Chapter 62

The sudden exit caused a ripple of murmurs among the gathered nobles. Princess Blanca glanced after her, concern flickering across her face.

"Don't worry about my sister-in-law," Prince Lucian said, stepping forward with a practiced smile. "She has a lot on her mind. It's good to see you again, Reagan. And you, Blanca."

"Lucian," Blanca greeted warmly. "And you must be Lady Arin." She turned her attention to me, her smile unwavering.

I hesitated, unsure how to respond. "Yes," I said finally, keeping my voice even. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess Blanca."

Her gaze swept over me, and she tilted her head thoughtfully. "The pleasure is mine. I've heard much about you. When Lucian wrote to us that he was getting married to you, we just had to attend! The daughter of the Emperor of Braam's uncle—that is quite the lineage!"

A lineage that wasn't mine. I wanted to add but I dismissed it. 

Before I could respond, Prince Lucian interrupted. "Blanca, I've told you about Arin's strength and beauty, haven't I? Our union will bring our kingdom many children—strong boys to secure our family's future."

I stiffened at his words, but Blanca didn't seem to notice. Instead, she smiled again. "I'm sure it will be a union to remember. Which is why we came as soon as we could, even in my condition. We can't miss it." 

At that moment, the Royal Concubine Elana approached Blanca, her expression happy and serene. 

"Blanca my dear," Elana said, her voice dripping with affection. "You look radiant, my dear. How far along are you now?"

Blanca rested her hand on her belly. "Eight months. The baby should be here soon."

Elana clasped her hands together, her eyes glinting with pride. "How wonderful. A child born of purebred wolf blood—a boy, I hope." 

Blanca's cheeks flushed. "We are not sure yet, but Reagan and I will be happy with either a boy or a girl."

Elana ignored her comment, her focus entirely on the unborn child. "A boy would make a fine heir, seeing as we currently have none to look forward to." 

Lucian chuckled. "Mother, my union with Arin will also bring plenty of heirs to the family. You won't need to worry about that."

Elana didn't respond to him. Instead, she turned her attention back to Blanca, cooing over her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

Blanca, to her credit, seemed unfazed. She turned back to me, her expression soft. "Arin, I know weddings can be overwhelming, but if you ever need advice, I'd be happy to help. I had a lot to learn when I first joined the  family."

I forced a smile, unsure of her intentions. "Thank you, Princess Blanca. That's very kind of you."

She tilted her head, studying me closely. "Please, call me Blanca. We're all  family now, after all."

The word "family" sent a shiver down my spine. I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. "Of course... Blanca."

She smiled again, satisfied. "Good. Now, Reagan, shouldn't we retire to our room? And Eleanor has been so tired due to the long journey, I'm sure she can't wait to sleep."

"Yes. I cannot. I apologise for my rudeness your Majesty but it's been a long journey." 

She said as she bowed slightly to Rowan, walking away fast. 

"Yes, let's," Reagan agreed. "It's been a long journey."

As they left the hall, I found myself alone with Prince Lucian and the lingering nobles. I felt a strange mixture of relief and unease. Blanca had been polite—friendly, even—but her warmth felt too genuine to be trusted.

Lucian stepped closer to me, his voice low. "I told you they'd adore you. Blanca is impressed, I can tell."

I nodded absentmindedly, my thoughts elsewhere. The sight of Blanca's growing belly and the tension it had caused Queen Isabelle lingered in my mind. The royal family was more fractured than it appeared, and I couldn't help but wonder how I could use that to my advantage.

...............

The corridors of the castle were brightly lit, the flickering torches casting long shadows along the stone walls. I made my way back to my chambers, the soft sound of my footsteps swallowed by the silence. My mind was still buzzing with the day's events, particularly the tense interactions between Queen Isabelle and the rest of the family. She was mad that Blanca was pregnant, before her too. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her, even after all she had done to me. There was something about her—something brittle and dangerous—that unsettled me.

As I approached a bend in the corridor, voices reached my ears. They were sharp, cutting through the quiet. I slowed my pace, instinctively pressing myself against the cool stone. I looked at my surroundings before walking closely, hiding behind a tapestry that would allow me to remain unseen.

I was close to the Queen's chambers and I was sure I could hear her voice. I listened it, hoping I glimpsed some useful information. 

"You're blaming me?" King Rowan's voice was low, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.

"Of course, I'm blaming you!" Isabelle's response was a furious hiss, her tone rising with every word. "We don't have an heir. Look at Blanca and Reagan. No wonder they were in the Western Isles. They were hiding their pregnancy from us. How can we have an heir when you won't even touch me? You won't even sleep in the same bed with me, Rowan!"

I froze, my breath catching in my throat. This wasn't a conversation I was supposed to hear, but I couldn't make myself move away.

"How could I?! Shall I refresh your memory? Have you forgotten our agreement so quickly, Isabelle?" Rowan's voice was sharp now, a blade slicing through her accusations.

"Agreement?" Isabelle's tone turned venomous. "That stupid agreement is going to cost me everything. I thought that... I thought you would change your mind....."

"We agreed that there would be nothing between us. You would be queen as you want, but only in name only. I will never touch you or mate with you. You agreed because all you wanted was to be queen," Rowan said coldly. "And that's exactly what you got. I kept my end of the bargain. You're Queen Isabelle of Zaire. You have finally redeemed yourself like you wanted. All you have to do is play the part."

"Play the part?" Isabelle's voice rose, a raw mixture of anger and despair. "You want me to be your pawn, spying on Lucian and his conniving mother all the time? Don't you realise that they don't even have to make plans for them to work?! You are doing all the work for them! Reagan's wife might birth a son, he might challenge you for the throne. Lucian is rushing into marriage with that lady Arin because he wants to challenge you for the throne. It is no secret that they want you deposed as King. And they will have their way if you don't do something."

"If we don't do something.... Don't you want to be king?" 

There was a heavy silence, broken only by Isabelle's labored breathing. When Rowan finally spoke, his voice was calm, almost too calm.

"You knew what this was from the beginning. I told you I would never—could never—touch you. You wanted to be Queen of Zaire, you are already Queen of Zaire. But you will never be my mate. Or the mother of my pups. That was not what we agreed to. It was never in the plan." 

"You would let us lose everything?" Isabelle demanded, her voice trembling. "If we don't produce an heir, we'll lose our positions, our power. Doesn't that matter to you? You wanted to be King and now you're prepared to lose it all?!"

"After everything you have been through?! First they take away your crown, try to frame you for betrayal. Then they neglect you when you are a cripple. Then that Otsayak comes to take advantage of you..." 

"Enough!" Rowan said simply. 

Isabelle's eyes widened in realisation.