All Chapters of His Captive, His Mate, His Queen : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

~Ioana~With a soft thud, Vivian gently set the jug filled with water on the table.But froze when she noticed the frown marring my lips."Is something the matter, Madame?"She asked tentatively.I shook my head but paused. 'Why should I endure it?'"Vivian…" I called out to her."Yes, Madame?""Replace the table… looking at it spoils my appetite…""I'll do that right away, Madam—"At this time, someone rapped on the door. We both froze still.It was slow and powerful, knocking only thrice before stopping. I and Vivian shared a glance—mine full of inquiry and hers trepidation. Her fingers shook, intensifying when I asked,"Vivian, did you tell the kitchen to bring us more cookies?" Tilting my head to ask."N-No, Madame," she stuttered. "I also wasn't expecting anyone."For some reason, my usually swift response was lagging."Stay here. I'll go check." I stood, the chair making a low shuu shifting backward against the rug."Madame!" Vivian exclaimed, alarmed. "I'll go instead," she gra

~Ioana~"All of them. Not even one. No, they're extinct way before our time." Shutting Selenara’s gaze towards us.His fingers clenched, and what seemed like frustration flickered through his eyes too fast for me to see the second time.I held my breath. For some reason, it suddenly became harder to breathe, like the air just wouldn't pass through my lungs. My chest heaved, a sharp pain shooting through my chest.I clutched at it, massaging my chest with a grimace on my face. "So what happened next?" I asked, my voice dropping far below a whisper.The question still sat in my mind—if the royals went extinct, how did they become the next royals? And who was strong enough to massacre the whole royal lineage, and for what reasons?But before I could voice out the questions plaguing me, Alessandro stood up from the chair. "I believe I've satisfied your curiosity."'No, actually, you haven't in the lightest. Instead, you brought more questions.' That was my thought, but I couldn't say it.

~Ioana~“Her Majesty, Ioana makes her entrance!” I gave a slight nod to the man who stood by the door, who yelled out.The burly men on either side of the massive door, with taut muscles, pulled open the doors, and the room unveiled itself to me.I had only one word to describe it with—magnificent.Towering ceilings, chandeliers, marble flooring so polished the hem of my gown was reflected back at me with each swish, a red rug rolled down the middle from the entrance up to…The corner of my lips twitched. A semicircle of elderly wolves, one at the center—Elder Thalvorn—staring straight at me with a frown on his face. By his side was Elder Caldren, who glowered. After him was Elder Ysara—she had her eyes closed shut, her face blank. After her was Elder Barion—he eyed me over and over, as if checking for something.By his left was Elder Mirelda, her lips pursed. She shot me a complicated look I couldn't understand before throwing her face away. The robed elder remained mysterious, and t

~Ioana~"What reason could be good enough for the years of maltreatment I've received?" I shot back at her, still not convinced by her words."For you it might not be much, but what about your protection and the freedom you have now?""I've never had freedom. Not then, not now.""Then how would you like a life of luxury and wealth until your eyes see higher than the heavens, becoming arrogant and prideful?"I paused, a picture of my nose pointed upwards as I walked came to my mind. I shook my head at the strange image that appeared."Or what about being cherished by everyone, only to die from poisoning at age five?"'That was even worse,' I thought."Perhaps you might prefer growing up with all the finest things in life, only to become a puppet under another's control. Everything you do or say will be according to that person's wishes."'Scratch that. This is the worst. A luxurious cage— isn't that the

~Ioana~"Queen, you're here just in time. We were about to break the news to our citizens, and I'm sure they'll want to hear you speak to them," Elder Caldren drawled, eyeing my trembling self with skepticism.Elder Caldren coughed. "Leader," he whispered to Elder Thalvorn standing beside him. Gaining his attention, he stated, "The people are waiting, sir.""That's true, we can't keep them waiting anymore," he concurred. Then, in a loud voice, he addressed the puzzled crowd. "People of the New Moon Kingdom! The time may seem—very scarcely do we call meetings like this in a short span of time since our last meeting—the coronation. But if our memory serves us well, you would remember that on the night of the coronation, something spectacular occurred."Immediately he mentioned this, like a spark being ignited, discussions detonated through the crowd. Everyone was whispering, hands flying in the air, wildly gesturing, eyes bright like the stars. Elder Thalvorn waited for some minutes, bu