The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 175

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 175: The Palace – Part I**

[Third-Person’s POV]

A wave of relief washed over Alexander as he considered the unexpected turn of events that day. Discovering Isabella’s secret stash of Hemlock felt like a fortunate twist of fate, a glimmer of hope in their otherwise tumultuous lives. They were inching closer to dismantling the web of deceit spun by those who had wronged them, and that realization filled him with a renewed sense of purpose.

The accomplishment they had achieved together granted Alexander a surge of confidence he didn’t know he had been lacking. As he and Evelyn approached the grand palace, the weight of their mission pressed down on him, yet it was a weight he felt ready to bear.

Gregory’s summons hadn’t surprised him; if anything, the real shock lay in Evelyn’s unwavering determination to attend the meeting. She had insisted on being there, and Alexander couldn’t help but admire her resolve.

As Evelyn had articulated earlier, there was a potential opportunity to uncover Fiona’s whereabouts, especially if they happened to cross paths with Caroline. Unlike Isabella and Samantha, Caroline possessed a remarkable ability to maintain her composure, particularly in public settings.

The thought of facing his stepmother filled Alexander with a mix of anticipation and curiosity.

What must it feel like to know your elaborate scheme to eliminate me has crumbled so spectacularly?

A part of him relished the idea of revealing the truth, of watching the facade the Alpha King so carefully maintained begin to crack.

Let the world see who you truly are…

Beside him, Evelyn was doing her utmost to mask her own unease. She had carefully donned her emotional armor, her expression a practiced mask of calm.

“It’s perfectly normal to feel a bit anxious,” he reassured her, his voice gentle. “This is your first time at the palace, isn’t it?”

Evelyn nodded slowly, her gaze drifting towards the ornate architecture surrounding them. “No, it is. I suppose I’m just worried about what the King might attempt.”

With a tender gesture, Alexander wrapped his arm around her shoulders, offering comfort. “Unfortunately, the possibility of that is always looming,” he sighed, his expression growing serious. “What I can say for certain is that he will be furious and will demand answers, no matter what.”

“Do you think he’ll try to impose some kind of punishment on you? Will he seek revenge for being outsmarted?”

“Even if he attempted something like that, it would only backfire on him,” Alexander replied, his tone steady. “My ruse of pretending to be incapacitated didn’t physically harm anyone else. I didn’t manipulate public sentiment for personal gain.”

“That’s a valid point. Everything was orchestrated to keep others oblivious while you conducted your investigation,” she acknowledged, her voice thoughtful.

He absentmindedly stroked her arm, lost in contemplation. “We’ll just have to wait and see how it all unfolds.”

Upon their arrival at the palace, they were promptly intercepted by an imposing chaperone flanked by two heavily armed guards. As they were led through the grand entrance, Evelyn’s wide-eyed wonder was palpable.

If she had thought the courthouse was impressive, the palace was a realm beyond her wildest imaginings. Towering ceilings adorned with exquisite hand-painted murals loomed overhead, while the marbled floors were meticulously arranged to create a stunning mosaic that dazzled the eye.

It was a breathtaking sight, undeniably magnificent, yet Evelyn couldn’t shake the feeling that it was all a bit excessive. While grandeur had its merits, she felt the opulence was a stark reminder of the disparity between wealth and the struggles of the common people. The thought of what that kind of money could achieve in helping those in need nagged at her, a persistent ache in her mind.

“We’ve been instructed to take you to the throne room,” one of the guards announced, his voice echoing in the vast space.

Alexander chuckled softly, a hint of sarcasm lacing his words. “Anything to satisfy the King’s desire to flaunt his power.”

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