Help! My Moms Are Overpowered Tyrants, and I'm Stuck as Their Baby!-Chapter 189: Arcanum is under siege?

There was a particular art to being interrupted at precisely the wrong moment, and it appeared Mara had mastered it perfectly.

The door to our private chambers burst open without even the politeness of a knock, revealing Mara disheveled, dirt-streaked, and trailing Elira, whose expression was a mixture of resignation and carefully controlled annoyance.

I paused, teacup halfway to my lips, and raised an eyebrow at my wife. Sylvithra reclined elegantly on the chaise, eyes glittering with quiet amusement. Her fingers rested on the spine of a leather-bound tome titled 1001 Ways to Politely Execute Your Rivals, a personal favorite. She sighed lightly, the sound rippling through the room like a silken threat.

"Mara, darling," Sylvithra said calmly, "unless Elyzara has managed to set the castle on fire again or perhaps summoned a small horde of undead you really should knock first."

Mara froze, her mouth open mid-word. She snapped it shut, frowned, and promptly knocked twice on the already open door. "Better?"

"Much," Sylvithra murmured, setting her book aside. She shared a meaningful glance with me, which translated roughly to: Our daughter's minions are adorable, if deeply chaotic.

"Now," I said, placing my teacup carefully back on its saucer, "what brings you two storming in like Arcanum is under siege?"

Elira stepped forward, her calm demeanor only slightly undermined by the fact that her sword belt was torn, hanging awkwardly around her waist. "Your Majesties, we have a situation."

Sylvithra arched a delicate brow. "A 'situation'? Could you be more specific, dear? Elyzara creates at least five situations before breakfast. We require specifics."

Elira took a deep breath, seemingly bracing herself. "Aria Nightshade has betrayed us."

I felt the corners of my mouth twitch downward. "Betrayed you how, exactly?"

"She imprisoned Velka," Mara blurted, anger turning her usually carefree voice brittle. "Created a magical clone to replace her, manipulated Elyzara's trust, and when we confronted her " Mara mimed an explosion with her fingers. "Gone. Just like that. Into the shadows."

There was a moment of profound silence as Sylvithra and I exchanged another look. Sylvithra's gaze had gone cold and sharp as cut crystal.

"Aria Nightshade," Sylvithra repeated softly. "The quiet one with the impeccable manners?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Elira confirmed grimly. "Apparently manners don't prevent treason."

Sylvithra sighed, delicately pinching the bridge of her nose. "I suppose that's true, although I'm deeply disappointed. I rather liked her." freeωebnovēl.c૦m

"I never trust anyone too polite," I murmured, swirling my tea. "They're usually hiding something."

Sylvithra shot me a pointed glance. "You married me."

"You're different," I replied mildly. "You're politely dangerous."

She smiled faintly, then returned her gaze to our daughter's thoroughly flustered attendants. "Tell me everything. Leave nothing out. I wish to know how long this treachery has been festering under our noses."

Mara and Elira exchanged hesitant glances before Elira began, her voice steady despite the tension tightening her shoulders. "We first suspected something when Velka's behavior became…friendly."

"Friendly?" I echoed, disbelief coloring my voice. "Velka Nightthorn?"

Mara nodded solemnly. "Exactly our reaction, Your Majesty. Friendly Velka meant something was horribly wrong."

Sylvithra raised an amused eyebrow. "A valid deduction."

"So we investigated," Elira continued, as Mara paced behind her, occasionally muttering darkly to herself. "We discovered Velka imprisoned in Arcanum's forbidden wing. Aria had set wards, magical seals the sort that would take extraordinary planning and power to create."

"And the clone?" I asked, deeply unsettled at the thought. Cloning was forbidden magic, risky and dangerously unstable. The fact that Aria had successfully hidden it from our mages was deeply troubling.

"Perfectly executed illusion and conjuration," Mara growled, kicking at the edge of a richly woven carpet as if it had personally offended her. "We nearly missed it ourselves, until fake-Velka smiled at me. Twice."

"Oh, my dear," Sylvithra murmured sympathetically. "How utterly traumatic for you."

Mara scowled. "It really was."

I steepled my fingers, considering the implications. Aria Nightshade always soft-spoken, calm, efficient was precisely the sort who could slip beneath notice. The question was why. Ambition? Revenge? A larger plot? And, worst of all, how deeply had Elyzara been hurt by this?

"How is Elyzara?" I asked quietly, the levity slipping from my tone. Sylvithra's eyes sharpened at once, sharing my sudden urgency.

"She's shaken," Elira admitted softly, her expression tightening with protective anger. "She trusted Aria. We all did. The betrayal… it cuts deep."

