The Alpha's long lost heir
Chapter 144: She begins to strike 2

Chapter 144: She begins to strike 2

Aegis reclined against the ornate headboard of his massive bed, his brow furrowed in discomfort. The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of the candles that lined the walls, casting flickering shadows across the dark wood paneling. The doctor, an elderly man with thin gray hair and a steady hand, was methodically packing away his tools into a leather case. His expression was one of quiet concern as he looked over Aegis.

"You will need to rest, Your Majesty," the doctor said in a low, calm voice. "The treatment should alleviate the symptoms, but you must not exert yourself."

Aegis waved a hand dismissively, his face twisted in irritation. "I am not an invalid, doctor. I do not need to be coddled."

The doctor offered a small bow, knowing better than to argue with the king. "Of course, Your Majesty. However, I strongly advise you take the medication I have prescribed." He reached into his bag and produced a small vial filled with a dark liquid. "This will help with the pain and ensure you get the rest you need."

Aegis accepted the vial with a frown, his fingers closing tightly around it. He had no patience for weakness, especially not his own. Still, he knew the pain would only worsen if left unchecked. With a grunt, he nodded to the doctor, who took that as his cue to leave.

As the door closed behind the doctor, Aegis exhaled slowly, trying to quell the surge of frustration boiling within him. He was not a man accustomed to being slowed down by anything, least of all his own body. Yet, recent days had seen him falter, and that weakness gnawed at his pride.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Before he could respond, the door creaked open, and Risa stepped inside. Her sharp features were set in an expression of concern, though there was a glint in her eyes that suggested something more.

"Aegis," she began, her voice soft and persuasive as she approached the bed. "I heard you were unwell. I came as soon as I could."

Aegis regarded her with a mixture of irritation and suspicion. Risa had always been quick to involve herself in matters that did not concern her, often under the guise of concern. He was in no mood for whatever games she was playing.

"I am fine," Aegis replied curtly, not bothering to mask the edge in his voice. "You should not concern yourself."

Risa did not back down. Instead, she moved closer, her expression shifting to one of genuine worry. "It is Nyx’s doing, I am sure of it. Ever since she arrived at the palace, you have not been the same."

Aegis’s eyes narrowed at the accusation. "What are you talking about? Nyx has nothing to do with this."

"She does," Risa insisted, her voice rising slightly. "You may not see it, but I do. She came here for her own selfish reasons, not because she cares about you. She is manipulating you."

Aegis’s temper flared. "You will not speak of Nyx in that way!" he thundered, his voice echoing off the walls. "She has done nothing but show me loyalty. How dare you accuse her?"

Risa stepped closer, her frustration growing. "You are blinded by her, Aegis! She did not come here for you; she came for her own selfish gains. You know this as well as I do."

"Enough!" Aegis’s voice was a sharp command, silencing Risa momentarily. He sat up straighter, his eyes burning with anger. "You will not speak of Nyx in such a way. She has done nothing but offer her support. I will not tolerate you blaming her for this."

Risa clenched her fists, trying to keep her temper in check. "You are being foolish! Nyx is manipulating you. Can you not see that? She only came to the palace to further her own interests. She does not care about you, Aegis."

Aegis’s face twisted with rage. He reached for the vase that sat on the table beside him and hurled it at Risa with all the strength he could muster.

The vase flew through the air, catching Risa off guard. It struck her on the head with a sickening thud, and she cried out in pain, staggering back.

"Get out!" he bellowed, his voice raw with fury. "Get out of my sight!"

Risa’s hand flew to her head, her fingers coming away wet with blood. The pain was sharp, but it was nothing compared to the searing anger that now coursed through her veins.

She glared at Aegis, her eyes filled with a mixture of fury and hurt."You will regret this, Aegis," she spat, her voice trembling with emotion. "You will see the truth soon enough."

Without waiting for a response, Risa stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Her head throbbed with pain, but she ignored it, her thoughts consumed by one thing—Nyx.

She would not let that woman get away with this. She had to find her.Risa moved through the palace halls with purpose, her anger fueling her every step. She knew where Nyx’s quarters were, and she would confront her there. But when she reached Nyx’s room and found it empty, a surge of suspicion ran through her. Where could she be?

Her eyes narrowed as she considered the possibilities. Nyx had to be somewhere nearby. She would not be far from the center of the palace’s power, not when there was so much at stake.Ignoring the pain in her head, Risa set off in search of Nyx. She would find her, and she would expose her for what she truly was.

