Chapter 164: 164 - every servant
164
~Damon’s POV
I dropped the last parchment on the desk with a groan. My eyes burned from reading for too long, and my neck ached from sitting stiffly.
"Enough," I muttered to myself, rubbing my temples. The endless numbers, names, and signatures swam before my vision. All I wanted now was peace. Maybe I’d check if Lisa was still asleep. Just seeing her had a way of calming me.
I stood, stretching my arms, and pushed the chair back. The halls were dim and quiet as I walked, only a few maids scurrying about with lowered heads. My mind drifted, thinking of her smile, the way she laughed even when she was upset.
But then I stopped cold.
My heart lurched.
Lisa.
She was lying on the corridor floor, motionless.
"Lisa!" My voice cracked as I rushed forward, kneeling beside her. Her skin was pale, her lips parted as if she’d been calling out.
"No... no, no, no," I whispered, shaking her shoulder gently. "Wake up. Lisa, wake up, please."
Her eyelids fluttered faintly, but she didn’t respond.
Without thinking, I lifted her into my arms. She felt too light, too fragile, and it terrified me.
"Someone!" I roared down the corridor. My voice thundered through the halls. "Get the royal doctor! Now!"
A maid stumbled forward, bowing frantically. "Y-yes, Alpha!" She sprinted off.
I carried Lisa into her room, laying her carefully on the bed. My hands trembled as I brushed hair from her face. "You’re safe now... I’ve got you," I murmured, though it was as much to steady myself as it was for her.
The doctor rushed in minutes later, dropping his bag on the floor as he bowed quickly. "Your Majesty!"
"Check her!" I barked. "Tell me if she and the baby are alright."
The doctor hurried to her side, pressing his fingers against her wrist, then moving to examine her stomach, her breathing, everything. I stood over him like a storm about to break.
"Well?" I demanded.
The doctor exhaled slowly. "The baby is fine, Alpha. Strong heartbeat. She is only... stressed, exhausted. Her body gave out temporarily, but there is no harm."
I closed my eyes, relief washing over me. My fists unclenched. "You’re sure?"
"Yes, Alpha Damon. I promise. She only needs rest."
"Good." My voice was still tight. "Leave us."
The doctor bowed low. "As you command." He gathered his tools and slipped out.
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her face. I wanted to stay there all night, guarding her, but my thoughts burned. Who had done this? Why was she lying unconscious in the corridor?
Her lashes trembled, and slowly she stirred. "D... Damon..."
I leaned forward instantly, taking her hand. "I’m here. You’re safe. Don’t move too much."
Her breathing was uneven, panic flashing across her eyes. "He...he tried... someone tried to... Damon..."
"Who?" My voice was sharp, desperate.
"Luca," she whispered, her words broken. "He called himself Luca. He... he tried to force..."
I gritted my teeth so hard my jaw ached. Rage poured into my veins. I pulled her gently into my arms, holding her trembling frame. "It’s alright. I won’t let anyone touch you again. You’re safe now."
She shook her head weakly. "No... You don’t understand. He was..."
"Shh." I stroked her hair, trying to calm her. Her words grew more incoherent, her body still shaking.
"Sleep," I whispered against her temple. "Rest. I’ll take care of it."
Her breathing slowed, her eyes closing again as she drifted into exhausted sleep.
I laid her back down, pulled the blanket to her shoulders, and stood. My chest heaved with fury.
I stormed to the door and bellowed. "Guards!"
Several men rushed in, standing stiffly at attention.
"Find him!" I thundered. My voice shook the very air. "Search every corner of this palace, every hall, every chamber. Bring me anyone named Luca, alive or dead!"
"Yes, Alpha!" They scattered at once, their boots pounding against the stone floors.
But I wasn’t done. I turned to the head of security, who had just appeared, pale and nervous.
"Double the guards," I snarled. "Every entrance, every corridor, every window. No one comes in or out without my approval. If a rat so much as breathes in this palace, I want to know."
The man bowed deeply. "At once, Your Majesty."
Hours passed. They searched. They questioned. Every servant, every knight, every visitor. Yet no Luca. No trace of him.
Each report only made my rage grow hotter. I paced the halls like a caged beast, my fists clenching until blood welled beneath my nails.
When the captain returned, bowing low, I didn’t even let him speak. "Well?"
"We found no one, my lord. No servant, no guest, no guard by that name."
I slammed my fist into the nearest wall, the stone cracking beneath the blow. "Damn it!"
The captain flinched. "Shall we widen the search? Outside the palace?"
"Yes," I growled. "Search the grounds, the town, everywhere. He doesn’t vanish into thin air. I want him dragged before me!"
"Yes, Alpha!" He rushed away.
I stood there, chest heaving, my thoughts a storm. Whoever Luca was, he had dared touch what was mine. He had dared to touch Lisa.
That was unforgivable.
"Bring every servant, every guard, every single worker into the great hall," I barked. My voice echoed off the stone walls. "Now!"
"Yes, Alpha!" they all answered, rushing to carry out the order.
Within minutes, the hall was crowded. The servants stood trembling in their uniforms, the guards stiff with unease. I walked in slowly, my eyes burning into each one of them. My presence alone was enough to make some of them bow their heads in fear.
I stood at the center, my voice cutting through the silence. "One of you allowed a man named Luca into this palace. One of you failed to do your duty, or worse, betrayed me outright."
"Bring me the list of every servant, guard, worker, every single soul that breathes within these palace walls. Now."
One of the guards bowed quickly. "Yes, my Lord." He hurried out, and the silence that followed was heavy.
I muttered under my breath, almost to myself. "Who dares touch what is mine?"
The door opened again, and the guard returned, holding a thick ledger with trembling hands. He placed it on the table in front of me.
"Go on," I snapped. "Read it out loud. Every name."