Chapter 235:

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I turned back to Darren. “As for his health, I’m sure General Gideon will assign his best men to protect the elder. Besides, the northern air, while brisk, is very fresh. Excellent for an old man’s constitution.”

My words shut Darren down completely. He finally realized I wasn’t here to negotiate. I was here to pass sentence.

Seeing Darren was useless, Arthur made his last stand. “Supervising funds is my duty, but an Alpha has no right to order an elder to leave the Capital and reside on the frontier!”

He was trying to hide behind the rules.

Rea𝘥 o𝗇 𝗮ո𝗒 𝗱e𝗏𝘪се 𝗼n g𝘢l𝗻𝗈𝘃еlѕ.𝗰𝘰𝘮

I smiled. “Of course, I don’t have that right. However,” my tone shifted, “as Master of Arms, I have the right to ensure military funds are used appropriately. And as the official investigator of the ‘Prince’s Ruined Gift’ case, personally appointed by His Majesty, I have the right to suspect anyone who might be a threat to the Pack’s security and to take ‘necessary isolation measures.'”

I had laid the King’s authority on his neck like a sword.

“Elder Arthur,” I said slowly, “intelligence suggests that Rogues have infiltrated the Capital and are in contact with someone inside the Pack. Until you are cleared of suspicion, going to the north to ‘supervise’ work, far from the intrigues of the Capital, is the best option. For both of us.”

It was a naked threat. I had branded him a potential traitor.

Arthur’s face went white. He knew if he argued further, his destination might not be exile, but the dungeons.

He collapsed back into his chair, a defeated old man.

The battle was won.

I returned to my study to find Haven waiting for me. She had a cup of hot tea ready.

“Did it go well?” she asked.

I nodded, recounting the events of the meeting. She listened, a small smile playing on her lips, as if it had all gone exactly as she’d foreseen.

Haven Kramer POV:

Listening to Demetri, my understanding of him deepened. His talent for political maneuvering was far greater than I had imagined.

I was happy for him, but it also solidified my resolve. I couldn’t just be the woman behind the man. I needed my own power.

While Demetri attended to his new duties, I went to my lab.

I continued my research. In my past life’s knowledge base, there was a bioactive peptide that could rapidly repair corneal damage and relieve eye strain. In this world without electronic screens, its primary market would be the nobles and scholars who spent long hours reading scrolls, and the warriors who suffered eye injuries in battle.

I wrote out the molecular formula and began designing a method for synthesis and purification using the resources available in this world. I would need specific herbs as catalysts and a precise set of distillation equipment.

I called for Lyle and gave him a procurement list.

He looked at the strange herb names and diagrams of glassware, his face a mask of confusion.

Phoebe came over, equally puzzled. “Luna, are you… creating a new perfume?”

In their eyes, I was just a Luna who read books, played music, and dabbled in these “useless” hobbies.

I just smiled without explaining. They would see soon enough. They would all see what kind of storm these “useless” things were about to unleash on the Contreras Pack.

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