Chapter 430
Juniper unfolded the note from the envelope and read it carefully, her brows knitting in confusion. Then she pulled out a small, round ring, gleaming softly under the light, but didn’t put it on.
’What is the meaning of this?’ she wondered, her heartbeat quickening.
Suddenly, she felt Dominick’s presence. His scent filled the space before he even entered. Quickly, Juniper rushed to the bedroom and hid the note and ring deep inside the cupboard. Just as she closed the door, the sound of footsteps reached her.
Dominick walked in with a stern expression.
“The council will begin in fifteen minutes,” he said flatly. “You’re required to be there as well p>
“Why should I?” Juniper asked in a defiant tone.
“You started this mess,” Dominick replied coldly. “The council will want to hear your side, and frankly, I don’t think you feel any remorse for what you’ve done.” His brow arched, suspicion glinting in his eyes.
Juniper’s jaw tightened. “I acted before Father sent his summons to the three of us,” she said bitterly. “Why do you only see my faults, Nick? You’re the reason I took that step in the first place. If you had ever thought about me, about us, none of this would have happened p>
“I get it. You don’t need to remind me every time,” Dominick said quietly, his voice clipped but controlled. He masked the ache twisting inside him, the ache her words always seemed to ignite.
Gabriel had been right about them all along. There was no understanding between them anymore. After all these years, Dominick finally saw Juniper for who she truly was… and who she wasn’t.
“Your father’s been summoned too,” he said at last.
Juniper froze. “What? Why?” Her expression shifted instantly, her confidence giving way to alarm.
Dominick didn’t answer. Instead, he turned and walked toward the door.
“Dominick!” she called after him, hurrying to catch up.
He stopped with tensed shoulders, but didn’t turn around.
“Zilia had to answer someday,” Juniper said, her voice trembling with anger and pain. “She’s the one who poisoned things between us, who made me see you differently! You kept defending another woman in front of your wife. Do you even realize how it felt? Every time you raised your voice at me for her sake, it was like you were cutting into my heart p>
Dominick turned then, his eyes cold and sharp. “Are you stupid?” he snapped.
Juniper flinched.
“I don’t even want to talk to you anymore,” he said bitterly. “Once this council is over, we go our separate ways. We might be fated mates, Juniper, but fate made a mistake. We’re not right for each other p>
Her breath caught, but he didn’t stop.
“Be ready to be rejected when this is done,” Dominick declared. “Because I can’t live with you anymore p>
With that, he left her sight, leaving Juniper in the middle of the chamber all alone by herself.
She fiddled with her fingers nervously, wondering what she should do now. “Nick’s words weren’t an empty threat. He will definitely reject me,” Juniper murmured to herself. “What if I apologize? Will he forgive me? Yes. He will definitely give me a chance. After all, we are mates p>
“Your Highness, please follow me to the council hall,” the palace maid’s humble voice brought her out of those thoughts.
She gathered herself together and went to the council hall.
“Your Majesty, this is a grave matter indeed,” one of the council members said, his voice tense with unease. “For Zilia to have lived among us as a spy all this time… It explains much, especially your past actions, when certain officials were executed p>
Casaio parted his lips to respond, but Rainard lifted a hand, silencing him.
“I was planning to make this public tomorrow,” Rainard began with authority. “Both to the council, and to the people. However, under unforseen circumstances it was made public even before I could have spoken about it along with my son p>
Casaio rose to his feet, his chair scraping softly against the marble floor. “I would like to speak, Your Majesty,” he said, stepping forward until he stood at the center of the hall.
“First of all, I owe everyone here an apology for keeping this matter hidden,” he began. “It was my decision not to reveal the truth about Zilia. I ensured her secret remained buried. It wasn’t as simple as any of you might think. Zilia’s actions were driven by desperation, her younger brother was held captive by the Blood Dominion Alpha. Yet, despite that, not once was the royal family placed in danger. You all witnessed that yourselves. Those who truly plotted against us were the ones who faced punishment p>
Before Casaio could continue, Senior Council Head Evander Fanglow rose from his seat. “Prince Casaio, I must stop you there,” he said sternly. “You’re implying that Lady Zilia never acted as a spy for our enemies, but do not forget, many of our wolves perished on the borders because of leaked information. You defend this woman because she is your mate p>
His gaze hardened. “You should have brought this matter before the council long ago. By hiding it, you have forfeited the trust of every member in this chamber. Tell me, how can we place our faith in you as the next Alpha King, when you yourself chose to marry a spy? The past may be forgiven for ordinary citizens, but not for those who hold the power to decide the fate of an entire nation p>
“I agree with your words. However, everything came to an end because of Zilia too. If she hadn’t helped us, then we could have never found out who was the Alpha of Blood Dominion. We could have never come to a consensus of peace treaty,” Casaio affirmed.
“Prince Casaio, how are you so sure that Lady Zilia won’t do the spying in the future? You should know that every spy has one punishment and it’s death!” declared another member, Larkin Vellose.