Chapter 131: 131 — Don’t Tell Me You Regret Anything

"Your Majesty!"

The group of guards stationed before the grand golden door adorned with a lion crest at its center exclaimed in unison, promptly bowing to the queen.

The queen, adorned with a dark dress, inclined her head, a silent command to open the gate.

Two guards closest to the entrance stepped forward and obeyed, the heavy door groaning as it swung open.

Inside, the curtains were drawn, leaving the room illuminated only by the dim lights hanging from the ceiling. At the heart of the otherwise empty chamber rested a large glass coffin. Within, the king lay motionless, his eyes closed, encased in ice to preserve his body.

Isabella’s gaze swept over the men stationed around the coffin. They bowed their heads in respect, but she paid them no mind. The sight of them guarding the king even in death left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"Leave," she ordered sharply, her voice echoing in the stillness. The men hesitated only briefly before filing out, the door closing with a dull thud behind them.

Taking a deep breath, Isabella knelt before the coffin. Her trembling hands hovered in the air before pressing against the glass, her fingers curling into fists. Pain and fury roiled within her, emotions ignited by the man lying cold and lifeless before her.

"Your Majesty," she began, her voice low, laced with a mix of sorrow and resentment. "Do you remember what you told me when we first met? You promised to make me, a mere tigress shifter slave, your queen. You said I would reign over the world by your side."

A faint, bitter smile played on her lips as she recalled those words—once a source of hope. The king had shown her moments of beauty, convincing her that the cruel world she knew was but an illusion hiding a paradise.

"But they were lies," she spat, anger flashing in her eyes, her jaw tightening.

The king sought the company of countless women, even after marrying Isabella. He sired children with them while showing no respect for her or their son, Prince Valen.

"Because of you, I was forced to stain my hands with the blood of so many... even innocent children. For my son, for the crown prince, I had to," her eyes teary, her breath caught in her throat.

Her hands pressed harder against the glass, her grip tightening as if she could crush it beneath her fingers. The dark urge to strangle him—if only he were alive—coiled within her chest like a venomous snake spreading poison into her body.

"Then Arisia was born," Isabella whispered, her anger momentarily dimming at the thought of her daughter. A faint warmth flickered in her eyes, but it was short-lived. "You pretended to love her. But I knew better. You would never love your daughter unless she brought something to you. I saw through your façade."

Her voice dropped to a near growl, venom dripping from each word. "You wanted to use my child for your vile schemes. You intended to sell her to a foreign enemy kingdom, Eldoria, where she would live in fear every single day. That, Your Majesty, I could never allow."

Then when she realized that the illegitimate child was alive, she figured out a better way to keep her child safe— marrying him to the vile princess.

They would be too busy trying to go against each other to stop her future plans with the demon she had made a pact with.

[Hope I am not intruding, Mother,] a familiar voice echoed softly.

Isabella froze, her breath hitching as her gaze locked onto the silhouette before her. The young woman standing there—blue hair cascading over her shoulders, emerald eyes glinting with warmth—was unmistakably her daughter. Her lips curved into a familiar, gentle smile.

"A-Arisia..." Isabella’s voice trembled, and tears spilled freely down her cheeks as she rushed forward, wrapping the girl tightly in her arms.

[Ugh, let go, old woman!]

The voice abruptly shifted, high-pitched and mocking, shattering Isabella’s momentary joy.

The queen stiffened, her arms falling away as she pulled back, reality slamming into her like a hammer. The figure before her was no longer her daughter—no, she could no longer call her that.

[My, my, my... Fooled so easily, my queen?] Isla’s voice rang out, its taunting tone grating in the silence.

Isabella’s fists clenched as her piercing glare focused on the dark shadow swirling around Arisia’s body. "I told you I wanted to see her! How dare you use such a cruel trick against me?!" she snapped, her voice sharp with anger and despair.

[Oh, do calm down,] Isla cooed, her words dripping with amusement. [Allow me to introduce Iana—your daughter’s possessor.]

Isabella’s body shook, fury and sorrow warring within her. She clenched her fists tighter, her nails biting into her palms as she fought to maintain her composure.

Every fiber of her being screamed to lash out at these vile demons, to tear them apart for breaking their promises. But she couldn’t—not yet. Too much was at stake.

Her gaze flicked toward Arisia’s lifeless form, her daughter’s image now a cruel mockery of what once was.

My daughter is gone... She’s truly gone.

The weight of the realization nearly crushed her, but she pushed the grief aside, her mind turning to the only thing she had left to protect. The crown prince.

If she kept her end of the bargain with Isla—if she set the demons of the other world free—no one would dare lay a finger on Prince Valen. Her grief could wait. Her rage could wait.

For now, she had no choice but to play their game.

[What’s wrong, Queen? Don’t tell me you regret anything. Surely you can see the king wronged more than just you—enough for others to want him dead,] Isla sneered, her voice laced with mockery.

"This man..." Isabella’s gaze dropped to the lifeless body before her, her eyes narrowing into a steely glare. "He was never kind to anyone."

Her voice grew colder, anger simmering beneath the surface. "He married me for one reason only—to sire shapeshifter offspring. When he realized the crown prince was not one, he forced me to bear another child. And when he discovered she was half-shapeshifter and half-human, he didn’t see her as his daughter. He saw her as a tool, a pawn he could manipulate for his own gain."

Her fists trembled at her sides, clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her voice trembled with suppressed rage, but the weight of her decisions loomed over her.

She wasn’t innocent either. The blood on her hands, the choices she’d made to protect her children, and... the deal with Isla.

[Oh, don’t look so grim, my queen,] Isla cooed, her voice laced with dark amusement. [You’ve made your choice. There’s no turning back now. But look at it this way—your daughter may be gone, but her body serves a far greater purpose. You should feel honoured.]

"Don’t you dare speak of her like that," Isabella hissed, her voice sharp as a blade.

Her eyes flickered with the faintest trace of the tigress within her, the predator that longed to lash out, consequences be damned.

[Temper, temper,] Isla chided, her form swirling closer. [You can’t afford to lose control now, my queen. We have a deal, remember? Or shall I remind you of what’s at stake? Your precious crown prince, perhaps?]

Isabella stiffened. Her rage cooled into bitter resolve, her trembling fists relaxing as she forced herself to breathe.

"What do you want from me now, Isla?" She rose from the ground, brushing her dress in case dirt had collected on her dark dress.

[Good question.] Isla’s laughter echoed through the chamber, cold and hollow.

[You’ve done your part so far, but there’s still more to do. The ritual is nearly complete but still incomplete and Iana will need her strength. Your daughter’s body is... special. It’s the perfect vessel to bring our kind into your world along with that person. But for that, we’ll need your cooperation.]

"What more do you expect from me?" Isabella’s voice was tight, her patience wearing thin. "I’ve already sacrificed everything—my daughter, my dignity. You won’t get anything else from me."

[Oh, but you will give it,] Isla retorted, her tone dripping with menace. [Because you know the alternative. Without our protection, the crown prince is as good as dead. And you? You’ll lose everything you’ve fought for.]

Isabella closed her eyes, drawing in a shaky breath. She couldn’t let her emotions rule her now that she was close to achieving her goal.

The game wasn’t over yet, and if she wanted to keep Valen safe, she would have to play her part to the end.

But deep down, a question lingered.

If she hadn’t agreed to give up on Arisia at that time, would she be alive?

[Where did you keep that book? You need to be careful no one finds it before we use it during the full moon or it will only put water on all our efforts, ] Isla warned.

"I hear you. I kept it in a safe place," Isabella mumbled, opening the door and exiting the room, leaving the king’s body to root until her plan was executed.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read