The Princess's Revenge Chapter 52

Valencia's POV

Nestor's expression grew confused. He glanced between Delphine and me, clearly unsure how to respond.

"I... I don't really know," he admitted. "I just work in the kitchens. I don't know much about their families."

He looked toward Delphine with questioning eyes, as if hoping she would have answers.

I turned to look at Delphine too, waiting for her response. Her face had grown uncomfortable, and she was fidgeting with the antidote bottles in her hands.

"Delphine?" I prompted gently. "Do you know anything about their families?"

She hesitated for a long moment, then spoke in a voice that grew quieter with each word.

"I'm not entirely sure either," she said carefully. "I've only heard rumors. People say that Dorian's parents both died defending the borders years ago. They were warriors who gave their lives protecting the pack."

"Against Aldermere?" My heart clenched. Parents who had died serving the pack, while their son became a traitor.

Delphine nodded. "And Gamma Xander and Gamma Amara," she continued, her voice dropping to almost a whisper, "I heard they fled from Emerald Grove Pack three years ago. They came here seeking Alpha Logan's protection."

Both Nestor and I stared at her in complete shock. The revelation hit me like a physical blow.

"They came from Emerald Grove Pack?" I repeated, my voice filled with disbelief. "Alpha Elton's pack?"

"Yes," Delphine whispered, looking uncomfortable with the attention. "That's what people say. They were refugees who Alpha Logan took in."

The people most likely to betray us - those who died for the pack - remained loyal. The people least likely to betray us - those who were given shelter and safety - one of them sold us out.

I clenched my fists, my heart sinking as more questions flooded my mind. What happened three years ago that made Xander and Amara seek Alpha Logan's protection? Was it connected to the tragedy that destroyed Dorian's family two years ago? Dorian's family was destroyed by Aldermere - does he want revenge against the entire Aldermere kingdom? Or is he only seeking vengeance against the assassin who killed his son? Then why would he harm the entire Cliffwatch Pack and Alpha Logan? He could have just gone directly to Alpha Elton.

There were too many mysteries here, too many connections I didn't understand.

"Valencia?" Delphine's voice pulled me back to reality. "Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I shook my head, trying to focus on the immediate crisis. "I'm fine. We need to keep saving people."

Delphine pointed toward the back. "That's the servants' quarters. We should check if anyone needs help."

I nodded, though my mind was still spinning with possibilities about Dorian's true plans.

"This way," Delphine said. "My room is at the very end."

The first few doors we passed were closed. Delphine knocked on each one, calling out softly, but there was no response from inside.

"Let me check," she said, pulling out a small iron key from her pocket. "This is the master key for the servants' quarters."

She unlocked the first door and pushed it open carefully. The room was empty, with four unmade beds and personal belongings scattered about.

"Nobody here," she said, closing the door and locking it again.

We moved to the next door. Again, Delphine knocked, waited, then used her key to check inside. Empty.

"They're probably all in the great hall or on the first floor," I said as she locked the second door.

"Yes," Delphine agreed, moving to the third door. "Castle servants usually wake up at five in the morning to start their work. It's already noon now - basically nobody would be in their rooms at this time of day."

She checked the third room quickly, finding it empty as well. We continued this process down the hallway until we reached the end.

"This is mine," Delphine said, stopping at the last wooden door and pushing it open without needing the key.

The room was small and cramped, with four narrow beds lined against the walls. Each bed had a simple straw mattress and a thin wool blanket. A single wooden chest sat in the corner, and clothes hung from pegs on the wall.

"It's not much," Delphine said, looking embarrassed. "Four of us share this space."

"It's really nice," I said, and I meant it. "It feels warm and cozy. I used to sleep in stables or on stone floors. This is so much better than what I had before."

Delphine's expression softened with concern. She went to the wooden chest and began rummaging through it. "I should have something that will fit you," she said, pulling out a folded chemise. "Here, try this."

She handed me the garment, and I held it up to examine it. The fabric was clean but well-worn, with several patches sewn carefully over small tears. Despite its age, it smelled fresh - like soap and something else.

"It smells nice," I said, bringing the fabric closer to my nose. "What is that scent?"

"Soapwort," Delphine replied with a smile. "I gather it from the fields outside the castle and use it to wash our clothes. It grows wild everywhere around here."

The smell was earthy and green, like grass and soil mixed together. It reminded me of spring mornings and open meadows.

"Thank you," I said, my voice soft with gratitude. "This is really kind of you."

"Don't mention it," Delphine said, turning around so I could change in privacy.

I pulled out my sling and the stones, placing them on the nearby table. I quickly pulled off my charred chemise and slipped into Delphine's. Then I put them back inside my clothes. The fabric was soft against my skin, and though it was a bit loose on my thin frame, it felt comfortable and clean.

As I adjusted the garment, I looked out the small window toward the horizon. Dark clouds were gathering in the distance, and my heart clenched with worry. I made up my mind.

"I have to go find Alpha Logan," I said, my voice firm.

Delphine spun around, her eyes wide with alarm. "Valencia, you don't even know the route. It's so far away, and dangerous."

"I'm not afraid," I replied. "I don't have a map, but all I can do is ride in the direction of Eagle's Beak and keep going."

"Do you even have a horse?" Delphine asked, her voice tight with concern.

"Landon's horse," I said.

Delphine opened her mouth to say something more, then just sighed deeply. The silence stretched between us.

"How old are you, Delphine?" I broke the quiet.

She looked surprised by my question. "Me? I'm twenty. Why do you ask?"

"I'm eighteen," I said, feeling suddenly shy. "I was just wondering because... well, you feel like an older sister to me. The way you take care of me. I've never had that before."

Delphine's face lit up with a warm smile, and she let out a gentle laugh. "A sister?" she said, her cheeks turning pink. "I've never been anyone's sister before either."

"I mean it," I continued, my voice growing quieter. "Ever since I came here, you've been the only person who's shown me real kindness. You make me feel like I matter."

"Oh, Valencia," Delphine said, her eyes glistening with tears. "Of course you matter. You matter to me."

She pulled me into a quick hug, and I felt that warmth spread through my chest again. "Come on, sister," Delphine said with a grin, pulling back from the hug. "We have work to do."

We left her room and continued checking the other servants' quarters. Most were empty, but in two of the rooms, we found servants collapsed on their beds, too weak from the wolfsbane poisoning to move.

"Here," I said, kneeling beside a middle-aged woman who was barely conscious. "This will help you feel better."

I helped her drink half a bottle of antidote while Delphine tended to a young man in the next room who was in similar condition.

"That should be everyone on this floor," Delphine said as we finished treating the last servant.

I looked at the remaining bottles in our makeshift bundle. "We still have some antidote left," I said.

"Actually," Delphine said, "why don't I take these to the great hall? There might be people on the third floor who need help too."

I nodded, thinking about how we could best use our remaining time. "That's a good idea. I should go help with the fires. The armory and storage are still burning."

"Be careful," Delphine said, her voice filled with concern. "I know you said fire doesn't hurt you, but that doesn't mean you should take unnecessary risks."

"I'll be careful," I promised, squeezing her hand gently. "You be safe too."

She smiled at me, that warm, sisterly smile that made my heart feel lighter despite everything that was happening. "See you soon, Valencia."

"See you soon," I replied, watching as she headed toward the stairs.