Chapter 92 The Law
Maureen Laskovic
\[A Week Later — Royal Courtroom\]
“Your Majesty, please grant me this one wish. I beg you…”
The woman’s desperate cry echoed across the courtroom as she hurried forward, clutching a file of medical reports. Her hands shook as she submitted them to me.
“My husband cheated. He left me and our two children… and now he wants to take them from me. He calls me shameless. Says I carry diseases.” Her voice broke. “But look at my reports. They are clean.”
Tears streamed down her face.
I reached for the documents and carefully read through each page. Every test. Every result. Clean.
The guards brought the husband forward. I listened to his side of the story as well. Accusations. Pride. Anger. No proof.
When both had finished, I straightened in my seat.
“My ruling is final,” I said firmly. “Until the investigation is completed, the children will remain at the Royal Children’s Care. They will be supervised and protected while this matter is settled.”
The woman gasped softly, fear flashing in her eyes.
I stepped down from the throne so I was standing in front of her.
“They will be safe,” I assured her. “Fed. Guarded. Educated. This is only temporary. No harm will come to them.”
She nodded, though tears continued to fall.
As she was escorted out, I remained still for a moment.
How far would a woman go for her child?
The question lingered in my mind longer than I expected.
\---
The rest of the day passed in petitions and rulings. Land disputes. Pack finances. Border concerns. I handled each matter with composure, but by evening, fatigue settled into my bones.
I stepped outside to the terrace, lowering myself into a chair. The sky was painted in orange and gold. A glass of juice rested in my hand as I stared ahead, letting the quiet soothe me.
Soft footsteps approached.
“My lady,” Livia said gently. “It is time for your medicine.”
I looked up at her.
The herbal mixture was meant to strengthen my body. Prepare it. Increase my chances of conceiving.
“Livia…”
“Yes, my lady?”
I hesitated before asking, “Do you think I will be a great mother?”
She smiled warmly. “Of course, my lady. I know so. You are a wonderful woman. A strong leader. You would be a great mother.”
A small smile touched my lips.
“Hmm. I wish I had one, you know. I’ve always wanted children.”
She nodded softly.
“Oh yes. The medicine — can you bring it to me here?”
“Of course, my lady.”
She bowed and left.
Moments later, warm hands slid around my waist and lips brushed the side of my neck.
“Hello, beautiful…”
I leaned back slightly, smiling.
“Hello, handsome. Long day, huh?”
He nodded against my skin. “Long day.”
Livia returned, placing the cup on the small table beside me. She bowed respectfully to the Alpha before stepping away.
Vuk’s eyes fell on the steaming cup.
“What is that?”
“A herbal tea.”
“And why are you taking it? I didn’t notice you feeling sick.”
“I’m not sick,” I said softly. “I’m taking it to purify my body… for kids.”
His arms tightened around me immediately.
“Baby, we’ve talked about this, haven’t we?”
I looked up at him.
“You don’t need to force anything,” he continued, holding me close. “No need to drink that. Okay?”
“Okay, but—”
“I need to ask you something,” he said finally, his voice low, weighted. His arms didn’t loosen, but the warmth of his touch felt sharper, more urgent.
I looked up at him, frowning. “Yeah? What is it, hun?”
He hesitated, eyes drifting to the edge of the terrace, scanning shadows like a predator. Then he returned his gaze to me, dark with concern. “Have you… been around someone unusual lately? Someone… off?”
I blinked. “Vuk… we meet dozens of people every day. What do you mean?”
“No, not like everyone,” he pressed. “Something isn’t right. I’ve been sensing it for weeks… a faint trace. Almost nothing. But it’s there.” He paused, weighing his words. “Black magic.”
I stiffened. “Black magic is forbidden…”
“Exactly.” His jaw tightened. His eyes swept the courtyard, sharp and alert, every instinct on edge. “It’s subtle. Almost gone the moment it appears. Whoever is using it knows how to mask it, hide it… but I can still sense the sourness beneath. Just enough to know it exists.”
“So,” he continued, voice sharper now, “tell me… why is someone practicing forbidden magic in the pack house of all places?”
“Oh…” My thoughts immediately flashed to Celeste. If I told him now, he might destroy the entire pack house—and I couldn’t allow that. I forced the feeling aside, dismissing it as just the strange air today.
Later that day, I did what any sensible leader would do. I lined up all the maids and slaves in the pack house and handed each of them a talisman designed to detect black magic.
Celeste was the first to step forward and wear her talisman. I positioned myself a few steps away, watching closely, every instinct on edge.
“My lady… is someone in this place practicing black magic?” she asked softly, her voice carrying a note of genuine curiosity. It was odd—she seemed calm, but something in the way she spoke made my pulse tighten. I hadn’t mentioned anything beyond handing out the talismans, yet she had somehow guessed the purpose.
I stepped closer, eyes narrowing. “How did you know black magic was the topic of the day? Or the reason for the talisman?”
She bowed her head slightly. “Forgive me, my lady… but I overheard you speaking with Lady Livia.”
I frowned, scanning the room. Everyone wore their talismans, yet none of them reacted. No flicker, no pulse, no warning. My chest tightened. If Celeste was my main suspect and she wasn’t triggering anything… then who, in all this place, was actually practicing black magic? The thought made my stomach churn.
The uncertainty clung to me as I finished my rounds and returned to my chambers that night. The quiet of the palace offered no comfort. Maybe I was the cause of this unease. Lord Cassian was vicious, and somehow I had allowed him to bring in his so-called “far relative.” Relative my foot. The word felt bitter in my mouth, heavy with warning signs I hadn’t listened to.
The door opened quietly, and Vuk slipped inside. His presence was like a wave of warmth, soft silk wrapping around me.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” His voice carried concern, but also something deeper—an edge I hadn’t noticed before.
“Oh yes… I am,” I said automatically, though a flutter of doubt lingered.
“I have something important to tell you, but not today…” He took my hand and pressed it gently in his, a silent anchor. “But you have to promise me… you won’t be mad at me.”
“Why would I be mad at you?” I asked, though my heart raced slightly at the weight of his tone.
“Right…” He let the words hang for a moment, just long enough to make me uneasy.
I leaned into him, pressing gently. “So…”
“So…” he echoed, a teasing smile tugging at the corner of his lips. But the warmth in his eyes betrayed something else—anticipation, pride, maybe even a little nervousness.
“What is this big deal? And also—I got a message from someone. They’re ready to sell the land in the center. Why are you buying it?” I asked, curiosity edging my tone.
He chuckled softly, the sound low and comforting. “Oh… that. I have a plan.”
“Plan?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow.
“To build an academy,” he said simply, eyes gleaming.
I laughed, though a question hung between us. “Why? You want to go back to school?”
“No, baby… the school is for our children. All three.”
I blinked, startled. “All three? I’m not pregnant yet, Vuk. How can you be so sure?”
He gave a shrug, playful but resolute. “Whatever… all I know is Reen Academy is for our future.”
“Reen?” I asked, narrowing my eyes, though I couldn’t help smiling.
“Ye—MauREEN!” he said, laughing. I couldn’t resist; I pulled him into a hug, letting the comfort of him settle my nerves for a moment. His chest was warm, steady, and grounding.
As we pulled back, I studied him. “So… what’s the other thing you wanted to tell me?”
“Oh, that…” His eyes flickered with a secret, dark and bright all at once. “I’ll tell
you soon. Very soon…”
“How soon?” I pressed, leaning closer, trying to catch every nuance.
“Next month. On the Blood Moon. I’ll tell you something incredibly beautiful.”