#Chapter 3: A Throne Built of Secrets

(Violet's POV)

I froze.

That photo... the figure in the photo, it looked so much like my call boy, Luc.

Luc.

It couldn’t be.

The lawyer kept talking, “A ruler who rose from blood. Silent. Ruthless. Brilliant. He has no mate. No queen. And lately, no patience for werewolf drama. But... if you could get in front of him…”

“Why would a man like him be in such a small town? ”I asked.

"I don't know," the lawyer wiped his sweat and said. "I’ve heard that the Werewolf Court has been planning a marriage alliance with him. Maybe that's why he came...?"

The lawyer had said Lucian was reclusive, rarely seen—more specter than sovereign. He’d disappeared from the public eye years ago, only to emerge drenched in metaphorical blood, his enemies dismantled and the throne finally his.

He is a cruel, bloodthirsty man. Heartless and indifferent. Never Smiled.

I suddenly felt a sense of relief.

My call boy Luc is a passionate man. He always smiles and hugs me, never hesitating to say sweet things.

Lucian BloodyMoon has been fighting for the throne in the past few years, while Luc has always been by my side. How could they possibly be the same person?

*

A week later, the day of the trial arrived.

Elara stood at the courtroom door, giving Ronan a deep embrace before shyly rubbing her belly. "Our baby and I'll be here waiting for you ... I'm always ready to be your wife."

But Ronan seemed a bit hesitant. "Well, Elara, I..."

I smiled. "Don't be silly, my sister. If he wanted a divorce, we wouldn't have had to come to court today to file a petition."

Elara shot me an angry glare and stormed toward me, but a guard stepped in to stop her.

"No. 051 — Mr. Ronan and his wife, please enter."

In the heat of Elara's furious gaze, I took deep breath, stepped into the courtroom draped in composure.

I had my lawyer request an audience with the Lycan King—though I held no real hope.

After all, why would the Lycan King bother himself with something as trivial as a minor werewolf noble’s divorce case? He had neither the reason nor the obligation to intervene.

I stood to one side, while Ronan stood on the other. In the center of the courtroom was a tall, dignified statue of the Moon Goddess.

"Before the trial began, I vowed to the Moon Goddess, hoping for justice. "

"Vowed to the Moon Goddess," all of us said.

The judge announced loudly, "The court is now in session! "

I was a bit nervous. Although I had made thorough preparations, I wasn’t sure if the rigid, hierarchical court would actually read the materials I had provided.

Sure enough, the judge only symbolically flipped through the first few pages of my case file, then lazily stopped and didn't bother to continue.

“So,” he drawled, “the Sterling name wasn’t born into her, but bought with good behavior. Interesting.”

He said it like I was a stray who’d learned to fetch.

The gallery was already full—judges, clerks. But everyone looked at me with mocking eyes — obviously, they weren't here for justice.

“Daughter of a Rouge, raised among nobility, educated beyond her station,” he continued, not even looking at me. “Ambitious. Cold. And now—divorced.”

The laughter started small—snickers from the older councilmen.

Ronan, seated beside me like this was just another formal engagement, cleared his throat. “Your Honor, I only want what’s best for Violet. She’s been… confused. This lawsuit is born of heartbreak, not reason.”

The judge gave Ronan a look of approval. "You're right. Mr. Ronan, you have an honest heart, and the Goddess will bless you."

"This lawsuit is completely unnecessary. As a Rouge, for her to marry you and continually offer wealth to your family is already a great honor."

“Moreover…” The judge glanced at me. “She can’t even give you an heir, what an irresponsible wife! No wonder she comes from Rouge!”

Louder laughter and approval followed.

But if they just flipped through my case file, they'd see that infertility was not my fault.

Ronan furrowed his brow, as if trying to stop the judge. "Your honor, about this topic..."

But the judge waved him off. “It’s fine, Mr. Ronan. We believe in your dignity and purity as a noble. With the Goddess above, I’ll make sure your marriage continues. As for the conditions of divorce... that will be up to you."

 "For instance, when your infertile Rouge wife gives you an heir, or when she's willing to voluntarily give up all her assets and leave with nothing... How about that?"

 I almost mocked aloud. “...The Goddess above? You’re insulting the Goddess.”

"If you truly are a competent judge, please read the materials I submitted. It clearly states that the reason for my divorce is my husband's infidelity."

I stood still and said,  "...Or is it that you simply can't read, and your position was bought with good behavior?"

“— You！”

The judge’s face instantly turned red with anger.

The corrupt judge clearly wanted to shout something at me in anger, but the court recess had begun, forcing him to begrudgingly return to his seat.

 "Case suspended!"

*

I slipped into the lounge, the only place quiet enough to breathe.

I took out a lipstick and began retouching my makeup in front of the mirror. Out of anger, I almost smeared it several times.

"This is a battle that cannot be won," the lawyer's words echoed in my mind.

But I knew I had to find a way to win.

Suddenly, a knock echoed through the lounge door.

I stood slowly, smoothing down my coat. “Yes?”

The door opened.

A man stood there in a dark coat, the lapels sharp enough to cut, his silver hair loosely tied back. But it was his eyes that stole the air from my lungs. Golden. Controlled. Furious.

I blinked once, twice.

"...Luc?! How did you get in? "

I hissed, slamming the door behind him and locking it. “What are you doing here?！Have you lost your mind? Ronan is here!”

“So are you,” he replied.

My voice lowered into a growl. “You shouldn’t be anywhere near this building. How did you convince the guard to let you in?”

I looked at the exquisite, expensive suit he was wearing and asked uncertainly, "...Did you find a new sugar mommy?"

He was almost amused by my words. His long fingers tugged at his tie, stepped closer to me. "Violet, you heartless woman. I shouldn't have come to see you."

“I don’t need an audience,” I snapped.

“You seem upset.”, His expression didn’t change. If anything, he looked amused. He raised an eyebrow, “And yet, it’s your court date. Shouldn’t you be smiling?”

His face closer to me, and I could clearly feel his breath.

 "Or do you need a kiss to help you relax...?"

I turned away. “You have to go.”

“No.”

“Luc!—”

Then, another knock at the main lounge door.

"Violet, are you in there?"

It's Ronan outside!

Luc’s head turned sharply. His golden eyes narrowed.

No time to be panicked. I made my decision and said to him, "Wait for me inside," before quickly stepping out and closing the door behind me.

My back pressed against the door as Ronan looked at me curiously.

I opened it to find Ronan standing in the hallway, arms crossed.

"What's going on?" Ronan asked, suspicious.

I raised an eyebrow and asked, "Then what are you here for?"

Ronan lowered his guard, his eyes staring at me with disgust for a long time. He thought for a moment before speaking.

"I... I just wanted to say, we don’t have to make this so ugly."

"You and Elara shouldn’t have so many issues between you. You’re sisters. You can’t get pregnant, but she can, and I don’t think it’s such a big deal for her to stay at your place for now."

I asked, "So what?"

Ronan replied, "Legally, you will always be a Rouge, you’ll never be worthy of equality. Violet, I advise you, stop thinking about divorce right now."

I laughed. "…Stop the divorce, and then give you all my assets so you two shameless people can keep draining me dry?"

Ronan seemed enraged by my words. "Watch your mouth, Violet!"

"As the judge said, I have the right to make sure you can never divorce—make you stay in the house for the rest of your life, never able to leave! Don’t make me do it!"

The air between us turned sharp. My pulse thundered in my ears. And then—

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Three impatient knocks from behind the door.

“What was that?” Ronan confused.

I froze.

...It‘s Luc!