Defy The Alpha(s)-Chapter 778: It’s About You

Queen Seraphira stood by the tall arched window of her quarters, her hands folded behind her back, listening in silence to the High Treasurer.

The High Treasurer adjusted the stack of parchment in his hands. "Your Majesty, if this continues, the royal coffers will run dry long before recovery is possible."

He laid the reports on the marble table between them. Then broke down the situation to the queen. "The western wing of the palace, the closest to the scene, collapsed. The shock wave cracked the supporting arches and ripped through the foundation. Three levels are unsalvageable."

"Great," Seraphira sighed, scratching the side of her temple. She could already feel a headache brewing.

The treasurer paused on purpose as if giving her respite, then continued, "And that is only the palace."

He turned a page.

"The surrounding regions suffered significant damage and entire groves were uprooted. Several of the elder Fae who dwell within living trees lost their homes when the roots tore free from the earth. It is worth noting that some of them had been bound to those trees for generations."

The headache pulsed harder now, drilling behind her eyes.

The fifth help her. She wasn’t about to go through this ordeal again.

Most Fae did not simply live in their homes, they grew with them. They bonded. To lose a dwelling was not an inconvenience, it was a severing.

"The hollow-homes near the riverbanks collapsed when the ground split," the treasurer went on. "Those who dwell beneath the earth were forced out when the tunnels caved in. Many escaped with nothing but what they were wearing."

"And the injured?" Seraphira asked.

"Zero fatalities," he replied quickly. "Thanks to the early wards and Queen Annequin’s intervention. But hundreds are displaced. They will need shelter."

Silence fell again just as Seraphira turned from the window at last, her expression composed. She moved to the table, resting one hand beside the reports.

"All of this," she said, still quite not believing it, "...as a result of my daughter’s power. No fae has ever been recorded with such astounding ability."

"Indeed, Your Majesty," the treasurer agreed, only for his tone to turn acerbic.

"No other heir has nearly torn our kingdom in two."

Queen Seraphira tilted her head, fixing him with a look that clearly said, Really?

The treasurer cleared his throat, adjusting his coat as if to soften the blow. "Even areas untouched physically were drained magically. Several enchantments failed entirely."

"The enchantments will be restored immediately. However, the people..." Seraphira hesitated. "What are they saying about her?"

"There is fear," the treasurer admitted.

Seraphira’s face fell.

Then he added, carefully, "But there is admiration as well. A great deal of it. The Fae are saying the Fifth One has returned. That she lives within the princess and has come to redeem us. Even now, Your Majesty, the princess is being hailed as the next messiah." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

At once, the Queen’s once crestfallen expression brightened.

It seemed that some disasters were, indeed, blessings in disguise after all.

She straightened, every inch the queen once more as she instructed him, "Begin relocation efforts for the displaced immediately," she ordered. "Open the eastern sanctuaries and the halls. Divert funds from ceremonial reserves if you must."

The treasurer’s eyes widened at once. "Your Majesty, that will—"

"I know exactly what it will do, unfortunately, this is not my daughter’s but my fault for poorly preparing her. Hence the burden is mine and the people will not suffer for it."

The treasurer had no room for more arguments. "As you command." He bowed deeply and then left.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Lila came in, the timing almost seamless.

Queen Seraphira lifted her gaze at once, expectation written plainly on her face.

"Well?" she asked.

Lila inclined her head. "The enchantments have been fully restored, Your Majesty. Stronger than before. I personally oversaw the wards and made rounds around the palace perimeter. No unwanted parties slipped in while the protections were down."

"Good."

The tension eased slightly from Seraphira’s shoulders as she moved toward the round table in the center of her quarters. Four elegant chairs surrounded it, carved from pale fae-wood. She took her seat slowly, fingers drumming against the surface, obviously thinking.

Lila remained standing. "There’s something else," she said.

Seraphira glanced up. "Go on."

"Reports coming in indicate that nearly seventy percent of the contestants registered for the Princess’s Trial have withdrawn."

For a heartbeat, the Queen did not react, and then she laughed.

It was sudden and unrestrained, the sound spilling out of her like relief mixed with vindication. She leaned back in her chair, delighted. If not relived.

