After I Torched Alive, My Alpha Went crazy novel Chapter 168

"Well?" I pressed, my tone firm. "You seemed so eager to question me earlier. Let’s hear it."

Nova’s cheeks turned a faint shade of red, and her gaze darted nervously around the room. "I… I don’t see why I should have to ask you anything," she stammered. "This isn’t about me."

"Oh, but it is," I said, my voice ringing out clearly. "You’ve spent the entire morning trying to discredit me, claiming I don’t deserve to be here. Yet when it’s your turn to ask a question, you can’t come up with anything?"

The noblewomen began whispering among themselves, some of them casting skeptical glances at Nova. Her bravado was quickly unraveling.

"You’re just trying to put me on the spot," Nova said, frustrated. "That’s not fair!"

"Fair?" I arched my brow, "Was it fair when you questioned my competence in front of everyone? When you tried to humiliate me without cause?"

Well?" I pressed, folding my arms. "You wanted to challenge me, didn’t you? Now’s your chance."

She stammered, her frustration morphing into outright embarrassment. "I…I don’t need to prove anything to you. Everyone here knows you’re an outsider."

"An outsider who’s willing to stand her ground," I shot back. "Unlike you, who hides behind insults when faced with a real challenge."

I took a step forward, "If you’re so confident I don’t belong here, prove it. Ask me something, anything and let’s see if your claims hold weight."

Nova’s cheeks flushed, a vivid contrast against her pale complexion. She opened her mouth, then closed it again, grasping for words.

I continued, "It’s quite funny that you’re here criticizing me when you, of all people, should know what it’s like to answer some basic business questions. I mean, aren’t you the Beta’s daughter?

Aren’t you in charge of royal finances?" "Or is managing the royal finances not part of your skill set?"

A murmur rippled through the room. I could see some of the noble girls exchanging uncertain glances, unsure of how to react. Nova’s face flushed with a mix of anger and frustration.

"You think you can embarrass me with your sarcasm?" Nova snapped, her voice trembling with rage as she took a step toward me. Her entire body radiated fury.

"Embarrass you?" I replied with mock innocence, "I’d never dream of it. But it is strange, isn’t it?

The room fell into stunned silence as all heads turned toward the grand doors, which had swung open to reveal King Luna.

She stepped into the room, her regal presence silencing even the faintest murmurs. Her piercing gaze swept across the crowd before landing on Nova, then me.

"What is the meaning of this disgraceful display?" her voice boomed, heavy with disappointment.

Nova froze mid-step, her fury dissolving into sheer panic. She straightened herself hurriedly, her eyes darting anywhere but to the Queen’s imposing figure.

"Bickering in such an undignified manner?" King Luna continued, her tone colder now. "Do you all think this is the way to conduct yourselves here? Squabbling like children over petty matters?"

No one dared to answer. Even I, who had stood my ground moments before, felt the sting of her words.

"Nova," the Queen said sharply, her gaze locking onto the Beta’s daughter. "You are the Beta’s child, expected to set an example for others. Instead, you lower yourself to this?"

Nova opened her mouth to speak but faltered. "And you," the Queen turned her attention to me, "Outsider or not, I expect decorum from everyone who steps in here. There are ways to handle disagreements, and this is not one of them."