Chapter 274
Alpha King’s Lost Luna
Chapter 274
KANE
Even as a child, I had been well aware of the fact that my new stepfather didnât love my mother. Though the King of Wegalla had always treated us well, and Margaret never complained about his lack of attention or kindness, it wasnât difficult to tell that he didnât share any affection toward her. Truthfully, Asherâs father had only married Margaret because she had been his late wifeâs maid. After Selene Collinsâ death, the king was desperate to learn any and all information he could about the queen, and he saw his union with my mother as an opportunity.
He asked Margaret to tell him everything about the late queen: how she had laughed, how she would smile, the things that brought her happiness. Every single detail about her. Selene was the only subject of their conversations, and while my mother didnât outwardly protest or refuse him, it bothered her greatly.
She had told me once that she believed the king was just trapped in his regret. He regretted that he had neglected his beautiful and beloved wife. He was remorseful and told my mother once in a drunken stupor that life felt unbearable after Seleneâs death.
Despite the kingâs words and actions, Margaret was fully convinced things would change. She believed that if she tried hard enough, she could help Asherâs father forget Selene.
But it was nothing more than a delusion in her mind.
Things didnât improve, not in the slightest.
One day, I had even heard the king ask Margaret to imitate Selene.
I didnât remember what I had wanted that day, but I had overheard the conversation when I was roaming the halls of Merliscire in search of my mother. I had been searching high and low, and when I arrived in the corridor near their room, I heard voices filtering out. I froze for a moment and then quietly crept toward the room until I was just outside of it. I crouched down low to ensure I wasnât detected and held my breath as I listened in.
Their conversation was nothing noteworthy until the king asked my mother to speak like Selene. It wasnât a typical order, more like a plea, and when he spoke the words out loud, Margaret had laughed, thinking it was a joke. The moment she had laughed, the kingâs demeanor changed and his pleas turned into a command. He told her that as her king, he was giving a command and she had to obey.
111
O
57%
Chapter 274
Margaret had done as she was told and obeyed, though she was ashamed to do so. When her imitation didnât meet the kingâs standards he berated her and told her she was a terrible actress.
âI thought you knew Selene the best,â he snarled at her. âThatâs why I married you, Margaret. But it seems like I made a mistake.â
He left the room soon after and Margaret broke into tears. Thankfully, the king hadnât seen me as he rushed out into the corridor, and once he was gone, I ran in to comfort my mom.
As I looked at Kiara, I found it hard to speak. What I wanted to say wasnât going to do me any good, nor her. I wanted to say that marriage without love often leads to something tragic and horrible.
It was true, considering how Margaret and the king had ended. And it was the deepest secret I held in my heart. I would never find the courage to confess to my brother that Margaret had been complicit in killing his father. She had once confessed to me that she had put an end to the late kingâs life using some sort of chronic poison, and while killing was never the answer, I couldnât blame her for wanting an escape from the cruelty.
Kiara waited patiently for my answer, as if it was going to decide her future for her, and when I didnât speak, she reached out toward me and gently touched my arm.
âKane?â she asked softly as her lovely eyes stared into mine.
I snapped out of my daze at once.
âIâm sorry,â I apologized. âIâm just a little distracted. I donât know, Kiara. I wish I had an answer, but I donât have one for you.â
The light in her eyes diminished and her gaze dropped at once.
âThatâs fine,â she said quickly, and then she nodded her head. âIt was st upid of me to ask, of course. Youâve never been married so you wouldnât know.
She glanced at the window again and then sighed.
âI appreciate your honesty, Kane,â she said. âIn the past⦠suitors would say without hesitation that they were madly in love with me, as if they thought I was too slow- witted to know they were lying. But Iâm not. I know most of those men were liars. They only wanted me because Iâm the Alphaâs daughter. Their sights were only set on power and a complacent wife.â
Sat, 16 Mar
Chapter 274
57%
+5
âYou shouldnât demean yourself,â I said softly as I tried to make sense of her words. âKiara, youâre clever and kind⦠you deserve so much more than a man who would underappreciate you.â
âThank you for saying that,â Kiara replied, and she gave me a small smile. âI was happy when you said you wanted to marry me. I had heard about you from cousins and friends who came to visit Anemond at festivals. Youâre even more charming than the stories Iâve heard.â
She stopped suddenly and then rose from her chair.
âBut I donât think we should get married,â she said, and then she nodded her head. âThank you for your time, Kane. I hope you have a pleasant night.â
Before I could utter a word, the Alphaâs daughter turned and started to walk out of the room. I jumped up from my seat and immediately followed her.
âKiara-â I called out, but she glanced behind her and stopped in place.
âIf we hadnât met under such a circumstance, would you have ever considered marrying me?â she wondered as her eyes trailed over me. My lips parted, but before I could give her an answer, she continued. âI think Darwin might be the better choice for me. He might be a bit too old, but I know his love for me is real. Heâs been here for me longer than anyone else and heâs loyal to my father. He would respect me and treat me well. Perhaps it would be better for me to marry him instead.â
A lump formed in my throat and I wanted to say something, but again, Kiara stopped me, this time holding her hand up.
âIâm not like my father,â she said. âI know the king of Wegalla is in trouble, and I believe Sky Pride should do their duty and support the king. Even if I marry Darwin, I will persuade him to help you, Kane.â
âI donât think he would,â I countered before I lost the courage to do so. âAnd I donât think itâs a good idea for you to marry him.â
Silence hung in the air as my voice disappeared. I hadnât meant to blurt out the last sentence, but it fell out of me before I could stop it. I didnât think she should marry that fool of a Hand, but I couldnât figure out a good reason to give her. I didnât want to deceive her and tell her that I loved her or promise her a perfect marriage. It would also be cruel to say that I distrusted Darwin and knew she wouldnât be happy with him without being able to offer her something better.
But it was true.
40
O
57%
Chapter 274
I wanted better for her.
+5
She was kind, smart, and beautiful. She didnât deserve to settle like she thought she did.
Before I could say something more, abrupt knocks on the door cut through the silence, and then the door opened.
One of the soldiers who had been appointed to watch over Roxy stood on the other side.
âPardon the intrusion, Lord Kane,â the soldier said in a panicked voice. âThe sorceress has escaped.â
SEND GIFT
O
0
COMMENT