Chapter 93: Leave the Criminal

"What did you say?"

Alec’s tone and words surprised King Martin. His brows arched in contempt, feeling disrespected.

Carrying Lauren in his arms, Alec spoke unfazed, "Didn’t you violate one of the state’s laws first, King Martin? You initiated torture for the crown princess against the rules of the royal family just because of a servant’s words."

"Yes, I admit I did not follow the rules. But I know an investigation and a court trial are not necessary. There is solid evidence! Now I demand you to leave the criminal here," the King said firmly.

"Criminal? You and your family stay here then."

Before King Martin could say anything, Alec stormed out of the room and the soldiers followed, leaving the King shocked at the rude treatment he received from his son-in-law. The royal guards were not able to do anything because of Alec’s soldiers and the King was too dumbfounded to give them orders.

Queen Thalia was also rendered speechless. Balling her fists, she turned to her husband.

"What just happened, Martin? Alec is clearly going against us all because of that girl!" After a few moments of silence, the Queen blurted out in frustration.

Cassandra stayed silent. Was she wrong to think that Alec only married Lauren for the throne? The way his eyes turned red screamed his raw fury. She couldn’t even dare to speak when he entered the room with an eerie air around him as if he was ready to paint the whole room with blood.

"Alec doesn’t seem to be someone you can control, Martin! And yet you crowned him as your successor! If he is ready to overstep his bounds and risk his position I don’t think what you said is true, Cassandra! Did you see what he did? Obviously, he cares deeply for that bitch! Perhaps she bewitched him or something!" Thalia had gone hysterical. She thought things were going as she planned, but turned out the power she held as the queen was being threatened.

"I only crowned him yesterday and he dared show me such an imprudent act! How insolent! I put him in that position! How dare he disrespect his king!" Martin stormed out of the red chamber with a plan in his mind. He was still the King of the state, the man who held the most power in the land. Even if it means Evardin would go into chaos, he could not allow this situation to continue.

Upstairs, Lauren felt the cool air on her wet face and chest coming from the windows when Alec put her on the bed. While she sat there unmoving, Alec got her a towel.

Her body still felt weak. The guards shoved her really hard into the tub earlier that her back hurt. Her wrists were covered with dark bruises because of how tight she was tied. Some parts of her arms also felt sore due to the guards’ rough grip on her.

"I can do it," she said quietly and took the towel from his hand when he attempted to wipe her damp hair.

Alec walked away from her with a hard expression and stood by the window. His eyes hadn’t turned back to their original color, indicating that he hadn’t calmed down. Untamable fire was written all over his face, and Alec knew that if he didn’t leave the torture room, he would have burned down everyone else who was there because of his anger.

Lauren could feel the heavy air in the room. Still, she spoke.

"Father won’t let this slip. What you did might ruin our plans-"

"Fuck the plans," he cut her off with an icy tone as he turned to her.

"And what do you want me to do? Do nothing and leave you there?"

"But the way you acted was like you were declaring war with the King. You could have tried to be a little diplomatic. Because of what happened, a court trial will surely be issued to strip you from your title, and by that time you might lose your position as the crown prince. All our efforts will be put in vain."

"If you die your plans will still go to waste, Lauren," he scoffed in annoyance.

"And did you seriously think that the whole time I was hoping for you to come and save me?" She shook her head. "Even if you didn’t come, I know I wouldn’t die."

Lauren knew that her being framed by her stepmother and stepsisters was possible to happen. She had told Darius and Julian what to do if she would be put in such a situation. It just happened that Alec acted on it first, but he acted too rashly. And now they would face a bigger problem.

"I’ve survived thirteen years in this very castle, Alec. I have devised plans to get me out of trouble. It’s not that I didn’t appreciate you helping me, but there was another way to do it. I know my father, he never wanted someone making him feel inferior. With what you did, he would feel threatened-"

"He should be," he muttered darkly, his eyes spoke a thousand threats.

"Do you think I fear your bastard father?" He strode across the room until he was in front of her. "No, Lauren. And if he thinks he can just easily strip my title as he pleased because he was the one who granted me the position, I will shove it to his face that he’s fucking wrong."

He sat on his feet so their eyes would be of the same level, his face stone cold. "I admit I acted a little brash, but can you blame me? All I see was red when I saw your situation. I would have even burned them all, but on your account, I didn’t do it. I know you have a different revenge plan for your beloved family."

His gaze dropped to her wrists. His jaw clenched hard.

"Where else did they hurt you?"

"Even if you have plans on dealing with this mess, it would still be hard for us to get through it. A lot of things had been happening in Evardin recently which drew the Supreme House’s attention. Once this would come to their attention, it will mean bigger trouble," Lauren said. She was smart and had her ways of giving solutions to crucial situations, but this time she was truly anxious.

"Troubles are interesting. If this is how you father wants to play the game, then I shall give him what he wants," he said, letting his thumb graze the cut on her cheek softly, his eyes filled with unforgiving darkness.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read