Episode 3
560 Words
The King's Lie
I had never seen this woman before.
The Alpha King's cold voice echoed through the royal courtyard.
Lyria stared at him in disbelief.
No.
That wasn't possible.
Only hours ago, beneath the Blood Moon, he had looked into her eyes and called her his mate.
Now...
He looked at her as if she were a complete stranger.
The crowd erupted.
I knew she was lying!
She's nothing but a fraud!
Execute her!
Lyria shook her head, fighting back tears.
You're lying.
The words slipped from her lips before she could stop them.
The courtyard fell silent.
Every noble stared at her in horror.
No one had ever dared accuse the Alpha King of lying.
The King's silver eyes narrowed.
Careful, he warned.
You know me. Her voice trembled. You know exactly who I am.
His expression never changed.
Take another step toward me, and I'll have you imprisoned for insulting the Crown.
Lyria's heart splintered.
Why?
Why was he pretending?
Before she could speak again, an elegant woman emerged from the palace.
She wore a dazzling white gown embroidered with gold, and a jeweled crown rested on her long blonde hair.
The moment she appeared, the nobles bowed respectfully.
Princess Selene.
She walked gracefully to the Alpha King's side and slipped her hand into his.
The gesture was so natural that it sent another wave of whispers through the crowd.
Lyria's stomach twisted painfully.
Selene smiled sweetly, but her eyes were cold.
My King, she said softly, "Is this the woman everyone has been talking about?"
Yes.
"She certainly has courage." Selene laughed lightly. "Imagine claiming to know the Alpha King."
The nobles joined her laughter.
Lyria clenched her fists.
"I am not lying!"
Her voice rang through the courtyard.
"The night of the Blood Moon"
Enough.
The Alpha King's command silenced everyone.
His aura crashed over the courtyard like a storm.
Even the guards struggled to breathe.
"I will not tolerate another false accusation."
Lyria stared at him.
For a brief moment...
She saw something flicker in his eyes.
Pain.
Regret.
Then it disappeared.
Had she imagined it?
The captain of the Royal Guards stepped forward.
"My King, what shall we do with her?"
The Alpha King didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked directly at Lyria.
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
Then he spoke.
"Throw her into the royal dungeon."
Lyria's knees nearly gave out.
The guards dragged her away as the crowd cheered.
"This is what happens to liars!"
"She deserves it!"
As she disappeared into the palace, Princess Selene leaned closer to the Alpha King.
"My King..."
She lowered her voice.
"Was she telling the truth?"
His face became unreadable.
"No."
But after a long silence, he added so quietly that only Selene could hear...
"If she values her life..."
"...she must continue believing that."
Selene's smile vanished.
At that exact moment, deep inside the dark dungeon...
Lyria suddenly clutched her stomach.
A strange warmth spread through her body.
She frowned.
"What... is happening to me?"
A soft silver glow appeared beneath her palm before fading as quickly as it had come.
Hidden in the shadows of her cell, an old prisoner slowly opened his eyes.
He stared at Lyria with disbelief.
It can't be...
His voice was barely a whisper.
The Moon Goddess has finally been chosen...
...The mother of the three heirs.
- Writer
