Alpha King’s Lost Luna by Aubrey Pepper

Chapter 226

CASSANDRA

After we exchanged goodbyes with the kind shop owner, we left the store and
began to roam along the streets. I spotted many clothing stores along our walk,
but Helene didn’t seem all that interested. Every time we would go inside one.
Helene would peruse the displays and try on a few items, but she didn't seem
impressed by any of them.

After we left the third shop. I got the feeling that Ronald's fiancee didn’t actually
want to buy anything. She appeared as if she was just acting like she was
shopping, though I didn’t understand why. There was some sort of ulterior motive
behind this visit, but what was it?

I had no idea what was going on, but I remained cautious regardless

We continued walking down the street, and when I glanced around. I realized we
were quite far from where the car had dropped us off. I was admittedly
exhausted. I hadn't walked that much in quite some time. Since I'd been confined
to my chambers in Viokwell, the only exercise I'd gotten was the journey to
Ronald's tower. I wasn’t used to this kind of effort.

Thankfully, some reprieve came when Helene spoke up.

“Should we get a warm drink?” she suggested, and she gestured to the storefront
beside us. It was a lovely-looking coffee shop, and the smells that emanated
from it were delightful, I nodded at once, relieved to finally get a moment to rest.
We entered the shop and then sat down at a table near the window. A young man
approached us with a smile and took our orders. I happily ordered a latte and a
fresh pastry. I hadn't indulged in something like that in a while, so I was quite
thrilled to drink something other than bitter tea

Once the young man was gone, Helene turned her attention to me and flashed
me a strange smile.

“Cas sandra, what do you think of the gemstone?” she asked me again, and then
she leaned in closer. “Please, give me your honest opinion. I really want to know
what you think.”

I was a little taken aback. Why was she so insistent about such a thing like that?
Was the piece of jewelry weighing on her mind so heavily?

But I knew that sometimes, things weren't that serious. Perhaps she simply
wanted another woman's opinion.

“It's lovely.” I offered kindly. “But-"

“Something about it isn’t right, Helene finished my sentence when I began to trail
off. When I nodded, her smile waned ever so slightly. The owner claimed the gem
is from the South, but I have my doubts. I think something is amiss.”

“If you think something is wrong, why would you give the owner so much
money?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Your maid gave him a bag of coins. Why bother if you suspect something is off
about the gem?”

Much to my surprise, Helene shrugged. “I couldn't find a better store in this town.
The jewelry in his shop is alright, even though his taste is lacking. There are
much better stores in the South, wouldn't you say?”

I smiled and nodded. “Yes, you're right.”

She smirked. “A ring with that large of a gemstone makes me feel like a
vulgarian.”

Before I could say a word in response, Helene stretched her hand and finger.
Suddenly, she gasped. I noticed the problem immediately.

Her engagement ring was gone.

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Chapter 226

“My engagement ring,” she uttered, and her rosy cheeks flushed scarlet and her
breathing grew more rapid. “I must have forgotten it in the store when I tried on
the other one.”

Nervousness painted her expression, and she turned to her maid quickly. “I need
you to go to the store for me at once and fetch it, Alana

The young

young woman seemed hesitant and clenched her jaw. Helene didn’t pay her
irritation any mind.

“Do you want to be punished?” she demanded, and she lifted her chin ever so
slightly. “If the ring is lost due to your indifference, you will be punished in one
way or another.”

The threat was enough to send the maid away. She nodded her head and
smoothed her dark curls down. “Yes, My Lady. Will you please wait for me?“
Helene gave the slightest of nods, and then the maid left the shop. She
continued to stare out the window and watched the maid go down the street.”
“Keep smiling.” Helene uttered in a low voice without looking at me. For a
moment, I wasn't sure if she was speaking to me, but I caught on quickly and did
what she asked. I wanted to ask what was happening, but she spoke first.

“Keep smiling, Cas sandra,” she urged when she turned back to me. “Don’t look
confused or worried, otherwise they'll notice something is wrong”

They?

I was even more confused, but I did what Helene told me to. I smiled and
behaved as normal. When the young man brought us our food and drinks, I gave
him a polite message of gratitude, and when he left, Helene took a sip of her
coffee and sat

forward.

“We finally have some time to speak,” she said quietly. “Maybe ten minutes,
given Alana’s penchant for walking slow

“I don't understand,” I whispered as I glanced around. “Helene, what's going on?”
“Of course you don’t,” she replied. “No one would understand. Cas sandra, did
you really think we could get the freedom to go anywhere we wanted? We've
been followed and watched since we left the castle.”

My jaw threatened to drop at this revelation, but I managed to hold it together.
“Followed? By whom?”

“It's not important,” Helene said. “There are many parties in Viokwell. Could be
Kaleb, Ronald, or maybe some other high- born family seeking an opportunity to
drag those two in the mud. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that we can talk
now.”

She took a sip of her coffee and I did the same to appear normal While my
caramel latte was delicious, this odd situation somewhat spoiled the taste. This
moment was tense, and I wasn’t sure what she was about to tell me, but I knew it
was likely far heavier than anticipated.

I was a fool to think this outing was innocent.

“I'll get straight to the point,” Helene said, and she ran her hand through her soft
caramel brown hair. “I have no idea what deals you've made with Ronald, but I
need you to bear in mind that he’s not better than Kaleb, All of these Northerners
are the same. They're all equally savage and insane.”

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. How could Helene say such things about her
supposed fiance? How could anyone utter anything like that about their soon-to-
be husband?

Unless it was a marriage for show?

Was that a Yurenan tradition?

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