23

Livia POV

“Keep your mouth shut, sit up straight, and play the quiet, dutiful wife,” Tarian muttered under his breath, leaning toward me as Celia, our assigned honeymoon guide, stood at the head of the long outdoor dining table addressing the gathered couples. “Do not embarrass me in front of these people tonight.”

It is the immediate assumption that I was capable of embarrassing him when he has been doing that to me nonstop.

I bit my lip so hard I almost drew blood, forcing down the fiery retort fighting to erupt from my throat. “I won’t,” I whispered back softly, ducking my head in a perfect imitation of Livyana’s submissive posture.

Internally, I was a chaotic mess. I absolutely adored high-society events like this—the soft candlelight, the clinking crystal, the sweet evening breeze floating over Lake Geneva—but looking around at the other women, my self-esteem took a sudden, nasty dip.

They were dripping in modern haute couture, effortless diamond jewelry, and high-fashion elegance. Meanwhile, I was wearing one of the altered royal gowns I had chopped up back at the villa, perhaps, if I hadn’t altered those gowns, I would be dressed in the archaic fashion and probably be the bottom of the joke at this gathering. It was a dark red satin piece, snatched at the waist with a high side slit, but the underlying vintage cut was still obvious if you looked closely enough.

“Oh, welcome, everyone!” a blonde woman sitting across from us purred, smoothing down her dress. I could tell she was a busybody because I noticed her when I came in. She turned her sharp eyes to me, scanning my outfit with a condescending smirk. “Luna Livyana, is it? My, what a... classic choice of dress. It looks like something pulled straight out of a historic museum archive. Quite old-fashioned, isn’t it?”

It was her lack of vision for me, the absence of sheer thought process, the narrow mindedness that she had and was totally oblivious about.

My submissive mask cracked instantly. I might not have looked like a million bucks tonight, but I was definitely not an easy meat to chew for some snobbish aristocrat.

I leaned forward, resting my chin on my hands, and offered her a dazzling, picture-perfect smile. “How terribly observant of you, darling. It’s actually an authentic vintage piece from the royal family’s private vault. I suppose true, timeless heritage can look a bit alien to those accustomed to off-the-rack luxury. But don’t worry, sweetie—you wear your seasonal fast-fashion surprisingly well.”

The woman’s smile instantly vanished, her cheeks turning bright red as she quickly picked up her wine glass and looked away.

Beside me, Alpha Tarian didn’t say a single word. He didn’t defend me, nor did he scold me; he just stared straight ahead as if I were completely invisible. Fine by me. Two can play the game of indifference, so I decided to ignore his existence entirely.

“Now, for a fun icebreaker!” Celia announced cheerfully, clapping her hands together. “We would love for each couple to share their ‘How We Met’ story and tell us what making this union official means to you!”

I prayed we would be the last to give me ample time to think of something to say.

But that did not work.

When it was our turn, Tarian cleared his throat and stood up. He buttoned his suit jacket, his expression completely robotic.

“Our marriage was arranged to fulfill royal traditions and pack obligations,” Tarian stated flatly, his deep voice carrying zero warmth over the quiet terrace. “It is simply a duty I carry out to ensure continuity and order for my kingdom. Nothing more, nothing less.”

A stifling, awkward silence fell over the table. A few couples exchanged uncomfortable glances.

My blood boiled beneath my skin. What kind of heartless monster speaks so poorly of his wife in public?! Even if he didn’t love me—or rather, didn’t love Livyana—there was absolutely no need to humiliate her in front of a table full of strangers!

There was absolutely no need to do that.

Struggling with everything inside me to suppress my hot-headed Livia temper, my meek persona shattered completely. I eased off a hearty laugh and stood up beside him, wrapping my arm tightly around his stiff waist.

“Oh, ignore my darling husband, everyone!” I chimed in, tossing my head back with a radiant smile. “He just loves playing the big, grumpy Alpha! What he conveniently forgot to mention is his overwhelming passion behind closed doors. Honestly, his extreme grumpiness in public is just a hilarious cover for how fiercely clingy he gets when it’s just the two of us!”

A collective gasp swept through the table, quickly followed by a loud wave of laughter from the other honeymooners. Tarian stiffened like a wooden board beneath my touch, his body vibrating with intense shock.

“That’s just how we fight and love up!” I added smoothly, pressing a sweet, fake kiss to his cheek while tightening my grip on his waist so he couldn’t pull away. “He acts all tough outside, but he’s a complete sweetheart inside.”

I smile and continue to harden my grip because I wanted to see how low he could get.

“Aww! You two are absolutely adorable,” an older Alpha husband down the table chuckled, raising his glass to us. “Nothing like a fiery dynamic to keep the marriage alive!”

I smiled graciously and took my seat, picking up my dessert fork as if I hadn’t just publicly perboiled the most powerful Alpha King of May Town.

The acoustic guitarist near the edge of the terrace played a soft ballad as the surrounding couples toasted their glasses, chuckling at my remarks. Beside me, Tarian’s grip on his wine glass tightened until the stem threatened to snap. He leaned sideways, pressing his lips so close to my ear that his scorching breath fanned the nape of my neck, sending an involuntary shiver straight down my spine.

“You think you’re clever, don’t you?” he growled, his deep voice thick with suppressed anger.

I turned my head slowly, forcing sweet, innocent smile onto my face while my eyes flashed with pure defiance.

“I don’t think I’m clever, my darling husband,” I whispered back, my heart pounding against my ribs. “I know I am.”