LYDIA'S POV

　　"Heckim….I," I didn't even know what to say at the situation.

　　At one moment, I am being accused by everyone and now everyone's eyes are still on me but for a different reason. In between all of this I didn't even realised that my mates were also here. I can't even fathom how they must be feeling right now. I turned to check and sure enough they both were glaring at Heckim with their jaws locked and fists clenched.

　　I didn't know what to say so I simply turned around and left everyone and ran away"I understand the urgency, Lydia. I didn't come here for formalities. I came because I have a proposal for you."

　　"A proposal? What kind of proposal?" I questioned, my curiosity mingling with the tension of the moment.

　　"Lydia, with everyone witnessing this scene, I would like to confess that I am in love with you and want to marry you. When we first met, I had no idea that you were royalty, but even now, I don't care about your position. All I care about is you. I truly love you and if you give me a chance, I can prove to you that I am the right person for you." He confessed, and my mouth fell open.

　　This isn't what I was expecting.

　　"Heckim….I," I stammered, lost for words. I had been ready to fight accusations and defend my honor, not face a public declaration of love.

　　The gathered crowd, which had been buzzing with accusations, was now hushed in anticipation, their eyes fixed on me. I felt the weight of their stares, and it was suffocating. In the midst of it all, I hadn't realized that Evan and Brandon were also present. When I turned to look at them, I saw their reactions – both of them glaring at Heckim, jaws locked and fists clenched.

　　The turmoil inside me was overwhelming. I didn't know what to say or how to react. So, I did the only thing that made sense in that moment – I turned around and ran. I needed to get away from the prying eyes, from the accusations, from Heckim's unexpected confession, and from the piercing gazes of my mates.

　　I ran through the corridors of the palace, my heart pounding in my chest. I needed to be alone, to think and process everything that had just happened. The accusations, the confession, the tension—it was all too much to handle at once.

　　Finally, I found myself in a secluded part of the palace garden, a place where I could breathe and collect my thoughts. The sound of the fountain and the rustle of the trees offered some solace, but my mind was still in turmoil.

　　Moments later, I heard footsteps approaching. I turned to see Evan and Brandon, their expressions a mix of concern and frustration.

　　"Lydia," Evan said softly, stepping closer. "Are you okay?"

　　I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. "I don't know, Evan. Everything is so overwhelming."

　　Brandon crossed his arms, his face stern. "Heckim's confession was unexpected. But Lydia, you need to focus on clearing your name and proving your innocence. That's what's important right now."

　　"I know," I replied, my voice wavering. "But it's hard to think clearly with everything happening at once."

　　"Are you thinking about his proposal?" They asked hesitantly.

　　"No! It is the last thing on my mind. I am just surprised by the turn of events, that's it. I don't even like him let alone saying yes to his proposal. So, no. I don't want to think about him right now. This day didn't go the way I had planned it initially." I said and they both nodded.

　　"Lydia," I heard a weak voice call out to me, and I turned to see her approaching on unsteady legs. I rushed to her side, supporting her fragile body against mine. "Mother, you shouldn't even be here. What are you doing outside?"

　　"Lydia, would you sit with me for a second? I need to talk to you alone," she said. I glanced at Evan and Brandon, feeling torn. They must be seething after Heckim's confession, but I couldn't upset my mother.

　　"Evan, Brandon, could you please—" Before I could finish, they bowed.

　　"Of course, Princess," they said in unison, then left me with my mother.

　　"Mother, what is it? Please, you should have stayed in bed. Your condition—"

　　"Is getting worse," she interrupted with a soft chuckle. "So what, dear? Death is inevitable. You never know what is waiting for you tomorrow. What if it's the death itself?"

　　"Mom, don't say that. You know I'm trying my best to find a cure for you. I won't let you die," I said, holding her cold hands in mine.

　　"I know, dear, but I heard what happened outside and knew I needed to talk to you." She took a deep breath. "Lydia, my dear, I don't know what's going on in your mind, but the royal court is a cruel place. To be a ruler, you have to make tough decisions."

　　"I know that. Father explained everything to me. Where are you going with this?" I asked.

　　"Lydia, as a mother, I have a request. I stopped being a queen the moment I lost your father. Now, I just want to be your mother, and as a mother, I want nothing but the best for you. That Alpha of the West River Pack truly loves you, I believe, and I think you should say yes to his proposal," she requested.

　　"Mother! What are you even saying?" I interrupted.

　　"My dear, trust me. I can tell by the way he confessed his feelings for you that he really likes you and wants to be with you," she said. I stepped away from her.

　　"No, Mother! I can't do this. I will not accept him. Accepting him means losing my connection with the kingdom, losing the throne for which I worked so hard. I won't accept him," I declared.

　　"But Lydia—"

　　"I said no!" I almost shouted, and she looked at me in shock. I noticed Oleg watching our conversation from afar.

　　"I'm sending word. I'm refusing Heckim's proposal. I don't like him. Even if his feelings are genuine for me, I don't feel the same. He deserves someone who reciprocates his love and feelings," I said and left the garden, leaving her there alone.