Chapter 32

Chapter 32

I was on edge as we approached the throne hall. Alpha King Phoenix had summoned Troy for a conversation and insisted that I accompany him, leaving me no choice but to follow. As we entered the throne hall, my brother promptly took his place on the throne—a magnificent, gold chair adorned with intricate carvings on every edge, enhancing its beauty and grandeur. Whenever my brother sat on it, crowned with gold, he exuded an aura of immense power.

"Take a seat here, Elisaria," Alpha King Phoenix instructed, pointing to the chair on his left—the one that had been mine since I was declared the Princess of Urzua Kingdom. I nodded and sat down, my gaze drifting to the chair on his right. Unlike Troy, my brother had already found his mate, but due to complicated circumstances, she had to live far from the Urzua Kingdom.

"Alpha King Troy Archer Evans of Rema Kingdom has arrived, Your Majesty," Beta Cyrus announced. My brother nodded and motioned for the towering doors of the throne hall to be opened. My heart raced as I watched Troy stride gracefully and elegantly into the hall. My lips parted in awe; I was used to seeing him in casual or work attire, but seeing him in his royal suit stirred something inside me. I always knew he was handsome, but now he seemed even more striking. The royal suit, paired with boots and a red cape, made him look incredibly regal and undeniably attractive.

Our eyes met instantly, and I couldn't help but lose myself in his gaze. However, Troy quickly shifted his focus to my brother when he heard him clear his throat, having noticed our prolonged eye contact.

"I'm grateful you allowed me to enter your palace, Alpha King Phoenix," Troy said respectfully to my brother.

"How could I deny you entry when your first move is to threaten my kingdom, Alpha King Troy?" My brother's sarcasm was unmistakable, and it made me grit my teeth in frustration. I suddenly wanted nothing more than to leave the hall and let them handle this on their own. Why do I have to be here?!

Troy chuckled at my brother’s words, and I frowned. How could he laugh in a situation like this?

"That was just a trap, Alpha King Phoenix. I'm glad you fell for it," Troy replied, his tone light. My mouth fell open in shock. What is he trying to do? He's just making my brother angrier! But wait—why should I care if he angers my brother? I should stop worrying about him! He hid things from me, and played with me! I should be furious with him!

"Are you here to dig your own grave? I can arrange that easily, Alpha King Troy," my brother shot back, the tension in the room thickening. Yet Troy continued to smile, his expression infuriatingly smug. Damn him! Why can't he take this seriously?

"Actually, I'm here to find my mate, and I’m lucky because she’s right here beside you," Troy said, his gaze locking onto mine. My heart skipped a beat as he smirked at me, and I struggled to keep my composure. I was startled when Alpha King Phoenix suddenly laughed, his expression turning sarcastic as he looked at Troy.

"Do you really think I would give my beloved sister to you? Have you forgotten that your father is the prime suspect in our parents’ deaths?" My brother's tone grew darker, and Troy's smile vanished instantly. The air between them crackled with unspoken tension, their eyes locked in a silent battle.

"And I am certain that my father had nothing to do with that, Alpha King Phoenix," Troy responded, his voice serious.

"I didn’t allow you in here to hear your lies again. I’m here to tell you that I won’t let you take my sister. I refuse to let the son of our parents’ murderer lay a hand on her. That’s why I’m telling you to reject the bond, right here and now," my brother's words were icy and final.

I froze as Troy looked at me again, his eyes cold and serious. Maybe he thinks I’ve already made the decision for both of us. Rejecting him would be the right thing to do, but a part of my heart resists. Yet, I know my brother will be deeply disappointed in me if I refuse.

"Did Elisaria want it?" Troy asked, his eyes fixed on me. The question caught me off guard, and I felt a sharp pang in my chest, knowing he wanted to be certain it was truly my decision.

"Of course, she wants it. Who would want to marry a man whose father is a murderer?" my brother retorted, leaving me speechless. Damn it!

“Your Majesty—”

"I don't want you interfering in our conversation, Princess Elisaria," Alpha King Phoenix interrupted firmly. I gritted my teeth and quickly averted my gaze from Troy.

"I want Elisaria to say it to my face," Troy insisted, his words breaking my heart. Does he really want to hear that from me?

"Elisaria, say it," Alpha King Phoenix commanded. I bit my lower lip, lowering my eyes as I sighed deeply, then forced myself to meet Troy's gaze.

