Chapter 70: Chapter 70 To Warm His Frozen Heart
Phoebe’s POV
I stepped back, falling into place behind Elder Tricia.
We strolled through the garden—the very same one I’d been gazing at from my bedroom window all this time.
I’d never actually set foot here before. I always kept to the interior of the palace, never venturing far. Flynn’s warning echoed constantly in my mind: I wasn’t supposed to wander the grounds.
The garden felt like a breath of fresh air. The fragrant blooms lifted my spirits, though my nerves about whatever the elder planned to discuss kept me from fully enjoying it.
Neither of us had spoken since we’d entered the garden. I had no idea how to start a conversation when he was the one who’d requested this talk.
We eventually made our way to a bench beneath a wisteria tree. That tree had caught my eye from the very first moment I’d spotted it through my window. I’d longed to see it up close, but my reluctance to venture outside had kept me confined to distant glimpses.
"You’re the king’s mate, correct?" Elder Tricia asked.
His breathing came slightly labored from our lengthy walk. Age was clearly taking its toll on him.
"Yes. Is there something I can do for you?" I replied quietly.
The elder’s gentle smile made me shift uncomfortably. His kind gaze left me wondering what he wanted from me.
I couldn’t help but wonder if he belonged to the Movement and intended to discuss that with me.
"You’re quite beautiful, my lady. I believe you’re doing an excellent job of controlling the king’s volatile nature."
"Thank you, but I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished anything significant in that regard." The memory of Perry recently executing a warrior for allegedly lying about Reginald’s visit flashed through my mind. He’d had no solid proof of deception, yet he hadn’t believed me either.
I hardly felt like I’d made any progress in that area.
"I understand this isn’t something you’d notice right away." Elder Tricia seemed to read my thoughts, reassuring me he wasn’t simply offering empty flattery. "The king’s been in better spirits recently, and it’s because things are going well between you two."
I couldn’t speak to how Perry behaved outside our interactions, but he was right about us being on good terms. So I remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
"I realize it must be difficult dealing with his ruthless side, but Perry wasn’t always this way. He used to be a wonderful child." Elder Tricia gazed into the distance, seemingly lost in distant memories. "He was gentle and inquisitive before his father destroyed his innocence and left him deeply scarred."
I wasn’t sure where this conversation was heading, but I listened as the elder shared memories of meeting Perry for the first time—a three-year-old boy, shy and hiding behind his mother’s legs when meeting strangers.
"I recognize your necklace and earrings." Elder Tricia gestured toward the jewelry Perry had given me days before our first public appearance.
I’d grown fond of them and kept them on. Perry seemed pleased with my choice. Besides, the pieces were delicate enough that they didn’t draw attention unless you looked closely.
"The king gave them to me," I said, touching my earring.
"Of course he did." Elder Tricia nodded with a soft chuckle. "He adored his mother. Unfortunately, the late queen died unexpectedly." His smile faded, eyes clouding with sorrow. "That’s when the previous king lost his mind."
I’d only heard rumors about Perry’s father, but the stories varied wildly. Most people praised the former king as kind-hearted, but Timothy had scoffed at those tales. Now the elder was telling me the same thing.
"The transformation was gradual, but it became increasingly brutal for Perry over time. Things got worse when the king chose a new mate who brought her own children—kids around Perry’s age. They tormented him constantly, and no one dared intervene because it would mean defying the king."
I absorbed Elder Tricia’s account. The feeling was identical to when Timothy had shared Perry’s history with me.
We’d both endured rejection from people we loved—people who’d cared for us initially but changed over time, growing to hate us for reasons beyond our control.
Cameron had loved me when my mother was alive, but once she was gone, his affection for his daughter vanished completely.
Yet here was Perry, who’d suffered something ten times worse than what I’d experienced.
Timothy had explained that something inside Perry shattered when he lost Cordelia—when he had to watch her die before his eyes, powerless to save her. The crushing helplessness and despair that makes you physically ill.
"Why are you telling me all this?" I finally asked after Elder Tricia finished his story. We both stared up at the blue sky as a gentle breeze carried the sweet flower fragrance around us.
"Because I have a favor to ask of you."
Naturally. I’d known he must want something after sharing all that information. "I don’t think I can help you with anything."
Elder Tricia chuckled. "I respectfully disagree. I believe you’re the only one who can do this."
I turned to face the elder. "What do you want from me?" I felt defensive for no clear reason. People were always asking things of me or simply taking what they wanted without concern.
Especially since someone had already asked me for a massive favor recently.
"Please, would you stay by his side and guide him?"
"What do you mean by guiding him?"
"He cares about you, and I know him well enough to say that when he cares for someone, he listens to them."
Elder Tricia mentioned his royal beta and gamma—no matter how furious or out of control Perry became, those two could calm him down or at least minimize the damage.
"I don’t think I have that kind of influence over him."
"Of course you do." Elder Tricia reached out and gently squeezed my hands. "Please, my lady, just try. I know people call him the Mad King—a bloodthirsty ruler who murdered his own family. But they don’t know what he’s been through, and I believe you can warm his frozen heart," Tricia said tenderly.
