Chapter 78

The corridors of the castle were busier than usual this morning, yet they felt suffocatingly small. Servants moved quickly, nobles whispered in passing, and the oppressive weight of my anger sat heavy on my chest. I told myself I'd let it go—that Rowan wasn't worth the effort of my frustration. But as I turned a corner and ran straight into him, all my resolve unraveled.

"Arin," Rowan said, his voice low and urgent. He stepped closer, his golden eyes narrowing in concern. "You've been avoiding me. What's wrong?"

I straightened my spine, refusing to let the emotions bubbling inside me surface. "Your Majesty. Nothing is wrong," I said flatly, stepping around him.

He grabbed my arm gently, his touch warm against my skin. "Don't lie to me," he said. "If I've done something—"

I pulled away, fixing him with a cold glare. "You've done nothing, Your Majesty. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have duties to attend to."

Rowan's brow furrowed, confusion flickering in his gaze. "Arin, talk to me," he pressed. "You're angry—I can see it. Tell me why."

I smiled bitterly, the gesture void of warmth. "I am not angry. Perhaps you're imagining things."

Before he could say more, I turned and walked away, leaving him standing there in the middle of the hall. I didn't owe him an explanation—not after what I'd seen last night. Let him wonder.

Later that morning, I approached the council chamber with determination, my steps echoing against the stone walls. Prince Lucian had left me behind, but that didn't mean I couldn't act in his place. His exit had proved to be an opportunity, a good one. It would enable me to spy and finally listen on the kingdom's affairs since I was married to Prince Lucian. 

The guards at the door hesitated but finally allowed me entry. Inside, the chamber was filled with elders—all wolf. Their eyes landed on me the moment I stepped inside.

One of the older council members, a wolf clan elder with graying hair and sharp eyes, scowled. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. "What are you doing here?!" 

I lifted my chin. "Prince Lucian has entrusted me to attend in his stead. As his wife, I have every right to be here."

Several murmurs rippled through the room. Another elder, this one old, shook his head. "This is highly irregular. A princess has no place in the matters of state, especially not one from another country."

"Tell us, did your Emperor put you up to this?! Did they warn you to come and spy on us?!" 

"She has every right to be here," Rowan's deep voice cut through the dissent. He stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding silence. His gaze settled on me, searching for something I didn't want him to find. "Lady Arin, now Princess Arin represents her husband. If Lucian has asked her to attend, then she is welcome here to attend in his stead." 

The room fell silent except for the occasional muttered discontent. I stepped forward and took a seat, feeling the weight of their judgmental stares. I didn't care. If they thought I would cower, they were mistaken.

As the meeting began, I focused on every word spoken. Discussions ranged from border defenses to trade disputes, but it was the wolf clan elders' conversation that caught my attention.

One elder, his voice gravelly with age, leaned forward. "This kingdom needs stability, Your Majesty. Without an heir, the wolves grow restless. Some are questioning if Queen Isabelle is... fit to remain."

"Many believe she is unfit to be Queen, given her background and her family. Perhaps it would be wise if you listen to us your Majesty." 

The implication hung heavy in the air. I froze, glancing at Rowan to gauge his reaction.

Rowan's jaw tightened, but he maintained his composure. "Queen Isabelle's position is secure," he said evenly. "The matter of an heir will be addressed in due time."

"Due time," another elder scoffed. "We wolves are not a patient people. A kingdom without an heir is a kingdom without a future. With so many activities going on at the borders and with war looming, it would be wise to secure the throne if your family chooses to continue to rule." 

The murmurs grew louder, and I could see Rowan's frustration simmering beneath the surface. I took a deep breath, storing the information away. The cracks in this kingdom were becoming more evident by the day, and I would use every single one to my advantage.

As the meeting drew to a close, I stood and offered a polite smile to the gathered council. "Thank you for allowing me to sit in," I said. "I'll ensure Lucian is informed of everything discussed."

The elders nodded begrudgingly, though their disapproval was clear. They didn't want me there. 

When I glanced at Rowan before leaving, his eyes were fixed on me, a mixture of confusion and something else I couldn't place.

Good, I thought to myself as I walked out. Let him wonder.

The wolf clan elders were clamouring for Isabelle's removal. They wanted her gone. But the way Rowan spoke, the way he supported her, he didn't want the same and I wondered why. 

The kingdom was already fragile, and it wouldn't take much to tip it over the edge.

............ 

The meeting had left my mind buzzing, but it was the knock at my door that pulled me back to the present. I opened it to find Rowan standing there, his expression unreadable. My stomach tightened instinctively, and I stepped aside to let him in.

"Your Majesty. I really don't think it's proper that we are meeting this way," I greeted stiffly, closing the door behind him.

"Enough with the formalities," Rowan said, his tone a mix of frustration and something softer. "We need to talk."

I crossed my arms, leaning against the desk near the window. "About what?"

Rowan's gaze bore into me, sharp and unrelenting. "You've been angry with me all day. Avoiding me, brushing me off. Tell me what's wrong."

I hesitated, debating whether or not to say anything. "Fine," I said, straightening. "You want to know what's wrong? I'll tell you."

I stepped closer, my voice lowering so no one could hear through the door. "Last night, I went to your chambers through that secret entrance you mentioned. I wanted to talk to you. Instead, I heard Queen's Isabelle's voice. You made it sound as if there was nothing between the two of you, but how else would you explain she being in your chambers so late at night?" 

Rowan's eyes widened slightly, his face a mix of surprise and irritation. "You went to my chambers?"

"Yes," I snapped. "I was there." 

He pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply. "Arin, whatever you think you saw, whatever you think you heard, it's not what happened. Isabelle came to my chambers uninvited."

I raised an eyebrow. "And you just let her stay?"

"She tried to come on to me," Rowan said, his tone clipped. "But I refused her. I told her to leave, and that's the end of it."

I folded my arms tighter across my chest, studying his face for any hint of deception. "And why would you tell her no? She is your Queen isn't she? From what the wolf clans are saying, the whole kingdom is waiting with bated breath for a heir from the two of you."

Rowan's jaw clenched, his golden eyes darkening. "Isabelle is... desperate. She knows her position is unstable without an heir. She thinks throwing herself at me will solve that problem, but it won't."

The bitterness in his voice caught me off guard. I hesitated before asking, "Then why did you marry her in the first place if you don't even like her? Why even get married in the first place?" 

Rowan's gaze softened, but his expression grew distant. "Because I had no choice...."

"How? How did you have no choice?" I pressed.