As Risa turned a corner, she caught sight of Nyx in the distance, speaking quietly to a guard. Risa’s steps slowed, and she moved closer, keeping to the shadows. She needed to hear what was being said.

Nyx’s voice was calm, almost soothing, as she spoke to the guard. "You must keep a close eye on Aegis," she was saying. "His condition is worse than he lets on, and we cannot afford to lose him now. The palace would fall into chaos."The guard nodded, his expression serious. "I understand, my lady. I will do as you ask."

"Good," Nyx replied, a sly smile on her lips. "Remember, we must remain vigilant. There are those who would see him fall, and we cannot allow that to happen."

Risa’s eyes narrowed as she listened. Nyx’s words were careful, calculated. Was she truly concerned for Aegis, or was this all part of her plan?

Risa’s mind raced as she tried to piece together the truth.Before she could decide her next move, Nyx turned, her gaze sweeping the area. Risa quickly stepped back, hiding behind a pillar. She held her breath, waiting for Nyx to move on.

After a few tense moments, Nyx resumed her conversation with the guard, and Risa exhaled slowly. She needed to be careful. If Nyx suspected she was being watched, she would change her tactics.

Nyx’s eyes narrowed as she sensed a presence nearby. She paused, her sharp gaze scanning the dimly lit corridor. The faintest flicker of movement caught her attention near a pillar, and she felt a surge of suspicion. Someone was watching her. Her instincts, honed over years of dealing with palace intrigue, were rarely wrong.

"Whoever is hiding there," Nyx called out, her voice steady but with an edge that could cut through the tension, "you should come out now. I assure you, it will be much easier on you if you do."

There was a tense silence, and then, from behind the pillar, Risa slowly stepped into view. Her face was pale but defiant, a hand still pressed against the wound on her head where the vase had struck her. Nyx’s eyes flickered to the blood on Risa’s fingers, but her expression remained unreadable.

"So," Risa began, her voice trembling with a mixture of pain and anger, "you are trying to kill Aegis?"

Nyx raised an eyebrow, a small, almost amused smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Kill Aegis?" she repeated, her tone mocking. "Do you honestly believe that?"

Risa’s eyes blazed with fury. "I heard you, Nyx! You said it yourself—you want him out of the way so you can take control of the palace."

Nyx’s smile faded, her gaze hardening. She took a step closer to Risa, her presence commanding and intimidating. "You misunderstand what you heard, Risa," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "And it seems you have a very active imagination."

"Do not lie to me," Risa shot back. "I know what I heard. You are planning something, and it involves getting rid of Aegis."

Nyx sighed, as if dealing with a petulant child. "You are making a grave mistake by jumping to conclusions without understanding the full picture."

Risa stood her ground, her resolve unshaken. "Then explain it to me. If you are not planning to kill him, then what are you doing?"

Nyx’s eyes gleamed with a cold, calculating light. "Why should I explain myself to you, Risa? You are not in a position to demand anything from me."

"You are right," Risa admitted, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides. "But I will not let you harm Aegis. I will not let you take this palace for yourself."

Nyx laughed softly, a sound devoid of warmth. "You overestimate your importance, Risa. But since you seem so eager to know, let me put your mind at ease. My plans, whatever they may be, do not involve killing Aegis. He is far more valuable alive than dead. But you would not understand the complexities of such matters, would you?"

Risa clenched her fists, her frustration boiling over. "You are playing a dangerous game, Nyx. And when Aegis finds out, he will—"

"He will what?" Nyx interrupted, her voice icy. "He will believe you over me? Do you really think you can turn him against me? Aegis trusts me, Risa. More than he has ever trusted you. And that, I think, is what truly bothers you."

Risa’s face flushed with anger, but she knew Nyx was right. Aegis did trust Nyx, and that trust was a formidable weapon in Nyx’s hands. But Risa could not let that deter her. She had to find a way to expose Nyx for what she was before it was too late.

"You will slip up, Nyx," Risa said, her voice filled with conviction. "And when you do, I will be there to catch you."

Nyx regarded her with a mixture of pity and contempt. "You are welcome to try, Risa. But do not be surprised if you find yourself regretting it."

With that, Nyx turned on her heels and walked away, leaving Risa standing alone in the corridor, her mind racing. She had confronted Nyx, but it had only deepened her resolve. Now more than ever, she knew she had to stop whatever Nyx was planning. But to do that, she needed more than just suspicions—she needed proof. And she was willing to do whatever it took to get it.