HOURS BEFORE

AUTHOR’S POV

After Aria left the hall, Alora’s suspicion grew sharper. She was certain Aria had something to do with the strange peppery dish from earlier. So, she ordered her maids to keep a close watch. Days of spying finally paid off. They caught whispers of Aria’s plan—she intended to use a drug against her.

Instead of panicking, Alora smirked. A dumb girl indeed. That discovery gave her a new idea, one far more dangerous and beneficial than anything she had planned ...