BOUND BY FATE: ENTANGLED WITH MR HELL

Chapter Title: Dead Ends and Desperation

Rosa's POV

I couldn't sleep.

The past kept pulling at me like a weight on my chest. The fire. The screams. My mother's last words.

I needed answers — anything that could help me understand who was behind the fall of the Red Blossom Pack.

So I made a decision.

"Paige," I said quietly as she brushed my hair, "take me to the palace historian."

She blinked in surprise. "Now, Your Majesty?"

"Yes. Now."

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The historian's wing was quiet and dusty. Scrolls and books stacked high around a man with thin silver hair and tiny glasses. He looked up when he saw me, eyes wide in surprise.

"Your Majesty…"

"I need information about the Red Blossom Pack," I said. "From eighteen years ago."

He paused, his hands trembling slightly as he reached for a drawer.

After going through several old records and scrolls, he shook his head slowly. "There isn't much left, I'm afraid. The rebellion wiped out most documents connected to the Red Blossom territory. I've asked the council for permission to retrieve hidden records, but they've denied me every time."

I swallowed hard. "What about names? Anyone suspected of organizing the attack?"

He hesitated. "Nothing official. Some rumors… but all dead ends. I'm sorry, Your Majesty."

I left more frustrated than I came. My hands were clenched the entire walk back. No leads. No documents. Just more questions and whispers of lies.

When we reached the hallway to my chambers, I stopped.

Paige looked at me. "Your Majesty?"

I turned around. "No. I'm not going to my room. Take me to His Majesty's chambers."

She blinked. "Now?"

"Yes."

Because if I wanted to get to the truth…

If I truly wanted to find out who destroyed my home and family…

Then I needed the only person who might have the power to dig where I couldn't.

> Even if I didn't trust him completely.

Even if it scared me to owe him.

I was done running in circles.

It was time to ask for Bryant's help.

—

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