The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 489

Chapter 489 

Liora’s POV 

Mrs. Oakes didn’t slow down until we were halfway across the building, moving at a pace that had me struggling to keep up with her given the state I was in. The hallway lights felt too bright after the dim candlelight of the banquet, and the tiles of the floor suddenly felt like a maze. I had to keep a hand on the wall just to keep from collapsing. 

Finally, she pushed open a door near the end of the corridor and pulled me inside. It was a small sitting room, the kind used for faculty meetings or private consultations. Two chairs, a low table, a lamp in the corner. She shut the door behind us and whirled on me. 

“Why did you sign up for the combat discipline when you know how dangerous it is?!” 

I blinked. “What?” 

“The tournament. Combat.” Her voice was sharp. “Of all the disciplines available, you chose the one that puts you directly in Bianca’s line of fire. How could you do something so… so… reckless?” 

“Reckless?” I blurted out. “I thought you were the one who signed me up!” 

“I beg your pardon?” 

“My name was on the list already. When I went to change my discipline, they said no changes were allowed. I figured you signed me up. That you had a plan.” 

Mrs. Oakes looked at me for a long moment. I looked back. The realization seemed to hit us both like a freight 

train at once. 

“I didn’t sign you up,” she said quietly. 

The room went quiet except for the faint sound of the music and voices drifting down the hall from the banquet. 

“Then who did?” I asked. 

She pressed her lips together. “I don’t know.” 

I looked at the floor, trying to organize my thoughts, which kept sliding around like a baby deer on ice. I ran my hand over my braid and sank down into the chair behind me, burying my face in my hands. 

“You are the most stubborn girl I have ever met,” she muttered. 

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” 

She turned back to face me, and the look she gave me was not particularly amused. “This isn’t a joke.” 

“I know it isn’t.” I straightened as much as I could manage, but the room swam around me. “But I’m going to be in that ring tomorrow whether you like it or not. I’ve been training for it. I know what I’m up against.” 

She studied me for a long moment. I could tell she didn’t think the chances were anything other than slim. But we both knew they weren’t zero. Which they would be if Bianca had to come up with another, more subtle way of getting rid of me. 

Finally, she sighed. “Go back to your room. Get some sleep. Drink water.” Her eyes moved over me. “I’ll be there tomorrow. I’ll do what I can to help you win. Or at least to keep you from dying.” 

“Thank you.” 

“Don’t thank me yet.” She moved past me toward the door, opening it. “Don’t get into anymore trouble tonight, please? You’re the last hope this kingdom has left.”