Alina was aghast as Layla confessed how she poisoned Stella.
It was after Alina cried all night because Stella and Aiden might get engaged.
Alina and Aiden had been in a relationship for a while but his father did not like her. He wanted Stella, the only daughter of his close friend, to be the bride of his heir.
Alina did not understand then, that Emperor Victor was trying to maintain close ties with the powerful and prosperous Valyenor. They thought that the emperor was showing favoritism and was being selfish and stubborn.
She only learned the truth after she became empress and heard the former emperor explain it to Aiden.
Valyenor was the only duchy in the empire that was not conquered by the former Nigellus Kingdom. Valyenor was an ally of Nigellus since time immemorial. They were good neighbors and traded with each other.
