Chapter 5
Krystal’s POV
My father shook his head, a dismissive scoff escaping his lips. “I’m sure Krystal can not be his mate. She’s a nobody and a maniac. You shouldn’t act this way, or people will think she’s your mate.”
Rose chimed in, her tone dripping with feigned concern. “Please, Prince John, you have to reconsider. Associating with her will only tarnish your name.”
I couldn’t stay in that room any longer. I had heard enough — enough lies, enough slander, enough of them tearing me down. I didn’t want to be Prince John’s mate; I was certain he was mistaken. I pushed myself off the bed before the doctor could stop me, rushing toward the door. I burst through, appearing before them, a wave of adrenaline coursing through me.
“Prince John’s not my mate!” I declared, my voice strong. Prince John turned to me, his eyes filled with sudden hurt and deep concern, though his face remained composed.
“He only saved me out of kindness,” I added, straightening up, watching as their faces paled with dread. Too bad for them — I was alive and ready to defend myself.
Annie nudged Rose, who quickly stepped up to me, her expression shifting to one of faux concern. “Krystal, dear, are you feeling alright? We’ve been so worried about you,” she cooed.
Annie joined in, her voice filled with false sympathy. “We only want what’s best for you, Krystal. Don’t you see?”
How dare they? I could see through their pretense; I didn’t need a soothsayer to tell me they were worried I’d reveal the truth.
Rose moved to hug me, her arms outstretched, acting as if she cared. “Please, let’s just talk—”
It was disgusting. I pushed her back slightly, my anger boiling over. “You tried to kill me, and now you pretend to care? How could you?”
My father feigned innocence, raising his hands. “Krystal, darling, it seems you’re confused. You must have lost your memory from whatever happened—”
Annie quickly added, “Yes, yes, you’ve been through so much. You’re not thinking straight, my dear.”
Rose moved closer, her eyes narrowing. “Did water get into your brain?” she asked, her hand reaching to check my temperature. I slapped her hand away, glaring.
Her eyes shot daggers at me, a look so fierce that it seemed like she’d kill me again if she could, her expression hidden from Prince John’s view.
The air in the surroundings grew thick with tension, my heart pounding as I faced them all. Do they think they could silence me again?
Annie's voice was syrupy sweet, trying to mask the malice I knew too well. "Why are you being so hostile, my dear?" she asked ever so lovingly.
I clenched my fists, feeling the anger bubble up within me. "Quit the act. And you, Rose, you wanted to kill me—"
"Enough!" Rose shrieked, cutting me off, her face twisting into a mask of feigned hurt. She turned to Prince John, her voice trembling just enough to sound convincing. “Prince John, look, Krystal is just acting. She wants people to think badly of me, especially you.”
For a brief second, I had a flicker of hope that she might finally tell the truth, but no—she dared to fabricate another lie right in front of me.
My father shook his head, looking more emboldened as he continued the charade. "Krystal, we’ve all showered you with love and affection, and you want to frame your sister for attempting to kill you. That's horrible."
Annie sniffed dramatically, her eyes glistening with fake tears. “I know you hate Rose so much, but this is too much, Krystal. Why are you like this…?”
I opened my mouth to counter, but Prince John’s voice cut through the air like a whip.
“Enough! You all are good actors. I can't believe this.” His tone was scathing, and he reprimanded them harshly. “Did you all think I was a fool who couldn’t see through your lies at the banquet? It was obvious you all despised Krystal.”
Their faces paled. They exchanged nervous glances before stumbling over themselves to apologize.
“My prince, please, we’re so sorry if it seemed that way,” Annie mumbled, her hands trembling.
“Yes, Prince John, we never meant any harm,” Rose added quickly, her voice shaking.
At that moment, I knew Prince John would stand by me. Despite feeling humiliated, I just wanted to lay it all bare.
“You all said you never abused me, right?” I asked, and before any of them could respond, I loosened my robe, pulling it slightly to reveal a long, jagged scar across my side. Annie’s eyes widened, and she looked down, trembling. The prince stared at the mark, disbelief flashing in his eyes.
“My dear stepmother here gave me this scar when she physically abused me,” I continued, trying hard not to break down. I sniffed, swallowing the lump in my throat, and shifted my gaze to Rose. My father’s eyes bore into mine with a hard, silent warning, but I mustered the courage to go on.
“I didn’t fall into the pool on purpose. Rose deliberately pushed me into the water.”
Rose’s face flared with anger. “That’s a lie! I’ve never even been near the pool!” she shouted, her voice filled with false indignation. She was denying it with every ounce of strength she could muster.
My father stepped forward, his tone firm. “Krystal is lying.”
“Is she, Alpha Steve?” Prince John asked, skepticism clear in his voice.
“Yes. Krystal seems to have gone mad,” my father insisted, his eyes narrowing at me.
Shock rippled through me. “What?”
He sneered, leaning closer. “I guess it’s high time I treat your mental ailment, Krystal. I’m going to send you to a mental asylum today,” he threatened, grabbing my arm roughly.
I struggled, panic setting in. “No!”
Prince John’s voice boomed with authority. “Let her go!” His order was so fierce that my father’s grip faltered, and he halted. My father's face was twisted with frustration and something else — fear.
I stared at Rose, my resolve hardening. I wasn’t going to let this slip. “You said you've never been near the pool, and that I'm lying?" I took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of strength I had left. “Well, while I was struggling to escape from your grip earlier, as you were dipping my head into that pool, I pulled off your earring and threw it into the water.”
Rose's lips parted, her face drained of color as she lowered her gaze and swallowed hard.
Prince John, noticing her reaction, turned sharply and summoned one of his guards. “Go to the pool at Alpha Steve's packhouse,” he commanded, his voice firm. “Recover an earring there.”
The guard quickly left, and I watched as Rose nearly collapsed from fear. Annie’s face tightened with realization, and my father was already sweating profusely, his eyes darting nervously between us.
A wave of dizziness suddenly washed over me, and my legs began to weaken. I wasn't fully stable. I swayed, nearly falling, but Prince John moved swiftly, catching me in his strong arms and lifting me into a bridal style. Even through my disoriented state, I could see the shock on their faces — their fear, their disbelief.
A man, evidently the prince’s Beta, moved closer with a look of surprise. As Prince John carried me back toward the clinic, I noticed the deep envy in the eyes of my family, especially Rose, whose face was twisted in bitter rage. His Beta’s expression of surprise lingered, but I was too weak to fully grasp it.
I felt my heart pounding in my chest as I met Prince John's gaze. He looked down at me with an intensity I hadn't seen before — something almost protective, caring. It was unbelievable.
And then, as everything faded, I slipped into oblivion.