Chapter 162: The Truth in Chains
Ariana shifted her gaze gently after giving the lady a smile. She noticed how silky the lady’s hair was and could not help but admire it, though she could not recognize her at all.
Raven stepped forward and bowed gently.
"Her Highness, a surprise to hear that you were coming."
Ariana smiled softly as she nodded.
"Yes, I did not want to catch you off guard. That was why I sent a letter earlier."
Raven nodded as Stephanie and Ariana walked ahead.
Raven and Pandora were at the back, and then Raven turned to Pandora.
"Go on, your food will be brought to our room," Raven spoke softly.
Pandora wanted to decline because she wished to follow him. She wanted to meet the queen, but she chose to listen to Raven as he had told her. It seemed he knew her well, because maybe her stomach might rumble while they went wherever they were going.
But she had no idea that Raven did this to prevent her from seeing the dungeon.
She nodded, and Raven gave her a reassuring nod in return. She smiled as she turned and left. Raven gave her one last glance before turning back. Just then, Stephanie, who had been watching, quickly turned away.
Raven noticed the queen and Lady Stephanie were already far ahead.
Stephanie and Ariana walked in silence until Stephanie’s lips curved into a smile. She was already getting excited. She then whispered softly to Ariana:
"That lady is so pretty. Heavens, did you see her hair? It looked so ethereal."
Ariana smiled softly and replied,
"There is certainly a connection between them, I can feel it."
Immediately those words left her lips, Lady Stephanie giggled excitedly. She did not know why she had developed a habit of matching people in her head, but it always excited her when she saw two couples or people together.
However, when it came to matching herself, she was very bad at it. She pressed her lips together, trying to hide her excitement, then turned to Ariana and whispered again:
"Luna Ariana, what if they get married?"
Ariana’s eyes widened before she began laughing at Lady Stephanie’s words. Stephanie smiled as Ariana spoke softly,
"You know what I think? How about you start writing books? It would not be a bad idea, don’t you think?"
Stephanie smiled and replied,
"Very true, my queen. I would try that."
Ariana smiled in return.
"Very good, and I would be your first reader."
Stephanie nodded with a smile.
Not long after, Raven caught up with them, walking alongside a guard — the same one meant to guide Ariana as well. Ariana and Stephanie finally stopped in front of a door. Raven moved forward, removed a key from his pocket, and opened it. Just as he did, Ariana took a step, but he paused and turned.
"Luna Ariana, if I may ask one more time... do you mind? The place might be a little bit... not the usual." He tried to warn her without sounding too alarming.
Ariana nodded calmly.
"I do not mind. Lady Stephanie, do you?"
Stephanie turned to her with a smile, then to Raven.
"I do not mind at all."
Raven nodded and walked ahead, leading them downstairs. It was more like a cemented place, not smooth like the other parts. Ariana noticed the place was darker, lit only by candles.
It was slightly hot, with a strange stench. They kept walking down, and a small window cast sharp rays of light across two or three steps.
Stephanie looked around as she simply observed. It seemed strange to her, but Ariana did not really look around.
They finally reached a different section protected by iron gates.
"This is the royal dungeon, Luna Ariana — specifically for the people who had wronged the royal family," Raven explained.
This place was very different from where Zavren did his own things. No matter what happened, no one was allowed into that place, and that would be the only time Raven would have to decline the queen’s orders if she ever wished to go there. He wasn’t even sure if she knew about that place, so he was glad.
They moved toward the nearest cell. The other side was empty, but inside this one sat Lady Emberg. Her usual slick bun was now undone, making her look wild. She sat on a mat, her expression low. When she noticed them, her shoulders stiffened, and she gently raised her head to stare at Ariana before shifting her gaze.
"What do you want now? To see me in misery?" she asked with bitterness and slightly raced voice her face twisted in anger.
Stephanie’s legs weakened. She had thought she was strong, but now, seeing the lady who killed her parents, her body weakened. Her energy drained as she tried her best to calm her breathing. She could not believe that all these years, she had been fooled.
Ariana noticed it immediately and stepped forward.
"Mister Raven, please take us to the maid who tried to poison me," she spoke softly.
Raven nodded and walked ahead as Ariana and Stephanie followed. Stephanie sighed in relief, feeling better now. She was glad, because just looking at that woman’s face had made her annoyed yet suffocated.
Lady Emberg began to scream.
"Why are you leaving!!! You only came to see me in my worst state! Let me tell you all — I cannot die! I would NEVER!"
Ariana kept walking. If anyone had told her that the Lady Emberg she once knew was behind most of these things, she would never have believed it.
They finally reached another cage. A maid sat inside, her head bowed deeply. Food filled the floor, and the sour smell drifted through the environment. Ariana moved back a little as Raven explained:
"Your Highness, it seems she has not eaten since that day she was brought here and never took any food given to her except water."
To Raven’s surprise, Ariana smiled. Even Lady Stephanie’s eyes widened, and to everybody’s shock, Ariana spoke to the lady.
"You know Mr. Fredrick, don’t you?"
Raven almost choked at her words. If he was not mistaken, that was the queen’s ex-husband.
The lady’s head finally rose as she spoke in a hoarse, tired tone, her eyes weak.
"No, Luna Ariana... I... do not know who that is."
One thing about prisoners was that, to avoid any more punishment or torture, they always answered royals when asked questions. Whether lying or telling the truth, they still had to answer.
"I would not beat around the bush, as I and Lady Stephanie have other things to attend to today."
The place fell silent as Ariana raised her hand. The man who had followed them all this while brought out the letter, and Ariana took it. Lady Stephanie’s eyes widened. If she was not mistaken, that was the letter she had given Ariana last night.
"You were sent here to poison me..." Ariana eyes sharpened yet her voice remained gentle too gentle.
Raven just stared in shock. Her aura right now was so commanding, cold yet emotionless — it was exactly like Zavren’s calm before the storm.
"Do you by any chance know this letter?" Ariana asked softly, a smile on her lips warm, yet her eyes were cold.
The lady’s eyes finally rested on it, and they widened in shock as she stared. Her hands and lips trembled. Ariana’s soft laughter echoed, and no one dared make a sound.
"I have no idea what that is, Luna Ariana," the lady stuttered.
A slow smile curled Ariana’s lips as her eyes glinted dangerously.
"Still in denial, huh?"
Ariana gently moved her hand to her chin as if thinking, then tilted her head, facing the lady fully through the dungeon gate, where she sat against the wall.
"Now the real question is... are you a werewolf?"
And before anyone could reason, Ariana’s hand moved to the small pocket of her dress. She took out a bottle, then turned and smashed it against the wall.
SHRANG!
The glass shattered as the thick red liquid spilled, drifting into the air.
Before anyone knew it, the lady lunged forward, hitting the dungeon gate. Her claws were out, her eyes blood-red, her fangs bared. In a beastly voice, she screamed:
"Give me the blood!"