I sat down hard on the floor, the wood groaning under me. My chest rose and fell with anger I could not hold in. My jaw clenched so tight it ached. I wanted to shout. I wanted to break something. Even the maids, those little shadows who were meant to bow and fear me, now looked down on me. They dare to question why I had to touch them when they belonged to me!
I gripped the arm of the chair, nails digging into the wood.
I slammed my fist on the table. "I need the throne. I need it now. Or they will crush me like an insect."
The walls did not answer. The silence in my room only grew heavier.
I leaned back, closing my eyes. My thoughts drifted to Belinda. Poor, foolish Belinda, locked in shame, her face always pale with worry. She was useful, but only if I saved her. And saving her would mean saving myself.
I whispered, "Belinda must be freed."
I thought and thought, my mind racing like fire. Then a spark. A plan. A wicked plan. My lips stretched into a slow smile.
"A letter," I whispered. "Yes. A letter. But not from me. From Dolph."
I laughed softly. "Yes... from Dolph. Her loyal dog. That fool who thinks he can always stand by his master. He will not even know what has been written in his name because he is dead!" I laughed wickedly.
I stood, pacing the floor, whispering aloud like a madman.
"The letter will say he cannot allow his master to be ridiculed because of Lisa. It will say he bows to Belinda. He acts against his master’s wish. That she must forgive him, because she once saved his worthless life. And he cannot allow her to become worthless in this palace."
I pressed my hand to my chest and laughed, louder this time. "Perfect. Perfect!" Follow current novels on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝙣𝙚𝙩
I called for a guard and he stepped in, shoulders straight, eyes cautious. He bowed once. "You wanted me, Your Highness?"
"Sit," I said. "Take this." I pushed the paper and the ink toward him. "Write what I tell you. In your hand. Make it look like it came from you."
I cannot stand and watch you, my master, being ridiculed because of one useless Lisa. Forgive me, for I must act against your wish. You once saved my worthless life, and I cannot allow you to become worthless in this palace. I beg you to forgive my weakness before, and accept this small act of loyalty.’
He signed it boldly: Dolph.
When he finished, I leaned back and stared at it. It looked real. It smelled real. It was real now.
"What is yout name?" I asked the guard.
’"Thomas, your highness," he replied.
"Thomas, I’m going to reward you for this. You can leave," I said and watched as he walked out of the room.
I laughed so hard my stomach ached. "This is the best! Oh, Dolph, you poor fool, you don’t even know I’ve already turned your name into my weapon."
The laughter carried through the room until I forced myself to be quiet again. I folded the note neatly, sealed it, and pressed it to my lips like a holy gift.
"Now," I whispered. "To Belinda."
I walked through the corridors, the letter clutched in my hand. My steps echoed. The maids bowed quickly and ran away. Good. Let them fear me. Soon, they would kneel properly when the throne was mine.
At Belinda’s door, I paused. Adrik was standing by the door and I whispered to him, "take care of a guard name Thomas tonight."
He nodded and opened the door for me to enter.
"Uncle Fridolf," Belinda said.
"Have you finally thought of a way to save me?" She asked, looking so excited.
I stepped inside without waiting. "Belinda, we must talk."
She shut the door slowly. "Talk? You must have thought of something?"
"Yes." I waved the letter in the air. "I have something here. Something that will make you walk away with your crimes."
She tilted her head. "What is that?"
"A letter," I said, smirking. "From Dolph."
Her lips parted slightly. "Dolph? Why would Dolph write me a letter?"
I leaned forward, voice low and full of drama. "Because he cannot watch you destroyed. Because he cannot let Lisa, useless Lisa, be the reason you are ridiculed. He wrote that you once saved his worthless life, and that he cannot allow you to become worthless in this palace. He begged for forgiveness. He said he would act against his master’s wish."
Her eyes widened in shock. "That’s brilliant!"
I nodded firmly, sliding the letter across the table. "Yes, read it."
She picked it up with trembling hands. Her eyes scanned the words. She pressed a hand to her lips.
"I know you will come up with something great. It’s a good thing that he is dead!" she whispered.
"Good thing he’s dead." I echoed, tasting the word. "Yes. Perfect. No one will question a dead man’s hand. No one will look too close." I tapped the letter with a finger. "When they find this, they will only see what we want them to see."
She looked at me, eyes bright and afraid. "What will Damon do? He won’t be able to do anything!" she whispered.
"You just have to put on the best drama ever. You mourn. You look hurt."
She looked up at me, confusion in her eyes. "How do I repay you now, uncle?"
I leaned close, my face inches from hers. "Join hands with me, Belinda."
Her breath caught. "Join hands? For what? What are you planning?"
I smiled darkly. "Treachery."
Her whole body stiffened. "Treachery?" she repeated, voice shaking.
"Yes," I said, my voice sharp, certain. "I am getting the throne. It is mine by right. And if you join me, I will give you the highest power in the palace. Together, we will rule."
She stared at me, eyes wide, her fingers still clutching the false letter.
"You... you cannot mean this," she whispered. "To betray the Alphas? To betray everything?"
"Yes," I said, with no hesitation. "Because they will all betray you, Belinda. I know how this will end. Damon is already wrapped around Lisa’s finger. He will bend for her. It’s only a matter of time before he brings the others to follow. They will smile in your face and cut you down behind your back. Your Luna’s place, your place, will be hers. And then there will be nothing left for you."
I watched her carefully. Her throat moved. She wanted to speak, but she didn’t. The pause was an invitation. I leaned forward, letting the next words fall like a promise.
"You think loyalty protects you," I said. "It does not. Loyalty is a choice people make when it suits them. When their power grows, they forget who stood by them. I will not wait for that betrayal." I spread my hands, slow and sure. "I will take what is owed me. I will take the throne, and I will place you where you belong. You will not be worthless. You will be Queen beside me."