Chapter 17

As the day of the banquet arrived, I found myself enveloped in a whirlwind of anticipation and nerves. The grand affair was one of the most prestigious events of the year, and with my title as Lady Isabelle, I had to attend, especially when Prince Rowan had plans to attend. Adorned in a gorgeous black gown, its fabric flowing like liquid silk, and crowned with a headpiece bedecked in jewels that shimmered like stars in the night sky, I felt every bit the part. I looked like a lady, a proper lady.

With the money Rowan had gotten from his secret stash, we had snuck out to get new clothes and everything else we needed, although keeping it away from the guards had proven difficult for a while, it all turned out to be good.

Beside me stood Prince Rowan, equally as magnificent in his attire. If I had forgotten how handsome he was, seeing him in his royal garb certainly reminded me of how handsome he was. His presence was commanding, his demeanor regal, and as our eyes met in the mirror before leaving our chambers, there was a silent understanding between us. We were ready to face whatever the evening held in store.

With a final adjustment to my gown, we made our way out of our chambers. The guards were not stationed outside our chambers this time and I suspected it was because they were all at the banquet.


We made our way into the corridor beyond, the hustle and bustle around of the helpers around us did not let them notice us as we arrived.

As we descended the grand staircase towards the banquet hall, the air was alive with anticipation. The sound of music drifted through the air, mingling with the chatter of the assembled guests. The scent of exotic perfumes and sumptuous food filled the air, adding to the sensory overload of the evening.

But as we entered the banquet hall, all eyes turned towards us, and a hush fell over the room. The announcement of our arrival echoed through the hall, and I could feel the weight of the gazes upon us.

Confusion and murmurs rippled through the crowd, and I exchanged a glance with Prince Rowan, silently steeling ourselves for whatever was to come.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the air like a thunderclap. It was the Alpha King, his voice booming with authority as he demanded an explanation for our presence.

"What?! What is the meaning of this?!"

Before either of us could respond, Lucian, the Crown Prince looked at us with shock. "Who are you?  Why are you parading yourself like Prince Rowan?" he sneered, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Prince Rowan.

The tension in the room was palpable, and I felt a knot form in the pit of my stomach. This was not how the evening was supposed to unfold.

Prince Rowan remained composed, his gaze steady as he addressed the gathered crowd. "My apologies for the disruption," he began, his voice carrying with it a quiet strength. "Allow me to introduce myself again, in case you have all forgotten. I am Prince Rowan, and this is my wife Lady Isabelle. We come in peace, seeking only to partake in the festivities of this joyous occasion."

His words seemed to hang in the air, and for a moment, there was silence as the guests processed this unexpected turn of events.

But then, chaos erupted. The banquet hall descended into a frenzy of panicked whispers and hurried movements as guests began to talk loudly from all directions.

I reached out instinctively for Prince Rowan's hand, our fingers intertwining as we stood together amidst the chaos.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settling over me. They were supposed to be happy. They were supposed to be joyous to see their Prince recovered, hale and hearty. But instead, it seemed that accusations and suspicions were swirling around us like a gathering storm.

"And how? How are you walking again? Several healers from distant lands and our own healers all told us you would never walk again." The Alpha King said. The shock on his face was still palpable. And I could tell that he still could not believe it.

"It is a miracle. My wife here, Lady Isabelle nursed me back to good health."

Prince Rowan said as he looked at me. I gave him a demure smile as I bowed my head lowly.

The crowd still continued to talk in hushed tones, but now, their eyes were settled on me. Crown Prince Lucian glared at me.

"Lady Isabelle," he began, his voice dripping with contempt as he fixed me with a steely gaze, "I find it hard to believe that my brother is truly healed. It seems to me that you have orchestrated a grand deception, bringing in someone to impersonate Rowan and perpetuate this charade."

His words hit me like a slap in the face, and I felt the eyes of the entire court upon me, their whispers rising like a tide of accusation. How could he accuse me of such treachery, of betraying not only the Prince but the entire kingdom? I opened my mouth to protest, to defend myself against his baseless accusations, but before I could utter a single word, Rowan stepped forward, his expression a mixture of anger and sadness.

"Lucian," he said, his voice firm but tinged with sorrow, "you will address me directly and refrain from casting unfounded accusations at my wife. Isabelle has done nothing but support me through this ordeal, and I will not stand by while you besmirch her honor."

There was a collective gasp from the assembled guests, shocked by Rowan's uncharacteristic display of emotion. But he was not finished yet. Turning to face the crowd, he raised his voice so that all could hear him.

"I have not been healed by some trickery or deceit," he declared, his words ringing out with a clarity that brooked no argument. "Against all odds, I learned to walk again through sheer determination and the unwavering support of my wife. Isabelle has been my rock throughout this entire ordeal, and I will not allow her name to be dragged through the mud by baseless accusations."

With those words, Prince Rowan took my hand in his, his grip firm and reassuring. In that moment, I felt a surge of pride and love for my husband, knowing that he would stand by me against any adversity. But even as his words echoed through the hall, I could see that Lucian remained unmoved, his expression still cold and implacable.

"Brother," Lucian said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "if it is truly you, then it is clear to me that you have been deceived. But if you choose to stand by this woman, this demon, then so be it. But mark my words, this deception will be exposed, and when it is, you will rue the day you chose to defend her."

With those ominous words, Lucian turned on his heel and stalked out of the banquet hall, leaving behind a palpable sense of tension and unease But despite his threats, I could see that some people in the banquet hall believed Prince Rowan and they were now looking at him with what resembled excitement.

People rushed around Prince Rowan. Many asking him questions about how his legs were healed, many coming towards him to get a closer look to be sure that it was him. Some were wanted to look at his legs, to be sure that they were healed.

Only the king and the Royal Concubine didn't move. They sat on their dais, their eyes following our every move.

As the night wore on and the festivities continued, I found myself reflecting on the events that had unfolded. Though Crown Prince Lucian's accusations had cast a shadow over the evening, they had dampened the overall mood of the event. People were still in high spirits, people still ate and drank and the festivities continued.