Page 74 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

"Yes." Father snorted, anger flooding his voice. "That bastard had the nerve to stay! Says he wants to win you back!"

My chest tightened. I knew how stubborn Cedric could be.

"According to our kingdom's laws, only someone who competes in the Warrior's Trial and wins has the right to court a princess. Cedric has decided to enter. Father and I agreed," Adrian said, disapproval thick in his tone.

I shot to my feet. "What? The Warrior's Trial? No, I don't agree!"

"Alice, don't get upset." Father pressed my shoulders, guiding me back into the chair. "Just hear us out."

He sat across from me, his amber eyes full of pain and rage. "That bastard Cedric hurt my precious daughter. He got you pregnant and abandoned you, nearly got you killed! I'm not letting him off easy. This Warrior's Trial is just to teach him a lesson."

Father didn't give me a chance to speak. He gestured dramatically, excitement dancing in his eyes. "You'll sit in the stands and watch our kingdom's warriors beat that scumbag bloody and send him crawling out of our kingdom!"

I stared at him, mouth opening but no words coming out.

Father meant well. I knew that.

But...

"Father," I took a deep breath, somewhat helplessly, "Cedric is a king. This isn't right... I'll make him leave on his own."

Father's eyes widened. "Sweetheart, you're too kind! That bastard hurt you so badly, and you're still thinking about him!"

"I'm not thinking about him," I shook my head. "I just don't want anything more to do with him."

"Perfect." Adrian came to my side, patting my shoulder reassuringly. "Let him compete. After he loses and slinks away humiliated, you'll never have to see him again."

I looked at them, suddenly feeling deeply powerless.

"He had no objections?" I asked.

Father sneered. "He seems pretty confident. We'll see how many rounds he lasts."

My fingers gripped my skirts tightly, my emotions complicated. I didn't understand what Cedric was trying to do.

"The contest starts tomorrow," Adrian said. "You'll come watch, won't you, Alice?"

I hesitated.

Honestly, I did want to go.

On one hand, I wanted to see him, to make sure he was safe—Father's chosen warriors definitely wouldn't hold back. On the other, I hoped he'd realize it was hopeless, give up on his own, and leave.

Then we'd never have to see each other again.

"All right." I nodded. "I'll be there."

The day of the contest, the entire kingdom was buzzing.

The massive circular arena was packed with people. Nobles in fine clothes filled the stands while commoners stood at the perimeter. Everyone was talking excitedly about the upcoming matches.

I sat in the central viewing platform, Adrian and Father on either side, Mother beside them.

"It's starting," Adrian said.

Horns sounded. The arena gates slowly opened.

First came our kingdom's warrior—a burly man radiating powerful Alpha energy.