The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 157: Chapter 157

A week Later
LORD ATHEON'S DOMAIN
The four Lords sat around a table, the air thick with tension as they discussed.
"I thought we all agreed to keep our emotions in check," Lord Merek said, his words directed at Valoreth.
"Is that why you kept cutting me off in court? You need to have seen it-when she used her power, the way she controlled fire," Valoreth countered.
"You sent your men dressed like assassins and threatened to kill her sister. What did you expect?"
Valoreth raised a brow. "Are you drifting to her side now?"
Merek sighed, shutting his eyes momentarily. "Honestly, in all my centuries, this is the first time I don't know what to do. She was brave-standing before us without trembling, despite the fear swirling in her eyes."
"Bullshit. She called us cowards," Valoreth flared. "She dared to look us in the eyes and hurl insults to our faces."
"We weren't listening to her," Atheon said calmly. "She was simply trying to survive. Bearing the bloodline of both realms isn't her fault. We can't judge her for that."
"Have you seen a dragon, Lord Atheon?" Lord Damaris asked. "Have you seen what they can do? The fire they breathe? The things they destroy? Have you seen it?"
Atheon's jaw ticked as he remained silent.
"You've only held the seat of one of the Emissaries for seventy years. You don't understand the terror those bloody bastards can bring-not like us who witnessed it firsthand."
Valoreth added, "And now we have the child of their goddess about to become our queen." His gaze flicked to Merek. "And you expected me to control my fucking emotions?... Tell me, Lord Merek. When was the last time the king actually listened to us? He's making the same mistake as his father-letting that bloodline into our midst."
Merek's face twitched with discontent. "You heard what that Ouroboros said-or did you all choose to ignore it? The Ouroboros' goddess is dying, along with her people. They're vanishing from the surface of the world."
Valoreth let out a low laughter. "Oh Lord Merek, I thought about that theory too. Let's say their goddess is indeed dying and their land is indeed icy and dangerous for them, you really think they'll wait for their death?"
"Beyond their realm is just water, one that would take endless days to cross, they'll die half way. It's like the end of the world." Lord Merek countered, his brows creasing.
"So the Ouroboros are just going to sit still and wait for their death like a pretty obedient enemy? We all have survival instinct, so they do. Just the thought of an ouroboros assaulting the moon realm for months without being caught didn't ring the bell? They are among us Lord Merek."
"Lord Valoreth is right," Damaris agreed, wearing the same unsatisfied expression. "Who knows if they are already among the nobles? If the king had allowed that silvered son of a bitch to mention where they are, we would have investigated."
Lord Atheon, unable to contain himself, spoke up. "He was trying to protect his son and his people. If he had told us, I'm sure one of you would have sent soldiers to eradicate them all. Since they are dying, can't we just let them be?"
"And wait for fire to rain down upon us? They could be among us, waiting for Arianna to take the fucking throne," Damaris replied. Silence momentarily took over. "She gets the power and climbs high above us, then we all have to deal with them. From my perspective, she is going to talk to the king, and trust me, the king would listen. By the time we want to take action, it will be too late."
Valoreth chuckled, reaching for the Ouroboros book. "She was too smart to divert our questions. I was planning to ask if she had crossed any other Ouroboros in her palace. The head maid is a suspect; before this book came from her, the old woman looked nothing like them. Gray hair and gray eyes are natural, but still... Having this kind of book, she needs to let us know where she stands."
Damaris nodded in agreement. "We should have held a trial for her too. Her name, 'Selene,' sounds like she is one of us."
"She could be using that to confuse us. Names don't matter," Valoreth said.
"Perhaps she saw the book in some old library, saw it as something dangerous, and kept it," Atheon added. Valoreth shot him a short glare, but Atheon didn't waver. "This is wrong, my Lords. I understand how this might feel because I feel terrified as well, but I do not think this is necessary. The king knows what he is doing and we should trust him."
Lord Merek sighed, feeling stressed over the issue. Both parties had their own worries, but he trusted Duncan to do the right thing. The king knew what he saw before bringing her close, despite her bloodline.
After all, the king had also suffered terribly during the war. He must had accepted her for a reason.
Finally, he spoke. "The king has already given his command. We should trust him." His voice was edged with frustration. "Do you think he's blindly choosing a mate like a lovesick pup?"
Valoreth scoffed. "Isn't he?"
The king's words rang in Merek's head: 'I am the realm, and she is the one who keeps it beating.'
"We're not speaking of Duncan's emotions," Damaris retorted. "We're speaking of the throne. The future. The survival of the realm."
Silence swallowed their mist. Valoreth clicked his tongue, rage doubling in his chest.
"She can't be our queen, Lord Merek," Damaris said again, his voice thick. "If the king wants her by his side, then fine, but she will never be our queen."
Lord Merek's jaw ticked. "We are not allowed to make that decision. This is the king's mate-one he has been searching for centuries. One that healed his illness."
"Then the king can keep her as his mistress. She'll be dethroned, and the king shall take another bride and crown her while the one who bears the blood can remain in the shadows, satisfying him," Valoreth shrugged. "Great kings and elites do have many mistresses, despite having a mate. But ever since she came into the picture, she has been the only one taking him."
Damaris scoffed. "We might be doing her a favor. The strongest male in the realm can't be handled by just one woman. It wouldn't be a bad thing if she becomes his favorite mistress."
Lord Merek remained silent, staring at the two lords who had hatred in their eyes. He sighed, then flicked his gaze to the male seated in the corner, head back with a book covering his face.
"Can you tell me what he is doing here?" Merek asked, and the male reacted, removing the book from his face and looking at them.
A small smile crept onto Toran's lips. "Do not mind me, my Lord. I pose no threat."
"Just because you're the one who revealed this doesn't make you too important to sit there and listen to our conversation."
Toran simply smiled calmly, sitting up. "Pardon me, my Lord, but Lord Valoreth wants me here."
Merek gave Valoreth a look, as if asking him to send Toran away. However, Valoreth ignored his message and simply asked Toran, "What do you think?"
"Valoreth?" Merek shot.
"I think you should let the realm decide," Toran answered, and they all looked at him.
"That would cause chaos among them. The king won't like this," Atheon countered.
"The news will spread whether we want it to or not. Words will get out. All you have to do is be patient." A smirk formed on Toran's lips. "The king should listen to his people, after all."