The Death of a Tyrant's Concubine

CHAPTER 31 - Swallow Your Pride

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【𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐉𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐄】

There were too many ears in Peony Castle. So, the next morning, I led Virella and Sireen down into the forest. Vyvy darted off to hunt, and the three of us gathered beneath the shadow of a large willow.

"The Nightshades want me dead," I said quietly. "And I believe Princess Griveen intends the same for Sireen. She tried to poison her."

Virella stiffened, her green eyes flaring wide. But Sireen only dipped her head, as if she'd already made peace with the idea.

"What are those crows plotting now?" Virella growled.

I hesitated, weighing my words with Sireen in our presence.

"They mean to uncover treason..." I said. "And if they can't find any, they'll plant it themselves. With their rank, they won't struggle to twist the truth. If we want to survive, we need allies. And we need to raise our station high enough to be untouchable."

Virella smirked coldly.

"Then perhaps we should return the favor."

I nodded.

"It won't be easy. Sylvos has trusted them for years. Their lies will carry more weight than our truths. We'll need more than rumors and accusations. We'll need to set a trap of our own and catch them in it."

Virella's eyes narrowed.

"Very well. We'll keep an eye out for any suspicious ploys..." Virella said, flicking a glance toward Sireen. "Though you and I are, of course, innocent of treason... we'd best avoid falling into their traps."

"Of course," I agreed smoothly, though the forest itself might have laughed.

One of us was a spy. The other, a usurper.

And neither of us were innocent.

Sireen then spoke, her voice soft, trailing the edges of a melody as if she were half-lost in a dream.

"You should leave evidence of my cousin and the other Nightshades working together," she smiled. "That way, when Griveen claims my life, you can let them all take the blame together."

Virella and I turned to stare at her.

She didn't look afraid at all.

"For that to work, you'd have to die," Virella said, brow furrowed.

Sireen tilted her head, puzzled, as though we were speaking a language she hadn't been taught.

"If I'm going to die anyway... why not make use of it?"

"No." My voice was sharp as I gripped her arm. "You won't die."

But the words felt thin.

I wasn't even able to save Talia. What made me think I could protect anyone?

"Don't throw yourself away, Sireen," I said, my voice softer. "We'll find another way."

Still, she stared at me with those wide dark eyes — like a bird watching its reflection in a window.

I let her go with a quiet sigh.

"For now, let's focus on what's ahead. The emperor's birthday celebration is coming. If the three of us work together, I believe we can all rise to Lavender."

I nodded at Sireen.

"You'll help us, won't you? You said you could sing." I smiled. "If we're to leave an impression, a singer is exactly what we need. So please, stay alive. We need your help. Alright?"