Chapter 68

Blanca sighed, leaning back slightly. "They were happy once," she said, her voice heavy with sadness. "Delilah loved him with all her heart. And for a time, Lucian loved her too. When they lost the baby..." She paused, her eyes glistening with tears. "Delilah was so heartbroken. She was so sad and for a time it seemed like Lucian was helping. He played the supportive husband role, trying to help her. But Delilah found it hard to move on. And after the late Alpha King Cyrus and the wolf clans declared Prince Rowan as the Crown Prince, Lucian changed. He became cold, distant. He rejected Delilah as his mate and asked for a divorce. The marriage was ended but Delilah was broken beyond repair. Her parents would not take her back. Who would marry her now they said? They didn't want her any more. Nobody wanted her. Rowan set up a manor for her and put her there to live with some staff to help her. The staff didn't stay long, they couldn't handle her."

"That's horrible," I murmured, my heart aching for the woman who had just held a knife to my throat. Delilah had been horrible to me during my life as Ariadne, but this, she had gone through so much. So much so that I felt immense pity for her. 

Blanca nodded. "It was. And now, seeing her like this—it breaks my heart. But I understand her anger."

I looked down at my hands, unsure how to respond. "What will happen to her now?" I asked quietly.

Blanca hesitated, her hand slipping away from mine. "They're arguing about it in the throne room," she admitted. "Some are calling for her execution. Others think she should be exiled."

"Executed?" I repeated, my stomach twisting.

Blanca nodded grimly. "She threatened to kill you and the royal family, Arin. That's treason. And treason is punishable by death."

"No," I said quickly, shaking my head. "She doesn't deserve that. She's hurting, not evil. They can't—"

Blanca reached out and grabbed my hand again, her grip firm. "I agree," she said. "But it's not up to me. The council will decide, and Lucian will have the final say since she was once his mate." 

"Lucian," I murmured, my throat tightening. "He won't spare her, will he?"

Blanca's expression darkened. "Lucian is many things, but merciful isn't one of them."

I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling inside me. "There has to be another way. She doesn't deserve to die for this. She needs help, not punishment."

Blanca's eyes softened, and she squeezed my hand. "You have a kind heart, Arin. But kindness doesn't always win in a place like this."

"Then I'll make it win," I said firmly, surprising even myself with the conviction in my voice.

Blanca gave me a small, sad smile. "You remind me of her," she said softly. "Delilah. Before everything went wrong."

I looked at her, startled. "Me?"

She nodded. "She was brave and hopeful, just like you. She believed she could change the world."

I swallowed hard, unsure how to respond. Being reminded of Delilah? I wasn't sure that was a good thing. 

Blanca stood, smoothing her gown. "Rest, Arin. You've been through enough today."

"Will you tell me what happened?" I asked, my voice trembling.

She hesitated, then nodded. "I will. Try not to worry too much."

As she left the room, I lay back on the bed, my mind racing. Delilah's screams echoed in my head, her pain and anger etched into my memory. I didn't know how, but I knew I couldn't let them execute her. She didn't deserve that.

I stood up from my bed and started walking towards the door. 

Delilah might have been cruel to me, wicked even but she deserved a chance. 

She deserved a chance to heal, just like I did.

I could hardly breathe as I sprinted through the castle halls, the sound of my hurried footsteps echoing around me. My heart pounded against my ribs, not just from the exertion but from the weight of what I was about to do.

The grand doors to the throne room loomed ahead, their ornate carvings stark against the cold stone walls. Two guards stood at attention, their hands resting on their sword hilts.

"I need to speak to the council," I said, trying to steady my voice.

"The Wise Seven are in deliberation," one of the guards said, his tone firm. "No one is to interrupt."

"I don't care!" I snapped, surprising both of us. "Let me through. It's urgent!"

They exchanged glances, but before they could argue further, I pushed the doors open myself, the heavy wood groaning as I forced my way inside.

The room fell silent.

At the far end of the chamber, the Wise Seven sat in their gilded chairs, their expressions a mix of annoyance and surprise. Lucian stood near the center, his back to me, but he turned sharply at the sound of the doors. Rowan was there too, standing off to the side, his arms crossed and his face unreadable.

"What is the meaning of this?" one of the elders demanded, his voice sharp.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "I need to speak about Delilah. I was the one who she tried to hurt. I should have a say in this matter should I not?" 

"This is not your place," another elder said, glaring at me.

"But it is my place," I said, lifting my chin. "Or is it because I'm not from this country? Because I'm not a wolf like you all? You're deciding the fate of a woman that came for me. I have something to say about it."

Lucian's cold voice cut through the tension. "Arin, leave. You have no authority here. The Wise Seven would deliberate on the matter. You should go back inside and rest. You have been through a lot today." 

I ignored him and stepped closer. "Delilah doesn't deserve to be executed or exiled," I said, my voice trembling but firm. "What she did was wrong, yes. But she was acting out of pain and desperation, not malice. You know her, she was once your wife." 

"She threatened the royal family," one of the elders said, his tone dismissive. "The punishment for treason is clear."

"Who did she threaten? She threatened to kill me! Only me. Last I checked I am not yet married to Prince Lucian so I cannot be considered as a member of the royal family. She is grieving!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the chamber. "She lost her child, her place, her family. She's broken, not a traitor. Do not treat her like some common criminal." 

Lucian took a step toward me, his eyes narrowing. "Even if she threatened only you, it's still a crime. She was going to kill you in the temple, another crime. Arin, this is not your concern. She was my wife, and I along with the Wise Seven will decide her fate."

My heart sank at the coldness in his voice. "And you think execution is the answer?" I asked, my voice soft but cutting. "Will killing her bring you peace, Lucian? Will it undo the pain that you have caused her?" 

He hesitated, but only for a moment. "She is a danger to us all. To you especially. She cannot be allowed to live."

"No," I said firmly, shaking my head. "What she needs is help. Not death. You know she only became like this after you broke the mating bond!" 

The room was silent for a moment before one of the elders spoke. "The girl is right about one thing. Delilah is grieving. But grief does not excuse treason."

"She didn't commit treason," I argued. "She didn't betray the kingdom. She acted out of love. Out of hurt. If you kill her, you'll be punishing a woman who's already lost everything."

"Enough," Lucian snapped, his voice rising. "This discussion is over. Delilah will be executed."