Chapter 196: Instigated
{Third Person}
Meanwhile, at Alexander’s residence, Jasper quietly entered the sitting room and approached him.
"Your Highness."
Alexander looked up, his attention shifting to Jasper’s serious expression.
"Nora visited Her Majesty nearly two hours ago," Jasper said.
The news immediately caught Alexander’s attention. His expression cooled, and a faint frown appeared between his brows.
"What did they discuss?"
Jasper stepped closer. Without another word, he leaned in and whispered quietly into Alexander’s ear.
The room fell silent.
When Jasper finally stepped back, Alexander’s eyes had narrowed, a dangerous coldness settling in them. For several seconds, he said nothing. Then, at last, he spoke.
"Keep a tight watch on her."
Jasper nodded at once. "There are already several eyes on her."
Alexander seemed satisfied with the answer. He leaned back slightly, though the coldness in his gaze remained. When he spoke again, his voice was calm but chilling.
"If she forgets her place..."
He paused, letting the silence sharpen. Then he finished, "This residence will remain quiet for a very long time."
Jasper understood at once. The warning was unmistakable.
If Nora dared to move against Amara or stir trouble in the residence, there would be no reason to spare her. She would be dealt with permanently.
For the first time in months, the Alpha Prince’s residence would be free of an unwanted concubine.
Jasper lowered his head slightly. "It will be handled."
Alexander said nothing more, but the chill in his eyes remained.
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Two nights before the scheduled move to the city, Nora prepared everything in her small residence with trembling hands. She had spent the entire afternoon carefully arranging the place.
The small table had been set with tea and light snacks. Fresh flowers sat in a vase near the window. Candles had been lit to soften the atmosphere, making the modest room feel warmer and more inviting than usual.
To anyone else, it would look like a simple evening invitation. But to Nora, tonight meant everything.
Tonight was supposed to be the turning point.
She stood by the door, adjusting her clothes yet again. Her heart beat uneasily as her gaze kept drifting to the entrance.
She waited. Time dragged on, and the candles burned lower, but no one came.
Nora’s hands slowly clenched at her sides. Her breathing grew heavier as the silence in the room became suffocating.
At last, one of her maids returned after discreetly checking outside. She lowered her head nervously.
"Miss..."
Nora turned sharply. "Well?"
The maid hesitated. "Lady Amara will not be coming."
For a moment, Nora did not react. Then her expression shifted. "What?"
The maid swallowed. "She... did not send any message."
Nora’s voice dropped dangerously low. "Where is she?"
The maid hesitated again before answering softly. "She is taking an evening walk around the residence grounds." Her next words were barely audible. "She is with her maid, Sonia."
A dangerous silence settled over the room.
Nora stood motionless as disappointment twisted into something darker and far more unstable. The anger she had buried for days finally broke free.
Amara had not even bothered to come—not out of courtesy, not even to reject her properly. She had simply ignored her.
Nora’s breathing turned ragged as her thoughts spiralled. Lysandra’s words returned to her: You are being abandoned because of her.
Nora squeezed her eyes shut. When she opened them, reason was gone, leaving only raw, blinding fury.
Her maid took a fearful step back. "Miss..."
Nora gave no answer. Without warning, she turned and stormed out, leaving the maid frozen in panic.
"Miss!"
But Nora was already gone.
---
Amara was indeed taking a quiet evening walk in the residence.
The cool night air carried a gentle breeze, easing the heaviness in her chest.
With the move to the city only two days away, the residence had grown unusually busy. Mrs. Woods had spent most of the day overseeing preparations and packing Amara’s belongings.
So ,Amara had come out with Sonia instead.
Sonia walked half a step behind her, as she always did. Among the familiar faces in the residence, she was one of the few who still belonged to Amara’s old life. That made her presence quietly comforting.
Amara walked slowly, her thoughts drifting. "I still can’t believe we leave in two days," she said softly.
Sonia smiled. "You should be happy, My Lady."
Amara glanced at her. "I am." A small smile touched her lips. "I truly am."
Sonia’s expression softened. "It will be better for you."
Amara nodded. Deep down, she believed it too. The city felt like a fresh start—somewhere quieter, somewhere calmer.
Just then, Sonia stopped abruptly.
Amara noticed at once and turned to her. "What is it?"
Sonia’s expression tightened, her eyes sharpening with alarm. She felt something was terribly wrong. Without hesitation, she grabbed Amara and pulled her back.
"My Lady!"
