Chapter 12: Framed

A scroll was unfurled, revealing the Queen Dowager's official seal.

"The Lady Genevieve has been accused of conspiring against the Crown," the guard read aloud. "She has been found guilty of exchanging letters with a known enemy of the throne."

Her vision blurred.

No…

She struggled as they grabbed her wrists, shackling her hands with cold iron.

She was being framed.

And she knew exactly who was behind it.

But what, how would she prove it?

As they dragged her through the halls, Lady Evelyne stood at the top of the stairs, watching with a satisfied smirk.

And at the end of the grand hall stood Edric.

His golden eyes locked onto hers, unreadable.

He said nothing.

Did nothing.

Even as they forced her to her knees before the throne.

Even as the Queen Dowager stepped forward.

"My son," she addressed Edric, "the evidence is undeniable. Your mate has betrayed the Crown."

Genevieve met Edric's gaze, searching for any sign that he would help her, that he would save her. But his expression remained cold.

The Queen Dowager smiled. "What is your judgment, my King?"

The room fell into silence.

Genevieve's heart pounded.

Edric's gaze lingered on her for a fraction too long.

Then he spoke.

"Send her back to the dungeons."

The words sealed her fate, and this time as the guards dragged her away, she didn't fight.

Didn't scream.

But she made a vow.

She would not break.

And she would make every single one of them pay.

She got into the dungeon again and she couldn't believe it was her second time in there.

It was overwhelming.

She wanted to cry, but was that going to help? She knew it wasn't going to help, so she had to remain strong, for her father, her family.

She fell to the cold ground, but this time all she thought about was how to free herself.

Days turned into weeks, and yet she didn't see the king around the dungeons. He had not come to see her, "what mate bond?" She let out a bittersweet smile.

Just then she heard a sound and, looking towards the entrance, she saw a guard hold onto his cuddle stick as he walked in.

She knew him. "Please, can you tell me about my father's condition? Is he fine?" With worries etched on her face, she ran to the door of her dungeon and asked the guard.

"I still respect you, Lady Genevieve, so I'm going to answer once. His condition is getting worse, and the healers are being useless, so I heard." She fell backwards.

She sat on pins and needles. She longed to be by her father's side, but she knew it was too impossible. "Can you please allow me to visit the Alpha? I promise I'll be quick." Summoning her courage, she called out to the guard again.

Once again, he approached her, but he remained motionless, as if he hadn't heard a word she said.

A week ago, her words were treated with respect, but everything changed because of Aldric and her so-called mate.

Guess her status in the pack had shifted from being the daughter of a great man to being a criminal. "How lucky am I?" She laughed as a tear fell from her eyes.

"Then can I see my father?" She looked at the guard as she asked. She understood the guard's silence and couldn't blame him. "Please, I am begging you. I just need to see him real quick. After that, I'll leave his room immediately," she continued to plead desperately.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot grant your request," she could see it in his eyes, and though the cell was dimly lit, he didn't believe she would truly commit treason. Like, how could a weak girl like her commit treason?

However, his personal opinion held no weight against the evidence they had, right? Funny. "I really just need to see him, please!" She went on her knees, desperately looking up at him.

"I can't let you do that, Luna. Everything is pointing to you and if you dare to leave the dungeon you would be charged with more crimes."

She rolled my eyes, she didn't care about being charged, Genevieve cared only about her father.

Genevieve's mind raced with confusion and disbelief.

Her world was crumbling as the weight of the accusations sank in. The hope she had clung to for her survival shattered into countless pieces.

Facing accusations of planning a coup on top of having an affair was a grave offense that carried the penalty of death. She knew how much the queen dowager despised her but Genevieve couldn't comprehend why she would frame me up so much not just to send her out of the palace but to kill her.

However, she knew that only the queen dowager herself could answer her question. Something so impossible.

Time flew by, and another week passed while Genevieve remained locked up in the cell.

She had little appetite and barely ate anything. She just could not bring herself to eat when her father remained unconscious, and not knowing his condition caused her great worry.

The king still didn't show his face, perhaps burdened by guilt afterall she was his mate.

"The trial has been set for tomorrow. You will appear before the senior elders for questioning." The announcement from the guard on duty interrupted her thoughts as she looked up at him.

"Tomorrow?" The realization hit Her that her fate would be decided that day.

Could I escape the impending judgment?

Genevieve didn't think she could.

With a mounting pile of accusations and no one to stand up for her, it seemed like tomorrow marked her doomsday.

"Father is sick; the queen dowager framed me; my mate hates me; I'm definitely doomed." She smiled; what else could she do?

"Will the king be present at the trial?" Genevieve asked.

As her mate, he was her last hope.

Else she couldn't start thinking of the punishment.

One would be stripped naked and subjected to flogging with hot metal, a form of torture that very few could endure for more than a few minutes.

Laying on the worn-out mattress, Genevieve felt tears fall down her eyes, she couldn't help but cry at the cruel hand fate had dealt her.