THE UNEXPECTED DEMAND

CHAPTER 35

Lady Morphine stiffened, her breath hitching. She hadn't expected this moment to come so fast. Her hands trembled in her lap as her eyes darted around the hall, her gaze settled first on Queen Jonah, who sat idly counting her fingers as if the entire situation bored her. Then, slowly, she turned to Grace.

"A lot," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Grace exhaled sharply. "A lot?"

Lady Morphine gave a slow nod, her fingers twisting the fabric of her dress.

"Yes," Jonah interrupted, her voice light, almost playful. "It is a lot. And I will take no halves, King Quicke. I want it in full."

Grace turned her gaze toward Jonah, irritation curling in her chest. "Then name it," she demanded. "What do you want in full?"

Every eye in the room flickered between them.

Mr. Morphine was the first to break the silence. His voice was calm, but there was something restrained beneath it, something desperate.

"We have nothing left to offer," he admitted. "Queen Jonah has aided us in many ways. The only way to settle our debt is for her to name her price."

Grace inhaled deeply, forcing herself to keep her composure. "Then name your price, Jonah," she commanded. "And set them free."

Jonah let out a quiet chuckle. Then, with deliberate slowness, she rose to her feet.

Her silk gown trailed behind her as she circled the table, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. Her presence alone seemed to draw the room's energy toward her. She finally came to a stop beside Juliet.

"My price is simple." She lifted her chin. "I want her place."

Gasps erupted.

Juliet froze.

Grace's entire body tensed. This..this was what Jonah wanted? She had expected something cruel, something selfish, but this?

Grace stepped forward, closing the distance between them, her voice low and sharp.

"You know that's impossible."

Juliet couldn't hold it in any longer, her hand struck Jonah's face with a resounding slap. It was a single, sharp crack that echoed through the grand hall.

Jonah didn't flinch, didn't so much as breathe.

Instead, she merely turned her head back, her expression as smooth as ever. "I said what I said," she repeated, voice unwavering.

Juliet's breaths came in rapid bursts. She had always known Jonah was cruel, but this was a new level of betrayal.

Then, a voice cut through the tension, deep and steady.

"What happens to us, then?" It was Parkston.

For the first time since the meeting began, he spoke, his expression was unreadable, his tone flat.

Jonah let out a soft laugh, tilting her head. "Us?" she echoed.

She turned to him, amusement flickered in her eyes.

"What do you mean by us, Parkston?" Her voice was almost gentle, almost mocking. "You were never close to me."

She lifted a hand, examining her nails. "The only reason I ever entertained you was pity."

Grace's fingers curled into fists.

Jonah continued. "I let you linger around because I didn't want you mourning over Grace Johnson for too long." She snapped her fingers, as if dismissing a servant.

There was silence in the air,no one had been prepared for this, not even Grace.

Parkston stared at her for a long moment before slowly rising to his feet.

With measured movements, he brushed the dust from his robe. "You were never close to me either," he said simply.

He continued. "I let your family downplay me for too long, I let you have your way for too long." He met her gaze, and for the first time, Jonah's smirk faltered.

"As for Grace Johnson," he said, voice steady, "I still love her."

A sharp intake of breath filled the room.

Grace's heart clenched.

Parkston kept his gaze fixed on Jonah. "I think of her every night before I sleep," he admitted. "And I will continue to fight for her justice." And then his lips pressed into a thin line. "But this? This is the last thing I will ever take from you."

With that, he turned and strode out of the hall.

There was another moment of silence,before finally Jonah let out a small, scoffing laugh.

"That's what I get for allowing commoners to think they have power," she muttered, swinging a hand in Parkston's direction.

Grace felt something snap inside her, she had always been fierce as King Quicke, but as Grace Johnson? She couldn't stand hearing anyone insult Parkston.

Her gaze sharpened, "Jonah," she said, "watch your words."

Jonah's lips curled into a slow smile.

"Or what?"

Grace ignored her taunt, instead, she took a step closer.

"You cannot seriously expect to take your cousin's place," she said, her voice firm.

Jonah met her eyes. "Call it selfish, if you want," she replied smoothly. "I call it fair. I gave up everything my family worked for to bring Juliet here." Her voice turned hard. "And now you think I don't deserve to take her position?"

She scoffed, "I do deserve it, King Quicke."

Lady Morphine collapsed into sobs, and Juliet immediately knelt beside her, whispering reassurances.

Mr. Morphine hesitated before clearing his throat, his voice shaking. "Jonah," he said. "Name another price. Please."

Jonah turned to him, exhaling slowly.

"You cry like a weak man," she murmured. "No wonder your family could never compete with mine."

Mr. Morphine's shoulders hunched, his sobs silent but visible.

Jonah turned back to Grace. "Oh, well," she said with an exaggerated sigh. "Since you insist on me picking something else, then I suppose I'll make a new request."

She smiled as she spoke. "I want a few of the tallest people of Alagascar to return home with me."

Grace's jaw tightened. "For what purpose?"

Jonah's smirk widened. "Their height will be useful," she said vaguely. "Besides, what I do with them shouldn't be your concern."

Grace's nails dug into her palms, then she responded. "So if this demand is granted," she asked, her voice dangerously low, "the Morphines will be free?"

Jonah exhaled as if this was all so trivial to her.

"Yes," she said simply. "They will be free."