He Stole My Children I Refused His Crown Chapter 22
After the meeting, King Adrian issued three royal orders in quick succession.
First, he confirmed Elliot Vaughn as his biological son, restoring his status as Prince and his right of succession. Once the royal bloodline registration was complete, Elliot’s formal mindlink with Ironvale Pack would be severed and transferred to the Royal Pack to avoid any conflict of loyalty.
Second, Lucian’s status as first heir was revoked, all his royal authority suspended, and he was to be imprisoned in the royal security center pending a public trial.
Third, all charges against Ironvale Pack and Alpha Marcus were dropped, and everyone involved in forging evidence would be investigated.
When the news reached me, I was in the greenhouse, pruning white winter roses.
Maya was so excited she was practically spinning in circles.
“So Elliot really is a Prince! Does that mean I have to call him ‘Your Highness’ now?”
“In formal settings, yes.”
I didn’t pause in my trimming.
“There’s one more thing,” Maya said, leaning closer and lowering her voice. “Queen Helena was supposed to be suspended and investigated, but the royal medical wing discovered she’s three months pregnant. She’s being confined to a secure suite in the castle, but she’s still receiving full Healer care.”
My hand stilled.
King Adrian had few publicly acknowledged sons.
Lucian had been disqualified. Elliot had only just regained his identity. Another prince, Owen, was still a child.
In my last life, Queen Helena had not been pregnant at this point.
This pregnancy was far too convenient, like a key she had prepared in advance to unlock her own prison.
I set down the shears and looked through the glass at the deepening night.
A vague unease crept into my heart.
That unease never left.
The day my father returned to the capital, the sound of the Ironvale convoy’s celebrations could be heard from miles away.
Alpha Marcus brought back not only the surrender agreement signed by the King of Cassia, but also three large crates of golden honey peaches.
I stood before the crates, unable to move.