Chapter b237 /b

    ra’s POV

    b55 /bvouchers

    I hesitated, feeling the weight of my thoughts pressing down. Something didn’t sit right, and I knew I had to voice it, no matter how odd it might sound.

    “Dario, there’s still something missing in all this,” I confessed, watching his face for a hint of understanding.

    He blinked, confused. “About what? The owner admitted to his crime already.”

    “Yes, he confessed to Nora’s death,” I agreed, my voice tense, “but what about Elder Randy? The owner didn’t even know him. He wasn’t at the Spring Ball…”

    Dario’s lips curled into a bitter sneer. “Ah, that’s where it gets interesting. You didn’t hear? The owner’s restaurant catered for the Spring Ball.”

    I froze, unable to breathe for a second.

    What?

    My mind raced as the pieces clicked together. The owner had been at the Spring Ball. He had prepared the food. He could’ve poisoned Elder Randy–just like he poisoned Nora.

    But why? Was it a mistake?

    And Amara–what was her role in thisb? /b

    I shook my head. No, she had to be involved. It couldn’t be a coincidence. But how?

    Before I could spiral further, Dario’s voice cut through the silence. “Don’t stress. You’ve done something huge today. I’m going to tell the king about this. You’ve earned it.”

    I wanted to ask him to hold off until we knew more. But he was already gone, his footsteps echoing as he rushed out.

    Sighing, I turned back to the interrogation room. The owner was still slumped in the chair, his sobs filling the empty space.

    “Queen ra! Please! Did you tell General Dario? Did you tell him I didn’t mean any of this? I don’t deserve to die!”

    I met his tear–streaked face, fighting the urge to show sympathy. “The King and the elders will decide your fate,” I said, my voice calm. Then, narrowing my eyes, I added, “But I have one more question. Did know Elder Randy?”

    The owner’s face fell, vacant. “Who is Elder Randy? I don’t know him.”

    you

    My fingers clenched into fists as I forced out the next part. “He was one of the elders at the Spring Ball. You catered for the event. He was poisoned there, and his symptoms match Nora’s.”

    b7:08 /bbWed/bb, /bbSep /bb10 /b

    His eyes widenedb, /bconfusion clouding his features.

    Then, his breath quickened. The sobs turned into panicked gasps.

    b99 /b

    E 55 vouchers

    “What the hell? Are you ming me for that, too? Am I supposed to be responsible for every poison in the world now?b” /b

    I bit my lip, trying to hold it together. “Calm down.”

    But he was beyond reason, his anger ring as he stood and mmed his hands onto the table.

    “You think you can just dump everything on me? I won’t be your scapegoat!” His voice shook with fury, his face twisted in horror. He mmed his fists again. “I don’t know that damn Elder! bI /bswear I didn’t-”

    “Calm down!” I snapped, standing quickly to stop him from breaking downpletely.

    But the owner’s desperation only escted, his body trembling with panic.

    “You rich people think you can do whatever you want! You’ll kill me for something I didn’t even do!” He shouted, knocking my hand away. “I didn’t poison anyone-!”

    Just then, the door flung open. Dorian stormed in, nked by a group of soldiers and elders.

    “Chain him!” Dorian ordered coldly. “He’s responsible for Nora’s death and Elder Randy’s poisoning. Get him to the cell, now.”

    The soldiers surged forward, dragging the owner from his chair. His pleas became muffled as they gagged him, his cries still piercing the air as they hauled him away.

    bI /btried to follow, but Dorian stepped into my path, his hand resting gently on my shoulder.

    “You did great,” he said, a proud smile tugging at his lips.

    “Dorian, wait-”

    Before I could finish, he leaned down and kissed me on the forehead. “Thank you,” he murmured softly. “You helped my best friend. I’m so proud of you, my love.”

    I stood there, still, as confusion tangled in my chest. Did I really uncover the truth? Then why did it feel like I was further from the real answersb? /b

    From the corner of my eye, I saw Elder Briar standing there with a stiff smile, Amara by his side, her head

    lowered.

    did for my son.”

    “Queen ra,” he greeted me, his voice strained but sincere. “Thank you for what you did for

    His gratitude felt hollow, a strange twist in my gut. The man who had once been my enemy, now trying to show respect? It left me cold.

    But my attention was drawn to Amara.

    b7:08 /bbWed/bb, /bbSep /b10

    $b5 /bvouchers

    “Why aren’t you celebrating, Lady Amara?” I asked, my voice sharp. “Isn’t this the truth you’ve been bwaiting /b

    for?b” /b

    She shuddered, lifting her head slowly, forcing a smile. “Of course… of courseb, /bI’m happy.”

    I didn’t buy it. “You don’t look happy.”

    A flicker of something dark passed through her eyes. “I was just thinking… why suddenly this interest in Nora’s death? bIt’s /bbeen so long.”

    I stared her down, my voice low. “I won’t stop until I find the full truth.”

    Her eyes darted away, her lips twitching into something that resembled a smile–but it didn’t reach her eyes.

    I was sure she was hiding something. But the question was, what?

    “Let’s celebrate Queen ra’s sess tonight!” Dorian’s voice broke through the tension, announcing loudly. The room erupted into apuse.

    But I wasn’t in the mood for apuse. Dorian leaned closer, whispering, “Do you want toe with me to the castle, my love?”

    I shook my head, my thoughts still a tangled mess. “No, you go ahead. I need to stay here… think things through.”

    The group filed out, leaving me alone in the hallway, my steps slow and heavy. I needed to revisit everything, from the very start.

    Dario had been on patrol the night Nora died, which meant he couldn’t have been home. That’s when Nora ordered takeout–his death wasn’t an ident.

    But why? What had Dario said about that patrol duty? Something about a bear attack…

    A false alert. Someone had made it up to pull Dario away.

    I turned sharply, heading for the Patrol Center. I needed answers.

    “Excuse me,” I stopped a passing soldier, “Can you help me with somethingb?/bb” /b

    “Queen ra!” the soldier gasped, bowing slightly. “Of course, anything.”

    “Do you have records of calls made to the Patrol Center? From that night?”

    “Yes, we keep records for years.”

    Perfect.

    I gave him the time and date, and twenty minutester, I was in a small meeting room, the soldier ying the recorded call on aptop. Static crackled at first, then a woman’s voice screamed through the speakers.

    ???

    Uso bbeing /battacked by a bear! Hurryb–/bsend someone–now!”

    b7:08 /bbWed/bb, /bbSep /bb10 /b

    I froze, my heart pounding. It bwas /bAmara’s voice.

    I could feel my blood run cold.

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    I looked at the soldier, my voice calm but deadly. “Can you bring General Dario here? I need to bspeak /bwith him.”

    曲