Chapter 100: Rightful Bride

Olivia’s POV

I sat there in complete shock, unable to find the right words to say. Everything Annabel had just told me felt like a dream. For three months, I had lived in fear of being exposed, and now the real princess was sitting beside me, offering to take back her place and set me free.

"You don’t have to pretend anymore, Olivia," Annabel said gently. "I’ll explain everything to Alpha Lucian."

Before I could answer, she stood up and walked toward Lucian, who was still standing a short distance away with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Alpha Lucian," she began, lowering her head respectfully. "I know my father deceived you, and I’m deeply sorry for everything that happened. Whatever punishment you have in mind, please give it to me. Don’t punish Olivia or my pack. She was forced into this against her will."

I held my breath, waiting for Lucian’s response. He looked at Annabel for a moment before turning his attention toward me.

"I have only one wife," he said calmly. "And her name is Olivia."

My eyes widened as I stared at him, my heart skipping a beat. Annabel looked just as surprised as I was, but Lucian didn’t seem bothered by either of our reactions.

"As for you, Princess Annabel," he continued, turning back to her, "you can return to wherever you came from. I have no intention of replacing my wife."

"But Alpha Lucian..." Annabel began, looking confused.

"I’ve made myself clear," Lucian interrupted firmly.

Annabel blinked in surprise, her mouth parting as the rejection hit her. Before she could say anything else, a familiar flash of light suddenly filled the corner of the room, and Lucas appeared out of nowhere, teleporting directly into the hall.

He stood tall, dressed casually in jeans and a shirt, his sharp eyes scanning the room before settling on Annabel. He glanced at me briefly, then looked back at the princess, a slow, mocking smile appearing on his face.

"Well, well, well," Lucas said with amusement, crossing his arms over his chest. "Look who decided to crawl out of the grave. Princess Annabel."

He studied her face for a moment before giving a short scoff. "So you’re alive after all."

Annabel frowned slightly, clearly confused by his words.

"Your father told me you were dead," Lucas continued. "Even when I questioned him personally, he insisted you were dead. So he knew you were alive and still chose to lie to me?"

Annabel lowered her gaze, looking uncomfortable. After a moment, she looked up at him again.

"I’m sorry, but who are you?" she asked carefully.

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Alpha King Lucas."

Annabel’s eyes widened, and she immediately bowed her head. "Your Majesty! Please forgive me. I didn’t recognize you."

Lucas looked at her for a moment before turning toward Lucian, a small smile appearing on his face.

"So, brother," he began, "what have you decided? It seems your wife has returned from the dead."

"She’s no wife of mine," Lucian replied coldly.

Before I could even react, Lucian walked over to the couch, took my hand, and pulled me to my feet. He wrapped an arm around my waist and drew me close to his side.

"Olivia is my wife," he declared firmly. "And she will remain my wife."

My cheeks grew warm as I looked up at him. I certainly hadn’t expected him to pull me into his arms so possessively, especially with Lucas and Annabel watching us.

I glanced toward Annabel and noticed the confusion on her face. She kept looking between Lucian and me, clearly struggling to understand why the man who was supposed to marry her was holding her former maid so closely.

Well, I couldn’t blame her. If someone had told me three months ago that Alpha Lucian would one day be holding me like this and refusing to let me go, I would have laughed in their face.

Lucas suddenly scoffed, shaking his head. "You know that’s not true, brother. Her identity is fake."

Lucian turned toward him, his expression darkening.

"Lucas, enough!" he growled, his aura flaring so strongly that the air in the hall grew heavy.

"What?" Lucas asked innocently, raising his eyebrows. "I’m only pointing out the obvious."

"I said enough," Lucian repeated, his voice becoming firmer.

Lucas raised his hands slightly but said nothing more. However, the little smile on his face told me he was enjoying every second of this.

Lucian turned his attention back to Annabel, who was still standing where Lucas had left her.

"Princess Annabel, because of your good relationship with my wife, Olivia, I’m willing to let you leave without punishment."

Annabel swallowed nervously, keeping her eyes on him.

"But don’t mistake my decision for forgiveness," Lucian continued coldly. "Your father will answer for what he did. As for you, I’m giving you one minute to leave my palace."

Annabel glanced at me, looking as though she wanted to say something. But when she turned back to Lucian and saw his expression, she quickly lowered her head.

Without wasting another second, she gathered the skirts of her blue gown and hurried out of the sitting room. A moment later, I heard the heavy entrance doors close behind her.

I watched her leave, still finding it difficult to believe everything that had happened. The princess I had believed was dead had suddenly returned, only to be sent away by the very man she was supposed to marry. And somehow, I was still standing here as his wife.

Honestly, my life was beginning to feel like one of those stories where the main character never gets a moment of peace.

The moment Annabel disappeared through the doorway, Lucian released my waist and turned toward his brother, his expression immediately changing.

"You did this, didn’t you?" he demanded.

Lucas frowned, looking genuinely confused. "Did what?"

"Don’t play games with me, Lucas," Lucian warned, taking a step toward him.

Lucas stared at him for a moment before shaking his head. "I have no idea what you’re talking about."

Lucian scoffed. "I’m not a fool. You brought her here."

Lucas raised an eyebrow, looking almost amused by the accusation. "And what makes you think that?"

"Because you were the one who went to question her father," Lucian replied angrily. "You knew exactly what happened to Princess Annabel, and now she suddenly appears in my palace? Do you expect me to believe that’s a coincidence?"

Lucas simply smiled, looking completely unbothered by his brother’s anger.

"Well, brother, I must say you’re giving me far too much credit."

"Lucas!" Lucian snapped, clearly losing his patience.

"What?" Lucas replied, spreading his hands innocently. "Am I no longer allowed to visit my younger brother without being accused of something?"