Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 86

Robb had just broken the protocol that had sustained the trial by the witness for over a hundred years by allowing them to testify. It was obvious he did it because Xavier was his son, but no one questioned his decision.

An opportunity had presented itself, and Mia was grateful for it.

Edward moved forward and Robb gave the go-ahead to speak.

Edward introduced himself and his relationship with the alpha king and asked why he bore witness to him. Then he moved to state reasons he believed the alpha king was still a good choice for the kingdom.

"There are two people with better hearts than the alpha king in this kingdom, and that's the high priest, Eric, and Queen Mia."

Xavier couldn't believe all the things Edward said up there about him. His brother truly believed he was an excellent king. It shouldn't surprise him. Edward had always said he had a good heart, but hearing testimony to that hit him differently.

A tear rolled down his face, and he wiped it off as quickly as it fell and his eyes dropped. He wanted to be alone, but he couldn't have that and didn't want anyone looking at him differently. He would give a proper apology to his brother for all the times he was an a*****e to him. It was the very least he could do.

The elders passed a paper having a few questions for Edwards to Elliott, just as they did last week. He glanced at it and a smirk appeared on his face.

Xavier saw it and didn't like it. "I need a yes or no from you, Prince Edward. Do you love your king?"

"Yes, I love him."

"Do you trust his judgement and his actions?"

"Not alwa-"

Elliott cut him off. "Yes, and no, please."

"Yes!"

"Then why did you help the queen run away a month after her marriage to the alpha king?" Elliott asked.

The hall became dead silent and Edward's eyes darted over to Mia, seated not so far away, and then to Xavier at the left side.

This wasn't information just anyone should know, it was kept a secret for the sake of everyone, but someone the eight elders knew it and so did Robb.

Xavier knew Elliott had him cornered, and he nodded his head, telling him it was okay to say the truth.

"Because I didn't trust the king to do well by her."

"But you just said you trust the king."

"That was many months ago. The King has shown so much development in areas I didn't even expect, but I cannot expect someone like you to understand." he shot back at him. "Was your last reply based on fact or just subjective like every other you've given here this morning?"

"They are based on facts!"

"Prince Edward, are you smitten by the queen?" Elliott asked, turning to glance at Mia.

The hall became quiet as all eyes stayed on Edward, awaiting his response. He dragged a shaggy breath and his eyes dropped. "No, I'm not," he mumbled.

"You don't sound so sure."

Edward's head snapped up, and he glared at him. "I am not and if you would pull your head out of your own ass, maybe you'd see the truth." Edward slammed through gritted teeth. "No more question, counsel."

Edward move to take a seat beside Mia and she took hold of his hand, reassuring him he did well.

"Queen Mia, can you please come up the stand?" Elliot beckoned to her.

Mia released Edward's hand and glanced at the door one last time. Xavier knew she was hoping the maidens would come to her call, but so far, they were nowhere near. They needed at least seven witnesses for the trial to even be considered a formal one, just as the snake Elliott had said earlier. Xavier prayed they would come, at least for her sake.

She took her seat before the elders and recounted the alpha king's nature and everything they had been through so far. From protecting to standing up for her and how he's changed from the man she once hated to a man she wanted to call king until the end. "Your story is touching, really," Elliott said in a condescending tone. Mia held her peace and remain silent.

"What did the alpha king promise to give you in exchange for you to stay with him as a dutiful wife?"

"He promised me nothing. This is the truth untainted."

"Then why did you beg the Prince to help you run away from the palace?"

"As I said, the man he is now is so far from the man he was ten months ago." Her voice was steady.

"Hard to believe when sources claim your husband is still the arrogant, repulsive, control freak he has always been."

"If your sources are so credible, name them." her tone became stern.

He smirked and stepped towards her. "I'll do you one better. Tell the court what the alpha king did to you after he caught you and brought you back to the palace?"

"He did nothing."

"Did he hit and assault you?"

"No."

"Did he threaten your life?"

"No."

His brow rose. "Did he offer you a deal, then? Did he offer to pay you for your role as his wife and queen? Because men like the alpha king don't really settle for maidens like you, no matter how hard they try!"

Xavier wanted to dart forward and grab Elliot by the throat, never letting go until he had snuffed the last breath in his lungs, but he couldn't. He had to sit and take this disrespect.

"Fuck you!" She growled, rising to her feet angrily. Her eyes glowed red, and she had snapped and had it with him.

"I love you!!" Xavier exclaimed, excited to see this side of her.

"You will remain silent!" Robb snapped at Xavier who had spoken without being asked to. "And queen Mia, mind your language!"

"If you have to work this hard to discredit those who support the king, maybe he isn't as horrible as everyone says," she said through gritted teeth.

"Your king's temper is rubbing off on you, I can see," Elliot said, making a tsk sound with his tongue as he turned from her.

"And you go after him to pull him down because you know you will never be half the man he is. He's a better king, a better judge, a better helper and a better husband than you will ever be. So for the rest of my life, I will stay on his side, supporting and cheering him on. Because he's not just my husband, he's also my alpha and king."

It took all Xavier's restraint to not run over to her and kiss her lips for that bold declaration.

Mia was a beast set loose and this side of her terrified and drew him in at the same time.

The next second after the last word left her mouth, the courtroom door flew open and in walked the maidens she had written to. All six of them with their Lords.

The heads of everyone in the courtroom also swirled to the door and were amazed at those who stood there.

A wide smile spread across Mia's face, knowing they now had twelve witnesses instead of seven. The odds were back in their favour. She turned to Xavier and saw him with an incredible look on his face while he beheld her.

After two more hours of listening to the witness testimonies, the trial ended.

Mia approached the Maidens and their Lords, about to take their leave, and she bowed her head in respect to all of them.

"Thank you, Margaret, Aneer, Saline, June, and the rest of you. You don't know how happy I am to have you answer my call and be here."

"We meant it when we said we'd do anything for our Luna queen, and if this keeps you as our queen for the rest of time, we'll do it." Aneer bowed in respect.

Her eyes grew glassy at their undying loyalty. "I feel blessed to have had the privilege of being your queen."