Chapter 13.

Hyacinth's POV

“There is a full moon tomorrow.” Liora reminded me like she hadn't been saying it since my meeting with Dacian. He had somehow orchestrated a court meeting I could attend.

I was hyped to finally enjoy the thrilling life of a political court.

“Why's the life of a Queen in this palace so boring?” I asked, rolling over the bed to look at Liora who was peacefully knitting.

“Erm… I really don't know. This isn't boring to me.” Liora said without looking up at me.

“You're definitely tired of hearing me bicker about the same thing over and over again.” I mumbled, yawning loudly.

“But , come to think of it, aren't I supposed to be in charge of planning balls, special royal dinners and the likes? The Queen has to do all these things.”

“Well, I hate to say this, but you are human, and there are several things you wouldn't understand about the traditions of werewolves that are embedded in these parties.”

I hissed, rolling my eyes as I sat on the bed, “There is no culture that can't be learnt and understood.”

Liora didn't respond, she only shrugged.

“Who is in charge of all these things then?” I asked.

“The King's Aunt, Her Highness, lady Lois Ashveil.” Liora said, and then went on to describe her.

“Oh, she's the harsh lady that almost talked my ears off at the lunch and brunch thingy we had.” I mumbled, shaking my head. “I don't like her. She's harsh.”

“Well, every one else in the kingdom loves her, including the King Regent. She's the only person he has ever shown care for.” Liora said, glancing at me.

I was silent for about a minute, plotting my next step as Liora continued knitting.

I stood up and paced round the room a bit, taking deep breaths, wondering what I could do to make Kael let me host the royal balls despite my inexperience.

Out of nowhere, Liora took deep sniffs, closing her eyes and using her powers. I immediately stopped pacing to avoid disturbing her.

“Someone is coming.” She muttered, hiding her knitting materials under my bed, adjusting her dress , and then walked outside to be able to perform her duties.

“If only I had such powers also.” I sighed, waiting for her to announce someone’s presence.

I heard an extra pair of footsteps walk into the wing, and they were followed almost immediately by Liora’s voice.

“Your Highness, the King's Eunuch is here.” Liora announced.

“Your Higness, I have only come to deliver some news.” He mumbled from outside. I heard the subtle disgust in his voice, like he'd rather be on more important missions.

“Okay? Go on?”

“You are to appear at court at Sun down this evening. The King requires your presence.” He said, and I covered my mouth to avoid squealing.

“Is that all?” I asked, trying to hide my excitement.

“Yes… your Highness.”

“Well then, you may leave.”

Liora entered when she was sure he had left. We both screamed on her entry into the room, holding each other and jumping.

“My lady, judging by the time we have, I'd say we get into the dressing room immediately.” Liora said, as she immediately got more excited than I was. “You're going to look so good speaking to those men.”

“I will make sure to snap at a few people that try to claw at me.” I cackled.

About two hours later, we were out of the wing already. I was in a carriage because Liora wouldn't let me walk no matter how much I tried to force it. She didn't want me to give the werewolves a chance to speak down on me again.

I calmed myself down to avoid letting my excitement ruin things for me. On alighting the carriage, I could see Kael at a distance, standing with his hands behind his back. His majestic physique would have been perfect if he had any redeemable qualities to match it.

Our eyes met almost immediately, and I looked at him longer than I intended. His eyes didn't waver from me also, not until I looked away. I hated that I lost the first staring contest we had.

“Always necessary to assert dominance.” I mumbled to myself as I walked towards him.

Dacian was standing behind him.

“I didn't see you there.” I said with a gentle smile, and he bowed to greet. I turned to look at Kael who wouldn't look at me.

“You know, it wouldn't hurt you to utter greetings to me, even if they don't come from your heart.” I scolded.

“Just like what you do?” Kael asked, and his voice was thicker than before.

“Precisely like what I do.” I said, and Dacian chuckled, obviously fighting hard to hold his laughter in. Kael had already rolled his fingers into a fist, and I wasn't just ready to cause any more trouble.

Kael turned his whole body to me while his head eunuch announced our presence.

“As much as you can… if you can… please, keep quiet.” Kael requested, almost like a beg. I bit my lower lip slowly as I nodded at him.

The pressure I never thought I'd feel suddenly overwhelmed me as Kael made his way in and I took my first step in.

“My lady, no pressure. Don't forget… You are HER.” Liora whispered into my ears.

I took a deep breath, nodding to what she said, and I felt a wave of confidence wash over me.

I immediately walked into the courtroom where several wolf leaders were standing. I had seen all of them, but I barely knew half their names.

There were murmurs all around the room as I walked over to sit on the second throne beside Kael.

Kael looked pretty uncomfortable by my presence also, and that only made me happy.

“Your Highness , why is the Queen in court? Ladies aren't allowed at court!” A lower level lord argued.

“At least you now address me as Queen, that's good.” I chuckled, and it only caused more murmuring.

Kael sat down, and I followed suit. Liora was standing by the side of the eunuchs. I looked at her and she winked at me, bowing her head.

“This is an unacceptable behaviour! The counsel of the Lords and Faction leaders were not sought before this drastic decision was taken.” Lord Goelin of the Radical faction blurted.

“That's a very inaccurate statement.” Dacian stepped forward, and they all hissed.

“I like him so much already.” I whispered to Kael who didn't act like I spoke to him.

“Letters were sent to the houses of every leader in this court, and as at yester night, you all received them. You had the chance to air your disagreement by sending back a letter to my quarters as the King's secretary, but none of you did so. Hence, this meeting.” Dacian said with a satisfied smirk on his face.

I could tell that he had played a smart one on them. No one bothered arguing with him, and they all accepted fate.

“Would the Queen like to say something to the court?” Kael asked suddenly. My eyes widened as I didn't see that coming.

I coughed, standing from my chair. I only realized I didn't have to after I already stood up.

“Good day everyone…” I chuckled nervously, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Err… I know you're probably angry that I'm here. Someone that's not a member of your court, and someone that you hate seeing.”

“I understand how… Err… annoying it can be to see someone you dislike in a position that one of your kind should be in.” I said, feeling a little more confident. “But now, I ask that you give me a chance, and forget that I'm human.”

“My humanity doesn't make me weak. In fact, I believe it is one of my greatest strengths.” I gulped. “And to this effect, I'll like to invite you all to a ball I'll be hosting. The theme is a Unified People. Come with your beloved wives, and an open mind too.”

I sat down almost immediately, but the silence that ruled the court room was quiet deafening.

“Well, now that that's over, can we move on to more important topics? I almost died from that… ‘pep talk’?” One of the Lords from the Red faction said, and laughs erupted all over the room.

“At least the former Queen knew her place.” Another person who's voice I couldn't trace blurted out.

My eyes immediately caught Kael's right hand roll into a fist. It was then I realized that I hadn't made research on the person that was the most important in what was going on with me… Kael's human mother.

Kael growled gently as the Lords laughed, and his anger made me angry also.

I was about to hit my hand on the table to call for order when Kael's hand pulled mine back before anyone could see what I intended to do. He didn't look at me, he only kept a straight face.

I looked down at my hand where his had been.

Then I looked back up at the court and decided to think about it later. I filed it away… again.