyond the table, Erika gave me an apologetic expression and mouthed the word “sorry”. I could tell she felt bad that they were there, but I knew it wasn’t her fault. Erika couldn’t stop the Alpha King’s wife and son from entering even if she wanted to.

Adalyn continued to stare at me coldly, and Erika hustled to my side.

“Erika, could you please prepare some tea?” I asked her quietly. “In the meantime, I’ll deal with Lady Adalyn.”

“Are you sure, Ca ssandra?” the maid replied, and her eyes widened. “I can stay-”

“I can do this,” I insisted. “Please leave us.”

Erika nodded and then sl*pped away to make the tea. Once she was gone, I turned to Lancel.

“Could you grant Lady Adalyna and me some privacy?” I requested, but the older man didn’t seem too keen on the idea.

“I’ll be right here,” he said curtly, and he crossed his arms against his chest. Frustration swelled within me, and I released a sigh. There was no use fighting him. He was under the service of the Alpha King, not me, a lowly healer. I was in no position to be giving orders.

“Fine,” I remarked, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I’d deal with Lancel later. For now, I needed to figure out how I was going to handle this visit with Adalyn. She had nefarious intentions, I was sure of it.

If our last encounter in the laboratory was any indication, I would need to keep

my wits about me if I wanted to survive.

I approached the table and bowed my head politely.

“Lady Adalyn,” I greeted Asher’s wife. “And Prince Marco. So sorry to keep you waiting. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

“Healer Ca ssandra,” Adalyn replied with a raised eyebrow. Her l*ps were painted a deep ruby red, and she was wearing a simple black dress that hugged her b*dy perfectly. She was so devastatingly beautiful that I could hardly stand it. “So glad you could finally join us. I’m here to apologize for my behavior a few days ago.”

My eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

Adalyn?

Apologizing?

There was no way this was actually happening. In any other circumstance, I would have rubbed my eyes in disbelief. Surely, I was dreaming.

But her tone seemed strangely convincing…

I wasn’t sure what kind of tricks she was trying to play this time, but with everything going on presently, I didn’t have time to waste on Adalyn’s mind games.

“Thank you, Lady Adalyn,” I said carefully. “That means a lot to me. I appreciate your apology greatly and hope we can put this behind us.”

Adalyn seemed surprised and a little annoyed at my response. She stared at me blankly for a moment and then cleared her throat.

“Good,” she remarked, and then she gestured to the empty chair across from her. “Please, take a seat. There’s no need for you to remain standing. I’m sure you’ve had a long day.”

“Thank you,” I said, and it took all of my effort to keep from narrowing my eyes in disbelief. I needed to keep playing along if I was going to make it out of this

encounter and get her out of this room. “You are most gracious, Lady Adalyn.”

I took a seat at the table and folded my hands in my lap politely. All of the lessons of etiquette I’d ever been taught flashed in my mind, and I made my best effort to straighten my posture and smile.

“Now that that’s settled,” Adalyn began again, and she peered around the room. “Where is your darling son? My Marco wanted to play with him since he hasn’t been “Where is your darling son? M attending lessons lately. Is he around?”

My eyes fell on Marco, and much to my surprise, I could tell there was some truth to Adalyn’s words. Marco seemed a little sad and kept glancing around at Finnick’s toys. I was a little shocked. I didn’t think the young prince cared much for

my son.

“I’ve been so busy working in the laboratory lately that Finnick is being watched by someone else,” I explained. “Temporarily, of course. I’m sure he’ll be back soon. He takes a little longer to adapt to the cla*ses, but-”

“Probably because he’s stu pid,” Marco quipped softly.

“Marco!” Adalyn gasped, and her amber eyes widened. “That was very unkind! Apologize to Healer Ca ssandra right now!”

Marco’s cheeks flushed scarlet and his eyes fell to the ground.

“I’m sorry, Healer Ca ssandra,” he said politely, and his l*p trembled. I nodded but remained silent. As much as the child annoyed me, I couldn’t hold his bad behavior against him. His mother didn’t set the best of examples, after all, and he was just a young boy. Hopefully, he would grow up to be a kinder man, like his father.

“Why are you so busy these days, if you don’t mind my asking?” Adalyn addressed me, and I nearly laughed.

So, that was her real intention for visiting. Adalyn thought she was being sneaky and clever about it, but her true motives were incredibly transparent. She knew very well that I had my hands full with the viper situation. Everyone in the palace knew for that matter. She’d likely heard the news going around Merliscire

about the upcoming meeting and wanted to get an inside scoop.

“We’ve been conducting research about the vipers, Lady Adalyn,” I replied simply.

Erika entered the room just in time with a tray. She offered an apologetic look. as she walked in, and wordlessly, she began to set the table for us. As she arranged the teapot, cups, and small snacks, Adalyn and I locked eyes.

Erika gave Marco a small plate of treats, and the boy lit up. He offered the maid a smile and said thank you, much to my surprise, and once the tea was poured into cups, Adalyn spoke again.

“Have you found out anything important?” she pressed. “You must have, since there’s going to be a meeting tomorrow, right?”

“Right,” I replied. “But I won’t be able to reveal anything at present. I need to discuss things with the royal healers first, and then we’ll spread the word to the public.”

“I see,” Adalyn muttered, and annoyance painted her expression. I could tell she was agitated, and I found a little comfort in that.

She went to raise her cup to her mouth, but before she could lift it, I noticed the

smell of it was off.

Erika always made jasmine tea, but the scent wasn’t correct. It was floral, sure, but there was another note I didn’t recognize, something strange I didn’t recognize.

My eyes widened.

“Adalyn, don’t drink that,” I blurted out, and Adalyn froze immediately. I had a bad feeling, something in my gut telling me that this was wrong.

Asher’s wife raised her eyebrow and for a moment, I thought she was going to throw a tantrum, but she set the cup back down.

“What’s going-” she started to say, and suddenly, we heard footsteps outside of

the door.

I inhaled sharply. Someone was out in the hall, and it sounded like they were trying to make a hasty escape.

Without a word, Lancel gripped the sword in his belt and burst out of the door

immediately.