Help! My Moms Are Overpowered Tyrants, and I’m Stuck as Their Baby! - Chapter 162

Chapter 162: Palace Summons

(POV Mara)

In all my years serving the royal family, I’d learned a few critical truths about palace life: firstly, nothing good ever followed the phrase, “Come quickly,” and secondly, whenever Elira remained calm during a crisis, it meant I was about to panic enough for both of us.

Today, unfortunately, was a prime example of both rules.

The summons had arrived like a dagger thrust directly into our comfortable afternoon. One minute, Elira and I had been quietly discussing the bizarre drama unfolding at the academy complete with shadowy guards and twitchy professors—and the next, a messenger had burst through the doors, eyes wide and face pale, thrusting an elegant scroll at me stamped with the unmistakable seal of Queen Sylvithra.

“Urgent summons from the palace!” he gasped, already halfway to collapsing from exertion or fear, or possibly both. I took pity and shoved a chair toward him.

Elira took the scroll from my trembling fingers, frowning slightly. “Well,” she murmured, glancing at the wax seal glittering with enchantments, “this doesn’t seem ominous at all.”

I rubbed my temples wearily. “Ominous would be an improvement. Try catastrophic.”

Elira gave me a reassuring look, squeezing my arm gently before breaking the seal. The scroll unrolled smoothly, elegant handwriting flowing gracefully across the enchanted parchment, shimmering faintly as though the letters themselves were eager to convey their disastrous message.

I watched Elira’s expression darken gradually from curiosity to concern and finally to something akin to carefully restrained panic.

“What does it say?” I demanded, the tightening sensation in my chest becoming unbearable.

“‘Bring Elyzara back to the palace immediately,'” Elira read aloud, her voice betraying no emotion despite the dangerous intensity in her eyes. “‘Queen Sylvithra has foreseen events via a discreet observation rune placed within Elyzara’s uniform. If the prophecy has truly marked her, she must be protected or used.'”

I swallowed hard, mouth suddenly dry as dust. “Used? Sylvithra wouldn’t—”

Elira raised one eyebrow, her gaze steady and serious. “She’s a queen first, Mara. Elyzara’s mother second.”

My stomach lurched uncomfortably. Elira was right, of course. The queens’ devotion to their daughter was never in question, but the throne the empire itself always came first. If the prophecy spoke truly, if Elyzara was truly bound to the visions in the mirror, then she was no longer merely their daughter.

She was a tool. An asset. A weapon.

I shivered, turning away, my heart thundering unsteadily. “We can’t let that happen to her. Elyzara is more than some pawn in their endless political chess game.”

Elira stepped closer, reaching out to gently touch my shoulder. Her touch was grounding, soothing even amid the storm raging within me. “I know, Mara. But we serve the crown. If we refuse this summons, things become infinitely more complicated.”

“Complicated?” I echoed, laughing bitterly. “Elyzara’s fate hanging on political whims and ancient prophecies is well beyond complicated. It’s madness.”

Elira squeezed my shoulder gently, offering the faintest smile. “That’s why she has us. If anyone can navigate madness, it’s Elyzara. And she won’t face this alone.”

I sighed heavily, shaking my head in resignation. “You’re infuriatingly logical sometimes.”

“It’s one of my better qualities,” she said, a wry smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

I laughed weakly, feeling calmer despite myself. I leaned in, briefly pressing my forehead to hers. “Promise me we’ll protect her, Elira. Even if it means going against the queens themselves.”

She smiled softly, her voice a fierce whisper against my skin. “Always.”

I exhaled sharply, drawing strength from her steady presence. “Fine. Let’s go break the news gently. By gently, I mean Elyzara will throw something at us. Possibly several somethings.”

“Maybe we should wear armor?” Elira teased lightly, helping me pull on my cloak.

“Oh, definitely,” I replied grimly, “at least enchanted helmets.”

As we hurried from the room, I felt the familiar hum of adrenaline beginning to pulse beneath my skin. Despite Elira’s calm facade, her eyes betrayed her unease. We moved swiftly through the corridors of the academy, our footsteps echoing softly against the ancient stones. Portraits of illustrious past headmasters and headmistresses seemed to glare disapprovingly as we passed, as if silently judging our chaotic urgency.

“You know,” Elira murmured dryly, “at this point, I’m starting to think peace and quiet was just never part of our fate.”

I smiled faintly, my hand brushing hers as we turned another corner. “Where’s the fun in peace and quiet?”

“I don’t know,” she replied lightly, “sleeping through the night, perhaps?”

We reached Elyzara’s dormitory far too quickly, and my heart gave an uncomfortable jolt. Outside the ornate wooden doors, we exchanged one final glance of silent understanding.

“Ready?” I asked, forcing my voice steady.

“No,” Elira admitted honestly, “but waiting won’t make this easier.”

Taking a deep breath, I knocked firmly on the door. “Elyzara, it’s us.”

“Come in!” came her muffled voice, followed by a clatter and a faint curse. Elira arched an eyebrow, giving me a knowing glance.

We stepped inside to find Elyzara tangled dramatically in her cloak, her silver hair in wild disarray. Beside her, Velka was very deliberately avoiding eye contact, cheeks faintly pink.

“Are we interrupting something?” Elira asked dryly, her voice dripping with innocent curiosity.

“No!” Elyzara and Velka replied simultaneously, glaring briefly at each other before quickly averting their gazes.

I stifled a grin. Even amidst impending disaster, Elyzara’s love life somehow managed to be a delightful distraction.

“You should sit down, Elyzara,” I said gently, the gravity of the situation returning. “We’ve got news from the palace.”

Elyzara’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, but she obediently dropped onto the edge of her bed, arms folded defensively. “How bad is it?”

“Your mothers have summoned you back immediately,” Elira explained carefully. “Queen Sylvithra has been monitoring you. Apparently, she saw the mirror’s vision through a rune she hid in your uniform.”

Elyzara’s eyes flashed dangerously. “She what?”

Velka’s expression darkened beside her. “That’s invasive, even for royalty.”

“I don’t disagree,” Elira said evenly, “but there’s more. They believe the prophecy connects directly to you. Sylvithra’s orders are clear: you must return for protection… or to be used.”

The silence stretched thickly, broken only by Elyzara’s slow, steady exhale. She clenched her fists tightly, the room warming noticeably as her temper simmered beneath the surface.

“Used,” she repeated quietly, the word laced with venom. “How thoughtful.”

Velka reached out tentatively, touching Elyzara’s shoulder. “Ely”

Elyzara glanced up sharply, eyes bright with defiance. “I won’t become a pawn for their prophecies.”

I stepped forward, voice firm yet gentle. “No one’s forcing you into anything. But right now, we need to get you back to the palace at least until we know exactly what we’re dealing with.”

Elyzara hesitated, frustration flickering in her mismatched eyes before softening into reluctant acceptance. “Fine. But if they even try to put me on some throne of flames, I’ll melt the palace into slag.”

“I’ll bring marshmallows,” Velka deadpanned quietly, earning a faint laugh from Elyzara despite herself.

We moved swiftly, gathering Elyzara’s belongings, the urgency of the summons making each second feel