Husband With Benefits-Chapter 892: Impossible

"Your Highness, do you truly expect us to accept someone like her as our queen? This is preposterous!" The minister’s voice thundered through the chamber, his hand striking the mahogany table with such force that the sound echoed. His face was flushed with anger, as he continued, "We will not stand for this disgrace. Mark my words, we are all withdrawing our consent for this union. By the end of today, the marriage license will be null and void!"

As his voice trailed off, a second minister rose from his seat, his expression a mix of contempt and feigned incredulity. He moved deliberately to the projector at the front of the room, switching it on to display a string of damning media reports. "Your Highness, you expect us to overlook her past? Fine. We are modern thinkers, after all," he began, his tone laced with sarcasm as he gestured at the headlines flashing across the screen. "Perhaps we could turn a blind eye to her past indiscretions. Perhaps we could even accept her position, given that she is carrying the future heir of Petrovia.

"But this?" His voice sharpened as he jabbed a finger at a particular headline, his contempt palpable. "This is another matter entirely. Her father—that man—was involved in the most abhorrent, inhuman deeds imaginable. You ask us to ignore this and allow such a stain to seep into the royal bloodline? Impossible. This is not a matter of personal prejudice but of duty to the crown and the people. If the public were to learn of her lineage, the trust they place in us as guardians of this throne would crumble to dust. The monarchy’s integrity would be irreparably tarnished."

The chamber buzzed with murmurs of agreement and discontent, the weight of the accusations rippling through the room. The ministers who had remained neutral until now shifted uncomfortably, glancing at one another as the truth sank in.

Victor sat back, his lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. The performance was flawless. He could see it clearly—the anger and doubt spreading among those who had once supported Rafe or chosen to remain impartial. The neutral ones would be the key now; they would now bear the burden of answering for this scandal, should they choose to remain silent. And if they chose to support Rafael... then he would have no problem exposing their scandals.

Before he could gloat, however, the doors to the chamber opened and in walked the woman in discussion herself- Arabelle Frost. Victor raised an eyebrow. Well, this woman had the audacity to still walk in here despite the furore that had been created because of her?

Victor shrugged to himself as he watched Rafael’s face light up. The fool. He was in love with the girl and would choose to fight for her. Well, it was good news for him.

Rafael stiffened as he watced Arabelle walk in with her head held high. Quickly he stood up and walked to her, cupping her face as he looked at her with concern. "Are you okay?"

She nodded and held his hand over her face. There was something different about her, something that he could not pin point. But before he could ask her about it, "How touching it is to witness the two of you so... affectionate, Your Highness," Victor mocked, his tone dripping with venom. "Unfortunately, Miss Frost is not permitted here. I suggest you ask her to leave before we are forced to summon security to escort her out."

The venom in Victor’s words struck like a slap, and Rafael’s body tensed as his hands curled into fists. He had been waiting for a moment like this, a chance to strike back, to bring Victor down. But before he could act on his growing anger, his intentions were interrupted by Arabelle’s calm voice.

"Mr. Ignis," she began in a cool tone as she looked down at Victor, "You, of all people, should be well aware that I do, in fact, have every right to be here." She took a step closer to Victor, her gaze almost threatening. "After all, I am His Highness’ wife. And that means I have the right to be present in this chamber as the future queen consort of Petrovia. Or perhaps you’re suggesting that you’ve forgotten about our marriage, Mr. Ignis?"

Arabelle’s words were almost sarcastic, and her declaration sent a ripple through the room. Even the ministers, who had been so eager to decry her presence, seemed to falter for a moment, their attention now riveted on her.

"Are you truly trying to claim that you are already married to His Highness?" Victor asked incredulously. He turned slowly to Rafael, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Is what she’s saying actually true? This is... quite the revelation."

"I find myself wondering why, of all things, you’ve been in such a hurry to wed, Rafael," Victor continued in a tone dripping with suspicion. "You took the marriage license long ago, and yet, despite the established tradition, you failed to officially introduce Miss Frost to the council as would be customary—something that has always been done in the past. That alone raises questions."

"And now, suddenly, you claim that you’re already married? I must admit, I’m left wondering if there’s a more calculated reason behind all this." Victor’s eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "Could it be that you’ve known of Miss Arabelle’s past all along? That you knew the full extent of it and chose to hide this information from the council and from the people? If that’s the case, then I must say, it raises serious doubts about your judgment."

Victor took a step forward, his words now deliberately slow, meant to sink into the room like poison. "A man so blinded by love that he would conceal such vital truths... that, my dear Prince, is not a man fit to rule."

"It seems we need to change the agenda of tonight’s meeting. We need to change it from opposing having Miss Arabelle as our future queen to asking Prince Rafael to step down as our ruler.