Chapter 69. A Growing Rift

But in the shadows, the male spy watched. His eyes gleamed with malice as he noticed the cold glances, the lack of smiles between the two women. The crack was there—and he intended to shatter it.

With careful planning, he enlisted two greedy maids, women easily swayed by the promise of silver. They spread the poison with whispered gossip in the corridors, near enough for Selena to overhear.

“Did you hear?” one maid whispered to the other, loud enough to echo off the stone walls. “Rina caught Selena with one of the guards. I heard she begged Rina not to tell the Gamma… disgraceful.”

“Shameful,” the other agreed, eyes wide with fake horror. “No wonder Rina switched duties. She probably couldn’t bear the sight of her after that.”

Selena froze, her breath catching in her throat. Shock, fury, and heartbreak collided inside her. How could Rina say such things? After all they’d shared… after all I’ve done to stay loyal…

Her fists clenched at her sides, but she