The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate
Chapter 68: The Big Day

Chapter 68: The Big Day

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At the Golden Palace....

The following day, Irwin and Clandestine visited Leonardo, who was being detained in the cold palace, his hands still bound by the silver chains as a stark reminder of his punishment.

As Clandestine fretted over his well-being, Leonardo reassured her, keeping his voice steady, despite the chill in the air. "I’m fine Mother. He won’t hurt me, he’s only doing all of this to keep me from interfering with his plans to marry Esme today."

His eyes flashed with a hint of anger as he continued, "He clearly has no idea what his actions would lead to – lives will be ruined, relationships will crumble. I’m convinced someone from the council has poisoned his mind. And I believe that someone probably told him to keep me in the dark from the very beginning."

A mix of frustration and helplessness swelled in Leonardo’s chest as he grasped the magnitude of the situation. He was more confused, particularly on how Dahmer had managed to figure out everything and inform the king.

It didn’t make sense – unless Dahmer had eavesdropped on him and Esmeray having the conversation in the tower. He must have masked his aura so none of them could detect him.

"So he’s not marrying Esme out of love?" Clandestine’s countenance turned ashen as the truth dawned on her, and she kept her voice hushed so the guards outside wouldn’t perceive their conversation.

Leonardo’s gaze wandered to the stark, unadorned walls of the cold palace, his expression somber, and he finally replied to his mother’s inquiry. "He wants to use her to amplify his lycan powers, so he can ultimately destroy Donovan," he revealed to his parents.

"I thought I could help her escape before the wedding, but at that moment, I forgot the palace walls have ears. My carelessness put her in greater danger."

Clandestine’s face was etched with concern as she listened to her son. "What do we do, then?" she asked. "I never thought the king was capable of doing such a thing. I really thought he was going to be different from his father, but I guess that’s not the case. As we speak, Esme is already getting ready, and the guests are already at the main palace waiting for her."

"Let them wait," Irwin finally joined in on the conversation, his calm, collected tone a stark contrast to the worry that gripped his wife and son. "No one will intervene in what is meant to be. Let the girl prepare for her wedding, and let us observe the drama that will unfold."

Irwin stood beside his confused wife, and they were almost the same height.

"What are you saying, father?" Leonardo questioned him, his eyes narrowing skeptically. "Why shouldn’t we interfere?"

"If Esme is destined to marry the king, then so be it." Irwin faced his son, his words dripping with fatalism. "But if she’s not, the wedding won’t happen. I know it sounds impossible to both of you, but sometimes the impossible comes to pass. We must trust in the natural order of things and let events unfold as they will."

Clandestine’s brow furrowed with deep concern as she pressed Irwin for clarity. "Darling, can you be more clear with us?" Her voice was laced with worry, but her husband’s reassuring smile was quick to put her at ease.

He looked completely unfazed with the current situation, and Leonardo, along with Clandestine, could guess why.

"We have nothing to worry about, my dear. Go and get ready for the wedding. It will be impolite if one of us isn’t present there. If the king already suspects our son, we need to elude ourselves from that list. Everything will be fine."

Clandestine knew her husband was right, so she turned to Leonardo once more and gently cupped his face, her touch a mix of comfort and caution. "Be safe."

"I will, mother." His gentle response was a balm to her frazzled nerves, and that gave her enough will to finally exit the cold chamber.

Irwin watched his wife make her exit, and he turned to Leonardo when she was gone.

"This could have turned out disastrous for you if His Majesty didn’t have you at heart, Leo." Irwin reprimanded him softly, and Leonardo didn’t deny that his father was right.

He was starting to understand the benefits that came with being close to the king, including why his father had persuaded him to not just befriend the king, but become his trusted advisor.

"Did you know I’d get in trouble like this one day?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Is that why you did all you could to make sure I got close with the king, to save me?" It sounded naive, but Leonardo was aware that there was more to his father than his frail appearance and gentle demeanor.

Irwin didn’t answer his question and gave him a light pat on the shoulder. "Be safe." And he turned to leave as well.

In the large adorned courtyard of the palace, adorned with magical vines, flowers and petals, the guests were already anticipating the wedding that would take place in a few minutes.

Esme was in her chamber, and she had been dressed up for her ’supposed’ big day.

The lovely chiffon gown, with its intricate lace and sparkling embellishments, would have been the envy of any bride. Yet, on Esme, it felt suffocating, a clear reminder of her unjustified fate. The very thought of marrying Lennox brought anxiety to her heart, but she could not refuse.

As she gazed at her own reflection on the mirror, tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. Her eyes appear sunken, as she hadn’t slept at all during the night. Her face seemed gaunt, the delicate bones slightly pronounced than usual, likely a result from all the etiquette lessons and stress she’s had to deal with so far.

This wasn’t how she imagined her special day. A wedding was supposed to be a celebration of true love and happiness, not a prison sentence.

She couldn’t even recognize herself for a moment, and that weighed heavily on her heart. When the maids tenderly donned the veil over her face, she closed her eyes, and another tear escaped through her lashes, rolling down her cheek like a solitary raindrop.

The weight of her predicament bore down on her. If she didn’t go through with the marriage to the king, she would never set eyes on her brother again. They knew he was her weakness, and that has rendered her defenseless against them.

"Is Milady crying?" A maid worriedly asked upon noticing the way her eyes had turned red and watery. Esme’s reassuring smile was strained, and she shook her head. She knew if she talked, her voice would betray her emotions without a doubt.

Before the maid could say anything else, Emily walked in.

"Excuse us," she ordered, "I need a moment with the soon-to-be-wife of the king." Came her unwavering command, and the servants immediately left without hesitation.

Emily approached Esmeray, and she tsked, noticing the tears in her eyes. "Are these what they call, tears of joy?" She teased, a sly smile dawning her lips as she saw the silent despair Esme was in.

"You tried your best, but here you are. You are marrying the king, and you’re crying over something like this? Aren’t you aware of how many–"

"You’re in a relationship with the king, aren’t you?" Esme interjected with a hint of accusation in her voice, and it caught Emily off guard. "You spilled your drink on my dress on purpose, but I didn’t complain about that. You know why I kept silent? Cause there’s a saying that two people should never get mad at the same time."

Esme didn’t hesitate to deliver, "I know you don’t care about me, but do you truly love His Majesty like you claim? Watching him get married to another woman who isn’t you?"

"You... How dare you question my loyalty to the king...!!!" Emily was about to offer a scathing retort when a knock on the door interrupted her.

"Milady, it’s time."

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