Chapter 131

Theodore’s POV

It was the right thing to do, sending Dahlia to Darkmoon. As I thought back on it, I didn’t remember her taking a vacation ever before. I wondered if that was due to her preference or my lack of caring for my staff.

Violet had softened me in all the best ways. Though there was a possibility that I had sent Dahlia to Darkmoon to live a little vicariously through her. I would have given almost anything to go there myself to see my own mate.

At the same time, I was thrilled to have Dahlia back in Midnight. I was still keeping her in the dark about the fake mate bond, but I quickly decided to let her know I suspected Eva’s friends were actually spies. I needed help keeping them from stumbling upon information I couldn’t afford for them to discover.

I listened to Dahlia’s rising voice from the master bedroom. It sounded like she was rushing down the front steps. “You are a guest; I insist that I answer the door.”

I hadn’t even heard a knock on the door. I stuck my head out of my room to watch Dahlia finally pass the spy who I had come to know as Riley on the stairs. He slowed to a stop in disappointed defeat as Dahlia opened the front door.

I really didn’t appreciate that Riley and the rest of Eva’s friends kept trying to answer the door and stick their noses where they didn’t belong, but it was so much better now that Dahlia was back to help keep them at bay.

“I’m sorry to inform you that the suits I’m here to deliver will not fit you.” I knew that voice that floated upstairs from the front door. I casually trotted down the stairs, past Riley who was texting on his phone with his hip against the banister, apparently content to stand in the middle of the stairwell and watch.

“Master Remy,” I greeted with a broad smile. I had forgotten that I was waiting on more suits from him. His familiar face and the memories associated with him and Violet warmed my heart in a way I really needed.

“Alpha Nightshade,” he greeted in return, entering my home as Dahlia stepped aside to let him in. A few stewards followed him in, carrying the bespoke suits.

I asked Dahlia to show them up to my closet, and the stewards followed her upstairs as Eva came down them. “My dear,” she cooed as she sidled up next to me, taking my hand in hers. “I’d love to meet your friend.”

I noticed from the corner of my eye as Riley disappeared back upstairs, and I wondered if it had been Eva he had been texting to let her know someone had arrived.

Master Remy discreetly glanced at my hand in Eva’s, which I was pretending was Violet’s hand for my own sanity. Then he rested his gaze on Eva, offering her his hand. “You must be the new Midnight Luna everyone’s whispering about.”

Eva shook Master Remy’s hand. “Oh, is everyone whispering about me?” She tried to sound embarrassed but was unsuccessful in hiding her glee.

Master Remy slid a knowing glance my way as he withdrew his hand from Eva’s. Trying to avoid his all-knowing gaze, I invited him in for tea, which was already set up in the sitting room.

We sat down and chit-chatted while we sipped our tea. I inquired after Elise, Master Remy’s wife, who he informed us was doing well and still cooking the best food in the country. He asked polite questions to get to know Eva without prying.

I realized that he was sizing her up – and that she was completely oblivious to it. His observant eyes were unlikely to miss much, and I wondered how much he could see through my charade.

“You know,” he shared, “as a tailor, I hear a lot of talk among the nobles who frequent my shop. It’s honestly surprising how much they willingly voice in front of me because they view me as… powerless perhaps.”

I set down my teacup, curious but wary about where this was going – especially in front of Eva.

“Based on what I’ve heard in the last several weeks, the public support for the Shelter project has had quite the impact,” Master Remy continued. “Their conversations indicate that half the Alphas will vote for the project.

He paused, raising his eyebrows at me. “Your and Violet’s work is paying off.”

Eva bristled at the mention of my mate. Master Remy didn’t miss it.

Then as he glanced at me, his knowing look told me he had figured out enough. I couldn’t be sure how much, but I realized it didn’t matter as he nodded subtly into his next sip, letting me know our secret was safe with him.

Finding out that half the Alphas would vote for the Shelter project was extremely valuable intel. Though as impressive as fifty percent support was, it wasn’t the seventy percent Owen had required to provide funding.

I shared as much with Tyron when we met for lunch a few days later at a rarely frequented restaurant halfway between our homes. Tyron seemed to hesitate at my pessimism.

“What?” I prompted.

He shrugged, scratching at his beard. “You might not get the seventy percent support you need before the vote next week, but maybe you need to be going after something bigger.”

I stared him down, not excited about where this was going.

Tyron lowered his voice. “Alphas and nobles across the country are growing tired of Owen’s unpredictable and disrespectful rule. He is not a fair king.”

My stare deepened into a glower.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he said. “You and I both know you are the ruler this kingdom needs and deserves.”

“No,” I spat without missing a beat.

Tyron sighed, rolling back his shoulders. “Most folks are disgusted that he pardoned Lucas after what he so publicly did to Violet, but even those who choose to think Lucas is innocent do not appreciate the recent land restructuring or increased noble taxes. A revolt is coming whether you like it or not.”

“I do not want the crown.” I hated how often I had to say that.

“You already implied to me and Helene that you are planning something against him—”

“You mean the conversation where I shielded you both from being accomplices to treason?” I hissed as quietly as I could manage. “After this conversation, you’re much more than an accomplice now.”

“I don’t care about that!” Tyron bellowed before lowering his voice again. “There are more important things at stake, like the future of this country.” His eyes watered as he said, “I don’t want my child growing up under the rule of a king like Owen.”

I clenched my teeth as his words pulled on my heartstrings.

“Owen’s demise is inevitable,” Tyron whispered. “But if his rule ends without a leader ready to step up and take his place, the country will descend into chaos. And the longer you wait to take him down, the longer you have to stay separated from your mate.”

I huffed, refusing to meet Tyron’s eyes. He had excellent points that I couldn’t argue against. I was starting to worry that if I didn’t go after the crown I had spent my life rejecting, that I would never see my alari again.