ROYAL DINNER

scarlett pov 

The woman who had just wrapped her arms around Reed finally stepped back, though her hands lingered on his shoulders a moment longer than necessary.

Up close, she was striking.

Tall, elegant, with pale golden hair that fell in soft waves down her back. Her dress was clearly expensive—deep blue silk that shimmered faintly under the palace lights. She carried herself with the kind of quiet confidence that only came from belonging somewhere powerful.

Her gaze shifted to me.

Curious. Measuring.

Then she smiled.

“You must be Scarlett,” she said.

Her voice was warm, though something beneath it felt deliberate.

I straightened slightly. “And you are?”

“Ione Solace.”

The name meant nothing to me—yet the way she said it suggested it should.

I offered a small nod. “Scarlett Monroe.”

For a brief moment, neither of us spoke. The silence stretched thin between us while Reed stood beside me, unusually quiet.

Before anything else could be said, a soft voice spoke from behind us.

“Your Highness.”

We all turned.

An omega maid stood a few steps away, her head slightly bowed in respect.

“Dinner has begun,” she said gently. “The King and the royal family are waiting in the dining hall.”

Reed exhaled quietly, as though he had expected this interruption.

“Thank you,” he said.

The maid bowed again before retreating.

Reed gestured toward the hallway. “Come. It’s better not to keep them waiting.”

Ione moved to Reed’s other side with an ease that suggested she had walked these halls many times before.

I followed.

The royal dining hall was enormous.

Long windows stretched along the far wall, letting in the last glow of evening. A massive table stood in the center of the room, polished dark wood that reflected the golden chandelier light above.

And seated around it…

Was the entire royal family.

The room quieted slightly when we entered.

At the head of the table sat the King.

He was older than I expected, but there was nothing weak about him. His silver hair was pulled neatly back, and his dark eyes carried the calm authority of someone who had ruled for many years.

This was King Alaric.

Beside him sat two women.

The one on his right wore a crown of delicate silver branches. Her beauty was sharp and regal, her posture flawless.

This had to be Queen Azura.

Reed’s mother.

On the King’s left sat another woman, equally elegant but colder somehow. Her expression was pleasant, though her eyes watched everything too carefully.

The First Consort, Vita.

Every seat around the table was filled.

Reed stepped forward first.

“Father,” he said respectfully.

The King nodded once. “Reed.”

His gaze shifted to me immediately.

Observant. Calculating.

“Please,” he said calmly, gesturing toward the table. “Sit. We will speak while we dine.”

Reed pulled out a chair beside Queen Azura and gestured for me to sit. I slid into it, and he took the seat next to mine.

I sat.

And instantly felt the weight of nearly a dozen curious stares.

The King gestured down the table.

“Since we have a guest,” he said, “introductions are appropriate.”

A man seated halfway down the table leaned back in his chair, looking completely relaxed.

He had dark hair and sharp features that reminded me faintly of Consort Vita.

“I’m Fenton,” he said casually.

His gaze flicked briefly toward Reed.

“The eldest prince.”

A small pause.

Then he added with deliberate ease, “Son of Consort Vita.”

His tone made the distinction clear.

Across the table from him sat a woman with the same dark hair and sharp eyes.

She smiled politely.

“I’m Aising,” she said.

Her voice was smooth, confident.

“Also a child of Consort Vita.”

There was no hostility in her tone.

But the statement felt intentional.

Like a quiet line drawn across the table.

Next, a man sitting beside Reed looked up from the glass he’d been turning slowly in his hands.

He had thoughtful eyes and a calm presence.

“I’m Cassian,” he said.

“Second son of Queen Azura.”

His voice was quiet but intelligent.

Beside him, another man grinned widely.

“I’m Sayer,” he said.

“Third son of Queen Azura—and easily the most entertaining person here.”

Cassian sighed beside him.

Across from them sat a young woman with bright eyes and dark curls.

She offered me a warm smile.

“I’m Indigo,” she said.

“Also Queen Azura’s.”

Her tone was gentle, but there was a subtle cleverness in the way her eyes studied me.

Reed’s sister.

Further down the table, a woman with pale silver hair leaned her chin on her hand as she watched the entire scene with clear amusement.

“I’m Eira,” she said.

“The King’s older sister.”

Her gaze lingered on me like she was already enjoying whatever drama might follow.

Ione sat gracefully beside reed.

“This is my family,” she said softly.

She gestured to the two people seated opposite her.

“My mother, Saoirse Solace.”

The elegant woman inclined her head.

“And my father, Ezio Solace.”

The man nodded politely.

Introductions finished, the King finally looked at me.

“And you,” he said calmly.

The entire table seemed to wait.

I sat a little straighter.

“My name is Scarlett Monroe.”

The name moved quietly around the table.

Some of them clearly recognized it.

Some didn’t.

Then I said the one thing I knew would matter.

“I’m Reed’s mate.”

The silence that followed was immediate.

Forks paused.

Sayer’s eyebrows shot up.

Cassian blinked in surprise.

Even Queen Azura’s gaze sharpened slightly.

The King didn’t move.

But his attention deepened.

And then—

Ione laughed softly.

Not cruelly.

But almost amused.

She turned toward me, smiling gently.

“Oh,” she said.

“That’s… interesting.”

Her hand slid around Reed’s arm with easy familiarity.

“Because,” she continued calmly,

“Reed is my fiancé.”

The room went completely silent.