Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 54

"Step forward," the older man commanded after a few minutes of introducing himself as Councilman Lacson. His voice cut through the silence like a blade.

Fiona swallowed hard, her legs feeling heavy as she forced herself to move. The guards flanked her, guiding her toward the center of the room. She felt the pressure of a hundred eyes on her, each one measuring her, judging her before she had even spoken a word. "You are accused of poisoning a prince, harming him while he was wounded on the training grounds. This led to him being comatose, unable to join the rest of the Rites," the man continued, his voice cold and precise. "What do you have to say in your defense?" Fiona's throat tightened as she looked at Councilman Lacson. She could feel the fog of the drug they had given her lingering in the back of her mind, threatening to pull her thoughts into confusion. But she couldn't let it. She had to stay sharp. She took a deep breath, lifting her head as she steadied herself.

"I didn't harm anyone," Fiona said, her voice firm despite the tremor in her heart. "I was only there to heal the injured. I had no part in what happened."

The room remained deathly quiet. The councilman's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. He exchanged a glance with someone seated beside him, a woman dressed in deep royal blue with a severe look on her face. Earlier, Councilman Lacson introduced her as Councilwoman Mariya Weeson.

"The Queen has stated that you were near the site where the sabotage occurred," the councilman pressed. "You were seen treating soldiers who had fallen. How can you explain your presence if not to conceal your involvement?"

Fiona's heart pounded against her ribs. Of course, the Queen would try to turn this on her. She fought the urge to clench her fists. "I'm a healer. It's my duty to help the wounded, no matter the situation. That's why I was there-nothing more." A murmur rippled through the crowd.

"Hmmm... It seems that His and Her Majesty are about to arrive Councilman Lacson said, and everyone else immediately stood.

Fiona stood in the center of the room, her heart hammering in her chest. The murmurs had started to die down as everyone awaited the arrival of the King and Queen. She, too, could smell them outside the room. So she waited.

As if on cue, double doors at the far end of the room opened with a loud creak, and everyone turned their attention as Queen Lyanna and King Nicholas made their entrance. The room seemed to still in their presence, the murmurs fading into complete silence. The Queen walked with regal grace, her expression cold and unreadable. King Nicholas followed behind, his face set in a serious, unyielding look. Fiona's stomach churned as the two took their seats, both turning their sharp gazes toward her. What about Elijah? Where is Elijah?

As the King and Queen settled, Fiona caught sight of familiar faces entering behind them. Kafiana, Cillian, Rio, and Carissa all moved into the room, their expressions varied-Kariana's face was tense with worry, while Cillian looked almost disinterested. Rio was fidgeting, clearly uncomfortable with the situation, and Carissa... her face was carefully blank, a mask of neutrality, though Fiona could see a flicker of something in her eyes.

"Bring forward the witnesses," the Queen said, gesturing for everyone to take their seats, Her eyes remained fixed on Fiona, though the tension in the room shifted as the witnesses took their places to the side of the courtroom.

The man cleared his throat, adjusting his robe as he stood. "We hall hear from those who were present during the incident He turned his attention toward the witnesses, his gaze landing first on Kariana. "Miss Kariana, step forward

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her shoulders as she stood before the court, her hands fidgeting

the wounded. We were informed of the incident and immediately went to the training grounds, but I was busy tending to the injured

didn't notice anything out of the ordinary?

the injured. We were both focused on treating them. I didn't see her doing anything that would suggest

older man held up his hand, silencing it immediately. "Very well," he said, though there was a hint of skepticism in his tone. "You may step

softly, relief visible on her face as she moved away from the center of the room, her

man called next, his

swagger apparent even in this tense atmosphere. He stood tall, hands behind his back, looking entirely unbothered

man said, glancing down at a sheet of parchment in front

toward Fiona before returning to the man. "We had a little bet a few days ago. This happened during another accident. The bet was nothing serious. Miss Fiona's healing abilities are... impressive, and I was

amusement in his tone. "We weren't neglecting them. Fiona was healing

interaction with Cillian and the rest could be twisted against her. What a treacherous place, she thought inwardly. If her brain was clouded, she wouldn't be

indication that Fiona had

that suggested she

than before. The older man glanced around, clearly irritated by the crowd's growing restlessness. "Enough," he barked, silencing the whispers again. You may step back Cillian gave a slight nod, stepping away with the same confident stride as before. Fiona's pulse quickened. So far the questioning hadn't turned entirely against her, but she

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slow and deliberate. She kept her head slightly bowed, her expression still carefully neutral, though Fiona could see the slight

overseeing the questioning adjusted his robe again, his eyes narrowing slightly as he addressed her. "Lady Carissa," he began, his voice measured but sharp. "Were you present

slowly, her voice shaky as she spoke. "Yes, I was there. I saw what happened." She paused, her gaze flickering toward Fiona before dropping again. "It was my fault... I should have done more.

shoulders began to shake. She brought her hands to her face, wiping away the tears that had begun to fall. "I'm so sorry,"

Why the hell was she acting as though this entire situation was her burden to bear? It felt off, but there was no denying that her tears were

carefully, his expression unreadable. After a few moments, he nodded. "You

witnesses, her face still marked with traces of tears. Fiona caught her eye for a

cold and precise, "that harming a prince is an act of treason. An act against the crown itself." A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd. Fiona's heart raced, but she stood her ground,

voice growing more intense, "I ask you again-what happened? Did you harm the prince who was currently participating in