My Betrothed

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CHAPTER 7

Aurelia felt a mysterious hush in the crowd as she inadvertently locked her gaze with the mysterious figure, his presence illuminated beneath the resplendent chandelier, and for a second, it seemed like everyone else in the room had vanished.

His dark hair, lustrous as midnight, was expertly styled, and golden highlights caught the warm glow of the crystal light, creating an otherworldly halo around him.

“My betrothed.”

Her brows furrowed slightly when she read his lips and the words he voiced seemed to have rendered her speechless as her eyes remained locked on his face. 

On the other hand, her brothers who had no idea what was going on, followed the line of her sight to get an understanding, while Kieran closed the gap between them, a sweet smile on his lips as he held out his hand to her. 

“Welcome, sis. We’ve been waiting.”

Only after this did Aurelia peel her gaze from the handsome man seated opposite them and acknowledge her brother’s smile with one of hers. 

“Come.”

Turning to face the crowd, Kieran led her to her seat. All the while, Aurelia’s eyes could not help but sneak a peak at the man whose black shoulder-length hair with golden highlights mirrored that of the man she had been chasing an hour ago. 

She swallowed, clenching her left fist, while keeping a calm posture as she took her seat and let her brothers handle things. 

She wasn’t sure if they were the same people but that signature hair… She took a deep breath, calming her nerves.

After all, there was no way in hell he would hold such a position with his crown and stoop so low to bed her, right?

However, the man’s piercing gaze did little to help her calm down. Throughout Kieran’s speech, his eyes never left her face and body, staring intently at her as though he could peer into her soul. 

And when she was announced as the lost princess, she caught him gasping a little but within seconds his shock was replaced by a smirk as he leaned back in his seat, his fingers tapping on the arm of his chair, waiting.

For what exactly?

“Now, in honour of our princess, I’d like a toast as we make welcome, Princess A-Aurelia Devlin.”

Aurelia noticed the awkward smile on her brother’s lips when he almost let out her real name. He was such a sweetheart, always gentle and considerate.

Turning in her direction, Kieran held out his hand for her to take. At once, she rose to her feet, making her way to his side as she placed her hand in his and gave a warm smile.

“Greet your people.”

With a nod, she pressed his palm gently and whispered, “It is okay, brother.” Kieran’s brows creased slightly.

He had no idea what she was talking about but as soon as she parted her lips to address the audience, he understood.

“My name is, Alia Aurelia Devlin. It is an honour to serve as your princess. May the moon goddess bless us all.”

Kieran’s lips pulled to the side. As much as everything still felt new to her, he was happy she was being considerate of her brothers.

“Now, let the party begin! Dancers!”

A loud cheer erupted from the crowd after rising from the bow as both king and princess walked back to their seat.

Leo was the first to take her hand and speak to her the second she sat.  “Tell me, sister, is the décor to your taste?”

The way his brows wriggled playfully while his eyes peered with so much interest at her made her almost flinch.

“Stop it, Leo, don’t you see you are making her uncomfortable,” Ivan chimed, slapping his brother’s arm.

“What? This was how we played back then as a child. Tell him, Lia.”She giggled softly at his nickname for her.

From how she understood them, she could tell Leo was the one who rallied around her lots as a child. "It is okay, bro—” she cleared her throat, averting her gaze from Ivan. “I mean, Ivan.”

When she lifted her eyes once more, Aurelia’s heart skipped a beat watching their shimmering eyes stare at her with so much affection.

“No, it is alright. I know it would take some time getting used to.”

“Thank you, Ivan.”

“What about me?” Leo pouted.

Before Aurelia could soothe his child-like self, their conversation was interrupted when a man walked up to them.

The imposing aura he carried made Aurelia gulp but refrained from looking in his direction while Ivan and Kieran did the opposite. Only Leo kept his gaze on her face, darting occasionally to the guest.

“King Sloan.”

She gulped once more. A big part of her could tell who he was even though she deliberately did not peer at his portrait when it was sent prior.

It was a feeling she couldn’t shake.

“Your Majesties,” Sloan greeted, his deep voice causing goosebumps on her skin. That was when she thought to steal a peak but the moment she did, her breath was taken away.

Standing tall and imposing, his well-tailored suit seemed to accentuate every commanding inch of his frame.

Under the Chandelier's soft radiance, his features were chiselled to perfection– sculpting jawline, eyes that held secrets, and a momentary smirk that hinted at his allure. The ambient light played upon the contour of his face, accentuating the mysterious charm that emanated from every pore.

Its golden hues reflected in his eyes, creating an unearthly glow that intensified the allure of his presence.

With their gaze locked, a magnetic connection ignited between them. Quickly she lowered her eyes, unable to hold his gaze.

“I believe it is courtesy enough for Her Highness to spare me a glance,” he added, not peeling his eyes from her and the next word he uttered, shook the world from underneath her feet, “given she is my betrothed after all.”

Aurelia felt a heavy drop on her chest as all three brothers whipped their heads in his direction.

“Betro what?” It was Leo who spoke. As much as the others were protective of her, he had a stronger sense of possessiveness when it came to her. “Lia is it true?”

Leo darted his gaze to her once more. She knew keeping silent would only cause more suspicions and it did.

“Do not tell me your silence means…”

Before Ivan could continue, she lifted her eyes, held his stare and uttered with much conviction, “It isn’t. I have no idea who he is.”

She lied without holding back, daring him to repeat such words. She had just gotten her freedom and her family. She did not need to please the Walters anymore.

But to everyone’s shock, Sloan was neither offended nor embarrassed. Rather his demeanor made her shift in her seat.

“Are you sure? Because I have proof, Your Highness and I never miss a face.”

All three brothers exchanged a glance. Then, their intense eyes were back on her.

‘Deep breath, Relia. You do not need to marry someone who you do not love anymore. You…’

“Lia?” Leo’s call broke her from her trance. “Tell us, are his claims true?”

“A Lycan King never lies.”

Her eyelids shut involuntarily. He just had to add that last part.

“Do you have proof, Your Majesty?” Ever since, Kieran had been silent but when it came to reasoning and logic, he was quick to act.

“Yes.” To ensure his claims were true, Sloan beckoned on his general who immediately strode over to where they stood with a rolled scroll in his hand.

“Your Majesties.” He acknowledged the presence of her brothers, greeted her and then handed the scroll to Sloan with a bow before taking a step back.

“Here. This is the portrait of my betrothed.”