Return of the Crowned Heiress

Felicia acted as if she had no idea of her precarious situation, carrying herself like a guest of honor in the Glover estate. She demanded the best food and drink every day, directing the staff with an air of entitlement. Beyond that, she frequently mentioned her plans to return to Khogend once Maurice's legs were healed, dropping casual remarks that made her optimism clear.

Even Maurice's men, tasked with shadowing her under the guise of assisting, found her naiveté amusing.

Did she really think she could walk out of Maurice's lair unscathed?

Of course, they all played along until Maurice's legs were fully restored. No one would tip their hand or reveal the fangs waiting beneath.

...

Meanwhile, back in Khogend, it was the third day since Felicia had disappeared.

Carmen was at her wits' end, her lips cracked and dry from stress.

Three days ago, she'd been hiking and laughing with Felicia, only to have their descent interrupted by an ambush.

came prepared, and they

her away, insisting she'd only be a

to protect her, and

wiped clean, and every surveillance camera along the way had been disabled. Felicia had vanished without a trace. Carmen reported the

Felicia remained missing, the more danger

barely holding it together. She hadn't slept since the abduction, her mind plagued by nightmarish scenarios of what might be happening to Felicia. Visions of Felicia being hurt, tortured, or worse-her life

be someone

Then, like

could get help from the Fuller family since Felicia was still their daughter, no matter the estrangement. Surely,

and bolted for the door. But as soon as she opened it, she

Felicia's. He was relentless, like an annoying

presence made Carmen's blood boil, especially since he'd started

I swear I'll kill you!" Carmen snapped, storming back inside to grab a kitchen knife. She returned, blade in hand, eyes blazing