He Sold Me Into Slavery I Returned As Queen Chapter 01
When I was eight, the boy I’d grown up with sold me to a slave trader with his own two hands.
He did it because he loved my half-sister, Rosalie Raine.
And as long as I was alive, she could never be the Raine family’s sole heir.
So on the Full Moon Festival, Cedric took me by the hand, led me away from home, and delivered me to a she-wolf who reeked of wolfsbane.
When he returned to the pack house, he dropped to his knees before my father and cried so hard he could barely speak.
“It’s all my fault. I wasn’t watching Ella closely enough, and she got lost.”
From that day on, Rosalie became the Raine family’s only registered daughter.
And Cedric became the very picture of an upright young man, praised by all.
Rosalie inherited the bloodline seat. Cedric was accepted into Mooncrown Academy. They were betrothed, and once he passed the royal selection, they would hold a public mating ceremony.
As for me, I was resold seven times.
I served as a contract slave, endured the lash, was branded with hot iron, and nearly died in a plague shed.
The slave traders used wolfsbane to mask my scent and block my healing. By the time I reached the age when a werewolf first shifts, I was too weak to manage the transformation.
Later, a healer named Mara Quinn saved me.
She purged the wolfsbane from my system and taught me to identify herbs and treat injuries.
Fifteen years later, I saved the Lycan King, Lucian, and became his publicly acknowledged Lycan Queen.
That year, the final list of royal candidates was brought before the throne.
And there, among the names, I saw one I recognized.
I smiled.
“Your Majesty, this man is morally unfit. He cannot be permitted to take the final trial.”
…
Marcus Hale, the Chief of Selection, saw his expression harden.
“Your Highness, that is a serious accusation to make without evidence.”
“Cedric Vale ranked first in this year’s selection. His papers for all three rounds were reviewed twice.”
“He has a pack guarantee and a joint recommendation from his academy mentors.”
“If you disqualify him based on a single remark about his character, I’m afraid the public will not accept it.”
I replied, “Investigate him again. The evidence will present itself.”
Several councilors looked up at me in unison.
The disapproval in their eyes was palpable.
Marcus bowed toward the throne.
“Your Majesty, the final trial is in three days.”
“If the top-ranked candidate is barred from participating because of a single statement from Her Highness, it will erode the confidence of ordinary candidates.”
Lucian didn’t grant my request immediately.
He just looked at me.
“You know Cedric Vale?”
My fingers curled inside my sleeve. A phantom ache tightened around the old brand on my wrist.
“I wish I’d never known him.”
Marcus’s expression soured.
I turned to Lucian and gave him my word.
“I stake my life on it. Please, suspend Cedric’s qualification and review his character.”
“If I have made a false accusation, I will submit to the judgment of the royal court.”
The throne hall was silent for a long moment.
Lucian knew I didn’t make promises lightly.
At last, he closed the list.
“Issue the order.”
Marcus’s head jerked up.
Lucian said coldly, “Suspend Cedric’s qualification for the final trial. Seal his papers. They are not to be altered.”
“The Court of Judgment and the Bloodline Registry will jointly investigate his past.”
“Once the truth is established, we will decide if he is fit to swear an oath before the throne.”
Marcus could only obey.
When he left the throne hall, his jaw was tight.
After everyone else had gone, Lucian asked me, “Can you tell me now?”
I rose and poured him a fresh cup of tea.
“You’ll know on the day of the public review.”
Lucian frowned slightly.
He didn’t press me.
He only said, “I trust you. And I hope you won’t betray that trust.”
I smiled faintly.
“I won’t.”
I had been waiting for this day for fifteen years.