6

The journey continued until just before dawn. Aurora dozed off several times from exhaustion, but every time she opened her eyes, she always saw the same sight.  Cassian, still sitting in the seat across from her, in exactly the same position.

Cassian clearly hadn’t slept either since the journey began. His golden gaze occasionally drifted out the window, as if he were making sure the area around the horse-drawn carriage remained safe. Aurora began to feel terribly guilty.

“Your Majesty.”

Cassian immediately turned toward her. “Haven’t you been sleeping?”

Aurora shook her head gently. “You haven’t slept either since earlier. Did you really stayed awake all night?”

Cassian nodded. “I usually don’t really need much sleep.”

Aurora furrowed her brow. “Really?”

Cassian nodded. “Lycans are different from ordinary werewolves.”

Aurora suddenly remembered. Of course. She’d only ever heard stories about the Lycan people. Not many werewolves had ever met them in person.

“So, you really are the Lycan King, then?” Aurora still felt doubtful.

Cassian chuckled softly. “I hope my guards weren’t lying.”

Aurora couldn’t hold back her laughter. For the first time since the night of the Moon Goddess Festival, she was finally able to laugh freely. The sound of Aurora’s laughter even caused the six guards standing outside the carriage to exchange glances. One of them, specifically, the silver-haired man named Gareth, immediately let out a sigh of relief.

“Finally.”

Another guard frowned. “What?”

“I’d almost forgotten what Her Majesty’s laughter sounded like.”

“What do you mean?”

Gareth looked toward the carriage, then shook his head slowly. “Ever since the Queen died when he was still a child, His Majesty has never truly smiled.”

Now, in just one night, Aurora had managed to work a small miracle for Cassian, one that the entire kingdom had failed to achieve for years. Back inside carriage, Aurora stole a glance at Cassian after a while.

“You weren’t... watching me sleep, were you?”

Cassian looked genuinely confused. “Would that be strange?”

Aurora’s cheeks warmed. “A little.”

Cassian cleared his throat. “I was making sure the route stayed safe, but not watching you.”

Aurora couldn’t help smiling. “I’ll pretend I believe you.”

Cassian looked slightly embarrassed.

***

The sun was just beginning to rise as the horse drawn carriage passed through the massive stone gate. Aurora held her breath for a moment. Before her now stood a kingdom so magnificent that she could hardly believe her eyes. A white palace towered atop the hill.

The palace’s roofs were a silvery black. A flag bearing the symbol of a full moon fluttered in the strong wind. Below it lay a city far larger than Silver Pine Pack. Its cobblestone streets were spotless. There were flower gardens, fountains, markets, and large houses neatly arranged throughout.

“This is…” Aurora whispered softly.

“Yes, this is the Moonveil Dominion.” Cassian watched Aurora’s face, filled with awe. “Is it too different from what you imagined?”

Aurora chuckled softly. “I’d been picturing a terrifying Lycan kingdom this whole time.”

“Why?”

“Because all the stories from my childhood always said that Lycans were monsters.”

Cassian raised one eyebrow. “Is that so?”

Aurora immediately covered her mouth. “I’m sorry.”

The words just slipped out, and Cassian simply let out a small sigh. “Again, Aurora?”

“Hm?” Aurora immediately cover her mouth.

Cassian laugh a little. “I think that’s the seventh apology.”

Aurora groaned in embarrassment. “I didn’t even realize that.”

“It’s okay. Just, don’t apologize for simply existing.” Aurora fell silent.

“I want us to make a deal right now.” Cassian continued.

Aurora looked at him curiously. “What kind of deal?”

“Every time you apologize for no clear reason...” Cassian paused for a moment. “You have to say one good thing about yourself in return.”

Aurora froze. “Huh?”

“That’s my new rule.”

Aurora chuckled. “A king can always make rules however he pleases, can’t he?”

“Sometimes.”

Aurora shook her head, laughing softly. “In that case,” she thought for quite a while, before finally whispering, “I’m really good at cooking.”

Cassian nodded immediately. “That’s true.”

Aurora blinked. “You’ve never even tasted my cooking.”

“If you weren’t good at it, the entire Silver Pine Pack wouldn’t have relied on you for all these years, Aurora,” Cassian replied calmly.

Aurora fell silent. She hadn’t expected him to notice such a small detail about her. Shortly afterward, the horse drawn carriage finally came to a stop right in front of the palace steps. Dozens of servants and royal knights were already lined up neatly. As soon as Cassian stepped down, they all immediately knelt, full of respect.

“Greetings to Your Majesty!”

