The Princess's Revenge Chapter 27

Valencia’s POV

My spoon clattered to the table. "Assassinated? An Alpha was murdered?"

"Yes," Delphine said quietly. "It shocked everyone. No one expected someone to be bold enough to kill an Alpha."

"Did they find the killer?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"No. It's still an unsolved case. The Alpha King was supposed to handle the investigation personally, but his health started failing around that time. He handed the case over to his eldest son, Alpha Soren."

I picked up my spoon again, trying to process this information. "How do you know so much about all this?"

Delphine grinned. "Because my real identity is a princess."

My spoon dropped again, this time bouncing off the edge of the bowl. I stared at her in complete shock.

Delphine burst into laughter. She laughed so hard that tears streamed down her face. I realized I had been fooled.

"Princess?" I asked, pretending to be angry. "Your Highness?"

Delphine wiped the tears from her eyes, still giggling. "No, silly. But I know so much because the Alpha King has been appearing at fewer and fewer major ceremonies these past few years. And word from the capital, King's Fang, is that the Alpha King's health is very concerning."

I wiped my spoon clean and continued eating the Mortrews. She was right. At Alpha Marcus's funeral, the Alpha King hadn't even given a speech. That should have been a major occasion.

I finished all the food and rubbed my stomach contentedly. "I want to go to the training grounds and practice for a while."

"Alright," Delphine said, standing up.

I went to the bedside table and strapped my dagger to my belt, then tucked my sling inside my chemise. Delphine had already gathered all the empty dishes in her hands.

"Let me take those," I said, reaching for the tray.

"No," she refused. "Alpha Logan told me to take care of you."

"I'm just a slave," I protested. "You don't need to do this."

This time Delphine firmly shook her head. "If you don't let me do this, Alpha Logan will think I'm useless. He'll send me back to my old job in the stables, cleaning horse manure all day."

She made a face and pinched her nose dramatically.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Fine," I said.

I still wasn't very familiar with the castle layout, so I asked Delphine to lead the way. The castle at night was lit only by dim torches mounted on the walls. We made our way down to the second floor kitchen.

"I have to wash the dishes myself," I said firmly when we reached the kitchen. "I insist."

Delphine didn't refuse this time. She set the dishes beside the large stone basin while I rolled up my sleeves.

The water was cold, but I didn't mind. Washing dishes was something I had done thousands of times as a slave. It felt normal. As I scrubbed the bowls and spoons, I thought about everything Delphine had told me.

Was this why the Alpha King hadn't announced his heir yet? A bastard son ruling the kingdom's most important pack. Alpha Logan was the strongest warrior in the kingdom, more talented than any of his sons, but a bastard had no inheritance rights.

"Valencia?" Delphine's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Yes?"

"Are you worried about the challenge with Amara?"

I wasn't expecting her to bring that. I glanced over at her, and even in the low light, I could see the concern in her eyes. I paused for a moment,"Yes.", then keep washing.

"Alpha Logan won't let anything happen to you," she said confidently.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I've never seen him care about anyone the way he cares about you. I've been here for years, he's never brought a woman to his chambers. He's never claimed anyone as his. You're different."

I finished washing and dried my hands on a rough cloth. "I don't understand why I'm different. I'm nobody special."

"Maybe that's exactly why you are special," Delphine said softly.

We left the kitchen and headed down to the first floor. The sounds of laughter and the minstrel's voice grew louder as we walked and the firelight from the courtyard grew brighter.

"Would you like to watch Isaiah perform?" Delphine asked hopefully as we passed near the main entrance.

I could hear music now, and the sound of people clapping and cheering. Part of me was curious about this minstrel who had clearly captured Delphine's heart. But I knew it wasn't safe for me to be around so many pack members.

"Maybe another time," I said. "When things are less... complicated."

Instead of heading directly to the training grounds, Delphine pulled me toward the courtyard where the performance was taking place. "Just for a few minutes," she said, her eyes bright with excitement. "Please?"

