The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 80: Chapter 80

"Are you alright?"
Toran's voice snapped Kael out of his thoughts, making him tear his gaze away from the King, who sat on his throne, staring down at the entertainment at the center of the hall, radiating dominance.
"Yeah," Kael cleared his throat, adjusting his already perfectly set attire. "I'm fine."
"What do you mean Arianna Greystone was a bastard?" Toran asked, but Kael barely registered his words. His focus remained on the King, who suddenly met his gaze.
Kael immediately averted his eyes and tried his best to focus on the entertainment before him.
"Did you hear my question?" Toran's voice snapped his attention back.
"Hm?"
"I asked, why is Arianna a bastard?" Toran repeated, but Kael was so unsettled, sweating profusely.
"Excuse me," he muttered before rising to his feet and making his way out of the hall to catch his breath.
Now outside, Kael swallowed hard, running his fingers through his hair as he gazed up at the sky.
He cleared his throat. Why was he so affected? Perhaps the King was the commoner's twin brother.
Why would a king dress like a commoner.
Relax, Kael. You did nothing wrong. After all, he was the one who hit him first... That commoner, though. Not the King.
Kael turned to leave but froze upon spotting a figure dressed in silver on the floor above. She was heading somewhere, her face concealed in the shadows, making it difficult for Kael to get a proper glimpse of her.
Could that be...?
He shook his head. When he glanced up again, she was already gone.
Maybe it was the ale I had earlier is making me see things. The lady could be anyone.
Drawing in a deep breath, Kael headed back to the hall.
•••••••••
GRAND HALL
The hall was filled with elegant music. Guests laughed and chattered as they celebrated, the air buzzing with energy, mingling with the scent of wine.
Elites sat in their respective seats according to rank. Valkyrie, on the other hand, sat close to the king-as his betrothed.
The last time she had seen the king was with Arianna, and thinking of that scene in the dining room made her heart clench.
Slowly, she shifted her gaze to him. He sat on his grand chair, a regal presence with a blank expression, but his eyes held a subtle danger as they swept through the hall.
Could this be because of Arianna? Could she be dead, just as her father had said?
Valkyrie averted her gaze, shifting it to her father, who drank without a care in the world. He must have placed his faith in her-someone who didn't even know if doom awaited her.
Whether the king crowned her or not, her life would never be the same after this banquet.
"Something is wrong," Pericles whispered to Magnus.
Magnus, who had been laughing with the other lords, turned to him.
"What?"
Pericles narrowed his eyes. "Are you drunk, Ser Magnus?"
Magnus shook his head. "No, just tipsy. What do you mean, something is wrong?"
"I don't know. I just hope tonight favors us, future Gamma," Pericles said with a knowing smile.
"Don't you see? The king is awfully quiet. He hasn't spoken a word since he entered the hall. He must be mourning his slave's death."
Pericles sighed. Magnus was the type to boast of his success even before receiving confirmation. Though his plans rarely failed, Pericles felt uneasy about this one in particular.
"My daughter is sitting by the king's side, Pericles. Don't you know what that means?" Magnus asked.
"Alright. To the success of tonight." They clinked their glasses together and took a sip of wine.
Around a subtly dim-lit corner, Arianna stopped in place, her gaze down at the large hall filled with Elites. Her eyes spotted Kael among them.
Tonight was not the best time for Kael's doom. Oh, she couldn't wait to give this fool a taste of his own medicine...
"Aria."
Arianna turned to see Brigid and Lylah standing behind her.
"Guys," Arianna smiled.
"We are not here for the banquet; we came to watch the show," Brigid said, and Arianna smiled, returning her gaze to the Elites.
Lylah also did. "So is the bastard here?"
"Yes."
Lylah clenched her jaw, spotting Kael among the Elites. "Indeed, he is here. The bastard is here"
She glanced back at Arianna; Lylah could see the worries and concerns swirling in her sister's gaze.
"Are you alright?" Lylah asked, and Arianna nodded.
No. Arianna wasn't fine.
The next aspect of the ceremony was the crowning of a Luna: Valkyrie.
Would she stand here and watch her mate mark and crown another woman?
Would Duncan actually do that?
The entertainment ended; applause erupted in the hall as the musicians and dancers bowed before the king before leaving the place.
Lucas joined the ceremony, sitting among the High Lords, his seat more respectable. He couldn't miss the show after all.
King Duncan, however, suddenly raised his arms. The whispers and laughter slowly died down. Their eyes fixed on him as he slowly rose to his feet.
"Before the next course of the ceremony, I have an important announcement to make," his deep voice resonated through the hall.
Then, with a single nod, the heavy doors of the grand hall creaked open.
Two armored guards stepped inside, dragging a frail figure between them. Gasps and murmurs erupted among the nobles as the woman, marred with blood, was dropped at the center of the room.
The scent-that of a witch. One Magnus recognized. His palm immediately turned sweaty.
"Loyalty." His deep voice resonated, sharp and commanding as he stepped down from the podium with slow steps. "It is the foundation upon which our kingdom stands. Without it, there is no trust. No honor. No order."
The witch trembled like a leaf in a storm as the king approached, then stopped paces away from her.
"State your crime," he ordered.
Magnus's feet trembled on the floor, Toran's hold on his glass tightened while Valkyrie's breath became ragged.
"I deceived you, my king. I prepared forbidden magic, one that will draw your attention to Lady Valkyrie so that you would choose her as your betrothed and future Luna."