Contract With The Alpha King
Chapter 137

"What "Elise's expression turned even uglier when she realized that her ability didn't seem to work on the dark veins. She pulled her arm from Fiona's grip and held it, staggering as the dark veins grew larger and larger, almost covering her entire arm. "What the hell- Fiona-" Her eyes widened as she looked at the smiling Fiona.

"What?" Fiona asked. "Please don't tell me that the great Elise Rosenthal, the person who claimed not even five minutes ago that she could heal all poisons, can't heal this simple thing?"

"You" Elise tried again to use her ability in the dark veins. However, instead of weakening, the dark veins grew stronger, spreading out from the veins and into her entire arm. Almost immediately, she realized that these veins- whatever they were had the ability to fight her blessings!

"Stop this!" Elise hissed. By now, she was certain this wasn't just poison. Fiona must have used something else to make it different. She must have used some sort of herbs to make it stronger, and more potent. She wasn't certain what it was. If she knew, then perhaps... "What is this, Fiona? Get this off me!"

Fiona smirked. "But can't you heal all poison? Haven't you studied the craft of healing for more than five years?" Fiona's eyes widened mockingly. On the outside, the woman looked innocent-too innocent. If Elise hadn't known Fiona had placed this thing on her, she might have believed she wasn't responsible at all.

"What is it?" Elise demanded as she used her ability once again.

Elise's panic was evident as the black veins crept further, branching out like cracks across her arm. Her once-rosy skin was now marred by the dark, pulsing pattern, inching closer to her shoulder. Her fingers twitched as she stared at her hand, now almost completely black.

"What is this!" Elise demanded, her voice sharp and frantic. She gritted her teeth, trying to focus her energy again, attempting to dispel the spreading darkness. But the veins didn't react. Instead, they grew thicker, stronger, as if mocking her efforts.

Fiona leaned back slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Careful, Elise," she said. "At this rate, your entire arm might turn useless. Wouldn't that be a tragedy? The perfect healer, unable to even save herself."

Elise glared at Fiona, but her anger quickly gave way to desperation. She moved her arm experimentally, her fingers flexing. The motion was smooth, unimpeded, and normal-but that only made it worse. There was no pain, no numbness, and no typical symptoms of poison. Her arm worked perfectly fine, despite its horrifying appearance.

"What kind of poison doesn't affect function?" Elise muttered, her gaze darting between Fiona and her arm. "What did you do?"

Fiona tilted her head as if considering the question. "Does it matter?" she asked. "If you can heal it, why should it concern you? Or... can't you?"

Elise's breathing quickened as she took a step back, clutching her darkened arm. "You're insane," she spat, her voice shaking. Without another word, she turned and bolted from the room, her dress trailing behind her as she ran.

Elijah, who had been silent throughout the exchange, watched Elise's retreating figure with a raised eyebrow. He turned to Fiona, his expression curious. "Are you going to follow her?" he asked.

Fiona's smile widened as she smoothed the fabric of her dress. "Of course," she said softly. "I wouldn't miss the show for anything." She extended her hand toward him, and Elijah, ever the gentleman, placed his palm beneath hers. With a shared glance, the two walked out of the room, hand in hand. It was as if the two were about to dance instead of watching some... drama.

....

Elise found a scarf to cover her arm. She ran out of the hallway and into the still-ongoing event, her eyes quickly scanning the crowd for her father. After a few seconds, she found Lord Rosenthal nearby, talking to the King and some council members. Seeing that even the Queen was there, Elise didn't hesitate. She ran toward her father. "Father..." Elise tugged her father's arm. She didn't bother with the beads of sweat on her forehead or her pale appearance.

"Elise, what is going on?" her father quickly asked, his brows furrowing when he noticed the large scarf covering Elise's arm.

"We need to get out of here," Elise said. She gripped her father's arm tightly, her eyes darting around the room as if she expected someone to leap out at her. "Father, please," she said, her voice trembling. "We need to leave. Now."

Lord Rosenthal frowned, his sharp

gaze sweeping over his daughter. He noticed the scarf hastily wrapped around her arm and the beads of sweat on her forehead. "Elise, what is this? What happened?" he asked,

3cern apparent on his face in his

mind, he couldn't help but asked if the other envoys somehow found their way towards Elise. Was it an attack?

Elise shook her head, her grip on his arm tightening. "I'll explain later. Just come with me," she urged, glancing nervously over her shoulder. "Please."

The Queen who standing nearby

with an elegant fan in hand, arched an eyebrow at the scene. Her sharp eyes flicked to Elise's pale face and the scarf covering her arm. "Lady Elise," the Queen said, stepping closer. You look unwell. Has something happened? I noticed that you came from Lady Fiona's quarters? Did something happen just now?" Her words were pointed, but her expression feigned concern.

Elise stiffened at the mention of Fiona's name. "No," she said quickly, her voice uneven. "It's nothing."

The King who had been observing the exchange, tilted his head slightly as he studied Elise. "Lady Elise," he said, his tone calm. "If something is wrong, speak. This is not a time for secrets."

"Father, we need to go," Elise repeated, tugging at Lord Rosenthal's arm with more urgency. Her eyes darted toward the Queen, whose gaze remained locked on her. "Please."

The Queen's lips curled into a faint smile, her gaze sharp and calculating. "You came from where Lady Fiona is," she said. "Surely, if there's an issue, it's something we should all be aware of. Let us help you, Lady Elise." Elise shook her head again, her breaths coming faster. "No, it's nothing. I just... I need my father's help."

Lord Rosenthal's frown deepened. He placed a hand on Elise's shoulder, steadying her. "Elise, enough," he said firmly. "Tell me what is going on."

The Queen's expression turned sympathetic. "If this is about Lady Fiona," she said smoothly, "you can tell us. We are all here to ensure everyone's safety, after all."

Elise's head snapped toward the Queen, her frustration barely contained. "It's nothing," she insisted. "I just need to speak with my father. In private."

The Queen's gaze lingered on Elise. "If it's nothing, then why are you so distressed? Surely, whatever this is, it can't be so serious that it requires such secrecy."

Lord Rosenthal studied his daughter

carefully, his expression thoughtful. The Queen's words had planted a seed of curiosity, and he wasn't

about to let the opportunity pasmet

"Elise he said, his voice low but firm. Enough with the evasions. What is this about?" If this was about Fiona or the Envoys, then it would be better if Elise tells them now!

Elise hesitated, her eyes darting between her father and the Queen. She felt cornered, her desperation mounting. Finally, she blurted out, "It's Fiona."

The room seemed to shift slightly when she said Fiona's name. The Queen tilted her head, her fan pausing mid-motion. "Fiona?" she echoed. "What about her?"

Elise gritted her teeth, her hand trembling as she clutched her scarf-covered arm. "She... she used her ability on me. She poisoned me."

The Queen's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of satisfaction crossing her face. "Poisoned you?" she repeated, her tone feigning shock. "Lady Fiona did this to you? How could she harm her own sister?" "Explain yourself, Lady Elise." The King's gaze hardened as he stepped forward.. "What exactly happened?"