Amara barely had time to react before a shadow lunged from the darkness. The attack was too sudden, too fast. She caught only fragments: wild eyes, tangled hair, and a face twisted with madness.
Nora.
Terror stole Amara’s breath. Nora was rushing straight toward her, a blade clenched in her hand.
"Die!" Nora’s scream tore through the night.
Amara froze, her body refusing to move. In the next instant, before Nora could reach her, three dark figures burst from the shadows.
They moved with terrifying speed. One seized Nora’s arm, another locked her from behind, and the third knocked the blade from her hand. It struck the ground with a sharp metallic clang.
Nora let out a raw, animalistic scream and thrashed violently against them. Fury twisted her face as madness overtook her completely.
"You ruined everything!" she screamed at Amara, her voice cracking with rage and desperation. "You stole everything from me!"
Amara remained frozen, her heart pounding hard against her ribs.
Nora’s body began to change in violent, jerking motions. Her nails stretched into claws, her eyes glowed unnaturally, and sheer emotional instability forced her into a partial shift.
The sight chilled Amara to the bone.
Still struggling against the men’s hold, Nora shrieked, "I hate you! You ruined my life!"
Amara’s face drained of colour. She had never witnessed anything so horrifying, especially not this close—and never aimed at her.
Fear rooted her in place.
Nora fought harder, but the men overpowered her with ruthless efficiency.
Then a cold voice cut through the chaos. "That’s enough."
Jasper.
At the sound of his voice, some of the tension inside Amara eased.
Jasper stepped from the shadows, cold and composed. After a brief glance at Nora, he turned to the men.
"Take her away."
Nora screamed again. "No!" She struggled wildly. "You cannot do this!"
Jasper’s expression remained unchanged as the men dragged her away. Her screams echoed across the grounds.
"I will not let it end this way!"
Her voice faded into the distance until silence settled again. The night suddenly felt too still, too quiet.
Amara remained where she stood, visibly shaken. Her breathing was uneven, and Sonia stayed close, supporting her.
"My Lady." Jasper turned to Amara, the coldness in his expression easing slightly.
Amara looked at him, her face still pale.
His voice was calm and steady as he said to her, "There is no need to be afraid now."
Amara swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "What... what just happened?"
Jasper chose his words with care. "A threat was stopped before it could reach you."
Amara stared at him. His words were calm, but the truth was clear: Nora had truly tried to attack her. If those men had not appeared...
She did not want to finish the thought.
Jasper noticed the fear still lingering in her eyes, and his tone softened further. "You are safe."
The simple reassurance steadied her more than she expected.
Jasper glanced briefly at Sonia, then looked back at Amara. "It is best that you return to your residence now."
Amara did not argue. She could not; the fear still clung too deeply.
Jasper gave a small nod. "Get some rest, My Lady." Then he added quietly, "You need not worry. His Highness will handle everything."
Amara nodded weakly. With Sonia supporting her, she turned and slowly walked back toward her residence, her mind in complete chaos.
Even after she left, the terrifying image of Nora’s face stayed burned into her mind. But more than the fear, one thing troubled Amara deeply.
She could not understand why Nora had suddenly attacked her, and why she had blamed her. She was deeply confused.
She could not make sense of any of it. She had never done anything to Nora.
Yes, they had never been close. In truth, she had kept her distance from Nora from the beginning, but she had never intentionally harmed her. So, where had that hatred come from?
The more Amara thought about it, the more unsettled she became.
By the time they reached her residence, Mrs. Woods was already waiting outside.
The moment she saw Amara’s face, her expression changed. She immediately rushed forward.
"My Lady!" Her worried gaze moved quickly between Amara and Sonia. "What happened?"
"It was Nora." Sonia was the one who answered. She continued, her voice filled with disbelief, "She suddenly attacked My Lady out of nowhere."
Mrs. Woods’ eyes widened. "What?"
Sonia nodded quickly. "She nearly reached us with a blade." Even recounting it now made Sonia uneasy. "If not for His Highness’s men, she might have harmed My Lady."
Mrs. Woods stared at Sonia in stunned silence. The shock on her face quickly gave way to disbelief, followed by suspicion.
"How could a mere servant dare attack the Alpha Prince’s political bride?"
The more she thought about it, the less it made sense. ’Someone must have instigated her.’ She thought to herself. The conclusion came almost naturally.
"My Lady," she said. "Are you alright?"
Amara slowly nodded. "Yes."
Without another word, Mrs. Woods gently held her arm and began escorting her inside.