Sylvithra's voice lowered, velvet over steel. "And do you believe Aria acted alone?"

"No," Mara answered swiftly, her voice hardening. "Velka suspects someone else is pulling the strings. Aria isn't reckless enough to make this move without backup."

Sylvithra's gaze met mine, a silent conversation unfolding instantly. A traitor within Arcanum deeply placed and dangerously ambitious could destabilize not just our daughter's education but the fragile balance of our entire kingdom.

"We need to inform the council," Sylvithra said decisively. "Quietly. And we must find Aria before she can cause more damage."

I nodded, thoughts racing. "I'll dispatch the Whispering Hawks. If Aria is anywhere within the kingdom's borders, they'll track her."

Sylvithra inclined her head gracefully, every inch the queen prepared to unleash elegant devastation. "See it done, my love. As for Elyzara "

Mara and Elira straightened, immediately attentive.

"Watch her closely," Sylvithra instructed gently, though her eyes were dangerously sharp. "She'll pretend strength. She always does. But this betrayal will haunt her. Keep her safe not just physically."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Mara murmured, sincerity softening her brash features.

Sylvithra's expression gentled slightly. "And Mara try not to traumatize any more carpets."

Mara flushed, hastily removing her boot from the ornate rug. "Apologies, Your Majesty."

"Accepted," Sylvithra replied graciously. She leaned back, the faint tension easing from her posture as she addressed me once again. "Verania, perhaps it's time we speak with my parents. They've navigated a few traitorous rebellions themselves. Their advice could prove invaluable."

I suppressed a groan. Sylvithra's parents Grand Consort Ilythia and Grand Strategist Veylen were formidable allies, true. But visits always ended with someone insulted, enchanted, or mildly poisoned. Usually me.

Sylvithra's lips curved knowingly. "Don't look so pained, darling. I promise my mother won't poison your tea again. Probably."

"How reassuring," I drawled, exchanging long-suffering looks with Mara and Elira, who wisely remained silent.

Sylvithra returned her attention to Elyzara's attendants. "Go. Rest while you can. Tomorrow will bring complications."

Mara bowed, and Elira offered a precise nod before turning toward the door. As they left, Sylvithra called after them gently, "You did well. Thank you."

The door shut quietly behind them, leaving us alone in heavy silence. Sylvithra reached for my hand, threading our fingers together.

"Aria," she murmured thoughtfully. "I must admit I'm genuinely surprised. Betrayal is hardly unexpected, but from her?"

"People surprise us," I said, lifting her hand to press a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "Usually unpleasantly."

Sylvithra's smile was sharp. "Indeed. But Elyzara… she trusted that girl. Losing that trust will be painful."

My chest tightened. "She'll overcome it. Elyzara is stronger than we give her credit for. Stronger than she gives herself credit for."

Sylvithra tilted her head, studying me carefully. "You're worried about her."

"Of course I am," I admitted softly. "She's our daughter, Sylvithra. She wears strength as armor, but she feels everything. And this betrayal—"

"It will hurt," Sylvithra finished gently. "Deeply. But we raised her to face such things."

I sighed, setting my teacup aside. "And yet, I wish we could shield her, just a little longer."

Sylvithra squeezed my hand, her voice warm with affection. "Even tyrants must learn heartbreak, my love. How else will she know compassion?"

I laughed softly, leaning back in my chair. "You're remarkably philosophical for someone currently planning a traitor's demise."

She lifted an elegant shoulder in a shrug. "I multitask."

I shook my head, amusement mixing with genuine worry. "Aria won't be easy to catch."

Sylvithra's eyes gleamed. "That's why we have allies and Elyzara. If anyone can inspire people to hunt down a traitor, it's our daughter."

I smiled faintly. "And her friends?"

Sylvithra's smile was gentle, knowing. "They'll stand with her. Mara and Elira would follow her into the abyss, Velka too, in her delightfully sarcastic way. Betrayal will only bring them closer."

I leaned back, feeling the weight of our crown, our choices, our love for Elyzara, pressing down. "You're certain?"

Sylvithra's gaze softened, her expression fierce and tender. "Absolutely. Elyzara is not alone. She never has been."

I exhaled slowly, letting the certainty in Sylvithra's voice anchor me. "Very well, then. Let's set things in motion."

Sylvithra rose gracefully, sweeping toward the door with the quiet confidence of a queen prepared for war. She paused at the threshold, glancing back at me, eyes glittering with mischief.

"And Verania," she added lightly, "do remember to bring your own tea when we visit my mother."

I laughed, shaking my head, tension easing in the warmth of her teasing. "I wouldn't dare forget."

The door closed behind her, leaving me in thoughtful silence.