CHAPTER 148: SHADOWS OF THE PAST

Ariana watched her sudden stillness, knowing she must have delivered the news abruptly. Yet again, she did not want to be misunderstood by her name. She noticed the lady’s body had stiffened when she called Zavren, and Ariana herself felt her heart skip with both longing and love—she wanted him to return by all means.

She missed him badly and wanted to cuddle him as they both stared at the night sky and shooting star as they made their wish. That was what she wanted.

"C..Come here, please hold..my hands... please," her cracked voice spoke, and Ariana quickly walked forward. She held the lady’s hands, and just as the slightly rough hands touched her, she noticed the woman relax.

She wondered why the woman looked like she was entering her late fifties—no one would believe this was someone who had lived for centuries. No one would believe it at all she looked younger than her age.

Her darkish-brown hair shifted slightly as the seer finally spoke, holding a glass of water.

"Queen Mother Diana, please have this," she spoke softly as she moved to lift her up. The lady nodded as she finally turned to look at the seer, who looked a bit emotional but kept her feelings in check.

She knew full well that the Queen Mother had been her favorite back then—the one whose shoulders she had cried on when she was rejected by her lover. She had been so little then.

She moved the glass gently to her lips, and the lady gulped it down slowly, her throat clearing a bit.

"Your meal will be prepared, and a drink that you will need to take every morning and night," the seer spoke softly, and the lady nodded. She seemed surprised that the seer had grown this much.

"Oh my, I wonder how long I have slept. I don’t even recognize anyone," her voice came out low, almost broken. She knew how much she must have worried her son and others, and she did not like that one bit.

The seer was very glad she did not mention anything about the past. The way she woke up was as though she had simply risen from a night’s sleep—no one would believe that she had been asleep for years as expected of weresolves.

The lady’s thumb caressed the back of Ariana’s hand as she smiled warmly.

Soft footsteps were heard as Raven returned, pushing a wheelchair, a small smile resting on his face.

A maid followed as well. She was the one who assisted in carrying Atina to the wheelchair. It seemed she was specially trained, as she did it with such care, making sure not to break any bones, and everything was soothing. Her eyes widened slightly when she caught sight of the old woman—someone with a deep resemblance to the king. Yet, she maintained her professional demeanor and bowed, knowing better than to say a word.

Raven moved, pushing the wheelchair to the side of the bed. His expression was calm. The lady then shifted gently, helping Queen Mother Diana onto the chair until the woman finally sat.

"I will need to head to the main castle to get the necessary things Queen Mother Diana will be needing. Take her to the dining hall—she needs to eat something," she instructed.

The maid bowed and began pushing the wheelchair. Ariana followed as well, her heart warming for reasons she could not explain. Even though the lady had mistaken her for someone else, it was obvious that she liked Ariana. Even after Ariana corrected her, she still called her and touched her hands fondly.

They moved toward the dining hall as the maids hurried about. Raven had been smart—he had wasted no time and had already arranged for a few things that would be needed, especially the meal, knowing that Queen Mother Diana would need to eat and regain her strength before anything else. The seer had already left, as everything had happened so suddenly. No one had even considered the "what ifs", like what if she actually woke up now?

The food was prepared and gently placed on the table.

Ariana wondered if this was a blessing in disguise. Everything seemed to be working well. The wheelchair had turned out to be useful, as retrieving one from the palace would have wasted time. Now, the Queen Mother could eat, and, to Ariana’s relief, her legs were good as well.

Was this all the Moon Goddess’s doing? she wondered silently, smiling as she watched the lady eat.

The lady took a glass of water and drank.

There were soft footsteps again. Ariana turned and noticed Lady Stephanie coming in with a wide smile. She seemed not to notice the woman sitting and eating.

"Oh, Luna Ariana! I was searching for you and realized you had a guest—someone important visiting," she said, clearly referring to the seer. Ariana nodded with a smile on her lips, but Stephanie’s eyes narrowed slightly. She sensed something unusual. The way the people were moving around—she was sure breakfast had been served an hour ago. Something was different.

Her gaze shifted to the figure seated at the table, though the woman’s back faced her.

"Luna Ariana," Stephanie said more calmly, lowering her voice. "I had no idea you had a guest. Mother is in the garden, and she would be coming this way—"

Before she could finish, Lady Emberg stepped in through the dining hall doors. But her body stilled at once when her eyes landed on the scene before her. Her foot faltered, and silence gripped the hall. All eyes turned.

"You..." the Queen Mother’s voice cut through the stillness as she pointed at Lady Emberg.

Gasps rippled around the room. Stephanie, still unaware of the truth, stared in confusion, her curiosity deepening.

Lady Emberg’s eyes widened, her body staggering back until she hit the wall. All eyes stayed fixed on her as the confusion and shock thickened.

What was going on?

"What did you gain, Lady Emberg, after poisoning me..." the Queen Mother’s voice cracked, the silence growing heavier before she added: