Chapter 149
King Desmond’s POV
+25 BONUS
Inside the study room, the air smelled faintly of cedar and ink while I, the Lycan King, leaned back in my leather chair, tossing a silver pen onto a half–signed contract. I already felt exhausted after reviewing and signing countless reports since early morning.
After a while, I heard the familiar click of Jude’s shoes against the marble floor that broke the silence.
“Your Majesty,” Jude greeted with a slight bow as he opened the door and stood before me. “Princess Geline has arrived at the palace.”
I could only sigh, not even the slightest surprise. After what happened at her party that spread like wildfire around the palace, her coming in here was only a matter of time.
“She’s early. And angry, I presume?”
Jude made an expression. “Seething, actually, King Desmond. She’s waiting outside. Impatiently, if I may add,” he uttered, pointing at the door.
Chuckling, I asked with confidence, “Let me guess. This is about Elena again?”
He hesitated for a while before nodding, “I believe so. And there was… a rather chaotic incident at the Grand Princess’s mansion earlier today.”
“Of course, there was,” I muttered, already feeling a headache coming on me. Shaking my head, I commented, “Auntie Geline and her flair for theatrics.”
He fastened the top button of his tailored navy jacket; I sat up straight.
I was about to let her in when I just realised what Jude said about having an accident this morning, so I asked, “What’s the story?”
“Miss Elena returned a ‘gift‘ the Princess had delivered to her, rather dramatically. I heard that she smashed it on the Princess’s property. According to the report from one of the servants, they say there was shouting.”
Silence stretched between us as my thoughts ran before I let out a smirk. “I do love her spirit.”
It’s been so long since there was anyone who dared to go against my Aunt. It’s rather fresh.
Jude smiled a little before it vanished easily, and his gaze on me turned serious.
After a few seconds of hesitation, he cleared his throat and spoke cautiously, “Your Majesty… there is something you may wish to recall. This isn’t just about Princess Elena. It’s about Daco Dooley, her father.”
I felt like ice water was thrown at me as I chilled from the memory. Now, I’m really having a headache.
“Princess Geline once sought marriage with Alpha Daco,” her reminded gently. “He refused her. She never forgave him for that humiliation, and now his name lives on through Princess Elena. The Grand Princess never liked Alpha Daco’s family, and her grievances run deeper than this engagement.”
I tapped my fingers on the desk, thinking. Sighing, I looked up at him and asked, “You think she sees Elena
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as a ghost from the past?”
“She’s trying to bury her shame with power. Giving out punishment like she wants would only validate her,” he advised, to which I agree.
“So what do we think we should do?” I asked, though I already made up my mind and just needed to hear another to back it up.
“Alpha Daco sacrificed everything to the kingdom. His sons, too. Their family and pack stood loyal for generations. Many still remember and thank them for that.”
A long silence passed between us before I nodded my head.
“Understood. Let’s not keep royalty waiting.”
With that, Jude turned around and opened the door. He hadn’t even opened it fully yet when Aunt Geline stormed inside, her heels clicking on the floor with a deafening effect.
“Desmond, I come today not just as your aunt, but as a representative of the royal clan’s dignity,” she hissed as she walked toward me. Once she reached my desk, she slammed both her hands on it and stared at me with conviction.
She was obviously trying to intimidate me. That would have worked years ago when I was a child, but years have passed, and I’m the king now.
Raising a brow, I kept my cool and tried to joke about it to try to ease the tension in the air that her arrival caused. “A bold introduction.”
“That wanna be Princess you made, Elena, stormed into my mansion uninvited. She also threatened me. Above all things, she destroyed a diplomatic gift and humiliated me in front of my staff!”
“A diplomatic gift?” I asked, gesturing for her to go on.
“It was just a harmless joke,” she snapped. “It’s just a bottle of wine with a cheeky label. Hardly deserving of a tantrum!”
What’s on the label has already reached the rumours as well, and Jude showed me a picture of it earlier. One of the servants on our side had taken a photo of the broken glass before they cleaned it.
Sighing, I commented, “Mocking her engagement wasn’t wise, nor could it be considered a harmless joke, especially since she’ll be Deacon’s wife. The prince’s wife.”
“I was only testing her poise,” she hissed. “And she failed. She lacks the restraint of a royal member.”
I knew it was only an excuse, though. We both know what she really meant to achieve with that gift. She felt humiliated and outshone at her party and was trying to make it difficult for Elena in return.
“She has the loyalty of one, and that’s what matters,” I replied calmly. “And she’s not married into royalty. Not yet.”
“But she will be, won’t she?” she demanded. “You’re all just going to let her in without question? A woman raised by a disgraced house?”
Hearing that, my eyes turned sharp as I sat up properly.
Chapter 149
+25 BONUS
“The Dooely family died protecting this kingdom and the people in it,” I uttered firmly. “The only disgrace was how few people like you, as it seems, have forgotten about it.”
She faltered. She had always been spoiled, and with her rank, we showed her respect and let her be most of the time. But there’s a limit on her tantrums and wrongdoings that we could look past.
“I will not punish Elena for defending herself,” I finally said, knowing that’s what she was really here for. ” If anything, I commend her restraint.”
“You mean her disrespect?” she hissed.
“I mean her honesty and courage. Something this palace often lacks.”
“She’s a threat, Desmond!” she said through her teeth. “If you can’t see it now, you will later.
Feeling my head pulsating, I stood up and sighed, wanting to end this thing already. “Thank you for your opinion, Auntie.”
“I want her publicly reprimanded,” she insisted.
Gesturing at the door for her to leave, I seriously replied to her, “You may want many things, Auntie. But that doesn’t mean you’ll get them.”
Chapter 150
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.
