Marked By The Mad King Alpha (Phoebe and Perry) novel Chapter 70

Chapter 70: To Warm His Frozen Heart

Phoebe’s Perspective

I took a hesitant step back, falling quietly into step behind Elder Tricia as we began our walk. The garden stretched out before us—the very same one I had admired from my bedroom window countless times, though I had never dared to set foot inside it until now. I had always confined myself to the interior halls of the palace, never venturing beyond the familiar walls. Flynn’s warning echoed persistently in my mind: I was not to roam the grounds alone.

Yet, as we moved deeper into the garden, the air felt fresher, scented with the soft fragrance of blooming flowers. The beauty around me lifted my spirits, even if my nerves tightened in anticipation of whatever Elder Tricia intended to discuss. Neither of us spoke during the walk. I found myself at a loss for how to begin a conversation when it was he who had summoned me here.

Eventually, we came to rest on a bench nestled beneath a wisteria tree—the very same tree that had captured my attention from afar the moment I first glimpsed it through my window. I had longed to see it up close, but my own hesitations had kept me at a distance until now.

“Are you the king’s mate?” Elder Tricia asked, his voice gentle but steady.

His breath was slightly uneven from the walk, a reminder of his age and the toll time had taken on him.

“Yes,” I replied softly. “Is there something you need from me?”

His soft smile made me shift nervously. There was kindness in his eyes, but also an unspoken weight. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was part of the Movement, and if this conversation would revolve around that.

“You’re quite beautiful, my lady,” he said warmly. “And I believe you’ve done an admirable job managing the king’s volatile nature.”

I hesitated. “Thank you, but I don’t feel like I’ve really achieved much.” The memory of Perry’s recent execution of a warrior for supposedly lying about Reginald’s visit flashed through my mind. There had been no proof, yet Perry had refused to believe me. It was hard to feel like I had made any progress.

Elder Tricia seemed to sense my doubts. “I understand it’s not something you would notice immediately,” he said kindly. “But the king has been in better spirits lately, and that’s because things are going well between you two.”

I couldn’t speak to Perry’s behavior when we weren’t together, but I knew our relationship had improved. So I remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

“I know it must be difficult to handle his ruthless side,” Elder Tricia said, gazing off into the distance as if lost in memory. “But Perry wasn’t always like this. He was once a gentle, curious child before his father shattered his innocence and left deep scars.”

I wasn’t sure where this was going, but I listened as he recounted his first meeting with Perry—a shy three-year-old boy who hid behind his mother when faced with strangers.

“I recognize your necklace and earrings,” Elder Tricia said, nodding toward the delicate jewelry Perry had given me just days before our first public appearance.

I touched my earring lightly. “The king gave these to me.”

“Of course he did,” the elder chuckled softly. “He adored his mother. Sadly, the late queen passed away suddenly.” His smile faded, replaced by a shadow of sorrow. “That’s when the previous king lost his mind.”

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