Chapter 95
I crept through the narrow passageway, my heartbeat quickening as I neared Rowan's chambers. The tension of the day, the unanswered questions, and the Royal Concubine's cryptic behavior were all weighing heavily on me. I needed answers. Rowan was the only person who could give them to me.
But as I approached the small, concealed door that opened into his chambers, I froze. Voices. He wasn't alone.
I carefully pressed myself against the cold stone wall and peered through a small crack in the wood. Isabelle was there, standing before Rowan with a pleading look on her face.
"You can't let them do this to me, Rowan!" Isabelle's voice wavered with desperation. "You promised me. You said I'd be queen!"
Rowan, sitting calmly in a chair by the fire, looked at her with a weary expression. "And you are queen, Isabelle. I kept my part of the deal. But you know as well as I do that titles mean nothing if the wolf clans don't support you. And I’m not ready to risk my position for yours.”
Her hands clenched into fists. "They're only turning against me because of that witch! The Royal Concubine is poisoning their minds against me. She's been scheming behind my back ever since I became queen. You can’t let her do this!"
Rowan raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you so sure of that?"
"Because she told me," Isabelle snapped, her voice trembling with both rage and fear. "When she first approached me. She said she could make me queen if I... if I did as she asked me to. And I did… she promised to help me win you back. In return I was supposed to help her spy on you.”
Rowan's expression darkened. "And did you?"
"No!" Isabelle exclaimed, shaking her head. "I didn't! I swear to you, Rowan. I didn't betray you. I chose you, and you promised to protect me. You promised that I’d be your queen and now they’re taking that away from me. How could you let them do such a thing?!”
"I told you what the plan was from the beginning," Rowan said, his tone sharp. "You were to be queen in name only. It was never about power, Isabelle. It was about stability. And now you’re queen and now they don’t want you anymore. If I insist on still making you Queen I would lose their support.”
She let out a bitter laugh. "Nothing more? So is that it?! Is that all I am to you? A tool? A pawn?"
"That's all any of us are in this game," Rowan replied coldly. "You knew that when you agreed to this. Did you really think that somehow it could have worked out long term? That you would be Queen forever?!”
Her voice dropped, heavy with accusation. "The only reason why they want to depose me is because you wouldn’t touch me. Because you won’t sleep with me. Because we don't have an heir together. You think I don't hear what they say? That I'm a failure as queen because I haven't given them what they want? They want an heir to the throne and we have failed to provide that because of you yet I am the one taking the blame!”
Rowan's jaw tightened. "You knew from the start that this was a marriage of convenience. I never lied to you about that. I told you I would never touch you. That was clear from the beginning.”
"But you promised me!" Isabelle's voice cracked, and tears streamed down her face. "You promised me protection, power... everything. And now you're just going to let them take it all away?"
"I only promised you’d be queen. Don’t delude yourself Isabelle. If you’re not deposed, I'll lose the clans' support entirely," Rowan said firmly. "Do you understand what's at stake here, Isabelle? If they turn on me, it won't just be your throne you lose—it'll be my head, and yours too."
She took a shaky step toward him, her voice softening. "Please, Rowan. Don't let them do this. I'll do anything. Just... don't abandon me."
Rowan stood, his tall frame towering over her. For a moment, he said nothing, his eyes locked on hers. Then he spoke, his voice colder than I'd ever heard it. "You made your choice when you agreed to this arrangement, Isabelle. Now live with it."
Her face crumpled, and she staggered back. "You'll regret this," she whispered, venom lacing her words. "If I go down, Rowan, I'll make sure I take you with me."
“I’ll tell everyone that you are infertile. That you cannot give me kids. At least I won’t go down alone.”
"Do what you must," Rowan said, his tone dismissive. "Tell them whatever lies you want to, it’s still won’t change anything.”
Isabelle turned on her heel and stormed toward the door. I pressed myself further into the shadows, holding my breath as she passed by without noticing me.
Once the door slammed shut behind her, I let out a shaky exhale.
“You can come out now!”
Rowan’s voice rang out.
I stood, frozen for a bit before I sighed.
“You knew I was here the whole time?”
I asked as I came out from my hiding place.
“I could smell you. Somehow, your scent was stronger than ever. I tried to distract Isabelle enough to hide it. Thankfully, she was too angry to notice.”
“Thank you…”
I murmured.
Rowan looked at led his expression unreadable. I didn’t know if he looked happy or sad.
Or if he even wanted to see me at all.
“I think the Royal Concubine really does have something to do with Isabelle’s being deposed.”
Rowan shrugged.
“I know.”
I looked at him, a confused expression on my face.
“You know?!”
I asked and he shrugged.
“Well yea. It’s obvious. Isabelle and I put up this persona where they thought we were in love and all. I’m sure they think trying to depose her would hurt me.”
“But that’s not all. They’re trying to make you look bad in front of the Wolf Clans. With Lucian coming back, they might start to support him.”
“They’re welcome to try.”
Rowan said as he murmured.
“I know they are planning my downfall. Every move they are makings I am one step forward.”
“You seem so confident. Don’t you care about yourself?”
I lashed out.
He shrugged again, clearly enjoying my frustration. There was a small smirk on his face.
“I have a secret weapon. Why should I be scared.”
“What secret weapon?”
I asked him.
“You.”
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