Aurora slowly stepped off the train. The moment her foot touched the ground, everyone who had been kneeling raised their heads. Their gazes were fixed on her. Aurora immediately felt nervous and began tugging at the sleeve of her shirt.

“They...”

Before Aurora could finish her sentence, Cassian was already standing beside her. Then Cassian spoke in a calm yet firm voice.

“Let me introduce you to Aurora Ashcroft, my guest.”

Not a single person dared to whisper. No one looked at Aurora’s body. There was no laughter or mockery. All they did was obediently bow their heads afterward.

“Welcome to the Moonveil Dominion, Lady Aurora.”

Aurora’s eyes widened. They were honoring her? Without making a single comment about her body? Aurora felt so unfamiliar with that sensation.

An elderly woman with gray hair stepped forward. She was wearing an elegant black gown.

“Your Majesty.”

Cassian nodded. “Nanny Miriam.”

The woman smiled warmly. “It’s been so long since our palace has welcomed such an important guest. I hope Moonveil gives you a chance to rest.”

Nanny Miriam’s gentle gaze immediately turned to Aurora. “You must be tired from the journey, dear.”

Aurora nodded slowly, a little confused by everyone’s behavior. “Yes…”

Nanny Miriam immediately took both of Aurora’s hands. “Come on. I’ve prepared a special room for you.”

Aurora reflexively turned toward Cassian, as if asking for permission. Cassian gave a faint smile. “Get some rest. We can talk later.”

Aurora finally gave a faint nod and followed Nanny Miriam as she led her into the palace. The room prepared for Aurora almost took her breath away. The bed was enormous, with tall windows overlooking the garden. The wardrobe was even bigger than her entire room at Silver Pine Pack. Aurora stood frozen in the middle of the room.

“I-I can’t possibly stay in this room.”

Nanny Miriam chuckled softly. “Why not?”

“It’s too big and too beautiful.”

“This is just a guest room.”

Aurora swallowed hard. “If a room this big and beautiful is just a guest room, then what must the King’s room be like?” she murmured softly.

Shortly afterward, Aurora open the closet in the room. It turned out there were already clothes inside.

“These are standard guest clothes.” Nanny said.

Aurora immediately grew even more panicked. “Wait! Those aren’t for me. I think it’s just to much. I’ve already have my own clothes...”

Nanny Miriam smiled. “We brought all of this for you. Also, his Majesty asked us to prepare several sizes.”

Aurora was confused. “Several sizes?”

“We didn’t know what would fit you comfortably.”

“But...” Aurora could tell just by the quality of the fabric that these gowns were undoubtedly very expensive. “I can’t accept all of this.”

Nanny Miriam smile warmly. “His Majesty himself ordered it for you, Lady Aurora. Just accept his kindness, okay?”

Aurora closed her eyes. Oh, Moon Goddess, they’d only met last night, why was the Lycan King already being so kind to her?

Meanwhile, in the royal study, Gareth stood in front of Cassian’s desk. “Your Majesty, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

“Go ahead, Gareth,” Cassian replied, still reading his report.

“Why did you bring Lady Aurora to the palace right away?”

Cassian looked up with a serious expression in his golden eyes. “Do you think I should have just left Aurora all alone in the forest?”

“That’s not what I meant,” Gareth shook his head quickly. “I mean, you haven’t even known Lady Aurora for very long.”

Cassian was silent for a moment, then walked over to the window. He gazed out at the garden where Aurora was talking with Nanny Miriam in the distance.

“I may not know Aurora well yet, but my instincts as the Lycan King tell me something important.” Cassian gave a faint smile.

“And she’s lived long enough in a place where she felt unwanted by everyone.”

“But, Your Majesty... do you truly believe that Lady Aurora is your mate?”

Cassian was silent for quiet a while. “My wolf does.”

“And how about you?”

Cassian stared out the window. “I’m still trying to understand it actually.”

Gareth nodded. “I’ve never seen Your Majesty uncertain before.”

Cassian gave a faint smile. “Neither have I.”

Cassian watched Aurora walking through the palace gardens beside Nanny Miriam. She looked overwhelmed and careful. As though she expected someone to laugh at her at any moment.

His chest tightened. Not because he loved her already. He didn’t even know about her favorite color or what made her smile. But no guest, no woman, should even have to look over her shoulder in fear of being judged.

If Aurora chose to stay in Moonveil for a few days, then she deserved to spend those days in peace. Nothing more. Nothing less. Cassian wanted to make one thing certain that as long as Aurora was in the Moonveil Dominion, not a single day would pass where she felt unwelcome by anyone.