The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 188: Best Interest ()

"We do not have all the answers, Vivienne. But who can contend with the choice of the Creator?" Elder Jared asked to no one in particular.

"As I have said, the Crimson Alpha is no ordinary woman, perhaps it has something to do with her abilities." Elder Jared murmured with a shrug.

"And what have the council decided? Surely they would not allow our Alpha King be with a woman who shares a bond with another?" Vivienne asked.

Elder Jared raised a brow at that, passing a look over to Vivienne.

"I do not think that is up to us to decide. The situation cannot be blamed on the Crimson Alpha, either." Elder Jared clarified.

Vivienne scoffed beneath her breath, placing the file aside.

"Alpha King Askel is the pride of the Ethereal Domain. How is this no concern of the council?" Vivienne asked.

"Perhaps because the choice of a mate is completely up to the Alpha King and he has made it pretty clear he will have no one else but the Crimson Alpha." Elder Jared replied

"Father, if the council opposes firmly, Askel will see reason and choose another mate." Vivienne insisted.

"Then you do not know the Alpha King as well as I thought you did." Elder Jared replied blankly.

Vivienne’s expression was dark and she fixed her father with a glare.

"Askel and I have been friends since childhood. No one knows him better than I do." Vivienne insisted.

Elder Jared sighed, in Vivienne’s words, Elder Jared could tell that whatever Queen Sancia had said to her had already gotten into her head.

"Listen child, I do not know what Sancia has said to you but you must understand that the mate bond is not to be trifled with. I hope you will not get involved in the affairs of the Alpha King." Elder Jared said.

Vivienne did not respond, instead she carried on with her reading.

That was until a knock sounded on the door.

The door came open and in walked a young she wolf.

"Uncle Jared, a female attendant arrived from the palace with the Queen’s summons." The young she wolf relayed to them.

"I will head over right away." Elder Jared replied.

"Oh no, the summons were not meant for you, Uncle Jared. The Queen sends for Vivienne." The young she wolf explained.

Elder Jared frowned at that, passing a look to Vivienne.

Since the last time Vivienne had visited Queen Sancia, she had already begun acting strangely and it displeased Elder Jared that Queen Sancia’s words filled Vivienne with hope she should not harbor.

And especially now, with what had happened, Elder Jared could already guess just why Queen Sancia had summoned Vivienne to the palace.

"Tell her Vivienne is ill and cannot visit the palace at this time." Elder Jared instructed the young she wolf.

"Father!" Vivienne exclaimed.

"Vivienne, I do not want you dragged into a power tussle in the Ethereal Palace, my child. It will be best you avoid answering to Queen Sancia’s summons for the time being." Elder Jared reasoned.

"Aunt Sancia has my best interest at heart, father. I do not think you have any cause to worry, I will return shortly." Vivienne assured as she got up to her feet and took her leave.

Elder Jared stared after Vivienne for a short time, heaving a quiet sigh.

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"Vivienne, there you are." Queen Sancia welcomed Vivienne warmly the moment she stepped into her quarters.

Queen Sancia placed down the pair of scissors she had been holding, gently setting them beside the pot of flowers she had just been trimming to pass the time.

Vivienne lowered her head to a small bow of respect and Queen Sancia smiled fondly, dismissing Vivienne’s bow with a casual wave of her hand.

"What have I told you about such formalities, child? You are one I consider a daughter, it has only been but a few years apart yet you already act so distant." Queen Sancia chided.

"Forgive me." Vivienne apologized sheepishly.

"Here, take a sit." Queen Sancia gestured for Vivienne to sit at the couch as she picked up her scissors once again.

Queen Sancia continued her trimming intently and did not speak for a short time but when she finally spoke, she went right to the point.

"I am certain you have at least an idea of why I have sent for you. You have heard of... Askel’s recent predicament?" Queen Sancia asked.

"I have, Your Grace. I cannot believe the Alpha King would be so disregarded by his mate and yet, he condones it." Vivienne said in disbelief.

"Askel is but a man in love, child. And you must know how love is...it makes even the best of us lose our sense of reasoning. Have we not all had a taste of it?" Queen Sancia asked, her tone melancholic.

"I have... and I have no greater regret." Vivienne admitted.

Queen Sancia chuckled quietly at Vivienne’s words.

"My dear child, you still have your youthful years on your side. You are beautiful, smart and strong...you have lost nothing but a few years and you have all the time in the world to compensate for what has been lost." Queen Sancia assured.

"Now child, you must leave everything behind and do what you can for yourself... and there is no better time than the present. And so, I must know, if you still cherish my son as you used to." Queen Sancia asked, passing a glance over to Vivienne.

Vivienne lowered her head, embarrassed by the direct question.

"I was blinded by the mate bond, but I have never stopped loving the Alpha King, Your Grace." Vivienne confessed.

"But..." Vivienne began to say, however her words were interrupted by Queen Sancia.

"No, no child. There are no buts, you of all people must know now that the Creator does not always make the best choices."

"If it were not so, a kind child like yourself would not have ended up with an infidel for a mate." Queen Sancia reminded.

Vivienne winced visibly, her heart constricted painfully at the thought of the shame and dishonor she had endured.

"If you truly care for Askel, you will not have him suffer the same pain you have. Now, you know what your heart wants, there should be no hesitation."

"Askel is lost to the mate bond, you must help him find the strength he needs to overcome it and make a wise choice...can you do this?" Queen Sancia asked in a serious tone.