LYDIA'S POV

　　A knot tightened in my stomach. "What do you mean? What are you hiding from me?"

　　He took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting a mixture of regret and determination. "We didn't want to keep this from you, but we also didn't want to distract you from the assessment and your responsibilities. Your mother's condition is more complex than we initially thought."

　　I felt a surge of panic. "Complex? How?"

　　"The poison isn't just lingering in her system—it's evolving," he explained. "It's a rare, magical toxin, designed to adapt and counteract our treatments. Every antidote we administer works for a while, but then the poison changes its nature, making it increasingly difficult to treat."

　　"Why do I feel that there is more to this story?" I questioned, my voice laced with suspicion and fear.

　　"Actually, there is," the doctor admitted, his expression grave. "And you might want to sit down for this one."

　　"Don't scare me, please," I pleaded, feeling my heart pound faster in my chest.

　　He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he had to say. "Someone played their game while you were away."

　　My mind raced with possibilities. "What does that mean?"

　　"It means that they have increased the dose of the poison in your mother's body to hasten its effects," he explained. "No matter what we try now, nothing is going to work."

　　I felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me. I sank into a chair, shock freezing my thoughts. "What... but why?"

　　"We believe it was done to ensure she doesn't recover," he continued, his voice tinged with frustration. "To make sure she doesn't interfere with the ongoing power struggles."

　　I felt tears welling up in my eyes, but I forced them back. "I thought she was getting better. I talked to her before I left for my assessment. She seemed stronger. Now... now you're telling me I might never talk to her again, never see her beautiful eyes, hear her melodious voice... I can't lose her. Not until she sees me on that throne."

　　"Lydia, I'm truly sorry," the doctor said, his voice heavy with regret. "We're doing everything we can, but the situation is dire. The poison is evolving, and we're running out of time."

　　I clenched my fists, feeling a surge of desperation. "Please, doctor, try your best. Call for help from other packs if you have to, but save my mother."

　　He looked down, his shoulders slumping with the weight of his own helplessness. "We've already reached out to every resource we have. There's little more we can do without putting her at even greater risk."

　　My mind raced for solutions, unwilling to accept his words. "What about the witches? Can't they do something with their magic?"

　　"The witches' methods are unpredictable," he cautioned. "Their magic is powerful, but it comes with risks. We can try, but there's no guarantee it will work, and the magic that tries to play with nature always turn deadly at the end."

　　The doctor left after delivering the news and I was left to deal with the aftermath of so many mixed emotions. I was not ready to let my mother go.

　　I was getting used to her presence and losing her will shatter me completely.

　　"I'm sure they're doing this because of how you performed during the assessment," Evan interrupted my thoughts. I looked up at him, his face filled with concern.

　　"It's clear that everyone now knows what happened in the witch alley, how you were able to open the shrine," he continued. "By removing Kate from their path, the throne will be open to all, and until you are ready, a noble will be able to claim it. Only the Goddess knows what will happen if it comes to that."

　　I nodded, the weight of his words sinking in. "You're right. If my mother is gone, they'll use it as an opportunity to seize power. They've already shown they'll do anything to get what they want."

　　Evan placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "We'll figure this out, Lydia. I know it won't be easy but we won't let them win."

　　"Yeah, we'll try everything we can," I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady. "For now, we should go to the meeting. We're running late." I reminded them, attempting to focus on the task at hand.

　　I could feel rage burning in my veins, a fiery anger at the people who were after my family. But I knew I couldn't act rashly, not when everyone was watching my every step. I couldn't afford to fall now. Suppressing my anger, I walked into the meeting room with Evan and Brandon, determined to stay composed.

　　But what I saw shocked me to the core. The room was filled with nobles and officials, all talking amongst themselves. When I scanned the room, I noticed something was off. My seat, the seat reserved for the royal heir, was missing. The insult was blatant and deliberate.

　　"Where is my seat?" I questioned through gritted teeth, my fists clenched at my sides.

　　The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to me. I could feel the strength of my power just below the surface, ready to lash out at any moment.

　　Jason, smirked at me. "We thought it best to reassess the seating arrangement given the current... uncertainties."

　　"Uncertainties?" I repeated, my voice dangerously low. "What uncertainties are those, Lord Jason?"

　　"Your mother's condition, for one," he replied smoothly. "And your ability to lead, given the circumstances."

　　My anger flared, but I forced myself to stay calm. "My ability to lead is not in question here," I said coldly. "The only thing in question is your loyalty to the throne, how could you remove the seat of a royal heir and who gave you the right?"

　　There were murmurs around the room, some of support, others of dissent. I could see Brandon and Evan tense beside me, ready to step in if needed.

　　"I demand my rightful place at this table," I continued, my voice strong and unwavering. "Or is there someone here who thinks they can take it from me?"

　　"Oh, come on. You are a woman. Women don't do conferences with men. They sit at home, look good, and breed pups for their men. That's what nature has decided for them," Jason mocked, a sneer on his face.

　　Enraged, I felt my control snap. Without thinking, I impulsively grabbed Jason by the collar and yanked him out of his seat. Gasps filled the room, but I didn't care. My eyes blazed with fury as I stared him down.

　　"How dare you?" I hissed, my voice shaking with anger. "How dare you belittle me and every woman here?"

　　Jason's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly masked it with a sneer. "Let go of me, you—"

　　"Enough!" I interrupted, my grip tightening. "You will respect me as the rightful heir or you will regret it."

　　Evan and Brandon stepped forward, ready to intervene, but I shook my head. This was my fight. I needed to show everyone in the room that I would not be undermined.