"I... want... to reject you, Alpha King Troy," I said, my eyes locked on his. Silence hung between us as Troy stared at me. No, this isn’t what I truly want. Yes, I’m angry with him, but... is this really the right decision? What if... Troy is telling the truth? What if Terrence Evans didn’t kill our parents? What if Troy and his father had nothing to do with their deaths?

What if I regret this? What if... I lose him... forever?

I swallowed hard as Troy turned his gaze back to Alpha King Phoenix.

"She’s lying. She doesn’t want this," Troy said confidently in front of my brother. My brows knitted in confusion.

"Are you testing my patience, Alpha King Troy?" my brother's voice was laced with anger. Troy raised an eyebrow at him, while I was filled with a mix of anxiety and disbelief. Our mind link was definitely closed—there’s no way he could have read my thoughts. So how did he know I was lying?

"I’ve known Elisaria for a month, and I can tell when she’s lying. That’s why I won’t reject our mate bond," Troy stated firmly. His words made Alpha King Phoenix rise from his throne in anger. "Or maybe you’re just desperate to find a mate, right? To secure your throne? You only want my sister for your own power!" Alpha King Phoenix accused, his words sending a painful pang through my heart. What if... that’s really the only reason Troy wants me?

"That’s none of your concern, Alpha King Phoenix. Why don’t you focus on securing your own throne by taking care of your mate?" Troy replied sarcastically. Before I could react, Alpha King Phoenix stormed down from his throne and landed a powerful punch on Troy’s face! I jumped to my feet, shouting for the soldiers to intervene. “Stop the King!” I cried out, and Beta Cyrus quickly moved to restrain Alpha King Phoenix.

Troy only chuckled as he hit the floor, blood staining his lips. My eyes widened in shock.

"Troy..." I whispered his name, instinctively moving toward him, but my brother’s voice stopped me cold. "Take one more step toward him, and I’ll kill him, Elisaria," he warned. I froze. Damn it!

Troy stood up, meeting my gaze, and nodded to reassure me that he was fine. I felt a wave of relief. No matter how much I try to hate him, I can’t help but worry about him.

"If you value your life, Troy Archer Evans, you’d better leave my palace," Alpha King Phoenix said with finality.

"I’m not leaving without my mate, Phoenix Foster," Troy shot back, his determination matching my brother’s fury. The tension between them was almost unbearable. When will this end?

"Are you so eager to die?" my brother growled, and I noticed that Beta Cyrus was no longer holding him back, making me fear he might attack Troy again.

"What if I clear my name in front of you? Will you let me have your sister then?" Troy asked seriously. I was stunned, and I glanced at my brother, who now seemed to be taking Troy’s offer seriously.

“How could you do that when I know your father killed my—”

“If that’s what you believe, then I’ll prove you wrong. I’ll show you that you’ve been chasing the wrong person,” Troy interrupted firmly.

My brother let out a mirthless chuckle. “Then… do it. If you succeed, you can have my sister. But if not, you’ll agree to reject your bond with her.”

“Fine by me,” Troy agreed without hesitation. I was shocked as Troy turned to look at me before leaving the hall. I couldn’t explain it, but I felt a heavy weight pressing on my chest.

I quietly returned to my room after that exhausting confrontation. I asked Mariel and the other ladies to leave because I wanted to be alone. I didn’t know what to feel anymore. I’m still angry with Troy, but I’m also worried about the possibility of us rejecting our mate bond.

“Don’t worry… we won’t reject our mate bond,” I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard that voice! I turned around to see Troy stepping out of my walk-in closet!

“What the hell?!” I almost screamed, but he quickly covered my mouth. He laughed at my reaction. I was certain he wasn’t nearby, which is why my thoughts were leaking and he was able to read them! Our mind link!

“You have to be quiet, or else your brother might actually kill me if he finds me here,” he chuckled. I shoved him away, glaring angrily.

“How did you get in here? Who let you in?!” I asked, panicking. What if my brother caught him? Damn it!

He raised an eyebrow and gently tilted my chin to make me look at him. I swallowed hard as his familiar scent filled the air, my heart pounding.

“I used my abilities, Elisaria. I hid my presence and asked John to sneak me in. He knows there’s a secret passage to your room from the rooftop,” he explained. I couldn’t believe it!

“You’re dead if my brother sees you here—” I started, but my words were cut off when he pressed a finger to my lips. He smirked, his playful eyes locking onto mine.

“I know… but I missed you. Did you miss me too?” he asked softly, and I felt my resolve begin to melt under the weight of his words and his teasing.