Page 64 of Billionaire Dragon King’s Rejected Mate

Before Chance could respond, the first of the returning couriers appeared in the courtyard.

“As far as I know, Your Majesty, all of the letters have been delivered. We’re still waiting on final confirmation for the provinces the furthest away.”

Chance’s shoulder stiffened. “That was fast.”

“There was no resistance encountered and all messages were acknowledged.”

Sven glanced at him. “Well,” he said lightly, “it seems your opening speech is next on the list.”

Chance nodded once, his mind already moving ahead. “Let’s do it.”

Within the hour, every available channel carried the same message, delivered with unmistakable clarity and intent as Chance formally challenged his father’s rule and declared his return.

He stood before the cameras with Sven and Jakob at his side, along with a proclamation of support from Lucas. Their presence was a statement in itself because their support was impossible to ignore with the weight of three kingdoms settled behind him.

“My name is Chauncy Parelli,” he began, his voice steady and unyielding, “and I am the rightful heir to the throne of Noriveille.”

The words carried, amplified far beyond the walls of the palace to reach cities and villages alike. His speech slipped into homes and gathering places, right into the hands of those who had waited far too long for something to change.

“For years, the people of Noriveille have lived under a reign defined by fear and cruelty,” he continued, his gaze unwavering. “That ends now.”

There was no hesitation, no room for doubt.

“With the support of the kingdoms of Stagholt, Crystafalls, and Onyxheim, I am declaring my intent to reclaim the throne from my father and restore justice to the people who have been denied it.”

He paused, just long enough for the weight of that declaration to settle.

“This is not a call for destruction,” he said in a voice losing none of its strength. “It is a call for change.”

Chance kept it short, and when he was done, there was no applause or celebration in the streets. There was only a quiet understanding that something irreversible had just begun.

By late afternoon, the tension had shifted into something else entirely. It wasn’t gone, but it was tempered by the undeniable momentum of what they had set in motion.

Sven suggested they leave the castle for a bit to clear their minds and Jakob agreed readily. They walked a short distance to a nearby pub where the air was thick with conversation. It was the kind of place where news traveled fast but not always accurately.

Chance wasn’t sure what he had expected, but the homey feeling in the hole in the wall place and the comfortable weight of a mug placed in front of him soothed his frayed nerves.

“To declarations that cannot be undone,” Sven said and lifted his drink with a faint smile.

Jakob followed suit. “And to the man bold enough to make them.”

Chance exhaled as he raised his own mug. “To whatever comes next.”

They drank as did half the pub. Chance wondered how many of them were actually guards keeping an eye on things.

He spun around when the door burst open. Conversations faltered as a woman rushed inside, breathless and pale. Her eyes scanned wildly until they landed on Sven.

“Your Majesty,” she gasped. Her voice shook as she pushed forward. Every eye in the room was on her.

Sven stood instantly. “What is it?”

“It’s the queen,” she said as she struggled to catch her breath. “Queen Bryn, and the woman she was with. They were in my boutique…”

Chance was already on his feet. His pulse spiked as something cold and sharp cut through the calm.

“What happened?” he demanded.

The woman swallowed hard. “Men came in,” she said, her words tumbling over each other. “They blocked the exits, and before anyone could react, they took them.”