Chapter 892: Impossible
"Your Highness, do you truly expect us to accept someone like her as our queen? This is preposterous!" The minister’s voice thundered through the chamber, his hand striking the mahogany table with such force that the sound echoed. His face was flushed with anger, as he continued, "We will not stand for this disgrace. Mark my words, we are all withdrawing our consent for this union. By the end of today, the marriage license will be null and void!"
As his voice trailed off, a second minister rose from his seat, his expression a mix of contempt and feigned incredulity. He moved deliberately to the projector at the front of the room, switching it on to display a string of damning media reports. "Your Highness, you expect us to overlook her past? Fine. We are modern thinkers, after all," he began, his tone laced with sarcasm as he gestured at the headlines flashing across the screen. "Perhaps we could turn a blind eye to her past indiscretions. Perhaps we could even accept her position, given that she is carrying the future heir of Petrovia.
"But this?" His voice sharpened as he jabbed a finger at a particular headline, his contempt palpable. "This is another matter entirely. Her father—that man—was involved in the most abhorrent, inhuman deeds imaginable. You ask us to ignore this and allow such a stain to seep into the royal bloodline? Impossible. This is not a matter of personal prejudice but of duty to the crown and the people. If the public were to learn of her lineage, the trust they place in us as guardians of this throne would crumble to dust. The monarchy’s integrity would be irreparably tarnished."
The chamber buzzed with murmurs of agreement and discontent, the weight of the accusations rippling through the room. The ministers who had remained neutral until now shifted uncomfortably, glancing at one another as the truth sank in.
Victor sat back, his lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. The performance was flawless. He could see it clearly—the anger and doubt spreading among those who had once supported Rafe or chosen to remain impartial. The neutral ones would be the key now; they would now bear the burden of answering for this scandal, should they choose to remain silent. And if they chose to support Rafael... then he would have no problem exposing their scandals.
Before he could gloat, however, the doors to the chamber opened and in walked the woman in discussion herself- Arabelle Frost. Victor raised an eyebrow. Well, this woman had the audacity to still walk in here despite the furore that had been created because of her?
Victor shrugged to himself as he watched Rafael’s face light up. The fool. He was in love with the girl and would choose to fight for her. Well, it was good news for him.
Rafael stiffened as he watced Arabelle walk in with her head held high. Quickly he stood up and walked to her, cupping her face as he looked at her with concern. "Are you okay?"