The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 150: Chapter 150

Even though Arianna had expected this, she still felt goosebumps. The Four Wings Emissaries were against her.
A big problem.
“The last Lord, the one from the West, will arrive tomorrow. That means the trial is in two days.”
Selene gasped behind Arianna, the color draining from her face.
Clenching her fists beneath the table, Arianna forced herself to remain calm.
“I tried to convince them, but I suppose they’re just confused and worried,” Lucas said.
“It's alright, my Lord. Thank you so much for the effort.” A tight smile spread across her lips as she lowered her gaze.
“I’m thinking… maybe you should leave the Citadel and wait until the King’s arrival,” Lucas said, and Arianna looked up at him. “I’ll assign many soldiers to protect you no matter what. The trial would be easier if Duncan were here.”
“I’ll stay,” Arianna said without missing a beat.
“Aria,” Selene chimed in, shocked.
“Leaving will prove them right—that I pose a threat. Why would I leave when I’ve done nothing wrong?”
“They are cunning, Aria, especially Valoreth,” concern filled the Grand Lord’s eyes. “Facing them is like standing at the edge of the sharpest sword. One mistake, and they’ll pounce on you. Are you sure you can face them?”
This time, several beats of silence passed.
“I’m sure,” Arianna finally said, her voice quiet but no less firm. “I’ll face them.”
Selene's breath shook. "Aria, this is dangerous—”
“You should know me better, Selene,” she said, lifting her soft gaze to the older woman. “I don’t run.”
Selene swallowed hard, her heart racing.
A hint of admiration flashed in Lucas’s eyes as he spoke. “Alright then. I’ll make preparations. But if things take a turn, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.”
••••••••••••••••••
Two days later.
Arianna dressed herself in a simple yet dignified gown of deep navy blue. It hugged her modestly, its high collar fastened with small silver clasps, and the sleeves were fitted snugly around her arms.
“My lady, are you sure you want to do this?” Nyra asked worriedly. She had returned yesterday morning, and the witnesses she found—none had seen Jarik with the rogue, which meant Arianna would face the Lords alone.
The thought of it caused a knot in her stomach.
Selene looked as though she were about to lose her soul, as if she was the one about to stand before the court today.
Arianna simply gave them a smile before heading out.
Four hefty guards—each from one of the Emissaries’ wings—were waiting for her. Lord Lucas stood behind them with an unreadable gaze.
“You’ll have to wear this,” one of the guards said, bringing out thick hand shackles.
Lucas’s jaw clenched. The look in his eyes made it clear he had argued with the Lords about the chains before coming here.
“You don’t have to, Arianna,” he said, seeming ready to intervene if she refused.
“No, It’s fine,” the last thing she wanted was to have the Beta argue with the Emissaries before her trial.
She stretched out her hands, signaling the guards to proceed. The one locking the shackle on her locked eyes with her, but Arianna didn’t flinch—she returned his gaze with a look of quiet superiority.
Once done, the guard stepped back, smirking at her as if she were stepping into her doom.
The large doors creaked open, groaning under their weight. Arianna stepped into the courtroom, the shackles clanking at her wrists as she walked. The four seated Lords immediately turned their attention to her.
The oldest of them was Lord Merek of the Western Wing, his brown hair falling to his shoulders, his eyes sharp like daggers.
Beside him sat Lord Valoreth of the Southern Wing, the one whose eyes held calculated malice and lips were always curved in a perpetual sneer.
The other two—Lord Damaris of the Eastern Wing and Lord Atheon, the youngest of the Northern Wing—looked more neutral, but Arianna knew better than to assume their silence meant support.
A few nobles were present as audience.
The view reminded Arianna of her first time in court, when she had stood before the Grand King as a slave, with her life hanging in the balance.
It was happening again. Only this time, she was facing the four pillars of the realm—ready to question her bloodline.
One mistake, and it was all over.
But one thing was clear—she was innocent, and she was going to prove it.
This is crazy. She could have listened to Lucas and hidden until her love returned. But that wasn’t her way.
If she was going to be Queen, then this was her chance to prove she wasn’t weak.
Lucas didn’t stand far off, his eyes calculating, ready to act if things went wrong.
There was a flicker of surprise in the eyes of the four Lords—perhaps they hadn’t expected her to show up… or to look so fearless.
“Let the trial begin,” Lord Valoreth said, breaking the silence.
A subtle smirk graced Arianna’s lips as she thought,
Bring it on.