Trapped with the Alpha King-Chapter 251: It Is Personal

The morning sun had barely climbed above the palace towers when a soft flutter echoed through the open window of Uriel’s office.

Uriel looked up from the stack of documents spread across his desk, irritation already etched on his face. He had barely slept. Between the continued calming of nobles, managing the aftermath of everyone losing their magic, and keeping the palace from spiraling into panic, he felt like he had aged ten years in a single week.

The sound came again.

Flutter. Flutter.

He frowned. “What now...”

A white dove glided into the room, its wings catching the light before it landed neatly on the edge of his desk. A thin parchment was tied carefully to its leg with a silver thread marked by an ancient royal seal.

Uriel’s breath stilled.

“That seal...” he muttered.

Only a few places still used the old ways. And only one person would send news like this.

He rose quickly, gently untied the parchment, and unfolded it with careful fingers. The writing was elegant, firm, unmistakably Gavriel’s hand.

Uriel read once, then twice. Then his eyes widened.

“...She’s awake,” he whispered.

He scanned the message again, heart pounding.

Althea is awake. Stable, though still recovering. The King has taken his vows.

Prepare Lunaris.

Crowning to follow upon our return.

Seven days by water.

Uriel let out a sharp breath and dragged a hand through his hair.

“So he actually did it,” he muttered. “That madman actually married her before stepping foot back in his kingdom.”

The corners of his lips twitched despite himself.

Without wasting another second, Uriel folded the parchment and strode out of his office, his long robes swishing behind him as palace servants scrambled out of his way.

******

Meanwhile, the Queen Mother’s wing particularly the mansion’s balcony at the second floor was already filled with light and soft voices. Queen Mother Wilma sat near the tall windows, embroidery resting in her lap, while Princess Riela stood beside her, carefully pouring tea.

Lady Beatrice lingered nearby, reviewing a list of palace schedules, her brows knit in concentration.

It was then Uriel appeared without ceremony.

“Your Grace,” he said, voice tight with urgency.

Wilma looked up at once. “Uriel? What is it?”

He stepped forward and handed her the parchment. “News from Velmora. Sent by His Majesty.”

Riela leaned closer as Wilma read, her eyes widening with every line.

“She’s awake?” Riela gasped, a hand flying to her chest. “Lady Althea is awake?”

Wilma’s lips trembled before she smiled, pressing the parchment to her heart. “Praise be...” she whispered. “She lived.”

“And Gavriel?” Riela asked eagerly.

Uriel sighed. “Married in accordance with.”

Riela squealed. “I knew it!”

Beatrice blinked. “Already?”

Wilma laughed softly, shaking her head. “My son never did anything halfway.”

Riela clapped her hands together. “Then we need to prepare! A proper welcome, a coronation, a celebration worthy of a queen!”

Beatrice straightened at once. “I can handle the arrangements. The court halls, guest quarters, banners, menus—”

“Yes,” Riela added excitedly. “Lady Beatrice, you must help. You’re perfect for this.”

Uriel’s eye twitched. “Absolutely not.”

The room went quiet.

Beatrice turned slowly toward him. “Excuse me?”

Uriel crossed his arms. “Lady Beatrice is scheduled to return to her manor tomorrow. That arrangement was already finalized.”

Wilma’s smile vanished. “And who finalized that?” she asked calmly.

Uriel swallowed. “You did, Your Grace. Last week.”

“Yes,” Wilma replied coolly. “Last week. Before my son decided to return home with a wife and future queen.”

She rose from her seat, authority radiating from her. “Plans change.”

Uriel frowned. “With respect, Your Grace, King Gavriel will return soon. Which means I will return to my post as Minister of Healing. Lady Beatrice was only assisting temporarily.”

Beatrice lifted a brow. “Only assisting?”

“And,” Uriel continued pointedly, “this coronation will involve sacred rites, blessings, and healing protocols for the Queen after her ordeal. Lady Beatrice has no background in healing.”

Riela glanced between them. “Uriel—”

Beatrice smiled sweetly. Too sweetly. “Who said I don’t?” she said.

Uriel froze. “What?”

Wilma’s eyes sharpened with interest. “Explain.”

Beatrice folded her hands neatly in front of her. “My lady mother was a court healer before she married into nobility. I was trained privately. Not officially registered, but trained nonetheless.”

Uriel stared at her. “That’s impossible. I would have known.”

“Would you?” Beatrice countered lightly. “You were rather busy studying advanced runes and isolating yourself in the archives back then.”

Riela covered her mouth, barely hiding a laugh.

Uriel felt heat creep up his neck. “Basic training does not qualify you to assist in royal healing.”

“I never said basic,” Beatrice replied, eyes gleaming. “I said trained.”

Wilma hummed thoughtfully. “Interesting.”

Uriel groaned. “Your Majesty—”

“I have decided,” Wilma said firmly. “Lady Beatrice will stay. She will assist me and Princess Riela in preparing for the Queen’s arrival.”

Uriel clenched his jaw. “And what exactly will she assist with?”

Beatrice tilted her head. “Everything you’re too grumpy to handle.”

Riela laughed outright. “She’s not wrong.”

Uriel shot Riela a look. “Princess.”

Riela shrugged. “What? You are grumpy.”

Wilma waved a hand dismissively. “Enough. Beatrice stays.”

Uriel exhaled sharply. “This is highly irregular.”

“So was my son losing his powers, traveling continents, and marrying the woman who saved us all,” Wilma replied coolly. “Yet here we are.”

Beatrice smiled in triumph. “Looks like I’m staying.”

Uriel narrowed his eyes. “Don’t get comfortable.” 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

“Oh, I plan to,” she said pleasantly. “Seven days is plenty of time to reorganize half the palace.”

“Seven days by water,” Riela mused. “That gives us just enough time to prepare the ceremonial hall.”

“And the balcony,” Beatrice added. “The people should see their Queen.”

Uriel rubbed his temples. “This palace will be chaos.”

Wilma smiled. “It already is. At least now it will be joyful chaos.”

Riela stepped closer to Uriel and squeezed his arm. “Come on. Aren’t you happy?”

He hesitated, then sighed. “I am. I just don’t trust her.”

Beatrice leaned in. “Careful, Minister. That sounded almost personal.”

Uriel shot her a glare. “It is personal.”

Wilma chuckled. “Then perhaps you should learn to work together. You’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”

Uriel muttered under his breath, “Almighty give me patience.”

Beatrice heard him anyway. “You’ll need more than that.”

Outside, soon the palace bells began to ring, carrying the news across Lunaris.

The King was coming back home with his Queen.