The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate
Chapter 59: An Ancient Conflict

Chapter 59: An Ancient Conflict

Finnian nodded, his eyes downcast, "Okay, but are we still stopping by at the snack vendor?" he asked in a low tone, and Esme smiled his way, arching a questioning eyebrow.

"And here I thought you weren’t actually interested."

"I’m only curious," Finnian defended with a huff, turning towards the window to avoid his sister’s taunting gaze.

Esme didn’t say anything else and shook her head. She casted a gentle glance at the necklace around her neck, and her fingers brushed against the blue pendant. She had decided to wear it, but only because it was too captivating to end up in a dustbin.

Plus, the way it matched her eye color so perfectly must have been a coincidence, surely?

The orange hues of twilight casted a warm glow over the palace, whilst Esme and Finnian got down from the carriage after making it back. Finnian had taken a different route that led to his chamber, eager to get some rest, and Esme intended to do the same, knowing she had only two hours to spare before her night session began. A brief nap would be a welcome respite.

As Esme passed through the hallway, the wide glass window caught her attention, framing Lady Clandestine like a work of art as she plucked fresh herbs from the garden’s herbal section. The fading light of day highlighted her striking features, and she was indeed a stunning woman. Esme suddenly felt drawn to the garden, keen to reconnect with Lady Clandestine, whom she hadn’t spoken to since the night of the Lunar event.

A warm smile graced Clandestine lips as she saw Esme approach, and she veiled her head properly with the scarf she wore. The two women exchanged polite greetings, and Esme glanced at the small bowl she held. It contained Marshmallow roots and Peppermint leaves.

"Are you preparing something, do you need help?" Esme offered, but Clandestine shook her head, her expression showing how grateful she felt that Esme was willing to assist.

With a gentle rustle of her skirts, Lady Clandestine continued her task, her fingers deftly plucking the desired herbs from the garden bed. "No, I am almost done," she said, her voice soft and melodious. "I’m making a special tea for my husband. He’s been afflicted with a persistent cough these past few days. The kitchen didn’t have the specific herbs I needed, so I came here to get them instead."

Her eyes sparkled with concern as she glanced up at Esme. "And how have you been, my dear? Busy, I assume?"

As Clandestine returned to her task, Esme couldn’t help but nod in sympathy. Her own days had been fraught with tension and stress. Bending down, Esme carefully plucked a few licorice roots from the rich soil and offered them to Clandestine.

"These roots and the marshmallow roots you have will provide excellent relief for a severe cough. They have a soothing effect on the lungs and throat, and complement each other perfectly." She explained, her knowledge of herbs evident in her words. Clandestine’s eyes lit up with interest as she accepted the licorice root.

"Thank you. Are you familiar with herbs like this?" She inquired, and Esme rubbed the back of her head as she pondered on how well to respond.

"Not exactly, but I do know a few things concerning making marshmallow roots & licorice root tea. Give him those mixtures for about a week and he should feel better. I hope Mr Irwin gets better soon from his illness." Esme offered her well-wishes, and she noticed the flicker of sadness in Lady Clandestine eyes before she smiled in appreciation.

"I can’t help but envision your mother when I look at you. She also had enough potential of becoming a healer, but your obsessive father didn’t like the idea of her taking care of anyone who wasn’t him. He was a clingy man. I don’t know how your mother did it, but she had him wrapped around her fingers." Clandestine chuckled heartily as the good moments slipped into her memory.

"Was my mother always so reserved?"

"Oh, very much." Clandestine nodded, gathering more licorice roots. "She was a kind Luna, and many people loved her for her considerate nature, though most of the time she was more reserved than necessary. I got to know her when she frequented the palace with your father."

"Why?"

"I think it was during that tumultuous period when the late Alpha Zephyr became a demon." She said, and Esme’s ears perked up, recognizing the name as Donovan’s father.

Lady Clandestine continued, her eyes sparkling with a hint of drama. "King Lennox’s father was consumed by a vile rage at that time. He was betrothed to Lady Stelice, a noblewoman born with a Luna wolf. She was destined to be his queen as planned, but then the demon Alpha Zephyr appeared, and Luna Stelice chose to follow her heart, abandoning her betrothal to be with her rightful mate. It fueled the council’s hatred, and your parents were often summoned to the meetings, being esteemed members of the noble circle. My husband was the late king’s advisor, so I accompanied him most of the time."

Esme’s eyes widened in astonishment at the revelation. Lennox’s father had been betrothed to Donovan’s mother in the past? The web of intrigue seemed to thicken, and Esme wondered if there was more to this ancient conflict than meets the eye.

"I haven’t used licorice roots before, but I shall give them a try and hope it aids my husband. I shall take my leave now, maybe we will find time and talk some more later." Clandestine said before taking her leave.

Esme remained in the garden, still stunned by the information Clandestine had shared with her. She eventually returned to her chambers, and when the time was up for her etiquette training, her maids for the day helped her into the constricting bodice that had become a source of discomfort. As they put it on for her, Esme couldn’t help but wonder if she would be expected to wear such torturous garments once she became queen.

The thought of suffocating under the tight lacing, all in the name of aesthetics, was a daunting prospect.

After getting through that torture of her etiquette trainings, she joined Lennox in the grand dining hall for dinner. The evening meal was a stately affair, with every royal present, and Esme was relieved it finally drew to a close. When the night’s duties were fulfilled, she retreated to the tower to attend her own pursuit, losing herself in the quiet, methodical rhythms of her hobby.

By the time she returned to the palace, the halls were dim and still, a signal that the rest of the royal household had retired to bed. Esme couldn’t wait to do the same, and she yawned, feeling physically drained and tired.

Passing Lennox’s study, Esme noticed the door was slightly ajar, and her ears picked up the murmurs from within. Initially, she intended to ignore it, respecting the privacy of the conversation. However, her footsteps faltered when she heard Lennox utter a statement that sent shivers down her spine.

"I’m only marrying Esme to use her."