Chapter 16

"Your Highness, you have broken not one, not two…"

Jasmine stopped listening to them as they talked about how many of their stupid rules she had broken. She had sat in front of them as they spewed rubbish.

She knew that they would do worse if they were in her shoes. They had no idea of the amount of things she had endured. The council members consisted of four women and eight men. She knew that the women were allowed to cuddle their children to sleep and even sing them lullabies and as for the men, she knew that they went to sleep, cuddled with wives.

"As atonement, you will have to…"

"My wife is currently going through a lot right now, so I ask that you all be merciful and forgive her this once."

Jasmine was surprised at the voice and what he had said. She sharply turned to him, to see an unreadable expression on his face.

She had thought that his hatred for her ran so deep that he would even encourage them to increase her punishment.

"And she is very remorseful for what she did. Because of that, she hasn't been having a good night's rest," he continued, without meeting her eyes.

Jasmine couldn't believe that her husband had sided with her. He couldn't be on her side, not when he had his mistress. She was sure that there was another reason that was making him support her.

The council members seemed to be also taken aback by his words. Perhaps, just as Leila had known that they were having problems, they were also aware and were surprised that he would support her. It was either that or they were not expecting him to be on the Queen's side.

They murmured amongst themselves before turning to her.

"We are sorry to hear that you've been having sleepless nights, your highness and we can see that you are truly sorry. We assume that you have learned from this mistake and that's settled. You're forgiven by the people."

Jasmine muttered a thanks. She wasn't remorseful about anything and neither was she having sleepless nights because of that, but it didn't matter anyway.

The council was said to be the one that held the true power in the kingdom. They had the power to dethrone the king and even the Queen.

Immediately after the meeting, she decided to go see the king. That morning, Becca had appeared for breakfast too, but Jasmine had been quiet. There was no need to worry herself about a man who didn't want to stay with her. She was just going to live for herself, not her children or her husband. But after what happened at the meeting, she felt the need to talk to him, perhaps he still had some sort of love left for her.

Matt was walking to his room, he wanted to get some files from his room that he was going to go through on his way to the college. He had so many things to do in just a day.

"Matt!"

He heard the unmistakable voice of his wife and halted in his tracks without spinning around. He wondered what she was coming to say this time around.

"Why did you defend me in there?"

He scoffed and finally spun around to face her. He didn't understand women at all. He was sure that she was going to complain and nag him if he didn't defend her and now that he had, there was a problem.

"What exactly do you want, Jasmine? I shouldn't have?"

"No, that's not it. Thank you. I was just surprised that you'd do that when you know…there's Becca."

He glanced at his wristwatch. He was running late and he didn't want to just leave her here like this.

"Look, Jasmine. I didn't want to do this earlier, but since you've been so uncooperative, I'll tell you."

Jasmine held her breath as she waited for him to tell her that he was going to divorce her. It was the only thing that was left. It could perhaps be the reason why he showed her one last sympathy.

"Becca is my sister."

Jasmine's eyes widened, just as her lips parted. She quickly regained composure and croaked out. "What?"

"Look, I want you to keep this a secret from everyone."

Jasmine nodded rapidly. For some reason, she didn't doubt him, she knew that he was telling the truth, but she wanted to know more about the issue.

"If that's all, I have somewhere important to be," He said and walked past her, leaving her in awe.

Jasmine quickly walked to her room. She remembered that she had told Cara to do a background check on the woman. Her last name was probably her husband's name or a name she had been using as a fake. But Jasmine feared that Cara was going to successfully find the truth and she wanted to keep the secret. Just as she had promised.

"Cara!" She yelled as soon as she got to her room.

"Yes, Your Highness," Cara ran into the room upon hearing the urgency in the Queen's voice.

"Have you looked for someone to look into what I asked you?"

"No…"

"Good!" Jasmine sighed in relief. At least she didn't have to find a way to explain anything to anyone.

"What is it, your highness?"

"Nothing, Cara. It's nothing."

"Oh, that reminds me, your highness. The event at Redwave Pack is tomorrow and you have to go with his highness."

Jasmine's face popped up immediately. She had totally forgotten about that. She was supposed to go to Redwave Pack for the birthday of Alpha River.

"Have the peach dress from the latest collection ready," Jasmine smiled as she thought about the following day. She was already envisioning a good time with her husband, after all, he had shown now that he didn't hate her.

"Is something good happening today?" Cara asked, knowing that her boss only wore peach-colored clothing when she was in a good mood.