The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven-Chapter 569: Plans, Plans, Plans

[Meredith].

It had been a week.

A full week since I accepted that the little girl I once sat with, laughed with, and drew gardens beside had never truly existed.

Xamira was gone.

What remained was a shapeshifter—one whose true form was a bird, whose obedience was enforced by fear rather than trust, and whose presence still unsettled me in ways I didn’t openly admit.

I was learning to live with that truth, even if it sat heavy in my chest some mornings more than others.

This morning was one of those mornings.

I walked through the corridor toward the dining room alone, my footsteps soft against the stone floor. The estate was awake, but quiet.

Servants moved with practised efficiency, bowing as I passed, their expressions relaxed and comfortable. That, at least, reassured me. Whatever darkness I was wading through privately, I hadn’t let it leak into the lives of those around me.

I had tried.

Just the day before, Queen Loraina had replied to my letter of comfort. An invitation had arrived bearing her seal—elegant, restrained, and unmistakably royal.

A ball at the palace. A gathering meant for women alone, for art, conversation, and enjoyment, she said. A way to celebrate the closing Chapter of her reign with King Alderic.

I remembered standing still for a long moment after reading it.

Because part of me couldn’t help wondering if the King’s health had shown a breakthrough, as everyone claimed, was he really well enough for his Queen to host something so... light?

The thought lingered, unanswered. So much did in those days.

In the past week, I had also hosted a small gathering for the servants—nothing grand, nothing political. Just an evening of good meat, fresh juices, and laughter. They had needed it.

I had seen it in the way their shoulders loosened, the way they ate without rushing, the way they thanked me afterwards with genuine relief rather than obligation.

That night had reminded me of why I did what I did. Not for power. Not for appearances. But for people.

Draven, on the other hand, had barely had a moment to breathe.

He had been leaving the estate almost daily—meetings, councils, preparations I knew all too well were pulling him steadily toward a throne he hadn’t asked for, but would soon have to claim as per his rights.

Every evening, he had shared what he could with me. Details. Names. Concerns. And through it all, he had been patient—painfully patient.

He had never once reminded me to visit his mother. Never pressed me for answers, I still owed him.

He had never asked what I had found or what I suspected, which only made the weight heavier, because I knew now, deep down, that she hadn’t been lying.

Crazy or not, broken or not, Draven’s mother had been telling the truth. And today, after breakfast, I would finally visit her again, but as someone searching for proof.

I needed to move quickly. I had already decided that much. Two weeks—that was the time I had given myself to unravel this entire knot of secrets, bloodlines, and half-buried truths.

Two weeks to confirm what I already suspected. Two weeks to uncover evidence strong enough that when I finally spoke to Draven, he wouldn’t doubt me.

I didn’t yet know what obstacles I would face. Or how many doors would close before one finally opened, but I did know this—

Whatever I uncovered would change everything. And once I started down that path, there would be no turning back.

By the time I reached the dining room, only Dennis and Beta Jeffery were present.

That didn’t surprise me. Draven and his father had already left for a council meeting before sunrise, their schedules tightening more with each passing day.

The house felt quieter and less anchored without them.

Dennis and Jeffery both rose to their feet the moment they saw me.

"There’s no need for formalities," I said at once, smiling as I lifted a hand to stop them. "It’s just us. Please, sit."

They obeyed, though Dennis did so with a half-grin, clearly unused to being waved down so easily.

The servants bowed deeply, and I returned the gesture with a gentle wave, dismissing them from unnecessary ceremony.

One of them pulled out my usual seat, and I settled into it and took in the breakfast spread laid out before me.

Warm bread, eggs prepared three different ways, fruits glistening with morning dew, and a rich porridge scented with honey and spice.

Good. I intended to eat properly before my visit.

Dennis leaned back in his chair, studying me for a moment before speaking. "Will you be free this evening?"

I glanced at him. "Why?"

"Thought we could go for a drive," he said lightly.

That caught my attention. "I would like that," I admitted. "But I will have to see how my afternoon goes first."

Dennis cracked a grin. "Fair enough."

"Where are you planning to take me?" I asked. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

He hesitated just a fraction too long. Then he smiled, a little awkwardly. "Nowhere special. Just... looking around. Seeing how our people are living. Maybe stop by the marketplace."

I raised a brow. "And?" I prompted.

"And buy some fresh mangoes," he added quickly. "For sorbet."

Jeffery snorted. "Since when do you care about the people, Dennis?"

I nodded in agreement. "It is a bit suspicious."

Dennis waved it off without the least bit of embarrassment. "You both lack vision," he said breezily. "Learn to be open-minded."

I chuckled, shaking my head as I reached for my plate.

The meal passed easily after that, conversation light and unburdened—until near the end, when I set my cup down and spoke again.

"I will be visiting your mother today," I said.

Dennis stiffened instantly. Then he just stared at me. "And my brother let you?"

"Yes," I replied simply. "In fact, I plan to visit her every morning if time permits."

His expression darkened, worry surfacing beneath the scepticism. "You know she might attack you."

"I do," I said calmly. "But I will be fine. I can at least fight back," I joked.

Dennis studied my face for a long moment, then shook his head. "You’re brave," he muttered. "Or insane."

"Possibly both," I said with a small smile.

He sighed. "Good luck, then."

I smiled back at him—soft, confident, unwavering. I would need that luck. And perhaps more than that, before the truth finally revealed itself.