Chapter 4 03

Ivy Calleya

Everything around me had gone dark again, and the only thing keeping my consciousness barely awake were the cries of the servants rushing towards my fallen body and Helena's shaken voice.

I was taken to my room, but unlike the other times, it only took two days for me to recover and get out of bed on my own, without any support.

I tried not to think too much, not to stress so that this body's health wouldn't be affected, but it was impossible. Every time I remembered Alexandre, my little boy, in the arms of the viper that was Lindsey Ingraf, I felt my flesh tremble, and the taste of iron filled my mouth.

This body didn't have much time, and I knew it. I needed a plan, one that would give me free access to Adiel's palace, that would give me control over those corrupt and lying nobles because only then could I put my plans into action.

I needed power, I needed influence to completely destroy that place.

I took a deep breath, and calmly, on that cold, white morning, I made my first move.

I called for one of the servants and asked them to inform my "parents" that I would be joining them for lunch. I then prepared myself for the meeting with the emperor and empress of this kingdom. As before, they dressed me in an outfit suitable for the occasion, a beautiful flowing gown, and once I was ready, stunning and fully adorned, I descended those steps covered by a grand, enormous violet carpet, embroidered and stitched with threads as golden as the gold itself.

Entering that enormous hall, I saw the two of them sitting like statues, their plates untouched, as they awaited my presence to proceed with their meal. It was silent, quiet. Not even the birds could be heard, perhaps due to the cold, or maybe they were anticipating the reason for my attendance.

I approached and settled into one of the numerous chairs at that immense and lavish table, and the moment I sat down, that unsettling silence was broken by Helena's voice. She still seemed worried, scared, and that confused me because neither of them had come to my room after that terrible scare.

"Are you feeling better?" she asked, gently picking up the silver cutlery, waiting for my response to continue, until her attention was drawn by the man with pearly hair, who seemed uncomfortable, troubled.

"Dear, let's not bother her with this now... Let Ivy eat in peace, we can talk later," Victor interrupted, and I could see the way she looked at him. At that moment, I was certain who was dominant, who was really in charge here, who was the Alpha.

"Do not interrupt me again, dear... I cannot stand being cut off... You, more than anyone, know how I've been waiting for this moment with my daughter, how long I've waited to see her awake..." Her eyes were like sharp arrows pointed at him, and when I realized the tension might escalate, I simply intervened.

"It's all right, I came here for exactly that reason..." I said, feeling the tension around me on my skin, and hesitantly, I continued.

"I wanted to see you all..." I sighed, noticing I had captured their full attention, their gazes fixed on me. "Actually... I'd like to make a request..." I finished, watching the look of puzzlement spread across the emperor's face.

"How unusual..." he said, staring at me, confused. "And what could be so important that you'd come to meet us in person? You should be resting..." He finished, swirling his glass, and I could see the concern in his eyes. I wasn't sure what kind of relationship Ivy and her father had, but he genuinely cared about his daughter.

Helena remained silent, paying close attention to every word that came out of my mouth, maintaining her powerful, superior posture.

I didn't know how they would react, but I had to try. Every second was crucial, and I could no longer bear to stay in that room, wasting away, while the person who ruined my life lived happily and victoriously with my son in their arms.

I huffed, feeling the anger coursing through my body again.

"I want to go to the ball... the ceremony that will gather the nobility from all the neighboring kingdoms at the main palace in Lyra," I said firmly, conveying just how serious my words were. The moment Victor understood what I was implying, he abruptly stood up, coughing on the wine he was drinking, nearly choking on it.

He turned to me, incredulous, seeming nervous.

"Excuse me... I must have misheard... What is it you want?" he questioned, and I realized this would be more complicated than I had imagined.

I couldn't let this opportunity slip by. Adiel was looking for a new wife, a new mother for his son and kingdom, and that would be ME.

I would seduce him, earn everyone's trust, and when everything was calm, with everyone wrapped around my finger, I would destroy them completely.

I sighed, staying firm in my plan, resisting the intensifying tension in the air, and continued.

"I want to go to the ball... I saw the invitation that was sent a few days ago; my mother knows what I'm talking about." I looked at her, at the empress; her gaze was fixed on me in a way I couldn't even describe-it was impossible to guess what was going through her mind.

Victor turned to her, almost huffing, waiting for her to explain, to give details about what this was all about. And I remained silent, because even if I had to go against them, against the empire of Oracalia, I would go to that ball.