Contract With The Alpha King

"That- Lady... Lady Elise..." a voice interrupted Elise's attention. "That-your arm..." Elise frowned as she looked at her arm.

Almost immediately, her breath hitched as her eyes locked onto it. The dark veins and ominous pulsing patterns that had spread like cracks across her skin were gone. Her arm was pristine, its normal color untouched by any trace of the supposed curse. She froze, her mind reeling.

"No," Elise whispered, staggering back. "No. That's impossible!" Her hands trembled as she turned her arm over, examining it from every angle. There was nothing. The dark lines were completely gone, as though they had never been there. A cold chill swept over her as her gaze shot to Fiona, who stood a few paces away, calm and collected.

"What's wrong, sister?" Fiona asked, tilting her head slightly, her expression serene. "Where is the proof you promised to show?"

Elise's lips parted, but no words came out. She turned toward her father, desperation flickering in her wide eyes. "Father... I've been framed!" she said, her voice rising with panic. "It-it was there! Just moments ago. I swear it was there!"

Thomas's frown deepened as his gaze shifted from Elise's arm to her face. He stepped forward, taking her wrist and inspecting it himself. His eyes narrowed as he ran his fingers along her forearm, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. "Elise," he said slowly. "What exactly is going on here?"

"It's her!" Elise snapped, pointing a shaking finger at Fiona. "She did something to me! She's trying to make me look like a liar!"

Fiona raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she regarded Elise. "Me?" she asked. "You were so confident just moments ago. You said this was a curse, that I used dark magic to harm you. Yet now, your arm is perfectly fine. Are you suggesting I somehow made it all disappear? How?" Elise's breathing quickened as she looked around the room, her gaze darting to the faces of the council members, the Queen, and the King. All of them were watching her intently, their expressions a mix of curiosity and suspicion. Her heart pounded as she realized she was losing control of the situation. "It was there!" Elise insisted, pulling her arm back from her father. She held it up, turning it toward the crowd as if willing the dark veins to reappear. "It was real! I could feel it-I could see it. She must have... she must have done something to make it vanish!" Elijah stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Elise. "Lady Elise," he said, his words deliberate. "Where is the proof you promised to show the King and Queen? A curse, as you claimed, doesn't simply disappear."

Elise's head snapped toward him, her expression wild. "It's her!" she shouted again, her voice trembling. "She's trying to ruin me! She "

"Enough," the King interrupted, his tone cold and final. He gestured toward Elise's arm. "Lady Elise, you made a serious accusation against your sister, one that could have severe consequences. Yet now, you stand here with no evidence to support your claim. Do you realize the gravity of what you've done?"

Elise's knees buckled slightly as the weight of his words pressed down on her. She glanced at Fiona, who stood silently, her expression unreadable. A slow, creeping realization settled over Elise-she had fallen into a trap. Fiona had set her up, and she had walked straight into it.

Fiona's lips curled into a faint smile as she stepped closer. "Sister," she said softly. "You seem unwell. Perhaps you should rest. After all, false accusations can be... exhausting."

Elise's fists clenched at her sides, her entire body trembling. She had no way to explain what had happened, no way to salvage the situation. All she could feel was the burning humiliation of being outplayed so effortlessly.

The Queen's gaze lingered on Elise, a subtle smirk tugging at her lips as she stepped forward. "Lady Elise," she said, her tone almost mocking, "it seems there's been a misunderstanding. But don't worry the King and I are always here to ensure justice is served-fairly." Elise's eyes darted to her father again, but his expression was unreadable. Her breath caught as she realized she was alone in this, her credibility shattered before the most powerful figures in the room. And all because of Fiona.

"You" she glared at Fiona. "You dare trick me!?" Without a second thought, she marched toward Fiona and tried to slap her. However, Elijah intercepted her hand, gripping it so tightly it made her cry out. "Don't you lay your dirty finger on my wife!"

Elise gritted her teeth, trying to pull her arm free from Elijah's grasp. "Let me go!" she demanded, her voice trembling with frustration and pain.

Elijah's grip didn't loosen. He stared at her, his expression hard as stone. "Why did you try to harm Fiona?" he asked, his voice low but firm. "What exactly are you trying to accomplish here?"

Elise struggled against him, glaring up at him with defiance. "You were there!" she spat. "You saw what your precious wife did. Why are you protecting her? She's a witch!"

Elijah's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening slightly. "Careful with your words," he warned. "Accusing a Prince's wife of being a witch is treason. And treason could get you killed."

Elise let out a sharp laugh. "I am the next heir of the Rosenthal family!" she said. "Would you dare harm me? Would you risk the wrath of my clan?"

Elijah's gaze grew colder, his presence suddenly oppressive. "Are you trying to challenge me, Lady Elise?" he asked, his voice laced with unspoken menace.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Elise's breath caught as the air

around her seemed to thicken. A suffocating wave of killing intent pressed down on her, making her knees buckle. She opened her

mouth to speak, but the word

wouldn't come. Her chest heaved as she fought for breath, her body trembling under the weight of

Elijah's presence.

"Enough!" Thomas's voice rang out sharply as he stepped forward. He grabbed Elise's other arm, yanking her away from Elijah. "Let her go," he said, his tone firm as he pulled his daughter back.

Elijah suddenly released Elise's

wrist. The abruptness caught her off

guard. She staggered back, her balance faltering. Her eyes widened in shock as she toppled backward, her arms flailing. A gasp rippled through the room as she hit the ground, her dress pooling around her in disarray.

Elise looked up, her face burning with humiliation as she met the gazes of the gathered crowd. Her father quickly knelt beside her, helping her to her feet, but the damage was done. The whispers began immediately, a low murmur that filled the hall. "Lady Elise," Fiona's voice cut through the noise. "Are you alright? I'd hate for anyone to think I had something to do with this as well."

Elise glared at her, her hands trembling as she clutched her father's arm for support. "You" she began, but Thomas silenced her with a sharp look.

"Enough, Elise," he said, his voice low and firm. "You've done enough damage for one night."

Elijah stepped back, his gaze steady as he watched the scene unfold. "Perhaps," Thomas said, his words deliberate. "It's best if Lady Elise takes some time to reflect. The accusations she's made are serious. It would be wise to tread carefully from here." Elise clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought the urge to lash out again. She felt her father's grip tighten on her arm. It was a silent warning to remain silent.

"I believe we have seen enough." The King cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the room. "This matter is closed," he said.

"Closed?" Elijah said as he glanced

at his father. This woman just

accused the wife of a Prince, Your Majesty. By accusing my wife, she is

and

accusing me, your eldest son, the one set to join the Rite of Kings. She is accusing someone who could become the next Alpha King! She is accusing the crown!"