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They maintained that she wasn’t guilty, and it was very unlikely for a princess to concern herself with a nobody. It was a glorified way of saying Mira’s life was not important enough to get Lilith punished. The maids and everyone she sent to the infirmary were suddenly dismissed as deserving of whatever came to them.

I was baffled at the depth corruption had eaten into the community. There was a time when they would hide thoughts like this and discuss them in hushed tones, but since Victor’s arrival, the nobles and elites have been growing in audacity and didn’t bother to hide their depravity anymore.

“Are you saying the people she has hurt and deformed were worthy of the inhumane treatment meted out to them? A girl was almost murdered, and you all sit here and say it doesn’t matter because she’s an Omega, and the princess wouldn’t concern herself with such. What has become of you? The lives of the people we’re supposed to be protecting are on the line.”

“But the girl lives, doesn’t she?”

I opened my mouth to retort and was almost blown away by the mouth-watering scent of vanilla and strawberries. My wolf’s initialagitation was replaced with excitement, and I scanned the courtroom in confusion.

Mira would never return to the palace willingly unless something or someone was forcing her. My eyes narrowed to slits, and I was ready to destroy anyone who brought her here to justify Lilith’s actions.

Just in time, the door swung open, revealing the greatest shock of my life. There she stood, head held high in the most beautiful white dress with an arm hooked around Victor. The shock was barely a scratch compared to the pain and anger that slammed into me the moment the elder opened his mouth.

“As a result of the squabble we were presented with, I almost forgot to mention that Prince Victor wants to present his soon-to-be bride to us,” Elder Edmond announced, dismissing Lilith with a nod and ushering Mira and Victor into the court.

My eyes snapped to Elder Edmond and back to Mira, but she wouldn’t meet my eyes. She acted as though she couldn’t feel me in the room, keeping her eyes nailed to the wall.

Soon-to-be bride? What the fuck was that? When she said she was leaving the States, it took everything in me to keep me from forcing her to stay. Now, she turns up as Victor’s bride-to-be?

I was shaking with anger. Every part of me was screaming at me to rip her from his arms. I wanted to punish him severely for laying his arms on her, but I couldn’t. This was barely an ideal time to reveal the nature of my relationship with Mira or to let the court see how Victor was coming for everything that was mine. I would appear weak.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see Lilith’s eyes wide with excitement as she took in the scene unfolding before her. She was thoroughly enjoying this, and I couldn’t even blame her. It was quite an entertaining situation. My long-lost brother returned to take my throne and my woman, but I would be damned if I go down withouta fight. As a matter of fact, if there was anyone going down, I was sure as hell it wouldn’t be me.

“Hello, brother. How nice of you to join us with your bride,” I greeted as they approached, intentionally drawing out the word like it was dirty. Mira still wouldn’t look at me.

“It’s only ideal that I share the happiest moment of my life with my family. Mira has made me the happiest man, and I can’t wait for you all to see how amazing she is,” Victor replied, placing a soft kiss on her hand.

I wanted to rip his head off for putting his lips on her, but I smiled instead, choosing to let my words do the damage instead.

“That’s beautiful, truly. I hope the girls you left with broken hip bones and shattered hearts share the same sentiments. Besides, who would be mad at a match made in heaven like yours.”

Shocked gasps erupted in the court, and Mira stiffened, her arms almost dropping from Victor’s.

“Careful brother, if I wasn’t so sure of your person, I’d think you’re trying to scare my bride away,” Victor replied with an equally fake smile, his eyes as hard as steel.

“I wouldn’t dare stand in the way of your happiness. I was only making sure transparency was paramount in all we do.”

“Why don’t you properly introduce your bride to us Prince Victor, she looks rather familiar,” Elder John interjected, staring at Mira with curious eyes.

“This is Mira,” Victor started, looking at my mate like she was the moon and stars. “She is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and just a few days ago, she agreed to be my wife.”

Liar.My wolf roared, and I let my claws sink into my palms to keep me from reaching for hisneck instead.

“Hello, Mira. Have we met before?” Elder John pressed, refusing to let the matter drop.

Victor took the opportunity to own the narrative. “She used to live in the palace until she was wrongly accused and thrown in the dungeon by my brother and his beloved wife. Thankfully, his cruelty led her to me.”

The wave of hushed murmurs swept through the audience, and I could hear whispers about how I was a hypocrite and my plans for reform being a sham to hide my true nature. I didn’t miss how he concealed Mira’s position while she stayed in the palace. The bastard was ashamed of admitting she had served as a maid and opted to make her look like a regular guest.

Mira looked as white as a sheet while Victor stood tall, his face glowing with pride as he reveled in the damage he had done. I fixed my gaze on Mira instead, watching if she would go along with the situation or speak up, but she didn’t do anything. She just stood there, maintaining a neutral expression.

Whatever happened to the woman who always fought for the truth? Did Victor have anything on her? Was he forcing her into this?

It wouldn’t be the first or tenth time he would be forcing a woman to go along with his ill desire. My wolf took a protective stance, determined to pry Mira from his arms as soon as possible.

Elder Edmond did the honor of introductions and letting Mira know about the traditional rites required of her before the mating ceremony while I sat still, seething and waiting for the right time.

Soon after the meeting came to an end, I sighted Victor taking Mira to the throne room, and I went after them, slipping into the room and locking us in.