Mute Mate: The Alpha's Obsession
Chapter 52: Visions and Secrets

Chapter 52: Visions and Secrets

Days passed as Ariana and Zavren sat in the throne room, with Leah standing quietly by their side. Not long after, a soft knock came at the door, and Raven entered with a respectful bow.

"Your Majesty, the seer has arrived," he announced.

Zavren gave a curt nod, and Raven bowed once more before quietly turning to leave.

Ariana wore a lavender gown—her usual preference—light and easy to move in, unlike the heavier dresses she knew she’d have to get used to for formal events.

Zavren was dressed in his royal attire—a regal top and matching pants.

At last, the door slowly opened.

As the lady entered, Ariana’s eyes widened slightly. Where had she seen this face before? She racked her brain.

Oh yes—this was the gray-haired woman who had congratulated her on her wedding day.

Wait... she was the seer! Ariana could hardly believe it. It truly was a small world. Who would have thought she would meet this stranger again the lady who her eyes had caught from afar from her seat that day?

There was a soft smile on the old lady’s lips as she spoke.

"A lovely day to meet you, King Zavren and Queen Ariana," she said warmly, her gaze settling on Ariana.

The woman wore a long white gown that gave off a slightly eerie vibe, but her face held a trace of wisdom and experience.

"Queen Ariana, may we begin?" she asked gently.

Ariana nodded, her heart beginning to beat faster. She glanced at Zavren, who gave her a reassuring nod. She shot him a pointed look that said, ’This better not hurt.’

The coldness in Zavren’s eyes softened into calmness as he teased quietly, "What if it hurts?"

Ariana sat back down, reluctant to continue. To her surprise, the old lady smiled kindly.

"Oh, my Queen, I see the king is pulling your leg. It doesn’t hurt. I won’t be injecting anything. And if anything ever requires that, I will be sure to inform you. But since you’re not keen on it, I won’t force anything upon you."

Ariana nodded, pressing her lips together as she shot Zavren a quick, discreet glare—one she hoped the seer wouldn’t catch. But the older woman did, and a slow, knowing smile tugged at her lips as Ariana approached her.

She stood in front of the woman, who spoke softly, her voice almost comforting.

"Do not fear. It will be just a glimpse of your past..."

Ariana gave a small nod, though her heart had begun to pound. What if she saw that night—the one-night stand? Oh Lord, that was the one thing she was scared of.

As if the woman had read her thoughts, a burst of laughter suddenly escaped her.

Ariana blinked in surprise. The seer’s composed, professional demeanor slipped for a moment, replaced by unexpected amusement.

"Oh, my Queen," she said between chuckles, "I haven’t laughed this much in centuries. I must thank you for that. And don’t worry—my glimpse won’t be of what happened between you and the King."

Ariana’s jaw dropped. Her mouth hung open as her wide eyes flickered to Zavren, whose own gaze sparkled with dark amusement. Her face flushed a deep red.

Did she really have to say it like that? Oh... heavens, save her.

Zavren crossed his legs and leaned back, a smirk tugging at his lips. So that was what had been bothering his wife... This woman never ceased to amaze him—in every possible way.

The seer stepped forward gently and took Ariana’s hand in hers.

"Close your eyes, my Queen," she said softly.

Ariana obeyed, shutting her eyes tightly as the woman began to chant in a hushed, melodic voice.

"Oka luma suta..."

Ariana’s brows furrowed. Was she chanting in an ancient language? She shifted slightly, growing anxious. But just as she waited for something to happen, the seer suddenly pulled her hands away—abruptly, as if Ariana’s touch had burned her.

Ariana’s eyes flew open, startled. The woman’s gaze was wide with shock.

Ariana’s heart skipped. Was something wrong? Why did she look so... alarmed?

Zavren, however, remained perfectly calm, watching the seer with unreadable eyes.

"I... I can’t see," the woman stammered. "Something is shielding me. This has never happened before, Your Majesty," she murmured, almost to herself, the shock plain on her face.

"A cure to her voice cannot be seen without a glimpse into her past—but I have no access. My sight... it’s blocked."

She turned to Zavren. "King Zavren, I must return for now. I will need to come back with a peer seer."

Ariana was already guessing. It must be the seer of presence—or perhaps the future.

"Thank you, Queen Ariana, for your cooperation," the woman said with a respectful bow.

