OLEG'S POV

　　As she closed her eyes and began to drift off, I turned and left the room. Outside, the night air was crisp and cool, a stark contrast to the tension inside. The plan was in motion, and there was no turning back.

　　Rufus was already out of the way, and no one could ever trace his death back to me. Kate had done most of the dirty work, and her love for me was so blinding that she would easily take the entire blame if it ever came to that. But I didn't think it would. I would never let it happen. All the nobles were against Lydia; they wanted a new leader. Rufus was out of the way for good.

　　It hadn't been easy to kill him. His strength was his family, and I broke it. First, by snatching away his daughter, and then his wife. I gave him the same slow poison I was giving to Kate, but to expedite things, I set a trap for Kate and made her fall in love with me. Sleeping with her was just a bonus; my main goal was to achieve that throne, and I would do it by hook or by crook.

　　I had no remorse about manipulating Kate. She was a pawn in a much larger game. Her love for me made her an easy target, and using her to kill Rufus had been the perfect plan. The slow poison weakened him gradually, stripping away his strength and will to fight. But the real blow came from the emotional devastation I caused by turning his own family against him.

　　My only regret was not killing Lydia when I had the chance. Now she was back, a thorn in my side. But not for long. I had special plans for her too.

　　As I walked through the castle halls, I could feel the weight of my ambitions pressing down on me. Every step was a step closer to the throne. Every lie, every manipulation was part of the path I had chosen. The nobles were restless, eager for new leadership, and I was ready to provide it. Lydia's return complicated things, but she was just another obstacle to be removed.

　　I entered my private chambers and poured myself a glass of wine, savoring the taste as I contemplated my next move. Kate was asleep, the poison working its way through her system, ensuring her compliance and eventual demise. She had served her purpose, and soon, she would be gone, leaving no loose ends.

　　Lydia was another matter. Stronger and more resilient than her father, she posed a greater threat. But I had dealt with threats before, and I would deal with her too. I just needed to be patient, to wait for the right moment to strike.

　　The throne was within my grasp, and nothing—not Rufus, not Kate, and certainly not Lydia—would stand in my way. I would rule this kingdom, and I would do whatever it took to achieve that goal. My plans were in motion, and soon, everyone would see the true extent of my power.

　　I heard footsteps approaching, and my senses went on high alert as I waited for the intruder's arrival. Soon enough, I found myself surrounded by Jason's warriors.

　　"What are you all doing here?" I questioned, my tone sharp with annoyance.

　　Jason entered, his face twisted into a scowl. This man was far too restless for his own good. He was another reason my plans were constantly failing.

　　"They are here because of me," he replied on their behalf, his voice tinged with frustration.

　　"What is wrong with you, Jason? Why are you here, and what is all this?" I demanded, irritation bubbling up inside me. His reckless behavior was attracting unwanted attention. We needed to be discreet, but Jason had a talent for creating a scene wherever he went.

　　"I am here because I need answers, Oleg," he said, his tone bordering on petulant.

　　"Answers?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow.

　　"Yes, answers. Why haven't you killed Lydia yet? You failed again, Oleg, and that gave her a chance to mock me in front of everyone," he complained, his voice rising with frustration.

　　I suppressed a sigh. Jason was just another pawn in my game, but he didn't realize it. He believed I was acting for his benefit, but in reality, he was merely a tool to be used.

　　"You are a fool, Jason," I replied coolly. "How could I kill her when she was surrounded by so many omegas who already see her as some kind of goddess? In order to kill her, we need to isolate her. The upcoming assessment will provide that opportunity."

　　He nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. "Fine, but this time, leave it to me. I will deal with her personally."

　　I shrugged nonchalantly. If he succeeded, it would benefit us both. If he failed, I wouldn't be blamed. It was a win-win situation for me.

　　"Okay," I said dismissively, already turning my attention back to my own plans. Jason could handle Lydia for now, but ultimately, her fate was in my hands. And I would ensure that she met her end, one way or another.