Chapter 9 - The Cleansing of the Realm
“Guards!” King Jacob commanded coldly.
Four elite royal guards stepped into the room, their spears raised.
“Take Marcus and Lissa to the outer border,” Jacob ordered. “Strip them of all titles, confiscate every coin of silver they received from the royal treasury, and banish them from the Alpha Realm forever. If they step foot within ten miles of my kingdom again, execute them on sight.”
“No! Reena, help us! We are your family!” Marcus screamed as the guards dragged him away by his collar.
“You abandoned your daughter,” Reena said softly, turning her back on them as their screams faded down the corridor. “Now live with the choice you made.”
With the ghosts of her past finally banished, the nursery returned to a peaceful quiet.
Jacob closed the distance between them. He did not ask for a hug or a kiss; he simply stood beside her, looking at Prince Samuel, who was now sleepily rubbing his eyes.
Samuel reached out his little arms, giggling, grabbing both Reena’s skirt and Jacob’s hand, dragging them closer together.
“He knows,” Jacob whispered softly. “He knows who his real mother is.”
Reena looked at the tiny boy who had saved her soul just as much as she had saved his life. She looked at Jacob, seeing the raw sincerity and profound love shining in the king’s eyes. He had made a grave mistake in his darkest, most desperate hour, but he had proven he was willing to surrender his pride, his kingdom, and his life to make it right.
“I won’t accept the ring today, Jacob,” Reena said gently, taking the royal crest ring from the box and holding it in her hand.
Jacob’s heart sank slightly, but he nodded in understanding. “I respect your decision.”
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“However,” Reena continued, a tiny, beautiful smile gracing her lips, “I will wear it around my neck on a chain. You have a long way to go to earn my full forgiveness, King Jacob. But you may start by teaching me how to run a kingdom.”
Jacob’s eyes lit up with pure joy. A brilliant smile broke across his rugged face. “I will teach you everything. And I will spend every single day earning your love.”
