Chapter Six — The Feast of Humiliation

Miranda pov

l had barely closed the chamber door before l wrapped my arms around Axel's neck and pulled him into another kiss.

Axel kissed me back, his hands settling around my waist as l pressed myself against him. For a moment, neither of us seemed to remember the feast waiting outside or the people already beginning to gather in the palace grounds.

l was the first to pull away.

“Axel, stop. We only have a few more hours before the feast begins. We don't have time for this, and what if someone sees us?” she whispered, glancing toward the door.

Axel looked at her with a faint smile before reaching for his shirt from the chair.

“Why are you always worried?” he asked as he slipped his shirt over his head.

“Because I don't understand you sometimes. Why don't you want me openly? Why don't you tell your father that I am the woman you want? You could marry me and leave that blind, useless bitch behind.

Why are you allowing everyone to think she is going to become your Luna when you know you want me?” Miranda asked, her voice filled with frustration.

Axel buttoned his shirt slowly, then walked toward her.

“Okay, baby, it's not a problem. Once I get control of the throne, I'm going to make sure you are my Luna, the Queen of the pack, okay?” he promised.

Miranda stared at him for a moment before breaking into a pleased laugh.

“You better keep that promise,” she said. “I will,” Axel replied.

He kissed her forehead before turning toward the door.

“Wait for me after the feast,” he said. Miranda smiled as she watched him leave.

The moment the door closed behind him, the sweetness disappeared from her face. She clapped her hands twice.

A few seconds later, her personal maid entered and bowed.

“You called me, my lady?” the maid asked.

“Call Mia for me,” Miranda ordered. “Yes, my lady,” the maid replied before leaving.

l walked toward the mirror and stared at my reflection. my fingers moved through my hair as l imagined herself wearing the Luna crown.

That crown should have been mine.

l had spent years beside Axel. l knew his habits, his weaknesses, his desires, and every secret he had ever told to me. Yet somehow, a blind and wolfless woman had arrived and was now being presented as his future wife. My jaw tightened.

“No one is going to take what belongs to me,” she whispered. A knock came at the door. “Come in,” Miranda said. Mia entered and immediately bowed.

“You sent for me, my lady?” she asked.

Miranda turned toward her.

“Mia, you know that you are going to be assigned as Lily's personal maid from today, don't you?” she asked.

“Yes, my lady. I was informed that I would be serving the new bride,” Mia replied.

“Good. Then I have a job for you.”

Mia lifted her head.

l walked toward a small table and picked up a tiny packet.

“I want you to put this powder into Lily's drink before the feast. Make sure she drinks it. I don't care how you do it, but I want that girl to drink it before she enters the feast,” Miranda ordered.

Mia stared at the packet, then quickly looked back at Miranda.

“And what will happen to her?” she asked carefully.

Miranda smiled.

“That isn't your concern. Your concern is making sure she drinks it. I want her humiliated in front of everyone tonight,” she said.

Mia lowered her eyes.

“Yes, my lady,” she replied.

l stepped closer to her. “Do you know what I don't understand?” l asked. Mia shook her head.

“How can a worthless wolf compete with me? Is it because she's beautiful?” l asked bitterly.

Mia remained silent.

l laughed coldly.

“Look at her. She cannot even see. She has no wolf, no power, no family willing to protect her, yet everyone is suddenly treating her like she matters because Axel's father decided she would be useful as a peace offering. I want everyone to see exactly what she is tonight,” she said.

“Yes, my lady,” Mia replied. “Go,” Miranda ordered.

Mia bowed and left. She walked through the palace corridors until she reached Lily's room.

She knocked gently.

“Who is there?” Lily asked from inside.

“It's your new personal maid, ma'am,” Mia replied.

The door opened.

Lily stood near the center of the room, one hand resting lightly against the table as though she had been using it to find her way around.

“Come in,” Lily said. Mia entered and closed the door.

“Ma'am, I'm going to be your personal maid from now on, so I'm at your service,” Mia said.

Lily turned toward the sound of her voice. For a moment, she remained quiet. She could not see Mia's face, but she could feel the faint aura surrounding her.

It was different from the cold, hostile auras Lily had become accustomed to since arriving at the Ashford palace.

A small smile touched Lily's lips. “That's going to be wonderful. It means I'm going to be looking up to you to take care of me. I'm sorry if I have been overstressing you already,” Lily said. “You don't have to apologize, ma'am. It is my duty to serve you,” Mia replied.

Lily lowered her head.

“I have not had anyone here I could depend on since I arrived,” she admitted. Mia watched her carefully.

The words should have made her feel guilty. Instead, she remembered Miranda's order. She forced a gentle smile. “Ma'am, I don't know whether you would like some refreshment. After everything that has happened to you in this palace, you must be tired. I can get you something to drink,” Mia offered.

“Don't worry. I don't really feel—” Lily began before stopping. She touched her stomach. She had barely eaten properly since arriving at the palace, and the weakness from the previous days had not completely disappeared.

“You can get me something small,” Lily said. Mia nodded quickly. “Of course, ma'am,” she replied.

She hurried out.

Lily remained where she was, listening to the sounds around her.

The palace was unusually busy.

