The Witch and Her Four Dangerous Alphas

Chapter 173: Chapter 173: The Slap of the Queen

Serena sat there quietly, her food untouched. Her heart was still heavy from what she had just heard.

The queen’s words kept echoing in her head...Lady Elara... the love story...

She couldn’t even breathe properly. Everything felt strange. The air, the people, even her seat. She looked down at her plate, but the food looked tasteless.

When she lifted her eyes, she saw the queen watching her silently from across the table. There was something in that gaze...maybe disgust. Serena didn’t know. She just felt small, unwanted, and out of place.

Her chest tightened.

She couldn’t stay there anymore.

She stood up suddenly, bowed deeply to the King and Queen, and said with a trembling voice. "Forgive me, Your Majesty... I must leave."

And before anyone could say a word, she turned and ran from the hall.

"Serena!" Vaelen called after her with a worried voice. His eyes followed her disappearing figure with sadness.

But Serena didn’t stop. She ran as fast as she could, her heart pounding in her ears.

Queen Isadora’s smile faded as she looked at her son. Her eyes turned cold. Slowly, she put her wine cup down and said in a sharp tone,

"Vaelen. Stop right there." Who was ready to chase her down any moment.

Her voice was low, but it carried across the whole hall.

Vaelen froze. His steps stopped immediately. He looked at his mother with a gaze full of quiet anger. His hands clenched at his sides.

He didn’t want to stop. Every part of him wanted to run after Serena. But he knew his mother. If he disobeyed her now, she would make him regret it.

Queen Isadora stood up slowly. The sound of her chair scraping against the floor was soft, but it felt heavy. Everyone’s eyes followed her.

She walked toward her son gracefully, her chin held high.

moment. Then, without a word, she raised her hand and slapped him

through the silent

a red mark across

with the force, but he didn’t move. His jaw tightened, and

looked satisfied. She spoke in a calm but sharp voice, "Do you know what you

Vaelen didn’t reply.

Her tone grew colder.

again," she said, "I will make sure that girl won’t be able to live peacefully in this palace. Not for a

eyes darkened. He finally looked at her, his voice low but

Uncle Maximus’s daughter. What has she

like this? Why did she always have to control everything? Every person he tried to be close with...she would ruin it. Every time

So she came herself to see who it was. And even after finding out that Serena was his own cousin,

was

wanted everyone under her command. Even her son’s

him calmly and said, "Do you know

answer. He just glared

her head slightly, her tone smooth

hate whores... and bastard

her chin proudly, and walked away with graceful steps without even glancing

The hall stayed silent.

shaking slightly from anger. His eyes burned, his hand clenched tightly at his

toward his father, King Lysandros, who was still sitting on his throne as

his father’s face

break something. But he didn’t. He just gave his father a long, hard look full of hatred before turning away and

words still echoed

I hate bastard children.

inside, those words hurt more than the slap

Serena didn’t stop running.

the royal dining hall to the long corridors, through the gates, down

away. Away from the palace, away from the people, away from