LYDIA'S POV

　　I could see many of them refused to have the tea, and the ones who accepted it were drinking another flavor of it. My mother loves lavender tea, and it also helps her sleep faster. She specifically asks the cook to pick the lavender from her backyard only, so it was easy to recognize her cup for me.

　　My mother reached for her cup, but I quickly placed my hand over hers, stopping her. "Mother, wait," I said, my voice firm but gentle.

　　She looked at me, puzzled. "What is it, Lydia?"

　　I took her cup and inhaled its scent. There was nothing unusual about the aroma of the tea, and that explained why it wasn't easy to find the traces of poison in her food. But then I noticed a few white particles floating in it. My heart tightened as I looked at her.

　　"You still drink this?" I questioned loudly, making it clear that I was aware of the slow poison trick that my mother was consuming on purpose. The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to us.

　　"Lydia, I told you why I have to drink it. Now give it back to me," she whispered, her voice firm but pleading.

　　"No, Mother," I said, my voice rising with emotion. "I am working so hard for you to recover. You can't drink this continuously or there will be no hope for you." My eyes searched hers, hoping to find a trace of understanding.

　　"Lydia, we can discuss this later," she said, signalling me with her eyes to drop the subject. But this couldn't go on. I couldn't let my mother willingly drink poison.

　　"Why should we discuss this later? So you can keep drinking this poison behind my back?" I demanded, my voice breaking with frustration and fear. "You're killing yourself, Mother. Can't you see that?"

　　"Lydia!" my mother shouted, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger. The whispers from the nobles surrounded us, a chorus of shocked and curious murmurs. This was the moment I needed to make a statement, to show them all that I would not back down.

　　I took the cup of tea, my hands steady despite the storm of emotions inside me, and poured its contents into my bowl, not leaving a single drop behind. My mother's horrified gaze was on me, but I ignored it, focusing instead on the faces of the nobles. They looked at me in shock, their whispers growing louder. This was the reaction I needed from them.

　　As the last drop fell into the bowl, I met the eyes of each noble in turn, letting them see the determination in my gaze. They needed to know that even after what they had done today, I would not settle down. I would fight for myself, for my place on the throne, and for my family. This was the last time they would hurt my mother.

　　This is my silent protest against all of you. You may think you can control us with your poison and your threats, but I am here to show you that I will not be silenced. I am here for the long run. I delivered the words through my eyes left the room.

　　Now I knew what I had to do and for that I decided to leave for West River pack as soon as possible, so I ordered the maids to prepare my luggage because I was going to leave for the West River Pack tomorrow morning.

　　Morning came too soon and I was ready to leave but was stopped by Brandon and Evan at the gate.

　　"Evan, Brandon, what is the meaning of this?" I questioned, my voice adopting a stern, business-like tone.

　　"Lydia, you can't leave without protection," Evan insisted, his stance and tone clearly reflecting his role as beta.

　　"The kingdom needs more protection than I do," I countered, my voice firm.

　　"You don't understand that—" Evan began, but I cut him off.

　　"There are people after me, more specifically the nobles? I already know that, but leaving the throne and the kingdom without any potential heir is also dangerous. You both stay here while I leave," I ordered, my voice leaving no room for argument. I could tell they were taken aback by my behavior, but I needed to assert my authority.

　　Brandon stepped forward, his eyes filled with concern. "Lydia, we understand the dangers, but you can't face them alone. Your safety is paramount to the stability of the kingdom."

　　"Please understand that if something happens to you the kingdom will be forever open to many bigger potential dangers," Brandon argued and I shook my head.

　　"This is ridiculous, I am now capable of taking care of myself, you don't have to come with me." I argued back.

　　"It doesn't matter because we are coming anyway, whether you like it or not." They declared and I knew that they have made up their mind and I can't do anything to change it.