The Alpha's Forsaken Feisty Mate-Chapter 158: Weaklings are always crushed

"The Crown Prince wishes to see me?" Zenna was startled by Pia’s words.

Radulf wasn’t home. Should she turn the Crown Prince away in his absence? Would that be the right thing to do?

Closing the ledger in her hands, she placed a pen between its pages before standing up. With measured steps, she made her way to the living room, where she found Crown Prince Leon waiting. She lowered her head in a respectful bow.

"I want everyone to leave," Leon commanded.

At once, the room emptied, the silence pressing down on Zenna like an invisible weight. Her hands clenched briefly before she lifted her head, meeting the Crown Prince’s gaze.

"My husband isn’t in the mansion," she stated, keeping her voice steady. "It is not appropriate for Your Grace to meet me in private."

Leon’s expression darkened. "Why do you always assume I intend to take advantage of you?" His golden eyes flickered with restrained fury. "I held your hand once, and you have treated me like a dishonorable man ever since."

Zenna met his gaze without flinching. "I was married, Your Grace. You should have considered that before touching me in the past."

Leon exhaled sharply, but instead of responding to her words, he cut straight to the reason for his visit. "As you know, Nina and I are engaged. I need you to promise me something."

Zenna’s brows knitted together as she watched him step closer. Instinctively, she moved back until the back of her legs hit a sofa. Her eyes flickered behind her briefly before returning to his, relieved to find that despite his approach, he had maintained a respectable distance.

"What does Your Grace mean?" she asked, frowning.

Leon’s expression was unreadable. "I need you to never speak of the truth," he said coldly. "That I am not the biological son of the Alpha King and Luna Queen. I know you’ve already broken royal protocol by telling Radulf about it."

Zenna inhaled deeply, carefully keeping her expression. "I have no interest in discussing matters that don’t concern me," she assured him. "Rest easy, Your Grace. I will never mention this to Nina, nor have I ever spoken of it before Princess Aria. You have my word."

She studied him closely. There was something in his gaze as if he was battling an internal war.

"Make sure Radulf remains silent as well," Leon warned. "If word gets out, you know Father will be the first to tighten his grip around your throat."

Beneath that warning, Zenna caught his concern for her in years for the first time.

"I understand, Your Grace," she said, lowering her gaze briefly in acknowledgment.

Leon remained quiet for a moment before asking, "How have you been?"

Zenna hesitated at the unexpected question. "I am doing well," she answered carefully.

Leon’s sharp gaze swept over her. "I can see that. Your face looks more radiant than before."

There was no mockery in his tone, only an observation. It was the first time in years that he had spoken to her in such a way.

"You know what Father wants from you, don’t you?" His voice had softened slightly.

"Yes," Zenna replied. "But what I don’t understand is why the Crown Prince is asking me about it."

Leon held her gaze. "Because once you give birth to a dominant Alpha, Father won’t spare you or Radulf. No one will be able to stop him then."

Zenna’s heart pounded in her chest. She was aware of this truth, but hearing it from Leon gave this statement more weight.

"I don’t know the full extent of Father’s plans," Leon admitted, "but if you want to live, you must never become pregnant."

Zenna’s lips parted slightly in shock. She had never expected such a warning from him.

"Your Grace," she said slowly, "it is strange hearing such concern from you."

"Weaklings are always crushed, Zenna. It started with your mother," Leon replied, his tone distant. "You were not the only pawn in Father’s games."

Something flickered in his eyes, perhaps a feeling she had never witnessed before. He straightened his posture as if realizing he had expressed too much.

"I’ll take my leave," he said abruptly. "Don’t be so alarmed whenever you see me. I understand you see me as a brother, despite the lack of blood ties."

Without waiting for a response, he turned on the heels of his boots and strode out of the room.

"What was that?" she murmured to herself. "Is Crown Prince Leon also a pawn?"

Her brows furrowed as a new thought crept into her mind.

’What if the Alpha King wanted a dominant Alpha to rule after him, but not Leon?’

Though it was mere speculation, she couldn’t ignore it. She needed to tell Radulf about it once he returned.

Pia returned to the living room with a concerned expression. "Luna Zenna, did the Crown Prince try to—"

"No," Zenna interrupted calmly. "He was here to discuss an important matter with me."

Pia studied her closely, still skeptical. "What was it? The Crown Prince sent everyone away. That’s not something he usually does unless it’s serious."

Zenna offered a small, reassuring smile. "He wanted to know what Nina likes. He plans to surprise her."

Pia’s brows lifted slightly, but she didn’t press further. "Oh... I see. That’s thoughtful of him."

"Yes," Zenna replied. "Now, I will continue reviewing the accounts. There’s still much to do."

As they turned toward the staircase, a servant approached Zenna with a polite bow. "Luna, Lord Gregor and his mate, Lady Aster, have arrived."

Zenna’s eyes lit up at the news. A warm smile graced her lips as she turned to the servant. "Please, bring them inside immediately."

She then shifted her gaze to Pia. "Prepare the best assortments for them. I want them to feel welcome."

"Of course, Luna," Pia responded with a nod before hurrying off to make the necessary arrangements.

Zenna took a steady breath, anticipation growing in her heart. It had been a while since she last saw Gregor, and she was eager to meet Aster for the first time.