Surrogate for the Alpha Prince in a Coma novel Chapter 205

Chapter 205

Grayson’s POV

+15 Benus

The Alpha Minister was a sobbing, broken mess. Any small hope I had of getting a confession out of him went up in smoke, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. Seeing the man suffer was good enough for me.

I walked to the hand and took off the signet ring, knowing I might need that later. This investigation wasn’t done, even if this part of it was satisfying as the hells. I pocketed the ring, but left the hand as I walked out of the room, Prime Beta behind me.

We didn’t have to go far to our next destination. I gestured for the guard to open the door to Ophelia’s room and I stepped inside.

She was reading on her cot, but set her book aside and stood as I entered. “Prince Grayson. Brother.”

I stood stoic for a moment, uncertain if coming here was the correct choice. Ophelia had still tried to kill Lillian before, and that couldn’t and wouldn’t be forgiven. But in this instance, she had also tried to help. Likely any action to help had been for her own selfish means, but I would allow it, if it meant Lillian would be safe.

“Thank you for your warning,” I said bluntly and blandly. “Because of you, I was able to arrive in time to save Lillian’s life.”

“It was my honor,” she said. “I hope you understand that I directed my letter to Clara and not to you because I knew you would likely not read any correspondence from me.”

“I understand,” I said. “And that remains true. You may have acted to save Lillian’s life on this occasion, but you have tried to harm her in the past. That will never be forgiven.”

She hung her head. “I understand.”

“However, because of the kindness this time, I can allow you some comforts.” I knew that if I did not reward Ophelia, she might be less inclined to help in the future. She seemed to have a pipeline to information, and I needed to do what I could to keep that pipeline open. “I can arrange for you to receive food from the main kitchen.”

Her eyes lit up like I had promised her the world. “That would be everything. Thank you, my prince.”

I nodded.

“Grayson,” she said suddenly. “Lillian isn’t out of danger yet.”

“You know something,” I said.

“No one believes me,” Ophelia said, her gaze flicking to her brother for a moment, before coming back to me.” But… as long as Odette has intentions for you, Lillian will always be in danger.”

I kept my expression blank, not reacting. Ophelia seemed certain, and I could sense that she believed what she said. Whether it was the truth or not was an entirely different matter.

Odette had saved my life when we were children, when I had fallen in the woods and hit my head.

Though… images flashed through my mind, pictures from a recent dream, shifting a young Odette with a young Lillian in my mind. Had that been a real memory? A better clarity of the past? Or had that simply been a remnant of delirium because of the silver poisoning?

It was impossible to say.

1/3

hapter 20

+15 8gnus

For now, I left Ophelia without a response. In the hallways, returning to the palace, I told Prime Beta, “Keep an eye-on Odette. I don’t want to mistrust an old friend, but…” I pushed a frustrated hand through my hair. “I just don’t know who to trust anymore.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Prime Beta said.

The words struck me deeply. Who could I trust? The guard I had thought trustworthy enough to send with her to the mountain had turned against her. Was every guard I considered loyal so dishonest?

Maybe it was time that I turned to my secret army to protect Lily now, if all of the palace guards were compromised.

Yes, perhaps it was past time for me to start making moves inside of the palace as well as outside of it.

Lillian’s POV

I tried to go about my day, but my whole body was thrumming with anticipation for tonight but also worry over whatever Grayson had to accomplish that he thought too important to wait. I knew how badly he wanted me, just as I wanted him. For him to delay our time together, something had to be very wrong.

When the court was summoned in the throne room, the lump that had already been forming in my throat now lodged there uncomfortably. Had he uncovered more of the plot against me? Was he going to make accusations or start some kind of fight?

I didn’t know, and that made me nervous.

“It’s going to be okay,” Clara said. “Whatever happens, it’s all going to be okay.”

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