Chapter 175

Chapter 175
Rhea

I stepped to the edge of the stage. "My name is Rhea Winterbourne. I am the eldest daughter of Grand Duke Richard Winterbourne, and six months ago, I was supposed to marry Crown Prince Tyrant to prevent war between our nations." I forced myself to breathe. "The night before our wedding, I discovered what kind of man he really was. He tried to force himself on me. He tried to mark me against my will, to bind me permanently so I could never escape."

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"I fought back. I injured him and ran, because I knew if I stayed, I'd spend the rest of my life as his property, with no voice and no choice." My fists clenched. "My father signed that contract under threat of invasion. Tyrant told him that if I didn't marry him, Ironfang would crush the Winterbourne Duchy. So my father did what he thought he had to do. But I couldn't. I couldn't sacrifice myself to a monster, even for peace."

"So you came here," Ashford prompted. "Why Zenith?"

"Because I wanted to be strong. Because I was tired of being a pawn, a prize to be traded. I wanted to learn how to fight, how to be worthy of my title instead of just wearing it like a costume." I looked at Finn. "I'm sorry I lied. I'm sorry I deceived all of you. But if I'd come here as Princess Rhea, I would have been treated differently. I would never have known if I truly earned my place or if it was just handed to me."

"You earned it," Finn called out. "Nobody handed you anything, Your Highness. You bled for every point you scored."

"I did," I agreed, feeling something fierce unfurl in my chest. "I bled and sweated and pushed myself harder than I thought possible. And I proved—to myself, if no one else—that I could survive here on my own merits. That being female doesn't make me weak. That I have just as much right to wear this uniform as any of you."

"But you still broke the rules," someone called. "The academy is male-only for a reason—"

"Are what?" I interrupted, my wolf surging forward. "Emotional? Weak? Incapable of handling pressure?" I gestured to the scars visible on my neck. "I've survived everything this academy threw at me. I've fought, I've bled, I've passed every test. The only difference between me and you is what's between my legs, and last I checked, that doesn't affect my ability to throw a punch or read a tactical map."

Thoughtful silence fell. I saw some female staff members nodding, saw students looking at me with something like admiration. But also anger, wolves who felt betrayed.

"What do you want from us?" Ashford asked. "Tyrant gave us twenty-four hours. What do you expect Zenith to do?"

I took a deep breath. "I don't expect anything. I know I broke your rules. I know I lied. If you want to expel me, I'll understand." My voice grew stronger. "But I'm asking you to stand with me. Not because I'm a princess. But because what Tyrant is trying to do is wrong. He's trying to force someone into a marriage they don't want. He's using violence and threats to take away my freedom, my choice, my right to decide my own future."

I looked out at them—at the female workers, at the male students. "I'm not asking for special treatment. I'm asking for the same rights you take for granted—the right to choose my own path, to prove myself through my actions, to be judged on my merits."

My voice rang clear. "I came here to become a soldier. To learn how to protect the people I love and fight for what I believe in. And I'm asking you to give me the chance to finish what I started. Not as a princess. As a warrior. As one of you."

Endless silence. Then Finn stood up, clapping. "She's right. Ray—Rhea—whoever she is, she earned her place here. She helped me pass the entrance exams. She's been a good friend. And she deserves our support."

Marcus stood next. "She beat me in a fair fight. That's all that matters to me."

More students rose, some clapping, some just standing. Not all of them—plenty remained seated, skeptical or hostile. But enough.

Then one of the older female kitchen staff stood. "I've worked at this academy for thirty years. Thirty years of cooking and cleaning while watching boys get opportunities I was never allowed because I was born female." She looked at me. "You did what I never could, Your Highness. You proved we belong here just as much as they do. And I'll be damned if I let some foreign tyrant drag you back after you fought so hard to escape."

Other female staff rose, faces set with determination. Tears pricked my eyes.

Ashford surveyed the hall, then turned to me. "Princess Rhea Winterbourne, you have violated academy regulations. Under normal circumstances, this would warrant immediate expulsion." He paused. "However, these are not normal circumstances. You have demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, and courage. And you have exposed a fundamental flaw in our system—one that has excluded half our population from serving to their full potential."

He addressed the crowd. "Zenith was founded on excellence—training the best warriors and leaders our nations can produce. If we turn away talented individuals simply because of their gender, we fail that mission. We weaken ourselves out of outdated prejudice."

His voice grew stronger. "Therefore, as of this moment, Zenith's male-only policy is suspended pending Board review. Princess Rhea will retain her enrollment, and qualified female applicants will be given equal consideration in future admissions."

The hall erupted—some cheering, some protesting. Ashford raised his hand. "As for Crown Prince Tyrant's ultimatum, I will be clear: Zenith does not bow to threats. We do not hand over our students to anyone. If Ironfang wants to pursue this, they can do so through diplomatic channels. But they will not take Princess Rhea by force. Not while I'm Dean."

He looked at me. "You asked to be judged as a warrior, Princess. Very well. You will continue your training. You will complete your coursework. And when you graduate—if you graduate—you will do so having earned every honor through your own merit. No special treatment. No exceptions. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," I managed. "Thank you, sir."

"Don't thank me yet. You still have to survive the next twenty-four hours. And Tyrant isn't going to take my refusal lying down." He addressed everyone. "Students, return to your dormitories and await instructions. Faculty, report to my office. We need to prepare for the possibility that Ironfang will attempt forcible extraction."

As the crowd dispersed, still talking animatedly, I felt the weight of what just happened settle over me. I'd done it. I'd told thousands of people the truth and claimed my right to be here. And somehow, impossibly, they'd listened.

Kael's hand found mine. "That was incredibly brave. And incredibly stupid. You painted a target on your back."

"The target was already there," I replied. "At least now everyone knows why."

Jax's arm slid around my waist. "You were amazing up there. Like a queen addressing her army."

Alex pushed through and pulled me into a crushing hug. "You terrify me sometimes, little sister. But damn if you didn't just change history."

I hugged him back, drawing strength from his familiar scent. "It's not over yet. Tyrant's not going to just give up. Twenty-four hours."

"Then we use those twenty-four hours to prepare," Kael said, dropping into his tactical tone. "We fortify our position. We gather allies. And we make damn sure that when he comes for you, he finds a fight he's not prepared for."

"Agreed," Alex said grimly. "Let's go. We have work to do."

As we left, I caught one last glimpse of the Ironfang soldiers taking positions around the perimeter, weapons gleaming in the sun. Somewhere out there, Tyrant was planning his next move.

But I wasn't the terrified girl who'd run from him six months ago. I was stronger now. Smarter. And I had an army of my own—not just my mates and my brother, but an entire academy full of wolves who'd just chosen to stand with me.

Twenty-four hours. That's all we had.

But sometimes, twenty-four hours was enough to change everything.