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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before stepping toward the center of the room. The weight of the situation seemed to settle on her shoulders as she stood before the court, her hands fidgeting slightly at her sides. "You were present at the scene when the incident happened?" the man

tending to the wounded. We were informed of the incident

man raised an eyebrow. "You didn't notice anything out of the ordinary? Any behavior from Fiona that might suggest she

flicked to Fiona again before she shook her head. No. Miss Fiona was helping me with the injured. We were both focused on treating them. I didn't see

held up his hand, silencing it immediately. "Very well,"

from the center of the room, her gaze lingering on Fiona with a mixture

Cillian," the man called next,

tense atmosphere. He stood tall, hands

Fiona prior to the incident," the man said, glancing down at a sheet of parchment in front of him.

"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 curious about her methods. I thought it'd be

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

It seemed like that simple 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 able to analyze

did you see any indication that Fiona had the ability to poison someone by touching them? Did

Fiona was completely focused on healing. She was professional and efficient. There was nothing that suggested she was incapable or distracted. In fact, I lost the bet that day because of my

Cillian could have used to turn things against her, this was it. Yet, instead of condemning her, he actually defended her-praising her abilities when he could have easily sealed her fate. Another murmur ran through the room, this time louder than before. The older man glanced around, clearly irritated by the crowd's growing restlessness. "Enough," he barked,

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slow and deliberate. She kept her head slightly bowed, her

hands trembling as she kept her gaze lowered. Fiona watched closely, confused by Carissa's demeanor. The older man overseeing the questioning adjusted his robe again, his eyes narrowing slightly as he addressed her. "Lady Carissa," he began,

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. If I hadn't been so distracted... maybe none of this would have happened." Her voice cracked, and to Fiona's surprise, Carissa's

room as Carissa's shoulders began to shake. She brought her hands to her face, wiping away the tears that had begun to fall. "I'm

blinked, stunned by the performance. Fiona couldn't seem to understand why Carissa was crying. Why was she making this about her? Was this woman insane for attention? Why the hell was she acting as though this entire situation was her burden to bear? It felt off, but there was

didn't seem as moved. He watched Carissa carefully, his expression unreadable. After a few moments, he nodded. "You

stepping away from the center of the room. She returned to her place among the witnesses, her face still

his sharp gaze cutting through the tension in the room. "You are aware, Miss Rosenthal," he began, his tone 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, lifting her chin slightly as she met his

continued, his voice growing more intense, "I ask you again-what happened? Did