Lila blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the Queen’s outburst.

It wasn’t surprising when one considered it.

When the Trial of Ascension had first been announced, nearly every young Fae of age had rushed to put their name forward. Everyone wanted to be the next ruler of the Free Fae. Few had taken the princess seriously then. What could a half-blood heir, born outside the realm, possibly accomplish?

But Violet’s display of power today had changed everything. Fear had scattered them like startled birds.

Seraphira wiped at the corner of her eye, amusement still dancing in her gaze. "I’m honestly more surprised there are still fools willing to compete with her."

"They’re likely banking on her lack of formal training," Lila replied. "And on the belief that the Trial conditions may favor experience over raw power."

Seraphira lips curved into a smirk. "We’ll make sure that hope is crushed thoroughly."

She then asked, "What of Queen Annequin?"

Lila told her. "Zuru examined her personally. She’s unharmed and sound on her feet."

Seraphira nodded in understanding, relieved. "Good. Thanks to her intervention, what could have been utterly devastating was... contained." She exhaled slowly. "As much as I don’t fully trust her, I need her."

Lila lifted a brow but said nothing.

Seraphira continued. "Annequin is the only one capable of taming Violet’s unmaking ability. That makes her the perfect mentor for this particular power."

Her gaze connected with Lila’s, "We need to get on her good side."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Prepare a gift," Seraphira instructed. "If necessary, draw from my personal collection. The young queen enjoys attention, and what better way to ensure her cooperation than making her feel indispensable."

"I’ll have it arranged."

"Thank you."

The Queen leaned back once more, relaxed. Everything was working out better than she thought.

"Now that all is in control, you should lay your head down, Your Majesty," Lila said gently. "I’ll have Zuru come see you."

Seraphira shook her head at once. "No."

"Your Majesty—"

"There are too many eyes in these halls. If Zuru continues coming in and out of my chambers, people will begin to ask questions."

Lila frowned. "With Violet’s outburst, they’ll assume we’re only making sure you weren’t harmed. No one would question that."

"I am fine," Seraphira replied, her tone clipped now.

"But—"

Seraphira’s gaze snapped to her. They were cold and absolute, the room seeming to still beneath it.

Lila straightened immediately, schooling her expression. She had overstepped. No matter how much she cared, the Queen’s word was final.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Seraphira’s expression eased a little, replaced by something almost maternal.

"I appreciate everything you’ve been doing, Lila," she said quietly. "Truly."

Lila swallowed.

"But every session with Zuru," Seraphira continued, "only reminds me of how weak I have become. How useless." Her fingers tightened briefly before relaxing again. "If I am going to die, then let me do so with dignity. Not as a sickly queen constantly tended to by a healer."

She met Lila’s eyes. "I want my dignity. And like I told you—I am fine."

Lila said nothing.

The sadness in her eyes was unmistakable. She had served Seraphira for years, had watched her rule with grace, and now the helplessness of standing by—unable to protect her—was eating her alive.

The silence stretched, heavy and awkward.

Then the doors opened.

A young fae maiden stepped inside, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty. The cardinal alphas request an audience."

Seraphira and Lila exchanged a look.

"Did something happen?" the Queen asked.

Lila shook her head. "Not that I’m aware of."

"Send them in."

Moments later, Asher and Alaric entered the Queen’s quarters. Both bowed respectfully upon greeting her.

"Sit," Seraphira said.

They obeyed at once, the atmosphere awkward. This was the first time only Asher and Alaric had come to see her—they were usually a team of four. If not five.

The queen could already sense something was off, but she didn’t push it.

A fae servant entered, served them tea, and then left.

Asher and Alaric both drank, not because they were thirsty, but as a way to ease themselves in before breaking the ice.

As soon as the queen lowered her cup, she asked with a polite smile, "To what do I owe this visit, Alpha Asher? Alpha Alaric?"

She addressed them both, her gaze sharp despite the warmth in her tone.

She inquired, "Is this about my daughter? Is there something I don’t know going on?"

Asher set his cup down.

"No, Your Majesty," he said evenly. "We’re not here about Violet."

A brief pause followed.

"It’s about you."