Chapter 24: Doubts and Shadows
The morning light filtered through the stained glass windows of Elysia’s private study, casting jewel-toned patterns across the polished stone floor. Lyra and Sorrel stood before their mother, their postures rigid after a night without rest. Kiran remained a step behind them, her face carefully neutral as she awaited her queen’s response.
Elysia set down the report with deliberate slowness, her fingers lingering on the parchment. "Nothing," she said, the word hanging in the air like an accusation. "You found absolutely nothing."
"The aqueduct was secure," Lyra confirmed, maintaining her composure despite the disappointment evident in her mother’s tone. "No signs of tampering, no evidence of intrusion. The water tested pure."
Elysia’s gaze sharpened. "And this urgent intelligence that prompted such a hasty midnight expedition—did your agent offer any explanation for their error?"
Sorrel’s eyes flicked briefly to Lyra, a silent question passing between them.
"It wasn’t an error, necessarily," Lyra said carefully. "Perhaps it was a warning of something yet to come, or perhaps our presence deterred whatever was planned."
"Or perhaps," Elysia said, rising from her chair to pace the length of the window, "your agent is not as reliable as you believe." She turned abruptly, fixing Lyra with a penetrating stare. "Who is this mysterious informant, daughter? You’ve never been secretive about your network before."
Lyra felt the weight of Kiran’s attention and chose her words with care. "My source is... unconventional. But they’ve provided valuable insights in the past."
"Insights or distractions?" Elysia challenged. "Resources are precious, Lyra. We cannot afford to chase phantoms while real threats gather at our borders."
Sorrel stepped forward, surprising both her mother and sister. "If I may, Mother, I believe the expedition was warranted regardless of the outcome. Better vigilance than regret."
Elysia’s expression softened marginally at her younger daughter’s intervention. "A fair point, Sorrel. Yet I cannot help but wonder if certain... influences... are clouding Lyra’s judgment." Her gaze returned to her eldest daughter. "Is this about Eren?"