The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power Chapter 282: The Queen Actually Stole Something

Queen Isabella's POV:

"Look at her! Just look at Cindy!"

Margaret's voice slithered into my ear like an icy snake. "Today is Prince Adam's wedding. This is the royal blood's big day. And now? Everyone's eyes are on that woman. On those barbarians."

I clenched my feather fan so hard my knuckles turned white.

Margaret wasn't wrong.

When that old fossil Dross raised his toast, even His Majesty stood.

And I—the Queen, Prince Adam's mother—was left off to the side like a decorative prop.

The socialites who usually orbited me now flocked to Cindy, praising her gown, praising her friends for being "bold" and "refreshing."

"Isabella." Margaret sighed, wearing that fake look of concern. "Don't blame me for speaking plainly. Cindy has barely stepped through the door, and she's already this loud. Later, in the inner court, where will you even have room to speak? That title—'the kingdom's most honored she-wolf'—might change hands."

Her words stabbed right into my most tender nerve.

I'd never had an Alpha's strength, but I'd held the throne beside the king with beauty and skill.

My prestige was everything.

If even that was stolen by a woman on her second marriage...

"Then, what am I supposed to do?" I snapped, heat rising. "Prince Adam shields her. The king values the power behind her. Am I supposed to throw her out?"

"Of course, you can't throw her out. That would be stupid."

Lily slid closer too, malice glittering in her eyes. "But we can test her attitude—and remind her where the rules come from."

"How?"

"Wolves respect strength, but we still honor rank and seniority." Lily pointed toward the side hall. "I saw it—Crimson Dragon Mercenary Company sent a 'dragon ruby' the size of a fist. A treasure. They say it slows aging. Keeps you beautiful."

Margaret picked up smoothly, voice dripping with temptation. "Isabella, you take the stone. I'll hide it for you. If Cindy notices and doesn't dare ask, it means she still fears you as her mother—and you can keep her under your thumb. If she dares turn on you over a mere stone... Then, Prince Adam and His Majesty can see what she really is—greedy and rebellious."

My heart stirred.

Not only because of the stone that could "slow aging," but because I needed to prove I still held a mother's authority.

This was a gamble.

The stake was Cindy's fear of me.

"But..." I hesitated. "Isn't this ... wrong? It's Cindy's dowry. Her private property..."

"What? You're scared?" Margaret's face instantly twisted with contempt. "I knew you wouldn't dare. Looks like from now on, I'll have to greet Cindy first at the Moon Goddess festivals..."

The Moon Goddess festivals drew every socialite in the Royal Court. If Margaret did that, she'd be announcing to everyone that I ranked below Cindy.

The thought made my blood boil. "Who said I'm scared?! I just find being a thief beneath me!"

"Being scared is being scared; no need for excuses."

Margaret wore that signature arrogance. "Fine. We'll wager 1,000 coins. If you take Cindy's dragon ruby and she doesn't ask you for it, you pay me 1,000 coins. If she does demand it back, I will pay you 1,000 coins. And to prevent cheating, I'll hold the stone. Do you bet, or not?"

"Fine! I'll bet!" I bit down hard. "I'll go see if she still has a shred of respect for her mother-in-law!"

I didn't care about a thousand gold coins. I cared about the Queen's authority.

I took Martha and slipped out of the noisy main hall, heading for the side chamber where the gifts were stored.

It was piled with gold and treasure—like a dragon's nest.

In the most prominent spot, an open black velvet box displayed the dragon ruby in perfect stillness.

It was the size of a fist, crimson through and through, as if an unquenchable flame burned inside it.

Even under dim light, it threw off a hypnotic glow.

It was beautiful.

I could feel my breathing quicken.

"Your Majesty..." Martha looked terrified, tugging my sleeve. "Th-this isn't right. This is ... stealing..."

"Quiet."

I hissed under my breath. "Stealing? I'm the Queen. This entire kingdom is mine. Taking one stone from my daughter-in-law—so what? This is taking. Besides, I'm testing her. It's for Prince Adam's own good."

I fed myself excuses as my trembling hand reached for the ruby.

The instant my fingertips touched it, warm energy pulsed into me, loosening every pore in my body.

A treasure indeed.

"Martha—take it!"

Like it burned, I shoved the ruby into Martha's arms and ordered, "Hide it. Don't let anyone see. We're leaving."

Martha went pale, but she didn't dare disobey. Shaking, she stuffed the ruby into the wide structure of her skirt.

We hurried out of the side chamber.