Chapter 70: Survey her

Steam swirled around me as I sank deeper into the hot bath, my mind racing with the events that had just transpired. The queen had destroyed the evidence right in front of me, leaving me feeling both helpless and infuriated. I closed my eyes, letting the heat of the water soothe my tense muscles as I tried to formulate a new plan. Read today on m-vle-mp _yr.

I couldn't let the queen's actions go unchallenged. The people of the eastern province were counting on me, and I needed to find a way to expose the corruption and bring justice. But how? The documents had been my best chance, and now they were gone.

After a long soak, I finally pulled myself out of the bath, wrapping a plush towel around my body. The cool air hit my damp skin, sending a shiver down my spine as I moved to get dressed. I needed to speak with Nara. She would know what to do next.

Once I was dressed, I found Nara waiting for me in my quarters, her expression one of determined focus. She stood up as I entered the room, her eyes meeting mine with a mixture of concern and resolve.

"Elara," she began, "we can't let this setback stop us. We have to keep pushing forward."

I nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude for her unwavering support. "I know, Nara. But we need another plan. The queen is too powerful, and she's always one step ahead."

Nara crossed her arms, thinking for a moment. "We need to gather more information, but we have to be careful. The queen will be watching us closely now. We can't make any more mistakes."

"I agree," I said, my mind already working through possible strategies. "We need to surveil her, find out where she's hiding the rest of the evidence or uncover any more of her dirty dealings."

Nara's eyes lit up with understanding. "I can do that. I can keep an eye on her movements and see if we can catch her slipping up. If we can get another piece of solid evidence, we can bring it to the council before she has a chance to destroy it."

I placed a hand on her shoulder, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Thank you, Nara. I trust you. Be careful, and don't let her catch on to what you're doing."

She nodded firmly. "I won't let you down, Elara. We'll get through this."

As Nara left to begin her surveillance, I sat down at my desk, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on me. I picked up a quill and parchment, jotting down notes and ideas for how we could proceed.

Nara nodded, and I headed back to my quarters. I lay down on my bed, my mind still buzzing with thoughts and plans. I missed Seraphina more than ever, but I knew I had to handle this on my own. For the people of the eastern province, for their future, and for the justice they deserved.

The next morning, I woke early, feeling the weight of the task ahead. I decided to cook breakfast for myself, hoping that the familiar routine would help clear my mind. I made my way to the kitchen, gathering ingredients for a simple meal of scrambled eggs and toast.

As I cooked, I thought about our plan. Nara would gather the information we needed, and I would find a way to get into the secret chamber. We had to be careful, but we also had to be bold. The queen wouldn't hesitate to crush us if she suspected anything.

After eating my breakfast, I left the kitchen and began wandering the castle, looking for anything that might help us. I searched through old documents, explored hidden passages, and listened carefully to the conversations of the staff. Every piece of information, no matter how small, could be crucial.

Hours passed, and I was beginning to lose hope when I stumbled upon a hidden passage behind a bookshelf in one of the castle's many libraries. The passage led to a small, dimly lit room filled with dusty old books and scrolls. I carefully examined the contents, hoping to find something useful.

As I sifted through the documents, I heard a noise behind me. I turned to see the queen standing in the doorway, a look of fury on her face. My heart raced as I realized I had been caught. She must have followed me or had her guards watching my every move.

"What do you think you're doing, Elara?" the queen demanded, her voice cold and menacing.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure. "I'm looking for the truth. The people of the eastern province deserve better, and I won't stop until I find a way to help them."

The queen's eyes narrowed, and she stepped closer. "You are meddling in matters that do not concern you. You are nothing but a pawn, and you will never succeed in challenging my authority."

Before I could respond, she raised her hand and snapped her fingers. The room filled with flames as the queen used her magic to burn the evidence I had found. I watched in horror as the documents turned to ash, the queen's laughter echoing in the small chamber.

"You will never defeat me, Elara," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "You are nothing compared to my power."

With that, she turned and left the room, leaving me standing amidst the ashes of my hopes. I knew now more than ever that I had to find a way to stop her. I had to protect the people of the eastern province, no matter the cost. This queen can't stop ruining my plan it's starting to get on my nerves.