VALERIA

I couldn't even catch the scent he mentioned—but of course, he was a far superior species.

"How clever... Valeria tasted the food that wasn’t poisoned, but when she covered it with the tray, that blue powder fell onto the food," the housekeeper summarized exactly what we were all thinking.

"Maybe it activates with heat and blends with the food's aroma, making it impossible for His Majesty to detect."

Suddenly, loud commotion echoed from the back door, and the cook burst into the room, sobbing uncontrollably.

A massive man nearly dragged her in by the arm, shoving her to her knees on the cold tile.

I was a bit startled by his sheer size—the tension in his bulging muscles made his arms look even bigger than Aldric's.

A dark beard, sharp electric-blue eyes, and the fact that he was bald only made this Lycan appear even more savage.

I was certain... he was one of the Guardians.

"Your Majesty, I've been your cook for years! How can you believe the accusations of this whore who only