Chapter 42: Shadows Over Sivir Academy
**Thelma Zane’s POV**
“Of course, it’s true!” Aldrich reassured me, his hand brushing my forehead with a tenderness that melted my heart. “Nothing is more important than you, my dear. Even if my father summoned me to inherit the family title, I wouldn’t leave if you didn’t want me to.”
I couldn’t help but smile at his words. The Moon Goddess must have taken her time when creating he–wolves like Aldrich, making them this irresistibly endearing. But deep down, I knew better.
“Forget it,” I said, shaking my head and forcing myself to suppress the longing tugging at my heart. “I was just joking. This is your duty, Aldrich. I can’t be selfish and hold you back.”
He opened his mouth to protest, but I quickly interrupted, determined to lighten the moment. ‘Alright, alright, let’s not make this feel like some dramatic farewell. It’s just three days, and I’m not so weak that I can’t manage without you for that short time.”
That was a lie. I hated the thought of even a moment apart from him.
Though I tried to mask my emotions, the weight of my reluctance hung in the air like a storm cloud. Aldrich did his best to cheer me up, but my responses were stilted and robotic. Smiling felt like a monumental task, and I found myself growing quiet, unable to shake my unease.
By the time we parted ways, the mood between us was heavy, even though Aldrich was clearly trying to leave me with a smile. I hated that I couldn’t reciprocate the warmth he was offering in those final moments before his trip.
When I returned to the palace, the tension in the air was palpable. Servants moved with hurried steps, their expressions grim. Something was wrong.
“What’s going on?” I asked one of the maids as I stepped inside. “Where are the Lycan King and Queen?”
The maid hesitated before replying, “Miss Thelma, Her Majesty has instructed that you visit. the imperial physician Tracy upon your return. The King and Queen are in the town hall addressing an urgent matter. You’ll be dining alone tonight.”
A chill crept down my spine. “The town hall? At this hour? What’s happened?”
The maid’s voice lowered. “I believe it concerns your school, Sivir Academy. There’s been an attack. A witch has reportedly trapped a group of students inside.”
“What?” I gasped, my mind racing. Mara and Avril were still there.
Without waiting for more details, I hurried to the town hall, my heart pounding like a drum. When I arrived, the room was filled with unfamiliar ministers engaged in heated discussions. My parents were seated at the head of the assembly, their faces a mix of worry and resolve.
I stepped forward and bowed politely, maintaining the appearance of a ‘distant relative.” ” Good evening, Your Majesties.”
My mother’s gaze softened when she saw me. She quickly rose and addressed my father and the council. “Excuse me, gentlemen. My niece may have been exposed to magic at Sivir Academy. I must accompany her for a medical examination.”
Once we were away from prying eyes, my mother pulled me into a fierce hug. Her voice trembled as she spoke. “Thank the Moon Goddess you’re safe! I heard Aldrich picked you up from school today. I’ll have to thank him properly. If he’d been even a minute later…”
Her words trailed off, but I knew what she meant. My stomach tightened at the thought of how close I might have been to danger.
“Mother, gratitude can wait. We still need to keep certain ‘secrets‘ under wraps,” I reminded her gently. “Right now, I need to know what’s happening at Sivir Academy. Are the students. safe? What a Mara and Avril?”
My mother guided me toward the royal medical hall, her expression grim. “The situation is unclear. The guards detected magical fluctuations at the school, but no witches have been seen. There’s been no communication from the attacker, so we don’t know their motives. However, no parent has reported feeling their mind link with their child severed, so it seems the students are unharmed for now.”
I exhaled a shaky breath, relief washing over me like a tide. Tracy, the royal physician, greeted us and began running a series of tests. Strange powders and elixirs were applied to my skin, their pungent scents filling the room. After what felt like an eternity, Tracy turned to my mother with a reassuring smile.
“Your Majesty, you can relax. There are no traces of magical influence on the princess. She’s completely safe.”
My mother sagged with relief, whispering a prayer of thanks to the Moon Goddess. “I must return to the town hall,” she said after a moment. “The ministers will be at each other’s throats, blaming one another for their inability to handle the situation. Stay here, Thelma, and have dinner. I’ll update you as soon as I can.
I nodded, though my appetite had vanished entirely. After a distracted meal, I decided to head to the training ground to clear my mind. Physical exertion was my usual remedy for stress, but no amount of running could ease the gnawing worry in my chest.
What if Mara and Avril weren’t as safe as the reports claimed? Witches had a terrifying ability to control minds, and werewolves were far from immune. My imagination spiraled, conjuring
worst–case scenarios.
Then my thoughts drifted to Aldrich. Would Duke Frank send him to lead the charge against the witch? Could he be injured? My heart clenched at the idea. Aldrich was strong–stronger than most–but witches were cunning and unpredictable.
And yet, as fear consumed me, another part of me longed for his presence. If he returned early, even if it was because of the witch, we wouldn’t have to endure three days apart.
I ran laps until my legs felt like lead and collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. Just as I lay there, too tired to move, a servant appeared with urgent news.
“Good news, Your Highness!” Kara, my head servant, approached, her tall and thin frame. silhouetted against the moonlight. “The situation at Sivir Academy has been resolved. No students or teachers were harmed. Everything was handled peacefully.”
Relief coursed through me, lifting the heavy weight that had been pressing on my chest.” They’re safe?” I asked, my voice trembling with emotion..
Kara nodded. “Yes, Your Highness. Everyone is safe.”
I allowed Kara to help me to my feet and guide me to a bath. Exhaustion seeped into every muscle, but my mind buzzed with questions. “Was the witch caught? Who was she? Why would she attack the academy? Was it revenge against the werewolves? Or did she have a grudge against the Lycans?”
Kara chuckled softly, her tone soothing. “Don’t trouble yourself, Your Highness. The King and Queen will handle everything. This matter is likely confidential, so I’m afraid I don’t have the answers.”
I sighed, letting the warm water ease my weary body. Though the immediate danger had passed, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far more sinister.
Chapter 43: The Awakening Tides.
