Chapter 29: The Mistress’s Delusions

Renira sat in front of her mirror, carefully applying a layer of crushed pearl powder to her flawless, jade-like cheeks. She had wavy dark violet hair, and she was undeniably beautiful.

With her sharp, fox-like eyes and a figure that could make any man lose his mind, she was the most coveted woman in the Panther Kingdom.

More importantly, she was King Leonidas’s mistress.

For two years, she had enjoyed his exclusive favor. He had promised her, sworn on his crown, that once the annulment with that pathetic Empress was finalized, she would be the one standing by his side as the true Queen of Shadow’s Edge.

Earlier in the day, a maid had stood behind her, gently brushing her hair with a comb.

"My Lady," the maid had whispered timidly, her head bowed low. "There are rumors in the servant’s quarters... They say His Majesty has returned from the border. And... he brought the Empress with him."

Renira’s hand slipped, smudging the pearl powder on her cheek. She glared at the maid through the mirror.

"Rumors?" she had sneered. "Those lowly servants just like to gossip nonsense. The Empress? That spineless, weeping trash? Leonidas wouldn’t even look at her twice. He probably just brought her back to the capital to sign the annulment papers and throw her away."

She had waved her hand dismissively. "Go fetch my sister, Tanya. I sent her to the courtyard to keep an eye on things. I want to know if the King has returned to his study yet."

~

A few moments later, thedoors of her chambers swung open.

Tanya, her older sister, walked in. Unlike Renira’s delicate, fox-like beauty, Tanya had a more mature, voluptuous figure, but her eyes held the same cunning sharpness.

Behind Tanya, two small figures trotted in. It was Renira’s nephew and niece, the twins Silas and Nia. They had been playing in the courtyard, just as Renira had instructed Tanya to take them there. It was a cute tactic to remind Leonidas of his ’family’ ties, to show him how lively and cute his ’real’ family was.

"Aunty Renira!" the twins chirped, running up to her.

Renira smiled although it didn’t reach her eyes. She shooed the maid away and looked at her sister.

"So?" Renira asked, picking up a silk cloth to wipe her hands. "Did you see him? Did he bring the Empress?"

Tanya’s face was pale as paper. She didn’t look at Renira’s eyes, instead focusing on the patterns of the carpet.

"Renira..." Tanya started, her voice trembling slightly. "It’s true. The rumors are true."

Renira frowned, her perfectly plucked eyebrows drawing together. "What do you mean, true? Did Leonidas say something to you?"

"No," Tanya swallowed hard, finally looking up. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of pity and fear. "He came with the Empress. And... they were in the courtyard. I saw them with my own eyes."

Renira’s blood instantly froze.

The silk cloth slipped from her fingers, landing softly on the floor. Her heart gave a violent jolt, slamming against her ribs.

"What?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "He actually came with the Empress???"

Her mind raced, trying to process this information. It didn’t make sense. It completely didn’t make sense!

But... but he told me... Renira thought, her long nails digging into her palms, drawing beads of blood. He told me he despised her! He told me she was a pathetic burden! He said he was going to annul the marriage and make me his Queen!

Her chest heaved. Panic and disbelief washed over her, making her dizzy.

This doesn’t make sense. Unless...

Her eyes suddenly widened. A spark of hope ignited in her heart, burning away the panic.

Or maybe... maybe he plans to embarrass her! Yes! He brought her here just to publicly humiliate her in front of the court, to show everyone how pathetic she is before he officially discards her!

She convinced herself so thoroughly that her breathing actually steadied. Leonidas wouldn’t lie to her. He loved her. He must be planning to get rid of the Empress once and for all.

"Aunty Renira!"

A small voice broke through her delusional thoughts. Silas, her nephew, tugged on the hem of her expensive silk dress.

Renira looked down, forcing a sweet smile onto her face. "Yes, my little Silas? Did you see the King?"

"I saw the Prince!" Silas said, his black panther ears twitching excitedly. "He was playing tag with Nia! Aunty Renira, I like the prince! He’s very funny!"

Renira’s smile instantly shattered.

Her blood boiled, rushing straight to her head. The delicate porcelain teacup on the table next to her rattled as her hand slammed down on the wood.

"He brought the prince??" she hissed.

The Empress not only came, but she also brought that little brat, Valen? And they were playing with her nephew? And the Empress was acting like a doting mother in front of her sister?!

Breathe, Renira told herself, closing her eyes tightly. Breathe. You are the one he truly loves. That woman is just a placeholder. A temporary placeholder.

She took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to calm the jealous fire burning in her chest.

Tanya sighed, stepping forward and placing a hand on Renira’s shoulder. "Renira, listen to me. I told you over and over again. He is a King. He has his duties, his political alliances. He won’t be easily torn away from his responsibilities just for a mistress. You never listened to me."

"No..." Renira whispered, her face twisting in denial. "That’s not possible. I... I..."

"Renira..." Tanya warned, her tone turning stern. "Don’t be foolish. The Empress is still the Empress. She holds the crown. If you provoke her, you are courting death!"

"I am not foolish!" Renira stood up abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. "Leonidas loves me! He only tolerates her because of the late Emperor’s decree! Now that he has seen how pathetic she is, he will definitely choose me!"

Tanya shook her head, looking at her younger sister as if she had lost her mind. "You are blinded by your own delusions. I am telling you, it is not worth it to fight her right now. Just lay low."

Renira ignored her sister’s words. She walked back to the mirror, staring at her own beautiful reflection. She would not lose. She refused to lose to that weeping, useless woman.

She caught Tanya’s eye in the mirror.

"Is there a dinner happening this evening?" Renira asked calmly.

Tanya frowned. "Yes. Lord Rafael is hosting a formal court dinner to welcome the Empress to Shadow’s Edge. But Renira, it’s not worth it. Don’t go. If you show up, you will just be causing a scene, and the King will be furious."

Renira’s lips slowly curved upward into a sinister, confident smile.

"I will attend," she declared, her voice ringing with absolute certainty.

"Renira, no!" Tanya pleaded.

"You don’t understand, sister," Renira interrupted, turning around. Her smile was dazzling, yet chilling. "Think about it. Why would he bring her here? Why would he bring the Prince? He wants to make a statement."

She walked over to her wardrobe, her fingers trailing over the luxurious fabrics.

"Maybe he wants to publicly disown the Empress," Renira murmured, her eyes shining with delusional hope. "Yes... yes! He wants to announce the annulment in front of the entire court! He wants to show everyone that he is done with her!"

She pulled out a stunning, blood-red gown, embroidered with golden threads that looked like claws. It was a dress meant to steal the spotlight.

"That pathetic Empress anyways," Renira sneered, her smile widening into a triumphant grin. "Yes... yes. She doesn’t even have the spine to stand on her own. Tonight, I will show the court who the true woman of the Panther King is. Tonight, I will take my rightful place."

Tanya watched her, her heart sinking. She knew that look in Renira’s eyes. It was the look of a woman who had completely lost her grip on reality, a woman who was about to throw herself into a fire and call it a warm bath.

But Tanya also knew that when Renira made up her mind, not even the King himself could stop her.

"Fine," Tanya sighed in defeat. "But don’t say I didn’t warn you."

Renira didn’t answer. She just held the red gown against her body, admiring her reflection in the mirror.

Just wait, Leonidas, she thought, her heart fluttering with excitement. Tonight, you will finally realize that I am the only one worthy of standing by your side.