Page 21 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

"What about it?"

Carol glanced at Victoria before continuing, "My lady's current room barely gets any sun. Given how weak she is, it'll be hard for her to improve here. If His Majesty could arrange a better room, perhaps my lady would recover faster..."

She looked up carefully, testing my reaction.

I was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. I'll have them prepare a better room."

Carol spoke almost immediately. "Your Majesty, the Queen's chambers have the best light in the palace. Sunlight all day—"

"Carol! What are you saying!" Victoria's voice cut her off urgently. "That's the Queen's room! It represents the royal consort's dignity! How dare you suggest such a thing? You're insulting the Queen!"

Her gaze turned to me, full of apology. "Cedric, I'm so sorry. I haven't managed my maid properly. She shouldn't have said something so disrespectful... I've never coveted Alice's room."

I said nothing.

That room... yes, it had the best light and furnishings in the palace. But it wasn't just a room—it represented Luna's position and status.

Carol muttered under her breath, "My lady! If the Queen hadn't pushed you into the water, you wouldn't be sick. If she had any conscience, she'd have offered the room already..."

"Shut your mouth! Alice is my sister!" Victoria snapped. "Carol, say one more word and I'll have you dragged out!"

Carol glanced at me. When she saw I hadn't reacted to her words, she grew bolder, words tumbling out. "My lady! You treat her like a sister, but she's always used her position to bully you. If you ask me, that ugly creature doesn't deserve to be—"

"SILENCE!" I roared, snatching the teacup from the table and hurling it at her feet. Porcelain exploded, shards flying. Carol screamed and dropped to her knees.

"Your Majesty! Mercy! Please have mercy!" Her voice shook with terror.

I stared at her pale face, my chest heaving violently, trembling all over. The fury shocked even me.

Why?

Why was I this angry? What Carol said—wasn't that what I'd been thinking? Alice didn't deserve to be Queen. She wasn't fit for the position—

But when Carol spoke those words, rage erupted inside me. My wolf was howling madly. He wanted to rip the head off this maid who'd insulted our mate!

"How dare you," my voice was ice, each word slow and clear, "insult the Queen?"

"Your Majesty... I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said. Please forgive me." Carol sobbed, her forehead hitting the floor repeatedly with dull thuds.

"Guards!" I barked.

Guards rushed in and dropped to one knee. "Your Majesty, your command."

"Take her away." My voice held no warmth. "Fifty lashes, then throw her out of the palace."

"No! Your Majesty! For all the years I've served Lady Victoria, please—" The guards gagged her before she could finish, dragging her out.

Silence returned. I took several deep breaths, trying to calm myself, but the agitation wouldn't fade.

"Cedric..." Victoria bit her lip, tears falling. "I'm so sorry. I didn't manage my maid properly. This is all my fault."

Her tears dropped onto the white sheets, spreading into wet spots.

"I'm just a burden to you. I've ruined things between you and Alice. I... I never wanted the Queen's chambers, I swear..."

Her voice cracked, and she started coughing violently, curling up in pain.

Suddenly, Arcales appeared in my mind, dying in my arms. He'd been this weak too, blood soaking through his clothes. He'd used his last strength to grip my hand, those dark blue eyes like mine filled with longing and worry. "Cedric... promise me you'll take care of Victoria. For the sake of how I died for the kingdom..."