The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven-Chapter 636: Oppositions Arising (VI)

[Third Person].

Two days later, the rumours had spread far beyond the markets.

They had slipped into taverns, merchant houses, and even pack gatherings.

By the time Helena heard them, the story had already twisted into something far uglier than the truth.

---

~Oatrun Estate~

Helena had just returned from visiting one of the elderly women she used to care for when she found Dennis in the courtyard.

He was reviewing some training drills with a few warriors, but the moment he saw her expression, he dismissed them.

"What happened?" he asked.

Helena folded her arms lightly. "I heard ugly rumours about the Queen."

Dennis frowned. He already disliked where the conversation was heading.

Helena stepped closer and lowered her voice. "They are saying she is dangerous because of her fae blood. Some people are even saying she might one day overthrow the King."

Dennis stared at her for a moment, then he let out a sharp breath. "How quickly people forget," he muttered. "That woman saved the entire palace. Some of those same fools spreading rumours would be dead now if she hadn’t intervened."

Helena nodded. "Fear makes people unreasonable."

Dennis rubbed the back of his neck irritably. "Where did this even start?"

"That’s what I want to find out," Helena replied. "I will go to the palace this evening and speak with the Queen."

Dennis considered it briefly, then nodded. "Do that. Meredith should know exactly what the people are saying."

Helena agreed, but the uneasiness in her eyes did not disappear.

---

That same afternoon in the streets, the rumours were no longer whispers. They had now graduated into arguments.

Near a busy intersection, a group of hunters and traders had gathered around a man speaking loudly.

"I’m telling you," the man insisted, "she used fae magic during the vampire attack. I heard it from someone who was there."

Another man crossed his arms. "So what? She saved the palace."

"That doesn’t change what she is!" the first man shot back.

A young woman nearby looked uneasy. "But she’s still our Queen."

"Half-fae," someone else muttered.

"And you trust that?" the first man demanded, and the tension in the air thickened.

"What if she turns on her oath?" the man continued. "What if she wakes up one morning and starts manipulating the King and even embracing our enemies?"

A few people gasped while others nodded nervously. Before the argument could escalate further, a figure pushed through the crowd.

Levi Fellowes.

"What nonsense are you all shouting about?" he asked sharply.

The men turned, then one of them sneered slightly. "Why do you care?"

Levi’s gaze hardened. "Because spreading lies in the streets will not help anyone."

The man shrugged. "We are only repeating what everyone is already saying."

Levi said nothing more, but as he walked away, his expression had darkened. He knew exactly how rumours like these began. After all, he had been present when the idea was conceived.

Though he didn’t fully support his father, that didn’t mean he could stop them. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

---

~Fellowes Residence~

Levi entered the sitting room and found Wanda lounging comfortably on the sofa, sipping red wine.

"You look pleased with yourself," he said.

Wanda smiled faintly. "Shouldn’t I?"

Levi dropped into a chair opposite her. "The rumours are everywhere," he said. "People are arguing about the Queen in the streets."

"Good." Wanda’s smile widened. "This is exactly what I was aiming for."

Levi frowned. Then, he leaned forward, lowering his voice. "I hope you and Father are aware that if this leads back to our family, there will be no saving us this time."

Wanda waved the concern away. "Relax."

"You should be worried," Levi insisted. "Draven will not tolerate another scheme."

"Seriously, you worry too much." Wanda’s expression hardened slightly, but he just stared at her. "Because this is dangerous."

"Yet necessary," she replied coldly. "The people must see Meredith for what she is."

Levi shook his head slowly. "You are playing with fire."

Wanda leaned back comfortably, completely unbothered. "Sometimes fire is needed to burn down a throne."

Levi sighed heavily. He knew arguing with her further was pointless.

***

~The Royal Palace~

Meredith sat quietly at a small table in the palace garden while reviewing a few documents. Then, a young servant approached with a tray of tea. Her hands were trembling slightly.

As she tried to pour the tea, the pot slipped, and the hot tea spilled across the table.

The servant froze for a moment, then immediately dropped to her knees. "Your Majesty! Please spare me! I beg you!"

She bowed so low her forehead nearly hit the ground.

Meredith blinked in surprise. "Lift your head," she said gently. The servant did not dare to move, so she repeated, "I said lift your head."

The girl slowly raised her face, but her entire body was shaking.

"Why do you think I would take your life for spilling tea?" Meredith asked calmly.

The servant’s lips parted, but no words came out. Just then, Deidra, standing beside Meredith, stepped forward sharply.

"The Queen asked you a question," she said sternly. "Answer properly."

Before the servant could respond, Meredith lifted a hand. "That’s enough, Deidra." Then, she looked back at the servant. "It was an accident. Clean it up and be more careful next time."

The servant bowed repeatedly. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Then, Deidra signalled to the other attendants. They quickly cleaned the table and escorted the frightened girl away.

Meredith remained seated, thoughtful. "That reaction was excessive," she murmured.

Deidra frowned slightly. "Perhaps she is new."

"No." Meredith shook her head slowly. She had seen fear before. And what she had just witnessed was not the normal fear servants showed toward royalty. It was something else.

Before she could think further, footsteps approached her. Draven waved off the formalities and sat beside her. Immediately, he noticed the expression on her face.

"What is troubling you?"

"A servant nearly fainted after spilling tea," Meredith replied. "She believed I would kill her for it."

Draven frowned slightly. "That is strange."

But before either of them could say more, Oscar approached quickly. He bowed and greeted them.

"Your Majesties."

Draven’s eyes narrowed slightly. "What is it?"

Oscar spoke carefully. "There is growing panic among the people. Rumours about the Queen’s fae powers have spread throughout Stormveil."

Meredith went still. ’So that was it?’ Somehow, the servant’s fear suddenly made perfect sense.

Draven’s expression darkened. "How far has it spread?" he asked.

"Markets, taverns, farm districts," Oscar replied. "Some people are even questioning whether a half-fae can rule werewolves."

Draven’s jaw tightened. "And who started it?"

"That is still unknown, your majesty."

Draven stood slowly. "Find out," he ordered coldly. "Investigate every source of these rumours. When you discover the culprit, arrest them immediately."

Oscar bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Draven continued, his voice turning colder. "The Council of Elders must have heard these rumours by now."

"They have," Oscar confirmed.

"Good," Draven said. "Send a message to them. Inform them that I am summoning the council to the palace tomorrow morning."

Oscar bowed again and quickly left. Draven exhaled slowly after he was gone, then muttered under his breath, "It’s time to wrap this up."

Meredith watched him quietly and, in equal measure, released a slow breath.