Chapter 426: You’ve gone too far
"Wh–what? Why? I’m the victim here, Father!" Juniper’s voice trembled, her expression changing into worry in disbelief at the Alpha King’s words. She turned desperately toward Dominick. "Say something! Tell your father it was your fault. You started all of this!"
Dominick stayed silent, his eyes fixed on the ground.
"It seems you still don’t understand, Juniper. You are being punished for speaking ill of Noah, a child who has done you no harm. If you question my decision again, I will have no choice but to summon your father," Raidan pronounced with a glare.
Juniper’s defiance faltered instantly. She bowed her head and muttered a reluctant apology to the Alpha King.
Raidan then shifted his gaze to Dominick. "And you, Dominick."
Dominick lowered his head further, bracing himself.
"You are suspended from all duties for one month," Raidan declared. "You are forbidden from exercising any authority, and you will not take part in council meetings. For the next thirty days, your words will carry no weight in royal affairs."
"I understand, Father," Dominick said quietly, accepting his punishment without protest.
"Tomorrow will be the next council meeting," Raidan announced. "Casaio, prepare yourself, and Zilia. Bring Idris to the council as well. This is your battle, alongside Zilia’s. We can only aid you by ensuring the truth reaches the people. Now, you three are dismissed."
The three bowed respectfully before both the King and Queen, then quietly left the garden.
Mabel turned toward her husband, a faint, knowing smile softening her features.
"It seems my beloved approves of my decisions," Raidan remarked with a subtle smirk.
"Of course, Your Majesty," Mabel replied. "Punishing all three of them was necessary. I could not have handled it better myself." She sighed softly. "I only hope Juniper learns something from this, that she stops harboring resentment and ill will toward others."
Raidan folded his hands behind his back, his gaze thoughtful. "Juniper believes Nick doesn’t care for her. That’s why I suspended his authority for a month, and as for her, she’s forbidden to meet anyone during that time except for him. Let’s see if isolation brings them closer or breaks them apart."
He paused, his tone shifting. "Still, I can’t entirely blame June. Nick should have given her the wedding she wanted, something grand, something that was hers alone. It might have softened her heart."
"I agree, Your Majesty," Mabel said gently. "But her behavior toward others cannot be excused. Do you think she’ll ever truly change? Her eyes... they’ve always been set on the throne."
"We’ll know soon enough," Raidan said, his expression hardening. "This one-month period will show us who Juniper really is. Dominick brought her into his life, and now he must decide what to do with her."
At that moment, Lester entered the garden and bowed deeply. "Pardon me, Your Majesties, for intruding."
"What is it?" Raidan asked.
"Princess Katelyn has returned," Lester announced.
"What?" Raidan’s brows furrowed in surprise.
Before he could ask further, Lester stepped aside. Walking gracefully across the stone path, was Princess Katelyn herself.
Katelyn approached her parents and stopped a few steps away, offering a respectful bow.
"I heard about what happened in the palace," she said with a calm smile. "So, I decided to extend my leave and return."
"That’s good," Mabel replied approvingly. "Amelie may need your support right now."
"Dad," Katelyn continued, "Sage is in a rut, so he’s also taking a few days off. I thought it would be best not to stay away while things here are unsettled."
Raidan nodded, his expression softening. "You did the right thing. Rest for a while before you meet Amelie and the others." Turning toward Lester, he added, "See that lunch is prepared to my daughter’s liking."
"Understood, Your Majesty," Lester said, bowing before leaving to carry out the order.
"I’ll take my leave then," Katelyn said, giving them both a warm smile and a graceful bow before turning away.
She walked back through the palace corridors, straight to see Juniper.
When she reached Dominick’s chambers, she paused. The voices of her brother and sister-in-law were reverberating, coming outside. She glanced at the maid, who hurriedly came to her side.
"The King has ordered that no one can see Princess Juniper for a month, except for Prince Dominick," the maid informed Katelyn.
"Oh." Katelyn’s expression softened with disappointment. She didn’t want to disobey her father’s command, so she turned away and walked back down the corridor.
Meanwhile, inside the chamber, Dominick sat motionless on the couch while Juniper paced furiously across the room.
"You’ve destroyed my life!" Juniper shouted, tears of anger brimming in her eyes.
Dominick finally looked up, his voice low but steady. "June, if you really think I’m that terrible, then reject me. File for divorce. I won’t stop you."
She froze, glaring at him in disbelief.
"You think I’m saying this for fun?" he continued, rising to his feet. "I know I’ve made mistakes. Everyone has been punished because of what happened, and because of what you said. So, calm down, and think clearly. Do you truly want to live with me or not?"
Juniper’s voice trembled as she answered, "I do want to live with you. You’re all I have, Nick. But you don’t understand me! Why must I be locked up for a month? It’s ridiculous."
Dominick sighed, his frustration breaking through. "Because you need to reflect on your actions, June. That’s what Father wants. And honestly, your punishment could have been much harsher." He frowned deeply. "You spoke ill of Noah in front of everyone. You embarrassed not only yourself, and me, but also your family. Can’t you see you’ve gone too far?"
Juniper looked away, her lips pressing into a thin line.
"Put yourself in Amelie’s shoe. What if someone says such harsh words to you?" Dominick questioned her.
"I am not her. Unlike her, I am careful about everything. She had Noah with Alex. No one can change that truth. And Noah will himself realise his origin after he grows up," Juniper pronounced.
Dominick rolled his eyes as he seriously couldn’t understand Juniper anymore.