Chapter 37

"All medications, meals, and drinks served to the royal sextuplets are strictly checked before consumption," Lois stated, her voice clear and ringing with conviction. "I would not dare feed them an unauthorized intake from an unknown or common source."

A heavy silence descended upon the interrogation hall. All eyes were fixed on her—her steady gaze, her unshakeable confidence.

Sandra managed a slight smirk of contempt. She was furious that Lois had slipped through her trap again; the failure was a burning itch she couldn't scratch. She just has to be pushed out of the palace, Sandra decided. Then I can decide what to do to her next.

"However, Your Majesty," Sandra began, her voice dripping with venom, "she is a sinner who has committed so many sins, and there was no trial, no punishment, or even a death sentence. Such a sinner is not worthy of being the royal sextuplets' governess. Is your judgment delayed, denied, or adjourned..."

"I said you should not talk about this again, Sandra!" Alpha Karl's voice cut through hers in a low, dangerous growl.

"The interrogation is dismissed. However, this remains private," Alpha Karl commanded, his eyes sweeping over the nervous assembly. "No one dares talk about the sextuplets or Lois the sinner being the governess of my children until I officially announce the existence of the royal sextuplets to my people."

They all bowed low as the King brought the proceeding to an abrupt end.

Alpha Karl turned and left the interrogation hall, his entourage following closely. Lois watched his retreating back, noticing the strained set of his jaw.

Could that have been the reason he locked her up? she wondered. But the timeline didn't fit. If it was, he wouldn't have first locked her up and demanded to know what she had told the sextuplets.

She wanted to run after his entourage and demand an explanation, but the guards' vigilant presence warned her off. She wouldn't be stupid enough to challenge him when so many allegations already stood against her.

She walked out of the hall silently after the others had dispersed, only to be crossed by Sandra and her entourage. Lois saw the expression of defeat in Sandra's eyes, a look filled with raw contempt and rage that suggested she was moments from pouncing.

"This doesn't suit your face, your Ladyship," Lois said with a slight smirk, her tone laced with cool mockery. "You might wrinkle again in time, and white lead may not fix your face. You should put on a pleasant expression."

"Hmph! Don't be impertinent!" one of Sandra’s entourage sputtered, rushing to her defense. "You have to be respectful to the King's consort!"

"Don't be too relaxed, stepsister," Sandra hissed, her smile now a horrifying smirk that promised only darkness and a chilling determination to hurt Lois.

At the King's gazebo, Alpha Karl sat inside with his sextuplets. His guards and entourage waited discreetly outside. The children all sat silent, their small faces deadpanned, their expressions a wall of obvious resentment.

It was a long, awkward silence. Alpha Karl knew they demanded an explanation; he just didn't know how much they had overheard.

"Oh, Ciri, come here," Alpha Karl offered, reaching out. He assumed Cirila would be the easiest to approach. He was relieved he was at least learning their personalities. But Cahir instantly grabbed his sister's hand, pulling her protectively away.

"Don't touch Ciri! Father!" Cahir growled, squinting his eyes in fury. "What did you make Mother do? What did you do to her?"

Alpha Karl was speechless. They weren't going to let him proceed until he gave a reasonable explanation.

"Hmm," he began, thinking quickly. "What exactly did you hear to prompt this question and resentment?"

"We overheard you call Mother a common slave, and that you punish her every night," Coen said, his narrow eyes and cute, angry face making his accusation all the more potent.

Alpha Karl's fist clenched beneath the table. He wanted to explode with rage, but he suppressed the urge instinctively. He would not frighten them here. He was in a critical phase of gaining their trust, and he would sacrifice everything for that. The immense urge to slay all the maids at the North Palace—or wherever they had heard such lies—was barely contained.

"Ha-ha, Coen," Alpha Karl chuckled lightly, trying to sound authoritative and reassuring. "You are princes and noblemen. You must not pay attention to rumors. Wherever you might have heard or read it, just know it is a rumor unless confirmed by the royal authority. That is absolute rumor. It is common in the palace and outside, and as a prince, you should pay no heed to such things."

His carefully chosen words seemed to sway them.

"Are you sure, Father?" Conall asked, a hint of doubt still in his voice.

"Well, Mother doesn't look like she hurts anywhere, so we can trust Father," Cera decided, and unable to resist, she hurled herself into her father's arms.

Alpha Karl hugged her tightly, followed immediately by Connan and Cirila. The other three boys—Conall, Coen, and Cahir—remained stern.

Alpha Karl saw that they would not be easily persuaded.

"Hmm... How about we play a fun game?" Alpha Karl suggested.

"Yes!!" they all chorused instantly.

"I Spy!" Cera wheezed happily.

"I guess we'll go with that, since there's no objection," Alpha Karl said, and the children jumped excitedly.

"I spy with my little eye something that is yellow and round," Alpha Karl announced. "Whoever guesses correctly gets a stick. The winner has the most sticks at the end of the game!"

They were instantly enthusiastic.

"Could that be Owl's eyes? They're round and have yellow lining!" Coen guessed.

"That's not even close," Connan said, shaking his head.

"It is the lemon!" Conall declared.

"Wow! You guessed it right!" Alpha Karl exclaimed, and Conall proudly grabbed a stick.

"It is your turn, Cahir," they all urged.

"I spy with my little eye what hangs up in the sky, round and shines all day..." Cahir said, the riddle slightly dissolving his earlier anger.

"So common! The sun!" Conall responded again.

"I think the game is quite competitive now," Alpha Karl said, laughing softly. They all laughed with him. They played on, from dusk until a faint glow began to color the sky. It was a fun and memorable time.

Meanwhile, a short distance away, Lois and Jacinta were standing outside the gazebo pavilion, watching Alpha Karl spend quality time with the children.

Lois felt a flutter in her belly. His smile, his animated stride—he looked so handsome when he laughed. She wondered why he was a King who never smiled.

"Mother!!" Connan called out the moment he spotted Lois.