Chapter 46

ISABELLE’S POV

I arched my eyebrows, tilting my head towards her. “And what is this matter that must be addressed?” I asked incredulously.

I could see the envy shining in Tania's eyes and the clear irritation under her skin as she looked at Lila. She was going to find a way to bring her down at any cost, even if it meant lying.

Her dark gaze shifted to Lila, her eyes narrowing with clear disdain. “This girl owes me something—an item that rightfully belongs to me. The necklace around her neck.”

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Tania with full attention. My expression hardened, and my wolf growled softly in my mind. ‘This girl’s arrogance knows no bounds.’ She snapped.

I took a deep breath to remain calm, and then I cocked my head and asked, “And how does the necklace Lila is wearing suddenly belong to you, Lady Tania?”

Tania straightened, clearly thrilled her plan to humiliate Lila seemed to be working.

“Her necklace is a delicate piece, silver with a sapphire pendant. Lila and I once got into a duel, and I won. As part of the wager, I claimed the necklace. Yet, she has refused to hand it over to me, totally disregarding the rules and decorum.”

The crowd began murmuring, the tension in the air thick and heavy. I whipped around to face Lila's frightened expression. “Is this true, Lila?” I asked my voice firm.

Lila's face was flushed red, but she managed to stand her ground. “Your Highness, I swear on my mother’s name, I never made such a wager. The necklace was a gift from my mother. It’s the last jewel she owns. I would never gamble it away.”

My wolf huffed with disdain. ‘What a pathetic liar. Arrogant and stupid.’

My lips curved into a faint, cold icy smile. Then I turned to face Tania. “This is an interesting story, Lady Tania,” I drawled. “Are you very sure what you're saying is the truth?” I asked, my to clipped and filled with authority.

She hesitated, blinking from my heated stare, “Yes Princess, I would never tell such a lie in front of the King.” she responded.

I let out a dark chuckle, rising from my chair and striding towards her. She shifted on her feet, probably uncomfortable from the onslaught of my boring gaze.

“Well, I don't know how your story can be true and I distinctly recall seeing you earlier today, bullying this same woman, Lila. You even had the nerve to snatch the necklace off her neck and toss it into the snow.”

Tania’s confidence faltered as she blinked in surprise. She sputtered, trying to find a quick cover-up as she glanced around the confused crowd.

But it seemed she came up with absolutely nothing, meeting my gaze with a glare and dropping her innocent facade.

“To ensure there is no further confusion on this matter,” I continued, my voice rising slightly, “I will call a witness. Beta Rowan, I remember you were present earlier when it happened, weren’t you?”

Rowan stood still for a moment before he stepped forward from the shadows, his presence commanding. The crowd watched him with a focused gaze waiting for his response with bated breaths.

“Yes I was, Princess.” he finally confirmed, his tone steady. “And Princess Isabelle is speaking the absolute truth. Lady Tania was indeed bullying Lila. The necklace in question was snatched away from her and discarded, there was nothing like a wager.”

Waves of loud and shocked murmurs rippled through the hall. The nobles whispered furiously among themselves, their gaze turning sharp as they stared at Tania.

“How disgraceful!” one nobleman muttered.

“Such behaviour in the presence of the Alpha and Princess?” another added.

Tania’s face turned crimson, her former confidence crumbling under the weight of their criticism and whispers.

Her panicked gaze darted around the hall. “I-I... It was all a simple misunderstanding. I—” she stammered.

“Enough.” Tristan’s voice cut through the murmurs like a sharp blade and the crowd went silent. He rose from his throne, his expression dark and his fist clenched.

“Lady Tania, you have displayed such arrogance and also shocking audacity to lie right here to my face and in the royal palace. Such conduct is absolutely unacceptable.”

Tania’s father, the marquis, rushed forward, his face pale. “Y..your Majesty, please I assure you, this must be a huge misunderstanding, I'm very sure my daughter didn’t mean what she said.”

“Silence,” Tristan replied coldly, shaking his head with displeasure. “From this moment on, Lady Tania is banned from entering the palace until further notice. I expect you, Marquis, to ensure she learns her place and is properly disciplined for such behaviour.”

The Earl bowed shakily, his face filled with red blotches. He rose and pulled a trembling Tania away from the hall as the crowd erupted in whispers.

As their whole family rushed out, drenched in shame, I allowed myself a small, self-satisfied smile.

As the banquet continued and the noise died down slowly, I couldn’t help but notice how Lila now carried herself with newfound confidence.

The once-timid girl was receiving smiles and nods of approval from several nobles, her craftsmanship and machine were now the talk of the whole evening.

Later that evening, after the banquet slowly died down and had ended, most of the guests already left.

I wandered the palace hallways, my vision slightly foggy from the wine I had consumed. The cool night air from the balcony hit my skin softly and allowed me to clear my thoughts.

My peace was interrupted by the approaching sound of footsteps. I turned the corner sharply, and my heart skipped a beat.

Rowan was standing there, his tall frame in a silhouette from the light of the moon.

Her wolf growled softly, shaking her head. ‘He’s just like a ghost, haunting us wherever we go.’

Rowan’s expression was unreadable, but his voice was clear. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

I crossed my arms, my tone wary and my eyes narrowed. “What for?”

He took a step closer, his intense gaze locking onto mine. “To ask you why you keep pairing me with Matilda.”