When the next day ca, it was ti for my trial. Osha dressed for court like I was attending so ceremonial event, but Osha explained how crucial it was for to dress so. This was an official eting, where I would stand not just before the Dowager but the houses.
I couldn’t sleep last night. I stared at myself in the mirror, and I realized I should have. My lips were just as pale as my skin.
I told Osha to apply the reddest lipstick she could find to cover it up, as well as more makeup to cover the bags under my eyes.
I may be walking into my doom set by Sloane, but I’ll make sure I handle it without giving away my weakness.
I’ll stand strong. What else am I to do if I don’t?
Osha attempted to wrap my curly hair in a bun.
"No," I stopped her. "Let it down."
She did as told. I took one look at the mirror before rising to my feet.
I walked to the door in silence, and it opened on my account.
I kept my gaze focused ahead until we got to our destination.
This double door was larger than the ones in the rest of the castle, and it was made of pure gold, glittering from the light in the grand corridors. I looked over my shoulder, spotting Osha behind.
I didn’t want to turn, because if I did, I wouldn’t be able to handle the look she would give .
When the door opened, I found myself hesitating. It was just like the day I walked down the aisle, uncertain of what awaited .
I want to flee. Run so far that the beasts won’t find . But where would I run to? There was never a place for ; I never belonged in Beloria, and neither did I here in Valkanor.
I stepped through the doors with a heavy heart. This place was enormous, a long line leading to the throne where the Dowager sat beside a golden throne. Sloane was present, standing next to her. She gave a knowing, cruel smirk.
I peeled my eyes away as anger burned through my skin, but all I could do was walk the red carpet, with a large number of people on both sides. Their gaze pierced , and their whispers stung my ears.
"A human whore."
"Such outrage!"
"Whore."
"The monarch should never have married her."
"How dare such a human try to ruin the royal family?"
"An insult!"
I halted my steps when I got to the stairs leading to the throne. I kept my gaze leveled, curtseying to the Dowager.
"You were wise to attend court," The Dowager said. "I thought you’d be ashad to show your face."
"Your Majesty, I—"
"Who said you could speak?" she snapped. "I want to hear nothing from you. No word will change the disgrace you have brought to this family."
If this were going to be my last day, then my voice would be heard.
"This is a trial, is it not?" I questioned, lifting my gaze, and pinned her with a look of steel. "Shouldn’t I be granted a voice to speak, after all..." I moved my eyes to Sloane. "The story so far has been one-sided."
Murmurs filled the hall from the houses behind.
"Do you honestly think whatever you’ve to say will an anything? Words from an adulterer?"
"Should I not be allowed to speak? Because I’m a human? In the face of trial, species should not be dictated as a ans to avoid fairness. I thought trials were ant to decide guilt and innocence. Both sides of the story should be brought to the table and discussed, with witnesses to the scene and a formal judge of the incident. Then why is this trial nothing of the sort? But clear to be only about judgent?"
"The audacity of this human!"
"Speaking to the Dowager in such a tone!"
"Such a humiliation!"
"Disrespectful!"
"Who does she think she is!"
For so reason, the murmurs were one-sided while the rest stayed silent.
"Silence!" The Dowager bood, and the entire place turned into a graveyard.
The Dowager pinned with her charcoal grey eyes that had an eerie glow to them. "Fine, you may speak."
"Your Majesty," Sloane rushed. "She would only deny the accusation if you let her."
"I’ll speak only the truth. What do I gain by lying when I stand as a human in a beast’s lair?"
The Dowager fixed with a pointed stare.
"You wouldn’t tell the truth, Lady Eloise," Sloane spoke up. "The reason you dared engage in a secret relationship with the prince is because of your thirst for power."
Murmurs exploded.
"Before this, she had t the Princess. I saw her on the way to the Princess wing."
Could it be the sa day I went to the princess, Sloane did too?
The Dowager snapped her gaze to Sloane, then back at , rage twisted on her face.
"Yes, I did," I admitted. "She’s my sister-in-law. I wanted to et her and spend so ti with her."
"Even though the princess is not out in society? You went against the Dowager, behind her back, to et the princess. Wrapping every royal sibling under your finger?" Sloane said in a sad tone. "Was my betrothal not enough for you?"
She dropped the nail on the wall, and it’s not coming off anyti soon. I chewed the inside of my mouth. Nothing I say or do will change anything.
"Seize her," The Dowager ordered.
Two knights stepped forward and grabbed .
"Under my decree and authority, your marriage with my son will be annulled."
"The Dowager has made a wise decision!" The crowd behind chanted.
I chuckled, a sound catching off guard as well as everyone present. I must look crazy now, but there was little to anything I was worried about.
This felt all too lodramatic.
"Is sothing funny?" The Dowager questioned.
"I was beginning to think that Lycans may have so sense of justice, given how superior you all claim to be. Over and over again, we have read them to be better than us. But that was all wrong, even a beast doesn’t know when to stop being one."
"I beg your pardon?"
"The least rcy you can give is to kill and spare from the humiliation. Because it won’t end here, will it? After my marriage is annulled, my life will only beco a less comfortable hell."
A hand smacked against my face, I didn’t see it coming, and the force caused my head to turn the other way so hard I thought my neck would break.
Pain exploded in my cheek, rushing through my entire body. The Knights released , and I dropped to the floor.
"You’re right, I should grant you rcy and take your life."
I raised my gaze to the Dowager standing before , towering like the impressive woman she was
A sharp pain twisted my chest, and I gripped the area, my mouth agape as a feeling swamped my insides. The Dowager had done nothing, just looking at with that glow in her eyes.
It’s her Alpha command.
My insides coiled so hard that the next I knew...I vomited, not what I hoped I forced myself to eat for breakfast, but blood.
A sharp ringing in my ears followed, my vision blurring.
"The Monarch and the Royal Princess have arrived!"
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