Chapter 164
The halls of the palace buzzed with anticipation. The scent of burning incense filled the corridors, mingling with the murmurs of nobles and council members eager for the inauguration. It was only a few hours away, and already, the throne room was packed with powerful figures waiting to see Lucian crowned as interim Alpha King.
But they had no idea what was coming.
Miriam helped me into my fresh clothes, her fingers working quickly as she fastened the delicate clasps of my robe. Every movement sent sharp jolts of pain through my body, but I gritted my teeth and endured it. I had made it this far—I wouldn't falter now.
"Are you sure you can do this, Your Majesty?" Miriam whispered, concern deep in her voice.
I met her gaze through the mirror. My face was pale, my eyes sunken from exhaustion, but my resolve remained unshaken. "I have no other choice."
She exhaled shakily before nodding. "Then let's get you ready."
Aldric entered moments later, carrying the baby swaddled in thick, warm fabric. "He's stable," he assured me. "But he must be kept warm and close to you at all times.”
I reached for my son, wincing as I cradled him against my chest. "Then he stays with me."
Aldric hesitated. "I should come with you. If anything happens—"
"You're coming," I said firmly. "If anyone dares to question his legitimacy, you will be there to set them straight."
Miriam handed me a small vial of herbs and medicine. "This will dull the pain for a while, but it won't last long. You'll feel everything soon enough.”
I downed it without hesitation, the bitter liquid burning my throat. "Let's go. There is no time to waste.”
…………
The throne room doors loomed ahead, guarded by two large sentries in ceremonial armor. As soon as they saw me, their expressions twisted in shock.
"Your Majesty?" one of them sputtered. His eyes darted to the bundle in my arms. "You—you're carrying a—"
"Open the doors," I commanded, my voice cutting through the murmurs in the hallway.
The guards exchanged glances. "We're under strict orders not to allow anyone inside without—"
"Are you denying your Queen entry?" I snapped. "Do you dare block my path?"
The sheer authority in my voice startled them. One of them stepped back, uncertain.
A small crowd had begun to gather, whispering among themselves as they took in the sight of me standing tall, my newborn son held tightly against my chest.
"The Queen is here—with a child."
"Did she—did she just give birth?"
"Gods, look at her face. She just gave birth! She looks like she's been through hell."
I straightened my spine, ignoring the burning pain in my abdomen. "Open the doors now," I repeated.
The guards hesitated for only a second longer before they stepped aside, pushing the heavy doors open.
The throne room was grand, its golden chandeliers casting flickering light over the assembled nobles, council members, and warriors. Lucian stood at the head of the room, draped in a ceremonial robe, a crown in the hands of the royal steward beside him. The entire hall was silent, waiting for the moment he would ascend the throne.
Until I walked in.
Gasps rippled through the room as I stepped forward, the weight of every noble's gaze falling upon me. Some looked stunned, others horrified.
"What—" Lucian turned, his face contorted in disbelief. "No. No, this is impossible!"
He took a step forward, his hands shaking. "You're supposed to be—"
"Dead?" I finished for him. "Disposed of? Gone, so that you could take what was never yours?"
Lucian's mouth opened and closed, but no words came.
The council members rose from their seats, murmuring among themselves.
"This cannot be—"
"She was in confinement—"
"She has a child?"
“It’s too early!”
Aldric stepped forward, his voice ringing with authority. "Her Majesty has given birth to a son. An heir to the throne."
Silence.
Lucian's face twisted in fury. "Lies!" he barked. "There is no way—no way! She wasn’t due for at least three moons.”
I opened my robe, revealing the fresh stitches despite the searing pain I was feeling. Gasps filled the air.
"You doubt me?" I said coldly. "Come closer, Lucian. See for yourself."
He hesitated.
"Come," I taunted, my voice eerily calm despite the pain wracking my body. "Feel his heartbeat. Look into his eyes. Dare to tell this court he is not of Rowan's blood."
One of the older councilmen, Lord Beltran, stepped forward instead. He reached out, his gnarled fingers trembling slightly as he touched the baby's chest. A long pause. Then his eyes widened.
"His heartbeat is strong, like a true wolf’s," he murmured.
Another noble stepped forward, then another. One by one, they pressed their hands against my child and whispered among themselves.
"This is no weakling," Lord Beltran declared. "This is an Alpha King’s son."
The council erupted into chaos.
"This changes everything!"
"If there is an heir, there is no need for an interim Alpha King!"
"The inauguration must be postponed!"
Lucian's face was a mask of rage. "No! This is a trick! She must have stolen some other woman's child! She is a liar! A charlatan!” There is no way she could have given birth so soon!”
"Enough!" I thundered. "My son was born from my flesh, and the royal physician himself delivered him." I gestured toward Aldric. "Tell them."
Aldric stepped forward. "I have served this palace for decades. I have served the former Alpha King and his son the current Alpha King and I swear on my life that Queen Ariadne went into premature labor due to undue stress. I found her in pain in the castle hallway after suffering a devastating fall. I performed the surgery myself. This is her child—Rowan's child."
The council fell into hushed whispers again.
"This means Lucian cannot take the throne."
"The law is clear."
"The heir exists—Rowan's son exists."
Lucian spun toward the council, his voice shaking with barely contained rage. "You're all fools! She's manipulating you! She's—"
"You're afraid," I said softly.
His eyes snapped back to mine.
"You're afraid because you know this child is the end of you."
Lucian clenched his fists, his body trembling with fury. "This isn't over," he hissed.
"No," I agreed, tightening my grip on my son. "It's only just beginning."
The room erupted into chaos. The inauguration was postponed. And for the first time, I saw true fear in Lucian's eyes.
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