CHAPTER 46
silence hung between them before Queen Jonah finally stood. She tilted her head slightly, a mocking smile creeping onto her lips.
"Oh? Now you have nothing to say, King?" Her voice was laced with bitterness. "After successfully humiliating me in front of everyone?" She snapped her fingers in irritation.
Grace met her gaze, unbothered. "I only let you speak, Jonah. Are you done talking?"
Jonah let out a loud, unsettling laugh. The sound echoed through the hall, and everyone turned to her, watching,uncertain of what could possibly be amusing to her.
"King… King," she drawled, running her dark-painted nails through her long, silken hair. "You don't seem weak anymore. I always saw you as weak."
Queen Judith's voice cut through sharply. "How dare you speak to the King of Alasgacar in such a manner, Jonah? Who gave you the audacity?"
Jonah turned to her lazily, a small smirk on her lips. "Oh? I wasn't aware that one needed to be 'given' audacity before they could speak." She exaggerated the words mockingly.
Queen Judith's lips parted, ready to lash back, but before she could, Grace stepped forward. Closer,so close, it almost looked as though she was leaning in for a kiss.
"Get down on your knees, Jonah."
The words rang through the hall, sharp and commanding. The room stiffened, eyes darting between them in disbelief. Had they heard correctly?
Jonah blinked. "I should do what?"
"You heard me," Grace said coolly. "On your knees. Now."
Jonah took a step back. She hesitated, scanning the hall, gauging the expressions of those present. Then, she slowly circled Grace, steps deliberate, calculating.
"You have no idea who you're toying with, King Quicke," Jonah murmured. "I come from wealth extreme wealth. Gold, diamonds. My family holds the final voice where I come from. And there, I am treated like my name. A Queen, do you understand what that means?" She snapped her fingers. "Queens do not kneel. Apologize to me immediately."
Grace moved swiftly, gripping Jonah's shoulder, stopping her pacing. "You were named Queen because your family liked the sound of it," she said, her voice steady. "But I am royalty, my family is royalty, and in this kingdom, you do not speak over the King. You do not defy my command."
She held Jonah's gaze firmly. "Get down on your knees. Apologize to the Queen and to everyone present."
Jonah's lips curled in disbelief. "Are you serious?" She scoffed, then turned abruptly. "Juliet, are you really going to stand there and let them humiliate me?"
Grace's voice cut through the room. "It's Queen Juliet, Jonah."
Jonah flinched at the correction.
"She isn't just carrying a name," Grace continued. "She rules a kingdom. Address her properly."
For the first time, Jonah felt the weight of humiliation settle over her. A heavy, sinking sensation, she wanted the ground to swallow her whole.
"You shall obey the King, Jonah," Judith added, her gaze unyielding. "So go down on your knees."
Jonah inhaled sharply, rage and shame twisting inside her. "You'll pay for this, Juliet," she muttered under her breath.
Grace raised a brow. "Queen," she corrected.
Jonah clenched her jaw, then forced the words out. "Queen Juliet." And slowly, painfully, she sank to her knees.
The Morphines watched in admiration, murmuring among themselves.
"Good," Grace said. "That wasn't so difficult, was it? Now, go ahead. Apologize to both Queens."
Jonah exhaled shakily. Her pride burned, but she had no other choice.
"I am sorry, Queen Judith," she said with a clear but forced voice. "I apologize for my behavior."
She hesitated. "And I'm sorry, Que…en Juliet," she stuttered.
Deep down, Grace was surprised, she hadn't expected Jonah to break this quickly. She glanced at Juliet, who met her gaze with a warm, approving smile.
And in that moment, Grace remembered the strange voice that had spoken to her before, telling her to build trust first.
Her expression hardened again as she turned back to Jonah. "Mind telling us now, who is Nuel, and why did you let him in?"
Still on her knees, Jonah exhaled sharply. "I do not know."
"How about the men I sent to spy on you?" Queen Judith asked, her tone soft but firm.
Grace's attention snapped to her. "What about them?"
Judith's gaze remained calm. "I shall summon them. If they recognize the intruder, then he was one of them. If not, then we will know he lied."
Grace took a moment, considering. It was logical. "Good idea," she finally said. "Everyone, take your seats at the grand table while we await the men."
She turned to a few commanders. "Go. Fetch them for me."
Then, to Jonah. "Rise," Grace ordered.
Jonah stood, stiff and silent.
"Sit," Grace commanded.
And so, they all sat. Waiting.