Contract With The Alpha King by Brey Mitchylle

Chapter 59

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Monique and Fiona sat in the quiet seating area at the back of the infirmary, a serene space overlooking a beautifully maintained garden. The gentle rustle of leaves and the soft sound of birds in the distance added a peaceful ambiance to the moment. Monique had poured them both tea, and the delicate fragrance filled the air as they sat, sipping in near silence.

Fiona glanced at Monique, waiting for her to say something more, but the princess seemed content to sit quietly, her eyes. occasionally drifting to the garden in front of them. Fiona had been caught off guard by Monique's request to join her for tea, and now the silence between them was growing more awkward by the second.

Clearing her throat gently, Fiona finally spoke up, her tone polite. "Princess Monique," she began, choosing her words carefully, "I appreciate you inviting me for tea, but is there something specific you wanted to talk to me about?" This would be the first time that Princess Monique, or any member of the Royal Family aside from the King and Elijah, talked to her. She wondered if this was about the dungeon or the prisoner.

Monique looked at her as if weighing her next words. She set her cup down slowly before speaking. "You've been through a lot recently," Monique said, her voice soft but clear. "And I wanted to check in on you, personally."

Fiona blinked, a little surprised by the concern in the princess's tone. "That's very kind of you," she replied, choosing her words carefully. "I'm doing alright, all things considered. It's been... a whirlwind, but I'm managing." For some reason, a part of Fiona immediately suspected the princess's motives. By now, Fiona was aware that this place wasn't all rainbows and sunshine. In fact, it was the opposite.

"I know that being in the palace can be difficult, especially with the kind of attention you're receiving now. But it's not just the trial or the rumors that concern me," Monique said; her gaze didn't waver.

"What else concerns you, then?" Fiona asked, keeping her voice steady as she wondered where this was leading.

Monique leaned back slightly in her chair, her hands resting in her lap. "It's Elijah," she said simply.

"His Highness Elijah? What about him?" The mention of Elijah caught Fiona off guard. But then again, this should have been already expected. At the end of the day, Fiona was a nobody.

Monique sighed, glancing out at the garden for a moment before returning her gaze to Fiona. "My brother has always been protective of those he cares about, but I've never seen him act the way he does with you. I don't mean that in a bad way," she added quickly. "But there's a lot of pressure on him right now. With the Rites of Kings, the politics in the court... everything is moving quickly."

not to add to his burdens. I care

I wanted to speak with you. I know Elijah trusts you, but I also wanted you to know that you can count on me. Our family has its... challenges, but we stand by each

right?" Monique and she were not

she said, her voice casual but with an edge. "It's not exactly common for them to be at odds."

replied, her words were sharp and unapologetic. "Clearly, Elijah is the top contender to become the next king,

anger coursed through Fiona, but she kept her tone steady. "How am I complicating things?" Only the King knew about her marriage to Elijah. On the

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Chapter 59

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if you're trying to keep a low profile, the damage is

neutral, refusing to let Monique see her rattle. "Curious?" she repeated, lifting an eyebrow. "Are you here to warn me, Your

coolly. "I'm here to tell you to leave Elijah alone

moment, Fiona sat frozen, absorbing the weight of Monique's words. She had expected tension with Elijah's family, but she hadn't anticipated this level of threat-so direct, so personal. Yet, beneath the surface of fear, something stronger flickered inside her. Fiona didn't flinch. She met Monique's gaze with quiet defiance. "You seem awfully confident in your threats," she said, her voice steady, though her mind raced. "But what makes you think I would leave Elijah? And what makes you think he would let me go that easily?" "You underestimate the power of the council, Fiona. The political

for a while now. When Fiona didn't

if the conversation had been nothing more than a casual chat. "Enjoy your tea, Fiona," she said lightly, though the steel in her tone

Monique walked away, her heart pounding in her chest. The warmth of the tea in her hand felt distant

in the garden, the vibrant colors blurring as Monique's words echoed in her mind. The quiet serenity of the garden seemed distant now, overpowered by the weight of the conversation. Elijah's sister had laid out a stark reality for her, and the more Fiona thought about it, the more tangled she felt in the web

Kariana's voice suddenly broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to

to see Kariana standing a few feet away. "Oh, I'm sorry," Fiona said, rising