The Bride He Hates-Chapter 116: Cost Of Negligence

Lyanna and Azrael worked tirelessly for the next three days. It was exhausting, but for the first time in months, it felt like a true partnership.

On the third evening, as they reviewed witnesses’ statements, Lyanna noticed something.

"Look at this." She said, pointing to the papers. "Three different people mentioned seeing a cloaked figure near the victims’ homes days before the attacks. That means someone was watching."

"Surveillance." Azrael said.

"It also means they had detailed knowledge about the victims." Lyanna said. "How would an outsider know that?"

"They wouldn’t." Azrael replied. "Unless they had access to alliance records documenting who the key cooperation advocates were at each territory."

"My security assessment." Lyanna murmured.

"What security assessment?" He asked.

"Before our separation, I was working on a security analysis." Lyanna explained. "I wrote everything about the alliance there. Though I never finished it because I left for Valdris."

"Where is this assessment now?"

"In my study desk at Thornfield, I assume." Lyanna replied.

"We need to send word to Victor." Azrael said. "Ask him to check if the assessment is safe. If someone accessed it, that would explain how they knew exactly who to target."

Lyanna wrote a quick message and sent it with their fastest courier and continued their investigation.

The next day, they interviewed Matt, a cooperation worker who had been at Riverwatch for two years. He seemed nervous and kept avoiding eye contact.

"Matt, we need your help to understand what happened." Lyanna said. "You work closely with the community. Did you notice anything unusual before the attacks?"

"No, Your Majesty." He replied.

But they noticed his trembling hands when he replied.

"Matt, if you know something, now is the time to tell us." Azrael said. "Three people are dead. More could die if we don’t find who is responsible."

He looked torn and finally spoke up.

"I saw someone a few weeks ago. They came to me and said they were researching about cooperation initiatives. They asked questions, and I answered them. I didn’t know they were a fraud."

"Who was this person?"

"I don’t know their name. They had hidden their face. But they had original alliance letters. They said they were working on a security project for Queen Lyanna."

"What kind of letters?" Lyanna asked.

"Letters mentioning about the research project, Your Majesty." He replied.

"I never sent anyone." Lyanna said.

"But, Your Majesty, the letters had your seal and your signature. How could I have known they weren’t legitimate?"

They had no answer to his question. They let him go and waited for Victor’s reply. His reply came at evening. Lyanna read the message immediately.

"What does it say?" Azrael asked.

"The security assessment is missing from my study. It’s gone."

"Stolen?"

"That’s not all." Lyanna said. "Victor has found the letters that Matt mentioned. And they are indeed in my handwriting."

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation.

"Your Majesties, we’ve arrested someone." Anthony said." A young man was trying to flee. He had blood on his clothes and a journal with attack details."

"Bring him in." Azrael ordered.

Guards brought a young man, struggling against their grip. Lyanna recognized him immediately. He matched the descriptions from witnesses.

"Who are you?" Azrael asked.

"My name is Voss." The man spat. "And I did what had to be done. Those people were traitors to humanity. They deserved what they got."

"You murdered three innocent people." Lyanna said.

"I sent a message that cooperation with vampires is dangerous!" He shouted. "I was protecting my people!"

"Where did you get the information about the victims?" Azrael asked. "How did you know who to target?"

He laughed loudly.

"From your own queen. She documented everything including who supported cooperation, when guard rotations changed, and which houses were most vulnerable. She gave me everything I needed. I just had to steal it."

"How did you access Queen Lyanna’s documents?"

"Cooperation workers have access to alliance offices." He replied. "I volunteered for document filing. One day, I found her assessment on her desk as if she wanted someone to take it."

He laughed.

"Take him away." Azrael ordered.

After he was taken away, Lyanna sat in shock.

"He is lying. He is trying to implicate you to justify his actions."

"I left sensitive documents unsecured. I wrote detailed reports that could be weaponized. I was careless with confidential information and that got people killed."

"You were just doing your job."

"And I did a terrible job." Lyanna replied. "Azrael, I remember that time. I was miserable and angry at you. I had stopped caring about anything."

"That still doesn’t make you responsible for this situation."

"If I had been more careful, those three people would still be alive. Whether I meant to or not, I’m responsible for their deaths."

She stood up and started pacing.

"I have to tell Victor and report this to the council. They need to know that alliance security was breached because I was negligent, because I let my personal unhappiness affect my professional judgement."

"Lyanna, if you report this, Cassius will use it against you. He’ll demand your removal from the alliance leadership. He’ll..."

"He’ll be doing right." Lyanna cut him off. "I should be removed. I failed in my duty to protect sensitive information."

"You’re being too hard on yourself." Azrael said. "Moreover, it was me who made you miserable. So I’m responsible too."

"Your behaviour doesn’t excuse me from being a negligent queen." Lyanna replied. "We both failed. But my failure got people killed. I am answerable for that."

They returned to Thornfield the next day with Voss in custody and a full report of the investigation. Victor met them immediately in the courtyard.

"Your Majesties, the council has called an emergency session tonight. They want answers about how alliance security was breached and whether Queen Lyanna’s negligence is grounds for her removal from alliance leadership."

Lyanna looked at Azrael.

"I’m not going to defend myself. I’m going to tell them the truth and will accept full responsibility."

"Lyanna..."

"If the council votes to remove me, so be it."