Chapter 150

Irene's POV

The calm before the storm.

That's what the past few days had felt like. Warriors trained. Defenses strengthened. Patrols doubled. Everyone preparing for the battle we knew was coming.

But the real threat wasn't just the armies gathering outside our borders.

It was the snake hiding among us.

Ken found me in the garden that afternoon, his expression grave.

"Princess. We need to talk. Privately."

I followed him to a quiet corner, away from curious ears.

"What is it?"

"My contacts inter