Royal Ball

Five capitals existed in the werewolf kingdom.

The Eastern capital.

The Southern capital.

The Western capital.

The Northern capital.

The Central capital.

The royal family of the werewolf kingdom resided in the central capital. As such, major and influential noble families were nearby, making the central capital the center of supremacy, and the most powerful of all capitals.

Neighboring capitals take one or two days depending on external factors, to arrive at the central capital. A few days after my father had revealed that I would be attending the royal ball, we left the Eastern capital for the central capital a day before the great celebration.

*murmur*

*murmur*

‘’You look splendid as always, Countess Lancaster.’’

‘’You are ever so kind with your praise, Viscountess.’’

In the royal hall, Countess Lancaster happily exchanged words with other she-wolves, perhaps her acquaintances in the central capital. Her light smiles and laughter somewhat surprised me as I have always known her to be indifferent at the Lancaster manor.

My father had gone ahead to interact with he-wolves of noble families, while the Countess took me and Isabella along with her.

‘’Who’s the young lady, Countess? I am familiar with Isabella, but certainly not her.’’ One of the she-wolves curiously glanced my way. I calmly met the probing eyes of the she-wolves before glancing at the Countess, just to find her lips more wider.

‘’She’s the second young lady of the Lancaster family.’’ The moment she introduced me, the probing and curious gazes of the she-wolves all changed to contempt and disgust.

‘’Oh my, such vulgar gown. How fitting.’’

‘’Indeed. I assumed the baroness has been exaggerating with the rumors.’’

‘’She must have arrived here with that intention.’’

‘’Isabella has always been modest, unlike her.’’

Again

I calmly accepted the judging gazes and harsh words from them that was subtly instigated by the Countess. A similar scheme Isabella had used for her tea parties at the Lancaster manor.

Except the Countess was subtle about hers.

She neither introduced me as an illegitimate young lady of the Lancaster family nor expressed her displeasure about my existence in the presence of others. She only replied that I was the second young lady of the Lancaster family.

These she-wolves must have known Isabella as the Countess Lancaster’s only pup. Where could a second young lady come from? Obviously another she-wolf in the Lancaster family.

The Countess didn’t stop here, but introduced me to other curious she-wolves as she interacted with more noble werewolves in the royal hall. Exactly as before, their curious gazes changed the moment Countess addressed me as the second young lady.

However, I have noticed one peculiarity.

The Countess had dismissed Isabella to go interact with her circle, but had me remain with her.

He-wolves especially both mated and unmated approached the Countess with the intention of asking me for a dance and the Countess readily responded to each of them without my own choice.

As if I was a commodity sold to the highest bidder when they have already decided to marry me off to the Marquess Powell against my will.

The lustful gazes of the he-wolves were too blatant to ignore and It was then I realized the reason Countess Lancaster had me to wear such gorgeous yet revealing gown. Yet Isabella hadn’t complained that my gown was of a better brocade than hers.

Thanks to Isabella’s tea parties, I have learned a bit from her circle that noble she-wolves must not be too revealing to others asides their fated mates.

Or else they would be regarded as unchaste she-wolves.

I was to marry according to my family’s orders, yet the Countess had specifically intended for me to wear this gown revealing my shoulders and chest, when Isabella, and other she-wolves had their shoulders not exposed to sight.

My father hadn’t even uttered a word of complaints when he saw me, instead he appeared to approve of the Countess’ choice.

It seemed my family were not entirely satisfied with the Marquess Powell, or rather, his wealth. The central capital was the center of power and wealth in the werewolf kingdom. There would obviously be many mated he-wolves or unmated he-wolves with bigger wealth than the Marquess Powell.

‘’Finally....’’ I loosed a weary sigh of relief as I took in the clean air of the cold night on a balcony, rather than that stifling royal hall.

When I asked the countess I could step out for a moment, her response was positive much to my relief.

‘’This is the royal palace, and not the Lancaster manor, Athena. I should call for a maid to attend your needs.’’ She had a palace maid to guide out of the royal hall, and probably to keep an eye on me.

Other she-wolves praised her for the supposed kind words and benevolence. However, I knew that was warning in disguise from her.

That I should not attempt another one of my escape plans to flee from them in the royal palace. Even without her warning me in disguise, I knew not to do such as I wasn’t familiar with the royal palace, the central capital, and other capitals of the werewolf kingdom asides the Eastern capital.

It’s not as great as I imagined.

It was quite sour to find out that the royal ball was not spectacular as I imagined as a pup. When Isabella followed my father and the Countess to attend royal balls, I remembered envying her a lot, and imagined how dreamy it would feel to attend one.

Though I have been burdened with hardships, I held a grip on my dream-like fantasies in the past.

I can’t believe I looked forward to attending a royal ball with Helios.

I inwardly mocked myself as I was finally attending a royal ball, yet not with Helios, my fated mate. Rather, my family intended to show me off to he-wolves who couldn’t disguise their lustful eyes, like a commodity.

The nobles in the royal hall seemed to be accustomed with such sight. Other than he-wolves expressing their interests and she-wolves whispering all sort of names my way, the royal ball carried on with no interferences.

I wonder if the Marquess Powell is aware of their actions?

I thought of the Marquess Powell as he had agreed to the marriage according to my father. Any he-wolf would find my family’s actions offensive if they were the Marquess Powell.

Why are you thinking of them, Athena? Figure out how to escape from the marriage!

I berated myself for wasting even a little moment to think of my cruel family and that old marquess, when I could be planning my escape plan before the marriage.

‘’Is the second young lady Lancaster in here, maid?’’

My senses twitched at the unfamiliar voice coming from the other side of the doors.

‘’Yes, Young master.’’

‘’Leave us. The Countess has sent me here.’’

‘’As you wish, young master.’’

Countess Lancaster did what? The scheming eyes of the countess flashed in my mind, and instantly, I got a bad feeling. I turned away from the night scenery to leave the balcony, but the young master was quick to open the doors.

His gaze fell on mine, and a lewd grin formed on his face.