She could hear footsteps moving constantly through the corridors. Doors were opening and closing, servants were speaking hurriedly, and somewhere in the distance, she could hear music being prepared.

Something important was clearly happening.

A few minutes later, Mia returned with a drink. She placed it on the table.

While Lily turned toward the sound of movement, Mia quickly added the powder from the packet to the drink and stirred it until it disappeared.

She immediately returned the cup to the table.

“Ma'am, here is your drink,” Mia said.

“Thank you,” Lily replied.

She reached for the cup carefully. Mia watched closely. Lily raised it to her lips and took a sip. Mia's lips curved into a small smile. “Ma'am, please finish it. You need your strength,” she said.

Lily lowered the cup.

“Is something happening today?” she asked. “Yes, ma'am. There is a feast in a few hours,” Mia replied.

“A feast?” Lily repeated. She took another small sip.

Mia nodded.

“Yes. Since you are Prince Axel's bride-to-be, all the surrounding packs and friends of the pack are coming to welcome you and congratulate Prince Axel. Whenever one of the princes is getting married or formally introduced to his bride, the surrounding packs come to celebrate. It is a proposal and welcome feast,”

Mia explained. Lily's fingers tightened around the cup. “A feast for me and Axel?” she asked. “Yes, ma'am,” Mia replied.

The smile slowly disappeared from Lily's face.

She could already imagine the whispers, and the laughter

She had heard enough since arriving at the Ashford palace to know what people thought of her as a blind, wolfless, worthless.

And now they were bringing everyone together to celebrate her marriage to Axel.

She lowered the cup.

“Will everyone be there?” Lily asked quietly. “Most of the important people will be there,” Mia replied.

Lily swallowed.

She could already hear their voices in her mind.

Look at Axel's bride. She cannot even see. Why would an Alpha heir marry someone like that?

Her chest tightened.

Mia noticed the change in her expression.

“You don't have to worry, ma'am. I will help you prepare,” she said. Lily nodded faintly. “Thank you,” she replied. Mia turned toward the wardrobe.

“Let me arrange your clothes. We don't have much time before the feast,” she said.

Lily said nothing.

She simply stood there with the cup still in her hand, unaware of the secret that had already been placed inside it.

Throne pov

Thorne sat in his chamber with his back against the headboard while Ryan carefully wrapped the bandage around his stomach. The wound from the sword was deep, but Thorne refused to show how much it hurt.

His eyes suddenly shifted toward the door.

“Can't you hear that?” he asked.

Ryan paused. “Hear what, Your Highness?” he asked.

Thorne frowned. There it was again, A distant growl.

Thorne closed his eyes and tried to suppress it. “It's nothing. My wolf again,” he said.

Ryan sighed.

“You nearly tore this entire room apart earlier,” he reminded him. “I said it is nothing,” Thorne replied.

Ryan said no more. He finished wrapping the bandage and tied it firmly.

“There. You need to keep this on for a while,” Ryan said. Thorne looked down at the bandage. “I have survived worse,” he replied.

Ryan shook his head.

“You always say that after nearly killing yourself,” he said.

Thorne gave him a cold look. Ryan immediately lowered his eyes. “Sorry, Your Highness,” he said.

Thorne leaned back. His mind unexpectedly returned to Lily.

He remembered the way she had looked at him before leaving his chamber.

For the first time, the darkness inside him had stopped demanding blood.

And the reason was Lily. That frightened him more than the curse ever had.

Ryan cleared his throat.

“Your Highness, remember that we have a feast in the next few hours,” he reminded him.

Thorne looked toward him.

“Yes. That's true. I may attend, or I may not. Let's just see about that,” he replied.

Ryan hesitated.

“But Your Highness, you cannot miss it. Many people will be there, and if you do not appear, they may start talking badly about you,” he said.

Thorne scoffed.

“Do you think I care what people say?” he asked. Ryan looked at him. “No, sir,” he replied. Thorne turned toward the window. “I stopped caring about what people say a long time ago,” he said.

moment later

Outside, the palace was becoming louder. Servants were rushing across the grounds. Guards were taking their positions.

Tables were being arranged, and musicians were preparing for the celebration.

The feast was approaching, And whether Thorne wanted it or not, the entire Ashford kingdom was preparing to gather under one roof.

A few hours later, the palace grounds were filled with people.

Guests arrived from surrounding packs, dressed in expensive clothing and surrounded by their guards and attendants.

Alphas arrived and the Lunas arrived.

Princes and noble families filled the grounds.

The sound of music traveled through the air as servants carried food and drinks between the tables.

Everyone was excited, Everyone wanted to see the woman who had been chosen as Axel Ashford's bride.

Inside Lily's room, Mia finished adjusting the final part of her dress.

“Ma'am, I think it is time for the feast,” she said. Lily slowly stood. l reached for the door.

My heart was beating faster than it had all day.

l knew what waited outside, l knew people would talk and laugh. But l had no choice.

l am the bride everyone had gathered to see.

Mia pov

Lily opened the door, l followed behind her.

The moment Lily stepped into the corridor, l stopped and a slow, satisfied smirk escaped my lips.

l had done exactly what Miranda had ordered, And now the real humiliation was about to begin.