CHAPTER FIVE: VENUS
Everyone's gaze was fixed on the spot where the man was kneeling, and the only expression on their faces was one of shock. I'm sure everyone was wondering, "How did a werewolf perform magic?" I wasn't surprised because it was possible, but the spell was so old that I wondered how a wolf in this generation knew an ancient spell from my ancestors.
Apart from that, something he said before casting the spell piqued my interest. He mentioned the name Yona, which I had heard from Xavier not long ago when he told me to run as we were trying to escape.
Who was this man? And what is his relationship with Xavier and the man who had just killed himself rather than give him up?
"What exactly is going on? He was a werewolf, not a wizard, so how could he perform magic?'' Michael asked, his voice shocked.
The fact that only I knew what had happened made me happy; the spell the man had performed required no magic to perform, but only the children of Khadran's royal family knew that spell because it was used to commit suicide in the olden days in case they were ever captured by the enemy.
"You don't look too good father, is it because your only witness just disappeared," Xavier grinned as he looked at his father, "what will you do now?"
"Silence," King Leon ordered, but the room didn't go silent like he wanted, so he turned to face me, "Princess Venus, what do you know of this spell this prisoner just cast?"
He was clearly losing it, because how could he think I'd tell him anything about the spell?
"Your King asked you a question, and you're expected to answer," Michael said, glaring at me as if he wanted to rip my head off; he should tone it down because he was just going to embarrass himself.
"I have no idea what just happened, King Leon,'' I replied as I curtsied at the two men, trying to look as confused as the rest.
"You know the price of lying to me, Princess Venus," King Leon said angrily.
"Oh, I know what happens, your highness, I've experienced it firsthand, but I stand by my previous statement, I know nothing about the spell the man cast," I said boldly, and Xavier spoke again as if he was reading my mind.
"Even if she knew anything, she wouldn't tell you, and I know I won't because watching you act like a cornered rat is quite amusing," Xavier sneered, prompting the King to walk up to him and slap him across the face.
"Now there's the true king I know, the coward who uses his fists instead of his words," Xavier said, his cheek bleeding from a cut caused by the King's ring.
"Xavier Aethelwulf, you have been found guilty because you show no remorse for your crimes, you have banished and stripped of your title as Prince of Verna."
"How exciting father, you've finally gotten rid of the son you never wanted," Xavier said, still smiling as the guards who had brought him in got ready to drag him out of the throne room.
"You will be escorted by these guards to the board of the Kingdom by the end of this week and left to atone for your crimes against the crown aa an enemy of the wolves," the King said as the guards began to drag Xavier away, but he stopped mid way his gaze fixed on his family.
"One more thing father, you will get what is coming to you father, whether now or in the near future," Xavier said as he broke into a fit of laughter. To the rest, he appeared to have lost his mind, but I knew it was all an act because what he did next proved me right before he was dragged out of the door.
He turned to me and mindlinked, "Sit tight Vee, I always keep my word" then he was taken out of the throne room and everyone went silent.
Even though I knew he could defend himself, I was still concerned for Xavier's life because the king will not leave his punishment at banishment alone.
The banishment was all an act, because the king would definitely want him dead for two reasons: he will finally be able to cut ties with his hybrid son, and if Xavier was dead, no one could threaten Michael's ascension to the throne.
When they were gone, the king turned to face me, his eyes filled with annoyance and disgust; he was clearly not threatened by what Xavier had said before being dragged away.
"At least dress like the country's future queen," the king said, making everyone in the throne room laugh; yeah, he wasn't bothered if he could insult my clothing choice.
"What do you expect from a witch?" Someone in the audience said, and I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes.
"Does Micheal not teach you anything, even if you're just a figurehead and an incubator, you should try to play the part of princess of Verna," the king said.
"I'll do it—" I tried to say something, but he turned his gaze to Michael before I could finish, and I was quickly forgotten.
"As you know, it's your mother's birthday banquet in two days and she wants everything to be perfect, she hasn't left the kitchen staff alone for the past few days," the king chuckled as he talked about his mistress/Queen of Verna.
"She has also dragged my mate Sonia to join her, when she goes shopping for the gowns she wants to wear to the banquet, if that bastard had escaped with this cunt, it would have ruined everything and we won't hear the end of it," Michael said, he was able to freely insult me because no one in this room simply cared about me or perhaps because he was Prince.
"What an asshole," Sebastian whispered next to me, causing me to look up in surprise.
Only Xavier and I have ever called Micheal obscene names, so I smiled to myself because it reminded me of some pleasant times with Xavier.
"You know you can be hanged for what you just said," I said quietly so only Sebastian could hear me, but it wasn't like Solomon was paying attention.
"Are you going to report me? We both know you were thinking the same thing," Sebastian said, causing my smile to widen.
"Fuck no!, you can say whatever you want about that fool, it's none of my business," I said, returning my gaze to the throne.
"Then it will be our secret," Sebastian said with a small smile on his face.
"If you guys are finished with whatever this is, I'd like to take my leave," I said, and everyone in the room turned to glare at me, and I swear I heard one of them call me an abomination, as if I cared what they thought of me, because I'm tired and in too much pain for their nonsense
"You think the king won't punish you for what you did?" Micheal said, an evil grin on his face.
"So, what will it be?" Will I be beaten, locked up, or starved? Oh, and don't forget, I've been through all those punishments and they haven't killed me, so why should I be afraid of your flimsy threat, King?" I said in a mocking tone before doing a curtsy.
"I've had enough of your disrespect, guards take her to her tower, she'll be denied food until the upcoming banquet," the king yelled, his face turning a dark shade of red, it happens whenever he gets too worked up, and sometimes he can turn as red as a tomato which can be quite funny.
"What a joke!" I said, making sure he heard and If looks could kill, I'd be dead by now with the way the king and Michael, my cowardly husband, were glaring at me
"20 lashes will be added to her punishment, and the Executioner will be the one to do it," The king said, with a smile on is face,
Does he think that adding 20 lashes to my punishment will make me beg him for mercy? If so, then he must be delusional because the girl who used to beg for mercy was long gone.
"Bye, hubby and father, see you at that whore's birthday banquet," I said, laughing as Solomon and Sebastian dragged me out of the throne room immediately, so I couldn't see their reaction but I was sure it could have been priceless.