Chapter 195
Elena’s POV
The trial was not prolonged. If anything, it was probably one of the fastest trails I had been on. After all, all the evidence was already at the table, and even the King and Queen were there at the scene to witness all of it.
Glenda’s crimes were finalised as treasonous, violent, and occurred in full view of the Royal Court and dozens of witnesses. Within forty–eight hours, it was concluded.
I sat beside Deacon in the Council Chamber. We were dressed in formal black, a deliberate choice reflecting the sombre weight of the proceedings. Below us, the judges, elders, and select Council members formed a silent circle.
When the guards dragged Glenda into the Chamber, her defiance was gone. The wolfsbane and the realisation of her fate had broken her spirit. She was pale, chained, and wept silently, occasionally whispering furious denials, but her voice held no power.
The prosecutor, Alpha Valerius, who’s also Lady Elara’s father, volunteered after his daughter’s disastrous wedding night and laid out the evidence, namely, the poison purchase, the organised attack, the intentional targeting of Rafael, and the attempted regicide. The proof was irrefutable.
Desmond, as the Alpha King and final arbiter, rose to deliver the decree.
“Glenda,” King Desmond’s voice filled the room, heavy and final. “You have been offered chances countless times, but you took them for granted. You were offered mercy, and yet you chose to harm others. You chose to target a child, poison an innocent, and attempt to ruin the stability of this Kingdom for your own selfish ambition.”
He looked at her with a stone–cold expression as he announced, “By the laws of this Kingdom, the punishment for High Treason and attempted assassination of a royal member is punishable by death. However, I will not grant you the dignity of a clean end. You sought to destroy the very idea of family and peace in my kingdom.”
Glenda looked up, hope flickering in her eyes for a split second, believing she had been spared.
With that, King Desmond gestured to Deacon, who rose to continue the verdict. “We strip you of all your name, title, and all pack affiliation. You will be exiled to the Southern Wasteland of the farther border without any shelter or help. There, you will face your punishment with hardship far worse than death.”
Glenda’s hope evaporated, replaced by a raw, guttural scream of absolute horror. The Wastelands were a death sentence. It was a slow, isolated, and final judgment, a grim justice befitting her crimes.
“Take her,” Deacon commanded, striking his gavel once. “The decree is sealed.”
The guards dragged Glenda, shrieking and clawing, out of the Chamber. The judges did not look away, nor did anyone else Justice had been served.
As the doors closed on her final exit, a small stir occurred near the back of the room. A figure stepped forward, head bowed waiting patiently for attention.
It was Bryson.
He looked smaller than I remembered, dressed in civilian clothes. The council had permitted him to attend the decree as a primary witness, a mandatory final act of accountability He strolled to the foot of the dais
“Your Highness,” Bryson said, bowing low. His voice was hoarse, defeated.
Deacon merely inclined his head, waiting.
Bryson looked up, his eyes travelling past Deacon’s stern, imposing figure and landing on me. There was no hust, un longing, just a profound, haunting clarity.
ked to co
“I asked to come before you one last time,” Bryson began, his voice surprisingly steady. “I have already resigned my title as Alpha of the Moonstone Pack and transferred my duties to Luna Elara, effective Immediately. Tam leaving the Kingdom.”
Chapter
He paused, gathering his courage. “I came to tell you both, but mostly you, Princess Elena, that I saw it. I saw her today. I sener the rot I was blinded by.”
He looked toward the door where Glenda had just disappeared, “She stood there and tried to kill a child, in your life, b commit treason, all in my name. And I realised… I dodged a bullet, but not one fired by an enemy. One fired by my com ego, aiming for her.”
He swallowed hard. “I realise now that the woman I chose was a monster, and the woman I threw away was the only reason! had anything worth protecting You saved my life, Princess Elena. By leaving me, you saved me from that sloon decay.”
I looked at him, feeling the heavy cloak of finality settle over the Chamber. This was the proper dovre. Not the ceremony, na the fight, but this raw, honest admission of his own failure,
“I offer no apologies,” Bryson continued, shaking his head. “Apologies are worthless. I just wanted you to know that I see you, Elena. Not the orphan, not the victim, but the princess who stood her ground and saved her family. I pray that in my exile, I find a fraction of the peace you have found.”
He looked directly at Deacon, a sliver of respect in his gaze. “Your Highness, I wish you and your wife a long and peaceful life. And I swear by the Moon Goddess, my departure is permanent. I will never cross your path again.”
Bryson bowed one last time, turned, and walked out of the Council Chamber. He didn’t look back.
Deacon Jet out a long, slow breath, the tension finally leaving his shoulders. He reached for my hand, interlacing our fingers.
“It is done,” Deacon murmured, his thumb tracing circles on my skin. “The ex–husband is gone. The witch is banished. We are finally free of worries,”
I squeezed his hand, nodding. The past had come to a conclusion.
“Let’s go home, Deacon,‘ I said, standing up, wanting a full and genuine rest that seemed so long since we had one.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
