Defy The Alpha(s) novel Chapter 778

Chapter 778: It’s About You

Queen Seraphira stood by the tall arched window of her quarters, her hands folded behind her back, listening in silence to the High Treasurer.

The High Treasurer adjusted the stack of parchment in his hands. "Your Majesty, if this continues, the royal coffers will run dry long before recovery is possible."

He laid the reports on the marble table between them. Then broke down the situation to the queen. "The western wing of the palace, the closest to the scene, collapsed. The shock wave cracked the supporting arches and ripped through the foundation. Three levels are unsalvageable."

"Great," Seraphira sighed, scratching the side of her temple. She could already feel a headache brewing.

The treasurer paused on purpose as if giving her respite, then continued, "And that is only the palace."

He turned a page.

"The surrounding regions suffered significant damage and entire groves were uprooted. Several of the elder Fae who dwell within living trees lost their homes when the roots tore free from the earth. It is worth noting that some of them had been bound to those trees for generations."

The headache pulsed harder now, drilling behind her eyes.

The fifth help her. She wasn’t about to go through this ordeal again.

Most Fae did not simply live in their homes, they grew with them. They bonded. To lose a dwelling was not an inconvenience, it was a severing.

"The hollow-homes near the riverbanks collapsed when the ground split," the treasurer went on. "Those who dwell beneath the earth were forced out when the tunnels caved in. Many escaped with nothing but what they were wearing."

"And the injured?" Seraphira asked.

"Zero fatalities," he replied quickly. "Thanks to the early wards and Queen Annequin’s intervention. But hundreds are displaced. They will need shelter."

Silence fell again just as Seraphira turned from the window at last, her expression composed. She moved to the table, resting one hand beside the reports.

"All of this," she said, still quite not believing it, "...as a result of my daughter’s power. No fae has ever been recorded with such astounding ability."

"Indeed, Your Majesty," the treasurer agreed, only for his tone to turn acerbic.

"No other heir has nearly torn our kingdom in two."

Queen Seraphira tilted her head, fixing him with a look that clearly said, Really?

The treasurer cleared his throat, adjusting his coat as if to soften the blow. "Even areas untouched physically were drained magically. Several enchantments failed entirely."

"The enchantments will be restored immediately. However, the people..." Seraphira hesitated. "What are they saying about her?"

"There is fear," the treasurer admitted.

Seraphira’s face fell.

Then he added, carefully, "But there is admiration as well. A great deal of it. The Fae are saying the Fifth One has returned. That she lives within the princess and has come to redeem us. Even now, Your Majesty, the princess is being hailed as the next messiah."

At once, the Queen’s once crestfallen expression brightened.

It seemed that some disasters were, indeed, blessings in disguise after all.

She straightened, every inch the queen once more as she instructed him, "Begin relocation efforts for the displaced immediately," she ordered. "Open the eastern sanctuaries and the halls. Divert funds from ceremonial reserves if you must."

The treasurer’s eyes widened at once. "Your Majesty, that will—"

"I know exactly what it will do, unfortunately, this is not my daughter’s but my fault for poorly preparing her. Hence the burden is mine and the people will not suffer for it."

The treasurer had no room for more arguments. "As you command." He bowed deeply and then left.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Lila came in, the timing almost seamless.

Queen Seraphira lifted her gaze at once, expectation written plainly on her face.

"Well?" she asked.

Lila inclined her head. "The enchantments have been fully restored, Your Majesty. Stronger than before. I personally oversaw the wards and made rounds around the palace perimeter. No unwanted parties slipped in while the protections were down."

"Good."

The tension eased slightly from Seraphira’s shoulders as she moved toward the round table in the center of her quarters. Four elegant chairs surrounded it, carved from pale fae-wood. She took her seat slowly, fingers drumming against the surface, obviously thinking.

Lila remained standing. "There’s something else," she said.

Seraphira glanced up. "Go on."

"Reports coming in indicate that nearly seventy percent of the contestants registered for the Princess’s Trial have withdrawn."

For a heartbeat, the Queen did not react, and then she laughed.

It was sudden and unrestrained, the sound spilling out of her like relief mixed with vindication. She leaned back in her chair, delighted. If not relived.

Lila blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the Queen’s outburst.

It wasn’t surprising when one considered it.

When the Trial of Ascension had first been announced, nearly every young Fae of age had rushed to put their name forward. Everyone wanted to be the next ruler of the Free Fae. Few had taken the princess seriously then. What could a half-blood heir, born outside the realm, possibly accomplish?

But Violet’s display of power today had changed everything. Fear had scattered them like startled birds.

Seraphira wiped at the corner of her eye, amusement still dancing in her gaze. "I’m honestly more surprised there are still fools willing to compete with her."

"They’re likely banking on her lack of formal training," Lila replied. "And on the belief that the Trial conditions may favor experience over raw power."

Seraphira lips curved into a smirk. "We’ll make sure that hope is crushed thoroughly."

The Queen leaned back once more, relaxed. Everything was working out better than she thought. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

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