Chapter 431
“No! My sister did nothing wrong!” Idris’s voice rang through the hall, breaking the heavy silence. The young boy had risen from his seat. “Please… don’t do anything to my sister. It’s true she did what she did to protect me, but I swear, she never hurt anyone p>
“Idris, calm yourself,” Raidan said gently.
“But, Your Majesty, my sister p>
Raidan raised a hand, silencing him before he could finish. “Enough. Sit down, child p>
Idris lowered his head, biting back tears as he obeyed.
Casaio stepped forward once more, his expression solemn. “Idris has lived in the Blood Dominion since the day he was born was a captive and a bargaining chip,” he said, his tone resonating through the chamber. “He is twelve years old now. That means over a decade has passed since Zilia was forced into this life since she was made to serve under them p>
He paused, letting his words settle among the gathered council members.
“In all those ten years, not once did she endanger the royal family or this nation,” Casaio continued. “I understand what our kingdom demands, and for its security, I would never act against it. But I must remind you: Zilia and Idris are citizens of this nation as well. Spies are loyal to their masters, yes, but some are made to be loyal. Some are forced into it. And Zilia was the forced one p>
“I stand by Prince Casaio’s words,” declared Rissa Wolanski, one of the senior-most council members. “Lady Zilia has never done anything that directly threatened the security of this kingdom p>
“That’s merely an assumption, Rissa,” Evander countered sharply. “For all we know, Prince Casaio might have concealed Lady Zilia’s past crimes as well p>
Casaio’s eyes darkened, his tone cutting through the murmurs that rippled through the hall. “No, she didn’t. And I’ll not have you accuse her so blatantly without proof p>
A tense silence followed as Casaio glared at him.
Across the room, Dominick’s gaze shifted toward Juniper. She was smiling faintly as though she were watching a stage performance instead of a royal trial.
His jaw tightened, anger flaring in his chest while his fists clenched at his sides. Because of her, Casaio and Zilia had to give such a tough test of their lives. Because of her Idris was holding his tears back, fearing he might lose his sister any time.
’What have I done? I married a wrong person,’ he thought.
“Prince Casaio,” Evander’s voice cut through the murmurs of the council chamber. “You must reject Lady Zilia to atone for your misguided choice. That is the only way to appease the growing unrest among your subjects p>
He paused, sweeping his gaze across the gathered members before continuing, “You cannot expect us to simply trust that Lady Zilia will not resume her work as a spy. Therefore, the council demands a decision, either punishment or rejection. We will not accept a spy within the royal family… or among our ranks. She and her brother must be deported back to where they came from p>
Zilia’s breath hitched, and tears shimmered in her eyes before spilling down her cheeks. Slowly, she rose from her seat. “Prince Casaio her voice trembled as she called his name.
Casaio turned toward her, and for a moment, his composure faltered. A sharp ache pierced through his chest, the sight of her tears felt like a dagger being pierced to his heart.
’Gabriel, please return quickly. I need you,’ he thought desperately, his mind reaching for his brother who was still absent.
Zilia took a step toward him despite the sorrow that gripped her. “Don’t protect me anymore,” she said softly. “You’ve already done far more than anyone could have for me and for Idris p>
She reached out, taking his hands in hers, caressing them.
“Don’t say it,” Casaio muttered under his breath, his voice breaking. “You and Idris aren’t going anywhere p>
A faint, bittersweet smile curved her lips. “You can’t hold onto us, especially not me. Let’s reject each other, Casaio. It’s the only way to end this… to stop everything from collapsing because of me p>
Her voice quivered, but she managed to hold his gaze. “It’s all right if we can’t share this life together,” she whispered, a tear sliding down her cheek. “Perhaps… we’ll find each other in the next p>
She chuckled softly realizing how their fates played. She thought she could live happily ever after with Casaio, but that happiness was short-lived.
Her gaze drifted to Idris, who sat silently, tears streaming down his young face. The sight shattered her resolve for a moment, but she steadied herself. This was the only way to save three of them.
“Cas,” she whispered, “you have to do this.” She tightened her grip on his hands before slowly letting go. “Your duty to this kingdom comes first. Everything else, even us, comes after. You know that better than anyone p>
Her lips quivered, but she forced herself to meet his eyes. “You can’t let your heart make you weak because of me. Please… do what you must p>
Casaio’s breath hitched, his eyes glistening with anguish. He wanted to protest, to defy the council and the kingdom itself, but her plea broke through his resistance.
From the royal dais, Raidan turned his gaze away, unable to bear the sight of two souls being torn apart by duty and destiny.
Dominick lowered his gaze too. He couldn’t see the separation of Casaio and Zilia. They once suffered after rejecting each other. And again, they had to undergo that same crushing pain. He clasped his hands tightly, feeling miserable for not able to do anything for them.
“Casaio, do it! Don’t let the council turn against you. Please,” Zilia again urged him.
“I, Casaio Sinclair, will abandon p>
“Wait, Brother! It’s not over yet,” Gabriel’s deep voice reverberated in the hall as his eyes shone in victory.
Everyone turned their heads in his direction and found he wasn’t alone. But beside him was standing the Alpha of Blood Dominion with a smirk on his face.