Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 87

Adelaide

I stood before Thalia's door, my heart beating slightly faster than usual. The two guards straightened as they saw me approach, their expressions respectful but alert.

"Lady Adelaide," one of them said in a low voice, "Commander Draven has given orders to allow you entry."

I nodded and pushed open the heavy oak door. The room was filled with the faint scent of medicinal herbs. Thalia was propped up in bed, an ancient parchment scroll spread across her lap. At the sound of the door opening, she looked up, and her weary face immediately brightened with delighted surprise.

"Adelaide! Thank the Moon Goddess, you're back!" Thalia closed her book and tried to rise excitedly, but swayed from weakness.

"Don't move," I hurried to the bedside and gently embraced my friend. "I was only gone for less than a month, and you've gotten yourself into this state."

Thalia's eyes dimmed, and she lowered her head, her fingers nervously twisting together. "Adelaide... I... I ruined everything." Her voice became choked with emotion. "Those sacred relics were contaminated with black magic. Ordinary purification spells were completely ineffective. I had no choice but to use the divine summoning..."

"You used high priest magic?" I asked softly.

Thalia nodded, tears gathering in her eyes. "Draven discovered my true identity. He knows who I am, and therefore he knows who you are. Adelaide, I'm so sorry. I exposed our identities and endangered your safety and mission."

I gripped Thalia's trembling hands. "Shh... don't think like that. You did what had to be done and saved countless lives. If I had been there, I would have made the same choice."

"Draven... does he hate me?" Thalia asked quietly, fear and uncertainty clear in her eyes.

"He already spoke with me," I said calmly. "We had it out. He knows our true identities, but I believe he won't betray us."

"Really?" Thalia looked up in surprise.

I laughed softly. "You should see the look in his eyes when he talks about you. That tall, serious warrior looks like a lost wolf pup. Draven loves you, Thalia. There's no doubt about that. He's even willing to hide my identity from the Wolf King for your sake."

Thalia's tears finally fell. "But it's not fair. I put him in an impossible position, forcing him to choose between loyalty and love."

"Hey," I squeezed her hands firmly, my voice resolute. "You're already marked mates. There's no such thing as owing each other anything in this world. You completed the ritual, protected his people, and protected our people too. You've done more than enough."

Thalia wiped away her tears, took a deep breath, and a slight smile appeared on her face. "So, what about you and the Wolf King? Between you two...?"

My cheeks flushed slightly red. "Lycanthar says he will crown me as Wolf Queen."

"Really?" Thalia's eyes sparkled with delight. "Adelaide, that's wonderful!" She suddenly gripped both my hands, her voice becoming serious. "Father's prophecy mentioned a three-month deadline, and now that time has come. But not only has your relationship with the Wolf King not deteriorated, you're about to become mates... Does this mean that terrible war won't happen?"

I looked toward the window, where sunlight filtered through the colored glass, casting dappled light and shadow on the floor. "I hope so, Thalia. I truly hope so."

---

Lycanthar

I sat in the high stone chair in the council chamber, gazing at the tribal leaders and ministers gathered around the great round table. Draven, Vespera, and Garrick sat below.

"According to reports from the Silver Pine tribe, we lost a quarter of our herb gardens and nearly thirty percent of our grain reserves in the plague," a gray-haired tribal leader was reporting, "but with the success of the purification ritual, we've begun reconstruction work."

I nodded and continued asking, "Any movement at the borders recently?"

Foreign Minister Jason stood up. "Your Majesty, I have important news to report. Word has come from the orc tribes that the alliance treaty we drafted has been finalized. Tomorrow, Princess Zaroka, daughter of the orc chieftain, will personally bring the formal treaty for our meeting."

Low murmurs arose in the council chamber. Establishing a formal alliance with the orcs would greatly strengthen the werewolf kingdom's military power.

I smiled slightly. "Excellent. Arrange for a feast in the great hall tomorrow to welcome Princess Zaroka. Ensure everything follows orc customs and etiquette."

"As you command, Your Majesty." Jason bowed.

The atmosphere in the council chamber became relaxed, as if all important business had been concluded. I took a deep breath, feeling a nervous flutter in my chest. Now was the time.

"Before we conclude today's meeting," my voice rang steady and powerful, echoing off the stone walls, "I have an important decision to announce."

Everyone looked up, their attention focused on me.

"I have decided that on the next full moon night, I will take Adelaide as my mate and crown her as Wolf Queen of the Silverhowl Clan."

After a moment of silence, the council chamber erupted in surprised clamor. The tribal leaders looked at each other—some shocked, some confused, some even showing displeasure.

Garrick shot to his feet, his chair scraping harshly against the stone floor. "Your Majesty, this is absurd!" His voice was filled with disrespect. "Make a human our Wolf Queen? This violates all traditions and ancestral teachings!"

"I agree with Commander Garrick," Chief Solgrim of the Ice Ridge tribe stood up. His muscular arms were covered with battle scars, and his voice thundered through the hall like rolling thunder. "Our ancestors taught us with their blood three hundred years ago that humans are untrustworthy betrayers! They once slaughtered our people, and now you want to make a human woman our queen?"

"The North Wind tribe will never bow to a human woman!" declared Ulrich, leader of another tribe, his hand already on the dagger at his waist. "I would rather slit my own throat than swear allegiance to a human!"

The atmosphere in the council chamber was explosive. Several young wolf warriors had even bared their fangs, as if ready for battle at any moment. Garrick stood at the center of the opposition, wearing a satisfied smile, clearly pleased with the chaos he had incited.

My eyes turned a dangerous gold, and my voice became low and threatening. "Silence."

The entire council chamber fell into dead quiet. The Wolf King's pressure pressed down on everyone's shoulders like a physical weight, and even the bravest warriors dared not meet my gaze.

"Adelaide is the Moon Bride personally chosen by the Moon Goddess," I slowly stood up, my presence seeming to fill the entire space. "Her blood carries the essence that can awaken our ancient power. More importantly, she brought me back to the light when I was lost in darkness."

Garrick sneered coldly. "Your Majesty, forgive my directness, but your judgment may be clouded by personal feelings. A human woman, no matter how special, cannot—"

"Enough!" I slammed my hand on the table, and the entire massive stone table shook, cracks spreading from beneath my palm in all directions. "I am not seeking opinions, Garrick. This is my decision as Wolf King."

"For three hundred years, we have been bound by hatred and prejudice. The war with humans has never truly ended. Perhaps it is time to break this cycle." My voice became low and filled with power. "I once led you to victory over the vampires and saved our entire race. Now I tell you: Adelaide will become my mate and your Wolf Queen. Anyone who opposes this will face my wrath."

Solgrim and Ulrich both stepped back and lowered their heads. The entire council chamber was filled with tense, oppressive atmosphere, and no one dared voice further opposition.

I made one final sweep of the room, my voice carrying unquestionable authority:

"This meeting is adjourned. Prepare to receive tomorrow's orc delegation, and the upcoming wedding ceremony."