CHAPTER 26: THE QUEEN IS AWAKE

"Your Highness,"

Harvey interjected with a frown, swiftly coming to Camilla’s defense.

"After thorough investigation, I can confirm that Mrs Luther is indeed skilled in traditional medicine.

It was her treatment that enabled Stephen to regain the use of his legs and stand again."

Following the Mega family incident, Stephen, the newly appointed head of the family, had quickly risen to prominence in E Country’s high society.

Far more eyes were now on him than before.

The fact that his legs—paralyzed for years after a car accident—had miraculously regained sensation and mobility had not gone unnoticed.

And to think it was this woman who cured him?

Kiara stared at Camilla, her eyes brimming with skepticism.

Luna, observing Harvey’s tone and demeanor, realized he remained unaware of Camilla’s true identity.

A flicker of relief passed through her gaze.

Indeed, without concrete evidence, even if she revealed the truth, no one would believe her.

Not that it mattered—after today, Camilla would never have the chance to speak again.

How convenient that she had walked right into their hands.

"That Mega boy has spent years seeking medical treatment," Luna said coldly, her voice laced with sharp disapproval as she glared at Camilla.

"Who’s to say his recovery wasn’t just the delayed result of accumulated therapies?"

"Just because of this unverified matter, you actually dared to let a foreigner approach Mother?

Harvey, your audacity grows by the day."

Camilla gazed at Luna, a cold glint flashing through her eyes though her expression remained unreadable.

"Your Highness, I..."

Harvey turned to Camilla. Calvin truly couldn’t confirm whether her treatment would work—whether it could awaken the Queen—nor could he refute the accusation.

"Guards," Luna’s voice was eerily calm.

"Take them away for now.

As for their punishment..."

A flicker of murderous intent flashed deep in her eyes.

"We’ll decide after confirming Mother’s condition."

Serves them right.

Kiara couldn’t help but feel a twinge of schadenfreude.

After all, whether it was that old fool Harvey or Camilla, they were both people she despised.

"Yes, Your Highness."

The royal guards behind her stepped forward, moving toward Harvey, Camilla, and Lucky.

Oh no!!

If they were taken away by Luna, they’d be in for a world of trouble.

Who knows what false accusations might be pinned on them in the process.

"Wait!"

Harvey’s expression turned deadly serious.

"Your Highness, the Crown Princess, we’ve broken no laws.

You have no right to do this!"

No right?

Those two words grated on her nerves more than anything.

Luna’s delicate brows arched slightly, her voice dripping with frost.

"If anything happens to Her Majesty’s health, then you’re conspiring with foreigners to assassinate the Queen—a crime far beyond the reach of ordinary law."

Her dark gaze settled firmly on Camilla.

"Take her away."

Camilla remained motionless, her face an unreadable mask, as if frozen in shock.

The royal guards wasted no time, stepping forward to seize her.

Just then, a frail yet commanding voice cut through the tension.

"Stop—

" In an instant, the entire inner chamber fell into silence.

Without the antidote, how could Mother have regained consciousness at this moment?

Luna’s deep, icy eyes flickered with disbelief and something darker lurking beneath.

Could it be that Camilla had discovered something?!

Kiara’s eyes widened in shock.

"Grandmother?"

Harvey and Lucky turned to see the elderly woman being supported by Sonia as she emerged, their faces lighting up with joy.

"Thank heavens,

Your Majesty, you’re finally awake!"

The royal guards restraining them immediately released their hold and bowed deeply to the queen.

Clad in a silk nightgown and draped in a black overcoat, the queen, with Sonia’s assistance, took her seat at the head of the room.

Her piercing brown eyes, filled with authority, swept over Luna and the others.

"Everyone, take your seats."

Time rewound to half an hour earlier.

Upon receiving Nolan’s message that Luna was on her way, Camilla quickened her pace.

Finally, she managed to rouse Queen Elizabeth ten minutes ahead of schedule.

As the queen opened her eyes to see Camilla sitting by her bedside, her vision blurred for a moment—she could almost swear she was looking at another face, one etched deep in her memories.

"Allen?"

Her voice was hoarse from disuse, rough and brittle.

Yet that very rawness made it all the more heart-wrenching.

Camilla knew that the "Allen" the queen referred to was her father.

A flicker of complicated emotions passed through her eyes.

"You’re awake," she said before turning to Sonia.

"Fetch Her Majesty a glass of warm water."

Sonia nodded and hurried off.

As Queen Elizabeth’s mind cleared, she took in the young woman before her.

Though certain they had never met, something about the girl’s features struck her as eerily familiar.

A peculiar sensation welled up inside her, inexplicable yet undeniable.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Camilla," Her voice was soft as morning dew, a gentle smile playing on her delicate features.

"I’m the physician Lord Harvey invited."

The queen had just regained consciousness—it wasn’t the time for emotional upheavals.

Besides, matters of identity carried more weight when revealed through other channels.

"A physician?"

Queen Elizabeth’s eyes, usually warm yet commanding, narrowed slightly as she studied Camilla with newfound intensity.

"Madam, here’s some warm water."

Camilla took the cup, testing the temperature through the porcelain before carefully supporting the queen against the headboard.

"You’ve just woken—let’s get some water in you first." Indeed, Elizabeth’s throat felt parched.

With regal grace, she sipped from the cup held steady by Camilla’s hands, drinking half its contents.

"How are you feeling now?"

"My head aches... and my chest feels like it’s been weighed down by stones," Elizabeth answered truthfully, her gaze lingering on Camilla with sudden, calculating depth.

The fact that this young woman before her had managed to rouse her from unconsciousness suggested she might have uncovered something significant.

"Child, do you know what happened to me?"

Camilla studied Queen Elizabeth’s pallid complexion and those keen, intelligent eyes before speaking deliberately.

"Your Majesty has been poisoned."

"Poisoned?"

The queen’s gaze sharpened instantly.

Camilla noticed that while the elderly woman’s expression turned grave, there was little surprise in her eyes—realizing at that moment that the queen might have suspected as much.

It seemed Her Majesty wasn’t entirely unaware.

"Do you know what kind of poison?"

"To identify the exact toxin, I’d need my grandfather’s assistance.

I can’t do it alone," Camilla admitted, shaking her head.

"But I can tell you this—it’s an extremely slow-acting poison.

The toxins in your system have been accumulating for at least three years."

She paused briefly, then lowered her voice.

"During these three years, the poisoner has been administering it to you at regular intervals.

The dosage was meticulously controlled—gradually weakening your organs without triggering obvious symptoms.

That’s why standard medical tests couldn’t detect it."

Three years.

Unceasing.

Queen Elizabeth pressed her lips together, her expression a tangle of emotions.

The suspicion in her heart grew clearer by the moment.

Camilla studied the queen’s face intently— Just then, voices echoed from outside the door—Luna and the others.

Queen Elizabeth turned her gaze toward the entrance, her regal presence commanding authority even without anger.

"Help me up to change.

I’ll go see what’s happening."

Sonia immediately supported the still-weak queen as she rose, guiding her toward the dressing chamber.

Meanwhile, Camilla pushed open the door and stepped outside.

In that brief span of time, the earlier events unfolded.

Now.

The spacious, opulent inner chamber was steeped in a heavy, solemn silence.