Ariana gave a quiet nod as Leah stepped forward to escort the seer out.

The two women walked in silence through the castle halls. Once outside, as the carriage door opened for her, the seer paused and turned to Leah.

"I am aware you know about the power the Queen emits," she said calmly. "It is not hidden—it can be sensed."

With that, she entered the carriage and was gone.

Leah stood there for a moment, silent. She did know. It was undeniable.

And what shocked her most... was that the Queen herself had no idea.

***

Ariana walked toward Zavren and sat beside him on the chair, her features etched with worry. She couldn’t shake off how the seer had pulled away from her—so suddenly, so startled.

"Don’t trouble yourself over that, my wife," Zavren said, his lips curling into a faint smile.

Then, as if a thought had just come to him, he added, "I heard you’ve been painting. It would be a great honor to see my wife’s artwork."

Ariana’s face flushed instantly at his words. She gave a small nod, and Zavren stood, extending his hand to her. Gently, she placed hers on top of his. A slow smirk curved on his lips as her heart began to thump lightly in her chest.

They walked side by side down the hallway.

"Such a tragedy," Zavren said calmly, "that my favorite painting was ruined... and by no one other than my own wife."

Ariana turned to look at him, her eyes narrowing. But Zavren was already watching her, dark amusement dancing in his gaze.

"Perhaps your new painting will become my favorite," he continued. "Who knows?"

Ariana’s heartbeat quickened. This man is going to make me collapse from nerves, she thought, growing more and more hesitant about showing him her work.

Just as they reached the door to the private painting room, it opened. The royal guards looked visibly surprised—they hadn’t expected the king himself to be there

They entered.

The room was quiet and richly adorned. Blank boards were placed against the walls, and a soft, sofa-like chair sat near a large window. Three boards stood tall near the corner. It was clear this space was reserved only for royals. Most finished paintings were usually moved elsewhere—but Ariana’s latest work was still here, since she hadn’t completed it.

"I’m guessing that one’s yours," Zavren said, already moving toward a smaller canvas. Ariana nodded—it was exactly what he’d expect her to choose: small, delicate, private.

As he reached it, his eyes widened slightly.

A soft glimmer of hope rose in Ariana’s chest—only to shatter the moment Zavren burst into laughter.

Her face burned. Why was he laughing??

"Oh, my wife, you are so funny," he managed through his laughter, his voice echoing through the room.

Ariana glared at him. "Is it a castle or a hut, And why does it have eyes instead of windows?" He asked.

Huffing, Ariana stormed toward him and snapped the board shut.

This man is impossible. He’d come all the way here just to laugh at her art. She knew she wasn’t the best at drawing—but he didn’t have to rub it in.

’Very,Very, Annoying man.’

Zavren’s expression returned to its usual blankness, though the teasing glint in his eyes lingered.

"This is definitely my favorite painting," he said suddenly.

Ariana blinked, caught off guard.

"I’ll be taking it to the hall for the next royal event."

Her eyes flew wide. ’This man have to be kidding me,’ she breathed.

Zavren simply shrugged. "I want the world to witness the masterpiece my wife created."

Ariana’s lips pressed into a tight line.

Masterpiece? After laughing like that?

This man was truly something else.

The thing was, even though she couldn’t bring herself to be annoyed, his laughter brought a quiet joy to her chest.

Knock. Knock.

Their moment was interrupted by a sudden knock. Ariana’s gaze shifted to the door just as Zavren stood to answer it. She sighed softly and quickly moved to hide the painting. She knew this man—when he said he wanted to see it, he meant it.

This wasn’t a masterpiece.

It was a basic draft.

Meanwhile...

Raven silently cursed himself. Why did he always have to be the one interrupting? Still, he knew he had to speak to the King about the drawing. He had planned to wait until Zavren had read through all the letters, but it seemed he no longer had that luxury.

"Your Majesty," he began, bowing slightly. "My apologies for the interruption. A picture was found... in the box."

He quickly pulled out what appeared to be a drawing, speaking fast—he didn’t want to ruin Zavren’s mood any further.

Zavren’s eyes drifted to the picture with disinterest—at first. Then, slowly, his gaze darkened. A slow, dangerous smile curled onto his lips—so sharp, so unsettling, the picture trembled in Raven’s shaking hands.

"How about we pay a little visit..." Zavren’s voice dropped, deadly calm,

"...to his graveyard?"

Raven froze.

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