Chapter 425: Consider it as your test
"You didn’t sleep beside me last night. Why?" Juniper’s voice carried a note of irritation the moment she opened her eyes.
Dominick didn’t answer. He stood by the cupboard, methodically pulling out his clothes, refusing to meet her gaze.
"Don’t ignore me, Dominick," she snapped, sitting up in bed. "I’m asking you something. Why did you leave in the middle of the night?"
He paused, his hand tightening slightly around the fabric before he spoke. "Because I have no intention of becoming a husband to you anymore. Also, I have nothing to say to you, June. So, don’t waste your time, or mine."
"Are you blaming me for everything that happened? Why do you always see it as my fault?" Juniper demanded, her voice rising.
Dominick froze, then slammed the wardrobe door shut. He turned sharply to face her, anger flashing in his eyes. "Do you even remember what you said to me last night? Did you take a moment to think about those words?" His voice shook with restrained fury. "Ask yourself, June, why do you love me? Is it for who I am... or for my rank?"
"I said nothing wrong!" Juniper shot back. "Zilia deserves to be exposed. You were going to reject me because of her! How could I forget that?"
"And what business is her past to you?" Dominick’s tone grew harsher. "I don’t want to be the next Alpha King. Casaio deserves the throne, and if not him, then Gabriel. Do you understand that? So stop, just stop doing things that will destroy both of us." He tightened his grip on the clothes from the bed as his knuckles turned white.
"Nick, you’re such a pathetic fool," Juniper hissed. "I didn’t marry you just because you’re an alpha prince. I love you. But you need to wake up and see the future. You can’t live like Casaio’s obedient dog forever! He’ll always control you. And you think Gabriel if becomes the Alpha King will ever favor you and your decisions! He only sees Amelie and her filthy son—"
"June!" Dominick roared, his fury finally breaking free. "Shut up! Just shut your mouth!" He stepped closer, trembling with rage. "How could you say something so vile about a baby? Have you lost your mind?"
He turned away. "I’m done with you, June. Don’t talk to me again."
With that, he simply walked out of the bedroom, leaving Juniper infuriated.
"Nick, don’t force me for something I don’t want to do," Juniper muttered. She grabbed her phone and wrote a message in her group. "If you can’t give me what I desire, I will show you the destruction of this family," she mumbled with evil intention.
~~~~~
"Did you speak with June?" Raidan asked, carrying a trace of concern as he sipped his morning tea.
"Yes," Mabel replied. "I spoke with her yesterday."
Raidan set his cup down with a soft clink, his brows knitting together. "This should never have happened. Dominick and Casaio are equally at fault, deciding to marry on the same day without consulting anyone. It was a reckless decision."
"Indeed," Mabel agreed. She glanced toward Lester, who stood silently nearby. "Bring Casaio and Dominick to the garden. Summon Juniper as well."
Lester bowed deeply. "As you command, Your Majesty." With swift steps, he departed to carry out her orders.
A short while later, the three arrived at the palace’s main garden. There, beneath the shade of a grand oak, the King and Queen had just finished their morning tea.
"Mom, Dad... did you call us?" Casaio asked, stepping forward with a curious glance toward his parents.
"Yes," Raidan said firmly, his gaze shifting between Casaio and Dominick. "Apologize to Juniper."
Juniper froze, stunned by the King’s demand.
"Why should we apologize to her?" Dominick furrowed his brows together.
"Because you wronged your wife," Raidan replied, his voice rising. "Why didn’t either of you tell me, or your mother, or Juniper that Casaio would marry Zilia on the very same day? Both of you must take responsibility for hurting Juniper."
Juniper’s eyes softened as Casaio stepped forward. "June, I’m sorry for my reckless decision. I never intended for your relationship with Dominick to end up like this. But what truly hurts me is that you brought Zilia’s past before her in such a way. It wasn’t her fault. You could have told me privately, but instead, you chose to confront her."
Raidan’s frown deepened, his gaze narrowing on them both. "What are you talking about?" He turned toward Juniper.
"I merely stated a fact, Royal Father," Juniper replied steadily. "Zilia’s past could impact Prince Casaio’s accession as the next Alpha King."
"That is precisely why I have decided to make it public," Raidan declared.
Juniper’s eyes widened in shock, mirrored by the stunned silence of those around her.
"Dad, it can—" Dominick began, but Raidan cut him off sharply before he could finish.
"Zilia was a spy and the truth about her past will never stay hidden. I can’t let the people stay in dark. They must know the truth about it from me. They have kept their trust on our family, on their King for such a long time, and I don’t wish to betray them."
Mabel didn’t intervene in her husband’s decision as she felt it was better this way.
"Dad, it could bring backlash on Zilia. You know the situation she was in," Casaio pronounced.
"Juniper didn’t say anything wrong when she brought up the matter to Zilia. Truths can’t be hidden for a long time," Raidan asserted. "You chose to stand with Zilia in every situation. So, consider it as your test to prove everyone what Zilia is. How she will protect the people."
Juniper smiled to hear that. ’I didn’t know the Alpha King was this easy to please.’
"And you, Juniper, you are banned for a month to go out of this palace. You can’t interact with anyone except your husband. The comment you made on my grandson was not commendable. If there were any other person at your place, their punishment would be death. Amelie never hid anything from us, nor did Gabriel. Being a woman, you should have understood what she underwent during those times and in what conditions she conceived Noah. If I caught you spreading hatred for my grandson, I will punish you and your entire family."