The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 187

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 187: The Final Trials Part I**

[Third-Person’s POV]

It was a subtle absence that first alerted Alexander to the unsettling reality of the morning. As he reached instinctively for Evelyn, his hand met only cool, unoccupied sheets where she should have been nestled beside him. In that instant, his heart raced, and his eyes flew open, scanning the dimly lit room with a sense of dread creeping into his chest. The silence felt heavy, and the absence of her presence was a palpable weight that threatened to crush him. How long had she been gone?

A gnawing instinct told him that something was amiss. It wasn’t until a sudden, jarring thud echoed through the corridor that he sprang from the bed, urgency propelling him forward as he dashed toward the door. Outside, a few staff members were already milling about, their faces painted with confusion and concern, murmuring amongst themselves as they wondered what calamity had befallen them.

With each hurried step down the hall, anxiety coiled tighter in his chest. The unmistakable sound of a woman grunting, followed by a heavy thump of a body hitting the floor, sent a chill down his spine.

Oh God.

He burst through the doorway, flicking on the light, and relief washed over him like a cool breeze when he realized that it was not Evelyn sprawled helplessly on the floor. Instead, Fiona lay there, a testament to the fierce confrontation that had just taken place.

Despite the sight of her nose, which was now gushing a small stream of crimson from Evelyn’s fierce punch, Alexander felt a surge of concern for the woman who had been on the receiving end of his wife’s wrath. He swiftly moved to Evelyn’s side, wrapping his arms around her waist and assisting her to her feet, his heart swelling with pride.

He took a moment to survey her, from the tousled hair framing her face to the determined glint in her eyes. A satisfied smile crept onto his lips.

“Well done, sweetheart,” he praised, his voice warm with admiration. “It seems she didn’t put up much of a fight after all.”

Evelyn glanced down at the unconscious healer, a sneer of triumph curling her lips.

“My guess is that she lost whatever grip on sanity she had left when it dawned on her that she needed to retrieve the blade,” she assessed coolly. “She wasn’t exactly an easy opponent, but I felt as if I had the upper hand.”

Wrapping his arm around her waist, Alexander pulled her close, savoring the moment. “Well, she certainly made things simpler for us.”

He called out for Oliver, who appeared almost instantly, his demeanor professional and attentive.

“Sir?”

“Send out the requests for warrants on Isabella and Fiona immediately,” Alexander instructed, his tone brooking no argument. “I know we discussed waiting until morning, but there’s no reason to delay any further.”

Oliver nodded, understanding the urgency in his voice.

“And Oliver,” Evelyn interjected, her gaze sharp, “when you send out the requests, please inform the Royals about the unlawful break-in and ensure Fiona is taken into custody without delay. The longer I look at her, the more tempted I am to drag her down to the cellar and repay her in kind.”

Alexander winced at the grim thought but knew better than to argue.

He gently guided Evelyn back to their room, hoping they could steal a few precious hours of sleep before chaos inevitably erupted. Once they were settled, with Evelyn tucked against his side, he allowed his eyes to drift shut.

At last, the relentless weight of worry began to lift. Everything was finally falling into place.

As he had suspected, chaos ensued when the warrants for Isabella and Fiona’s arrest were officially released. The press was in an uproar, reveling in the scandal as they connected the familial ties between Isabella and Evelyn.

Questions flooded in thick and fast, probing why Evelyn sought to convict her own stepmother. Yet, through it all, Evelyn remained steadfast, doing her utmost to navigate the storm with grace. The court date was set, and unlike Michael’s trial, this one would be a public spectacle.

Fiona shot a venomous glare at Evelyn, while Isabella maintained her serene expression, a stark contrast that only heightened the tension in the room.

“Will the prosecution please step forward?” the judge beckoned. Evelyn and Alexander approached the bench, feeling the weight of the moment. “We have gathered here to address the warrants issued for Mrs. Silverwood and Ms. Rizza, based on the grave charges of attempted murder against you, Mrs. Kingston.”

A collective gasp rippled through the spectators seated on the far side of the courtroom, shock evident on their faces.

“That is correct, Your Honor,” Evelyn affirmed, her voice steady despite the gravity of the situation.

At that moment, the King chose to clear his throat, drawing the attention of the room towards him. “As I’m sure you’re aware, these are serious allegations.”

Evelyn nodded, determination shining in her eyes. “Yes, given that these events transpired only a few weeks ago, we have spent that time diligently gathering the necessary evidence to substantiate Isabella and Fiona’s involvement.”

“And I assume you possess this evidence?”

“Indeed, we do,” Alexander interjected, his tone dark and resolute.

“Mrs. Kingston, perhaps we should commence this hearing with your account of the events of that night,” the judge suggested, his voice commanding yet patient.

Evelyn inhaled deeply, steeling herself as she nodded slowly.

“The events unfolded on the fifteenth of February,” she began, her voice unwavering. “My primary intention was to confront my stepmother regarding her appalling behavior toward my marriage. I had grown weary of her manipulative tactics and was determined to demand that she leave us in peace…”