The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate-Chapter 189: Aria’s release from prison

"There’s a council meeting in two days," Radulf informed Zenna, placing the scroll neatly on the side table.

"Why?" she asked.

"Leon doesn’t want to take the throne purely by his own decision," Radulf explained. "He wants to hear the voices of the Alpha leaders. I believe he’s seeking their consensus before officially accepting the title."

Zenna nodded in appreciation. "That’s a wise move," she remarked, impressed by the Crown Prince’s approach. "Radulf, you once told me you wished to become the Alpha King. What made you abandon that ambition? I imagine even the Crown Prince must have wondered the same. You have the qualities of a great leader."

Radulf exhaled quietly. "Because I came to believe Leon is more deserving of the throne," he replied. "You know my original intention was to bring down the entire royal bloodline... but things changed. Leon helped both of us, and he knows what I once planned."

He paused before continuing, "And besides, I realized I might not have been the right choice. I may not have made a good Alpha King."

Zenna frowned slightly. "Why do you think that?"

"When my father was accused of treason, not many packs stood by us. I craved their support," Radulf admitted. "If I had taken the throne, I might have let that resentment cloud my decisions. Leon... he’s different. He understands pain and hardship, and he has empathy. I believe that’s what makes a true king."

Radulf fell silent, slightly surprised at his own words for praising someone he once considered an enemy.

"Hmm. You’re right," Zenna softly agreed. "Back when I was confined to the cold palace, the Crown Prince would sometimes send me delicious meals and fruits. Not often, but now and then. I believe he must have done it secretly... hiding it from Loretta," she added, her voice tinged with warmth as the memory resurfaced, which was still vivid in her mind.

"You only made painful memories in that cursed place," Radulf said with anger. "I hope Leon burns that cold palace to the ground. And if he doesn’t, I will," he growled, his wolf bristling beneath the surface.

"There’s no need to go that far," Zenna said gently. "I want to forget the past. It was cruel, yes, but it also kept me going. It gave me the resolve to survive... to move forward."

She placed her hand over his. Gently, she caressed his knuckles. "Instead of destroying something, let’s create something beautiful, right here, in this estate."

Radulf’s gaze softened. "I could give you a private cottage," he said after a pause. "This mansion has too many eyes... too many ears. But in the cottage, it’ll be just us."

He leaned in, his voice dipping into a whisper, "No one to disturb us. No one to pull you away from me. No one to stop us. No one to hear your screams, just me."

Zenna shyly looked away and shook her head. She felt his chin resting on his shoulder, admiring the way she was hiding her face from him.

~~~~~

Aria was freed from the prison upon the Crown Prince’s order, bringing peace to her restless heart and mind.

"What about my mother?" Aria inquired from Commander Tristan.

"She won’t be pardoned, I believe," Tristan replied. "The princess needs to see the Crown Prince immediately. So, please follow me." He walked ahead while Aria followed him closely, her eyes turning misty, realizing her mother wouldn’t make it alive.

After more than three days, Aria finally stepped out into the open, greeted by the soft amber glow of the evening sun. She instinctively lifted her hand to shield her eyes, squinting against the unfamiliar brightness that made her senses reel.

Tristan stopped a few steps ahead and turned back to her. He had watched the princess from a distance before, always with a sense of duty, but now, up close, she looked different. Her skin was pale, her figure had turned thinner, and there was a fragile stillness in her presence that hadn’t been there before.

Aria slowly lowered her hand and walked toward him. "Forgive me... for stopping," she murmured. Her voice only carried humbleness.

"It’s alright," Tristan replied. "Let me take you to your chamber. You’ll need to clean up before meeting the Crown Prince."

She gave a small nod, saying nothing more as she followed him silently through the halls.

When they arrived at her chamber, Tristan stepped aside without a word. No sooner had he left than Syra, her loyal attendant, rushed to her.

Aria didn’t wait. She flung her arms around Syra and broke down. "I—I thought I’d die in there," she sobbed, her voice was shaking.

Syra’s arms closed around her, gently rubbing her back, her own eyes brimming with tears. "You’re safe now, Princess... it’s over. You’ve been pardoned," she whispered. "Don’t cry anymore. Nothing will happen to you now."

She cupped Aria’s face with trembling hands and wiped her tears.

"Let’s go in. You need a quick bath and then... it’s time to meet your brother," Syra said softly, guiding Aria toward the washroom.

An hour later, Aria emerged dressed in clean clothes, her hair combed neatly, and the dirt and pain of the past few days washed away from her skin. As she walked through the corridor, her steps slowed the closer she got to Leon. She had a lot of questions inside her, but when she finally stood before him, face to face... her mind turned blank.

Leon rose from his seat the moment he saw her. "Forgive me... for making you wait so long," he said. "It was Zenna who made the final call to release you."

Aria blinked, stunned. "What? You didn’t want me released?" she asked, the shock flickering across her face.

"Please don’t misunderstand the Crown Prince," Nina quickly stepped in, trying to ease the tension. "Why don’t you take a seat first? Let him explain everything properly."

Leon realized Nina wasn’t ready to listen to him this time.