I couldn't refuse her. We walked toward the crowd gathered around a large fire pit in the center of the courtyard. Tables lined the edges, covered with wooden cups full of ale and wine, platters of fruit and bread. The smell of roasted meat filled the air. People laughed and talked, their faces flushed from drink.

In the center of it all stood Isaiah.

He was tall and lean, with dark brown hair that fell in waves to his shoulders. His clothes were well-made but practical - a deep blue tunic with silver embroidery, dark leather pants, and boots that looked like they had traveled many miles. A lute hung across his back, and he held a small harp in his hands. His face was handsome with sharp cheekbones and intelligent green eyes.

"Gather close, good people of Cliffwatch Pack," Isaiah called out, his voice carrying easily across the courtyard. "Tonight I bring you the tale of the Red Dragon of Wales, a story of love and war, of magic and sacrifice."

The crowd pressed closer to the fire. Delphine grabbed my arm and pulled me with her until we were near the front. I could feel the heat from the flames on my face.

Isaiah began to pluck the strings of his harp, creating a haunting melody that made everyone fall silent. When he started to sing, his voice was clear, filling the night air with ancient words.

"In the land of mist and mountain high, Where dragons soared through cloudy sky, There lived a beast of crimson scale, Whose roar could shake both hill and dale."

His fingers danced across the harp strings, and the music swelled. The firelight flickered across his face as he sang, making his eyes gleam. I glanced at Delphine and saw she was completely entranced, staring at him with her lips slightly parted.

Isaiah's voice dropped to a whisper as he continued the tale. "But this great dragon, fierce and proud, Who breathed his fire and roared so loud, Had lost his heart to maiden fair, With golden skin and raven hair."

The crowd murmured appreciatively. Someone called out, "Tell us about the battle!"

Isaiah smiled and his voice grew deeper, more dramatic.

"The armies came with sword and spear, To slay the beast that all did fear. But love had made the dragon weak, He could not fight, could only speak."

As he sang about the battle, Isaiah's voice became thunder, echoing off the stone walls of the courtyard. People cheered and stamped their feet. Someone threw a silver coin that landed at Isaiah's feet.

Then his voice turned soft again, almost breaking with emotion.

"'My love,' he cried with dying breath, 'I choose your life over my death. Take this heart that beats for thee, And let my soul forever free.'"

Even though it was just a story, Isaiah made it feel real. The way he sang, the way his voice conveyed every emotion - I understood why Delphine was so captivated.

But what shocked me was when Isaiah's eyes found Delphine in the crowd and he winked at her. Actually winked! Right in the middle of his performance!

I leaned close to Delphine's ear. "Did you two know each other before tonight?"

Delphine blushed and nodded, not taking her eyes off Isaiah.

"How?" I whispered, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"I'll tell you later," she whispered back, but she was already lost in the performance again.

Isaiah finished the dragon's tale and immediately launched into another song, this one about a knight and his lady love. The crowd joined in on the chorus, their voices blending together in the air.

"Fair maiden, will you be mine? Through storm and sun, through rain and shine? My sword is yours, my heart is true, I'll love no other, only you!"

People clapped and laughed. A woman near the back called out, "Sing the one about the king's daughter!"

"Ah, a fine choice," Isaiah replied, switching to a different melody on his harp. "This is the tale of Princess Gwendolyn and her forbidden love."

As he began the new song, I felt restless. The music was beautiful and the stories were entertaining, but I had training to do. The challenge with Amara was only days away, and I couldn't afford to waste time.

"Delphine," I said quietly.

She didn't respond, her attention completely focused on Isaiah as he sang about the princess who fell in love with a common soldier.

"Delphine," I said again, a little louder.

This time she turned to look at me, but her eyes were dreamy and unfocused.

"I'm going to the training grounds now," I told her.

She nodded absently. "Mm-hmm."

I wasn't even sure she had heard me. Isaiah was singing about how the princess risked everything for love, and Delphine hung on every word. When he reached the part where the lovers had to part forever, I saw tears in her eyes.