Third Person’s POV
The news of the victorious war in the northern zone spread across the kingdom like wildfire, reaching every corner of the kingdom. Every newspaper, article, poster, broadcast, and post was related to the successful fight against the Northern Rogues and the reclamation of the kingdom’s lands.
Together with the king’s overjoyed and proud declaration of the historic moment for the kingdom, every media outline of every form buzzed with reports of the heroic deeds of a female general who had fought alongside Prince Deacon in reclaiming the lost territories along with great warriors.
Names of warriors who made significant contributions were being whispered from pack to pack, member to member, but all were speculation as no names had been released yet.
However, being the only known female general in the kingdom, everyone assumed the female general was Glenda.
Meanwhile, in the Swiftridge Pack, the Bryson family’s main residence was bustling with preparation for a grand banquet.
Servants were rushing around under the sharp eye of Courtney, Bryson’s mother, who was directing them with an air of arrogance. The aroma of roasted meats and fine wine fills the air, but the tension simmered beneath the surface.
For this grand welcoming party, she even took a loan just to boast to everyone.
“Elysse, make sure everything is perfect! We must celebrate Bryson and Glenda’s victory! I want everyone to remember this night!” Courtney commanded, pointing at all the decorations at Bryson’s sister–in–law.
Elysse looked around nervously before hesitantly telling her, “Luna, are you sure this banquet is a good idea? The guest list isn’t exactly… impressive.”
But instead of seeing the truth, Courtney angrily snapped, “Don’t be ridiculous. Everyone important will regret not coming once they see what Bryson and Glenda have accomplished. Elena may have been made a princess, but this victory will make her seem insignificant.”
“But why didn’t any high–ranking members accept the invitation? Don’t you think it’s strange? Did something happen?” Elyse asked again with worry.
Courtney dismissed Elysse’s question and waved her hand in the air. “Those nobles are just jealous, that’s all. They can’t stand to see our family rising above theirs. Once Bryson and Glenda return, they’ll see how wrong they are and regret that they didn’t come here.”
Later that evening, the banquet finally began, and the room became filled with chatters from the Swiftridge Pack members, other lower–ranking members, and distant family members they managed to invite from the neighbouring packs.
Courtney stood in front with her hand tightening on the wine glass she was holding as her forced smile threatened to falter upon seeing the absence of the noble members.
ble! They’ll regret
“Where are the pack leaders? The council members? Even Glenda’s friends? This is unacc this when the truth comes out,” she frustratedly uttered, harshly putting her glass on the nearby table.
Though she knew the other packs declined their invitation, she didn’t realized that even their neighbouring packs and those friends of Glenda wouldn’t attend as well.
Gritting her teeth, she looked around, cursing under her breath, “All of you wait… I’ll make you all beg under my feet once my son and daughter–in–law’s glory is officially announced!”
1/3
Chapter 81
+25 BONUS
The next morning, Courtney sat on the patio of the pack house, still fuming about the wrecked event she hosted last night, when Julie, Bryson’s cousin, suddenly rushed in with an expression mixed with panic, frustration, and disbelief.
“Aunty! You wouldn’t believe this!” Julie started, panting. She stopped on the patio and grabbed a drink before continuing, “I’ve heard something… unusual. They say the female general mentioned in the news isn’t Glenda. It’s… that shrew, Elena.”
Instead of being alerted and dismayed, Courtney looked at Julie like she had another head grown on her neck and laughed while shaking her head. “Elena? On the battlefield? Don’t be absurd. She wouldn’t last a day out there!”
Julie bit her lower lip and looked hesitantly at Courtney.
Seeing her expression, Courtney rolled her eyes and asked, “What?”
“But the kingdom has posted the official list of contributors at the entrance to Parliament. They say her name is right at the top… alongside Prince Deacon…”
Courtney’s laughter immediately faded and was replaced by a scowl. “That’s enough of nonsense! Call the driver! We’re going to see that ‘list‘ for ourselves.”
“But…” Julie hesitated, but Courtney sent her a deadly glare and pointed a finger at her.
“Now!” she shouted, jolting Julie to run inside and call the driver.
While waiting for the driver, she went out of the patio and blurted out after a scoff, “Those stupid maggots will see! It’s my son and daughter–in–law. Shrew that Elena, she’s probably spreading that fake news herself!”
With that in mind, she called out some of the high–ranking officials to join her in confirming the results.
Once the driver arrived, Julie and Elysse where already at the back of the car.
As soon as Courtney entered, Elysse asked in shock while looking outside, “Why are there a lot of people? Are they coming with us?”
After a few minutes, they all arrived in Parliament Square, where a crowd had already gathered around the posted list of contributors, murmuring in admiration.
Frustrated and hurrying, Courtney pushed through around people like they didn’t matter, causing murmurs and glares to be sent on her way, but she kept shouting, “Make way! Let me see this so–called list. I’ll show you all the truth about Bryson and Glenda’s accomplishments!”
She pushed through the crowd with confidence, others following close behind her as they were filled with the same curiosity.
Standing in front, she placed her hands on her waist and arrogantly scanned the list with her eyes until her expression froze and her hands dropped dead on her sides.
On top of the list was Prince Deacon’s name followed by Elena’s name while the rest were the other significant warriors.
Courtney felt her knees gone weak when she couldn’t find any trace of Glenda’s name. What made her face even redder was to find Bryson’s name right at the bottome of the list, indicating he’s position as a logistic and base defender.
Murmurs filled the place with the voices of thsoe Courtney brought with her.
“Bryson was only in charge of logistics? And Glenda isn’t even on the list?”
2/3
+25 BONUS
Chapter 81
“Did we see that right? Elena led the battlefield? She’s the real hero!”
Courtney’s face pales and heer hands trembled as she grips the edge of the announcement board.
Stammering, she uttered, “T–this must be a mistake! There’s no way… Bryson… Glenda…”
Elysse looked around and concerningly tugged at Courtney’s sleeves, “Luna, maybe we should go…”
Hearing her aim to retreat, Courtney snapped again, “No! They must have overlooked something. This is impossible!”
Hearing her making a fuss, the murmuring around grew even louder and Courtney’s embarassmeent deeper. “Didn’t they throw a banquet last night? They must have thought Bryson and Glenda were the ones who got the glory!” Someone uttered, letting out a mocking laugh which made Courtney’s face turned red.
Another snickered and commented, “How awkward. They should’ve checked the list first.”
Cournety, red–faced and humiliated, stormed back to their car with Elysse and Julie railing behind her. As they climb in, Cournety sat stiffly, her hands clenched in her lap
Gritting her teeth, she cursed before slamming her clenched hands on her lap. “Elena! That ungrateful girl! How dare she steal the spotlight? And Bryson… Glenda… what have they been doing all this time? I’ll make sure they answer for this humiliation!”
