Chapter 175: Chapter 175 The Queen Takes Command
Phoebe’s POV
I was deep in sleep when someone’s hands suddenly shook me awake.
Blinking through the haze, I cracked my eyes open to find Samuel hovering beside my bed, his face tense with worry. He was the one who’d disturbed my rest.
"We have to go, my queen," his voice carried an edge of panic. "You’re needed in the war room."
I frowned, glancing toward the window where darkness still blanketed the world outside. My drowsy brain struggled to process his words.
"Enemy forces are advancing on the palace."
My eyes flew wide with shock. I scrambled out of bed and grabbed my jacket, but then his earlier words hit me.
Why do they want me in the war room? The confusion gnawed at me. I understood that room was restricted—reserved for classified intel and life-or-death decisions.
"Because you’re the queen," Samuel answered, and something almost like guilt colored his tone.
I didn’t need further explanation. I knew exactly who’d given that order. The elders, of course. They never quit harassing me.
They’d find a thousand ways to make my existence miserable, all because they believed I was wrong for Perry. I brought him nothing—no advantages, no alliances. And the fact that I still wasn’t carrying his child only made things worse.
Being wolfless and previously rejected remained their favorite ammunition against me.
But this time, I refused to lie down and take it.
Justin waited outside my door, his expression apologetic. "Forgive me for disturbing your rest, my queen," he said. "I attempted to reason with the elders. Even royal beta Tricia tried convincing them to leave you alone, but they wouldn’t budge. They insisted on your attendance."
I nodded and waved dismissively, as if it didn’t matter. But of course it mattered. They wanted to humiliate me.
Along with all my other shortcomings, I couldn’t even speak properly now. They’d exploit this chance to demonstrate to the other leadership exactly how unqualified I was to rule this kingdom.
Still, I kept walking until I reached the war room. I’d visited Perry here countless times before his departure south.
Usually, only he would be waiting inside for me, but when I pushed open the door this time, roughly a dozen people filled the space.
Several elders, including elder Tricia, plus multiple senior warriors who protected the palace. Their stares fixed on me, and the weight of their collective scrutiny made me want to retreat.
Instead, I held my ground and steeled myself before entering. I’d survived worse than this. This was nothing compared to what I’d already endured.
At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.
"Now that the queen has arrived, we can proceed with our meeting." Elder Augustus gestured to the other attendees, offering me a courteous nod that held no real courtesy.
"You shouldn’t have summoned the queen. There’s no reason to burden her with worry," elder Tricia snapped at his colleagues, his glare sharp as a blade.
He’d fought to keep me away from this, but he was outnumbered. And technically, protocol did require my presence in the war room when the king was absent.
"Naturally she should be concerned. This is her kingdom as well, correct? If she doesn’t care about our realm, how can she possibly be fit to rule? I don’t understand your resistance to including her when it’s obvious that without the king present, the queen controls the palace and commands every major decision."
Elder Augustus’s move was calculated brilliance. With those words, he’d cornered me perfectly. If I made the wrong choice, I’d face blame and condemnation.
They wouldn’t forgive such an error, especially during a crisis involving our people’s lives.
Elder Augustus had constructed the ideal trap for my failure—which seemed likely given my inexperience in these matters. I was still learning everything, after all.
I pulled out my notepad and wrote: *It’s fine. Can someone update me on the situation?* Then I showed it to the room, which sparked immediate murmuring among the elders and warriors.
They shouldn’t have been surprised by my written communication—they all knew I couldn’t speak verbally yet. But they acted like I’d committed some sacrilege.
"I hope we can have a proper conversation here, my queen," elder Augustus said with false politeness that fooled no one.
"Mind your tone, elder Augustus." Elder Tricia was seething now, and seeing the usually composed royal beta lose his cool was remarkable.
Elder Augustus seemed momentarily rattled but quickly recovered, offering a mild smile. "I am being respectful. I simply want everyone to feel comfortable."
I quickly grabbed elder Tricia’s hand to stop him from escalating further. There was no point in him getting worked up over this.
Then I scribbled another note.
*Does my presence make you uncomfortable?*
"Certainly not. However..."
I wrote rapidly, sensing Samuel and Justin’s fury radiating beside me. They hated how these people treated me, and I appreciated their loyalty.
*Then what are we waiting for? I thought this was urgent enough to wake me up.*
