Chapter 4: Royal Dinner

~ Elara ~

*Mooncrest Castle*

“No,” Kael said coldly. “Every decision you've made has been for Cassian. What makes this one any different?”

Elara sighed. 

She knew this was going to be difficult. 

Everyone still saw her as Cassian's unwavering supporter.

Just a month earlier, she had argued before the royal council that part of Frostfang's military allocation should be redirected to fund the training of newly awakened werewolves in Ironwood. Kael had opposed the proposal, but… she had overruled him.

Yet that was only one of many times she had chosen Cassian over him.

Her greatest regret was how deeply she had wronged Prince Kael in her previous life.

“I understand how my proposal is baffling, Prince Kael. I promise you, it will make more sense later tonight and in the coming days,” she said. “But know this…”

“I genuinely want to marry you,” she said courageously. 

She still feared him.

That much hadn't changed.

Yet for reasons she could not reveal, not yet, she knew there was no one she trusted more with her future.

Her words clearly took him aback. 

Kael leaned back, his gaze never leaving hers. “People do not change overnight. Not without reason. Until I know yours, I will trust neither your words nor your intentions.”

“Your time is up, Lady Elara,” he said, flashing his empty wine glass at her. 

He left her on the balcony without even looking back. 

‘Maybe this wasn’t the right time to discuss marriage,’ she thought. But Elara was satisfied either way. 

At least she had taken the first step.

When Elara returned to the dining hall, the royal table had already been occupied. 

The Alpha King and Luna Queen occupied the seats of honor at the center of the round table. Gathered around them were the kingdom's most influential figures. Prince Kael was already seated beside his Commander, while Cedric had taken his place across the table near the High Priestess.

Elara approached the royal couple and offered a graceful curtsy. “Your Majesties.”

“Elara, I didn't know you had arrived,” Luna Queen Elowen said with a warm smile. “Come here.”

Only then did the queen open her arms, inviting Elara into a brief embrace.

Up close, Luna Queen Elowen was every bit the image of royalty. Her golden-blonde hair was pinned into an elegant bun, while her sapphire-blue eyes and gentle smile completed the picture of a gracious queen.

Just as Elara remembered, she was elegant and impossibly warm.

“You look more beautiful every day. Your skin is glowing, and your amber eyes shine brighter than ever,” the Luna Queen complimented. 

“And I heard you did a marvelous job during last week’s court session. I was sick last week. I’m glad you were there to take the lead,” Elowen took Elara’s hand, holding it tightly. “My son is fortunate to have you as his future wife.”

Elara resisted the urge to harden her gaze.

In her previous life, she had believed every word this woman spoke.

Luna Queen Elowen had always seemed like Elara's greatest supporter. But when Cassian's heart belonged to another, she had never asked her son to end the affair.

Instead, she had urged Elara to endure it.

‘A Luna must learn to make sacrifices.’

‘The Crown must always come first.’

‘One day, Cassian will remember who has always stood beside him.’

Then Mira became pregnant.

Rather than condemn her, Luna Queen Elowen had persuaded Elara to accept the child... and even granted Mira the title of Princess Consort.

The justification was always the same.

The prophecy.

The kingdom had waited.

And while everyone waited...

Elara had watched her marriage disappear.

Her thoughts faded as her gaze drifted across the room until it settled on Prince Kael.

He sat silently, seemingly untouched by their conversation moments ago. As Commander Ronan spoke, Kael lazily swirled the wine in his glass before taking another unhurried sip.

Not once did he glance in her direction.

“Elara?”

Luna Queen Elowen's voice finally drew her attention back.

“Did you hear me?”

She smiled and repeated herself. “Have you tried on your wedding gown?”

“I haven't had the time, Your Majesty,” Elara admitted.

The truth was, she had no intention of trying it on.

Not in this lifetime.

“Speaking of your wedding, Elara, where is Cassian?” This time, the king spoke. “You always come together during the monthly dinners.”

Elara forced a smile again. This was about the time Cassian would arrive.

“His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Cassian Draven has arrived.”

Conversations gradually quieted as every gaze turned toward the entrance of the royal dining hall. 

Cassian walked in with Mira at his side.

The two were already deep in conversation.

“I still can't believe the previous hallway had portraits of every Alpha,” Mira said.

“Only the Alpha Kings,” Cassian corrected with a smile.

They reached the royal table, almost without a care in the world. 

Cassian bowed respectfully to the Alpha King and Luna Queen. “Father. Mother.”

“Forgive me for being late,” he said. “This is Lady Mira Rowan. The Priestess believes she may be the Fireblood foretold in the prophecy.”

Before another word was spoken, Cassian turned toward Mira. 

“Here,” he said, pulling out the chair beside his own. “Sit.”

“Thank you,” Mira replied cheerfully as she settled into the seat.

Only then did the silence register.

Cassian looked up.

His eyes searched the table before finding Elara.

She was still standing.

The seat that had always belonged to her was now occupied by Mira. 

For a fleeting moment, uncertainty crossed his face.

“Elara...” he began, his brows meeting. 

Before he could say another word, Mira looked between them, completely oblivious.

“Oh...” she said, immediately starting to rise. “Was I not supposed to sit here?”

Cassian instinctively placed a hand on the back of Mira’s chair. “No, it's alright.”

He looked toward Elara, an apologetic smile forming. “Elara, would you mind...?”

The room stilled.

Whispers rippled around the table.

Her brother, Cedric, immediately frowned. 

Even the servants exchanged uncertain glances.

“No, Cassian, that has always been Elara’s seat…” the queen said. 

“That’s alright, Your Majesty,” Elara said quickly. “Lady Mira is our guest. She should feel welcome.”

Now that her seat had already been taken, Elara excused herself from the queen and locked her eyes on the one next to Prince Kael. 

Even with Commander Ronan sitting there, she requested, “Commander Ronan, may I take your seat, please?”

Cassian froze. Something unreadable flashed across his face. 

Elara didn't care.

She waited, watching as Prince Kael considered her request.

But to her surprise, Kael lazily turned to his Commander. “Give Lady Elara your seat.”

Commander Ronand slid into the next vacant seat. Elara calmly lowered herself into the chair beside Kael.

Warmth spread through Elara's chest. For the first time since her rebirth, her smile was genuine. “Thank you, Prince Kael.”