LYDIA'S POV

　　Kate looked at Odin, her eyes narrowing. "And who are you to make such demands?"

　　"I am Odin, Alpha of the East Night Pack," he replied, his voice unwavering. "I stand with Lydia in seeking justice and truth for this kingdom."

　　The weight of his words hung in the air, and I saw the crowd's reaction shift. They were torn, caught between the authoritative presence of their queen and the undeniable evidence of Oleg's crimes. Similarly, the other Alphas stepped forward, their presence a silent but powerful show of solidarity. My mother had to back down for a moment; whether she was a functioning or nonfunctional person in the court, she was still the queen. With the Alphas from three regions supporting me, she couldn't ignore everyone.

　　"What did the proof say?" she questioned, her tone dismissive, as if she had already made up her mind.

　　Evan stepped forward and handed her a copy of the evidence, detailing how Oleg had orchestrated murders, conducted illegal trade, and secretly manufactured harmful drugs that he distributed among the youth.

　　"I know all of this. Show me something new," she said, and everyone's mouths opened in shock.

　　"Mother, you know all this and you still want to support him?" I questioned her judgment. She had clearly lost her mind.

　　She turned to me, her face a mask of cold defiance. "I have been with Oleg for a long time now, and by 'together,' I mean we are in love. We fell for each other when your father was still alive. After your father lost you, he immersed himself in the kingdom's matters and stopped paying attention to me. That's when Oleg saw me and supported me. He made me feel wanted, and that's how I fell for him."

　　Her words struck me like a physical blow. The crowd gasped, and a murmur of disbelief rippled through them. The queen, my mother, was not just complicit in Oleg's schemes but actively supported him out of personal affection.

　　I stepped closer to her, my voice low but filled with emotion. "Mother, how could you betray Father's memory like this? How could you betray our kingdom?"

　　Kate's eyes softened for a moment, but then they hardened again. "Your father was a good man, but he neglected me. Oleg was there for me when I needed someone. You wouldn't understand."

　　"I understand more than you think," I replied. "I understand that you let yourself be blinded by your emotions, that you allowed yourself to be manipulated by a man who only seeks power and destruction."

　　Odin stepped forward again, his voice strong and clear. "Your Majesty, personal grievances aside, Oleg's actions have endangered the entire kingdom. Your loyalty to him has put us all at risk."

　　Kate's face twisted in anger. "You have no right to speak to me that way!"

　　"He has every right," Brandon interjected. "As do all of us. We stand here not just for Lydia, but for the entire kingdom."

　　The other Alphas nodded in agreement, their presence a formidable wall of support. The crowd, seeing the unity among the packs, began to murmur more loudly, their whispers turning into shouts of agreement.

　　"It doesn't matter now, I am still the queen, and I declare that I will be marrying Oleg soon," Kate announced, her voice rising above the crowd. "That will give him the ultimate power and the right to the throne. Lydia, you should reconsider your decision to relinquish the throne. I will grant you a peaceful life; you won't suffer anymore."

　　"No, Mother," I said firmly, refusing to back down. "I will never grant this kingdom's reign to someone like Oleg or an emotionally blind person like you."

　　Kate's face fell, disappointment clear in her eyes. Before she could respond, Oleg seized the moment. In a flash, he drew a dagger and grabbed Kate, pressing the blade to her throat. The crowd gasped, and chaos erupted.

　　"Oleg, what are you doing?" My mother cried.

　　"Everyone, stay back!" Oleg shouted, his voice dripping with menace. "Lydia, retract all the evidence, or your mother dies right here."

　　A shiver ran down my spine as I saw the terror in my mother's eyes. I was caught in a dilemma, torn between my loyalty to her and my quest for justice.

　　"Lydia, please," Kate's voice was shaky, her fear palpable. "Do as he says."

　　"Oleg please, it hurts. Stop all this!" She tried to convince him as well.

　　"I will not let Lydia or anyone take away what means to me the most; the throne. It should rightfully be mine. I have worked so hard for it. I can't let you or your useless daughter get in the middle of that."

　　"Lydia!" my mother cried.

　　I hesitated, my mind racing. Every instinct screamed to protect her, but I knew that giving in would mean surrendering the kingdom to Oleg's tyranny.

　　"Think carefully, Lydia," Oleg snarled, pressing the dagger closer to Kate's throat. "One wrong move, and it's over for your mother."

　　I looked at Brandon and Odin, their expressions reflecting the same turmoil I felt. The crowd's shouts were a cacophony of panic and anger. My heart pounded in my chest as I realized the gravity of the situation.

　　"Mother, why are you doing this?" I whispered, tears welling up in my eyes.

　　Kate's emotions spiralled out of control, her voice breaking. "Lydia, please! I can't lose you too!"

　　My mind raced, searching for a way out of this nightmare. The tension was unbearable, the air thick with dread. I knew that whatever decision I made next would change everything.

　　As I took a deep breath, preparing to respond, the world seemed to hold its breath with me, waiting for the resolution of this deadly standoff.