Semua Bab Chosen to be Betrayed: Bab 51 - Bab 57

The Bloodbane ob-gyn is brought before me and Orvyn in the court hall. She kneels on the floor, pale and trembling, her hands pressed tightly together as if begging for mercy.“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, Your Highness,” she stammers. “I was only following orders from Queen Aurora and Beta Victoria.”Beside me, Orvyn sits stiff and tense as he blinks fast to fight back tears. My heart aches at the sight. So I reach for his hand, squeezing it gently, bracing both of us for what comes next.“They demanded that I produce and sign a fake maternity certificate for Beta Victoria. They said it was for the pack’s sake. And if I refused, they threatened to have me and my family disowned by the pack.”“Does anyone from the Bloodbane Pack aside from the two of them know about Victoria’s fake pregnancy?” I ask.She shakes her head quickly. “Not that I know of. I’ve told no one coz I was too afraid I’d lose my license if the truth came out.”“Oh yes, you’ll lose your license, and face jail time too

ORVYN’S POV: My heart splinters into pieces and my tears fall hard as I listen to Victoria’s gut-wrenching words. She’s right. I’m a horrible and undeserving fated mate. I asked her to trust me when I said I wouldn’t choose her as my queen in the King’s Selection Ball. I promised that once the Frostveil Pack is destroyed, that’s when I make her my queen. She agreed even though she was skeptical and hurt. But then, I betrayed our bond, and pushed for her death. But what can I do? Save her and let everyone know that it’s fine to attempt murder as long as they have some emotional attachment with the king?How about the justice Thalissia deserves? Should I just dismiss it and pretend it doesn’t matter?If only she didn’t become desperate, she wouldn’t be in that guillotine.You made her desperate when you started fancying your wife, and ignoring her: My conscience echoes through my head, amplifying the guilt I’m already struggling to contain.My entire body freezes when Victoria brave

I continue to refuse speaking to Orvyn coz the emotions are still too raw and too fresh to shake off. He spends a few moments with me, trying to start up a conversation, but I give him no reply or reaction. When it’s time to leave the palace, he has no choice but to give up and go with the Bloodbane wolves. Great! Now, I’ll have the bedroom for myself! I need space and silence to clear my head and relax my emotions.Unfortunately,...His words, “If only I can turn back time, I would’ve chosen you to be my queen,” while caressing Victoria’s cold face, keep echoing in my head. I try to think of something else for distraction, but the memory won’t leave me. Even after a few hours, when Orvyn finally returns, that same scene is still all I can think about. I don’t even notice him at first until his voice breaks my thoughts.“Hey, my love, this is for you,” he says, holding out a bouquet of red roses to me.My heart says to take it, just to avoid an argument. But my brain screams “N

Orvyn holds my hand, but I still can’t bring myself to look at him. My eyes drift toward the calm lake, while my mind circles around his regrets about choosing me over Victoria, and my photo with his note, where he judged my emotional and physical insecurities. “To be honest,” he begins, his voice cracking as though it hurts him to speak, “I really don’t know what I should tell you. I’m ashamed to have said those words. But… choosing you and loving you is something I don’t and will never regret. I was just upset at myself for letting so many get hurt, including you. I felt like I failed.” “You failed the moment you started to love me. That’s a good reason to be regretful,” I counter. “No. I’m happy to love you. I’m even happier to build a family with you,” he argues, his words firm, yet pleading. I want to confront him about the photo too, about his cruel note, but I pull back. Whatever alibi he gives, I doubt I’ll trust it anyway. So I’d rather not hear him speak about it.Orv