Chapter 7.

Hyacinth's POV

I grabbed the edge of the chair, digging my nails into it as Kael walked out of the room. I tried not to make any sounds so he'd not realize my fear. I never thought I'd need all that training on how to steady your heartbeat when lying to a werewolf, until now.

I heaved a seizing sigh of relief immediately he was out. I shuddered so terribly, I almost fell out of my chair. Liora was quick enough to catch me before anything happened to me.

I held my chest, feeling my heart thumping loudly and quickly against my chest like it was punishing me for keeping it steady the whole time it wanted to run a race.

“My lady, are you okay?” Liora asked with so much concern on her face. She also looked terrified, and I wondered if it was because of Kael, or because of whatever was happening to me.

I swallowed hard again, trying to grab a cup of wine, but my hands were shaking. Liora steadied me on the chair, and poured me a glass of wine. I hurriedly downed the cup, and took a deep breath.

“My lady, why did you do that?” Liora whined, fanning herself with her hand.

“This is only just the beginning.” I said, like I wasn't still trembling from the effects of him just lowering down his face to speak to me.

He wasn't so terrifying up close, but there was this fear that just instantly gripped my heart. It took everything in me not to lose consciousness.

He needed me alive a lot more than I needed him calm , and his need might keep me safe for now.

“My lady!” Liora grumbled.

“Where are we headed next, Liora? We have a lot to do today.” I said, gulping.

“There are several nobles waiting to see you.” Liora stated, and I could still hear the panic in her voice.

“Liora, calm down!” I ordered, and she nodded, taking a moment to catch her breath.

“Okay, I'm calm now.” She assured me, and I smiled at her.

“Please, tell me you have a list of nobles I'd be seeing?” I asked, and she nodded gently, taking another deep breath.

“They are mostly from the White faction, but the ones that aren't in the White faction are also royals.”

“Okay, while I speak with them, can you do what we spoke about earlier?” I asked, and she squinted, trying to remember what we spoke about.

“The blue…” I said, trying to juggle her memory.

“Oh yeah, I'd get on that.” She muttered. “But do you want me to leave you with the wolves? They're definitely not kind people.”

“I've survived worse, and I'd also need you to be quick.” I said, standing from the chair, as we both headed outside.

“What else do you need me for?”

“Lunch with Kael? You surely can't leave me all alone with him.”

“Thankfully, brunch and lunch is with the nobles, so we don't have to see him again until dinner.”

“Can anything just kill me now?” I groaned, walking out the hall.

Two huge, scary looking guards joined us immediately. I was almost startled, until they bowed.

“Who are they?” I asked Liora.

“For your protection.” She responded.

“What are your names?” I turned to both of them.

“Mikah.”

“Mikael.”

They responded, having rough voices. I smirked, taking a deep breath as I continued walking, feeling a bit more confident.

I arrived at the meeting with the royals, and they all had their brows raised in disgust. They kept whispering amongst themselves, until I sat down.

“You can sit.” I said, after waiting a few seconds just for the plot. They grumbled endlessly, paying me no attention.

I slammed my hand on the table gently, gaining everyone's attention.

“There will be no murmuring, and you will direct your words to me. We will communicate and leave this place happily.” I said, and there was immediate silence all over the room.

“How was your first night with King Regent Kael?” One of the nobles asked. She was absolutely gorgeous, with very long brunette hair. Her eyes looked like Kael's eyes, and they also held the coldness his held.

“It was better than I thought.” I said, sure that it was just bait.

“And by that what do you mean?” Another royal asked.

“Why would I divulge matters of intimacy between Kael and I to the public? He wouldn't like that.”

“You're the Queen. Your whole life is public.” The first lady asserted.

“Well, I love your first statement. However, I don't like the second one that much. I'd like to keep private matters private.”

“I guess I'd settle for ‘better than I thought’ then.” She air quoted.

Indeed, I couldn't have envisioned a better night than one away from Kael.

I spent the whole afternoon getting baited, and undermined, but I stayed on top the whole time.

Just as we were done there, Liora was also coming back from fishing for information.

She bowed, and we walked until we were out of plain sight, only escorted by Mikah and Mikael.

“So, what did I miss?” Liora asked, coming up beside me.

I sighed. “Nothing much. They tried to tear me apart. I won some, I lost some. Some of them even laughed. So I guess that's a good way to start.”

“Uh-oh. It's not so good for royals to be laughing. They probably have several hidden agendas.” Liora mumbled. “This is definitely the best time to have these two guys.”

I shrugged, totally exhausted, with only the thought of sleep in my head.

“Yeah, what did you find out?” I asked, and she blushed.

“What?”

“I have good news?” She giggled.

“Twice in a day?! The universe better not get me used to a vibe she can't maintain.” I scoffed.

“The noble that spoke to you in a condescending manner yesterday?” She started, and I nodded gently.

“Well, the King Regent had him stripped of his position, and he's not to show up in court ever again.” She said, and I remained rooted to the same spot, staring at her.

“Apparently, this happened since last night, but I only found out now when I went to speak with the other omegas.” She added.

Something warm flickered in my chest before I could stop it.

I stomped it out immediately.

“That explains why he was so angry at the table this morning. He hated that he had to dismiss a noble for the sake of his name.” I mumbled, as I continued walking.

“Or he did it because he didn't like how you were spoken to.” Liora said, but I scoffed it off.

“And what about the Blue Faction leader?” I asked. “Lord Thomas Aldric?”

“We might have a bit of trouble there, because Lord Aldric is just a figurehead. The one apparently making the decisions pertaining to the faction is his wife, Lady Charlotte Aldric.”

“As if it isn't hard enough already to please a man.” I grumbled, walking into my room. Liora walked in after me as my shoes flew off.

“What does a woman want?!” I sighed, and she sighed also.

“Exactly my point.” Liora mumbled.

“And a woman controlling a stiffnecked, power-hungry man? That's definitely a tough woman.” I mumbled.

"Also, we can't leave to visit her. You can only invite her to the Palace, or go with the King Regent, if he somehow decides to visit them."

I groaned, "Ugh... more and more rules."

I fell face down on my bed, feeling sleep drift me away. I was in this calm posture without any disturbance, until Liora barged in again.

“Your Highness!” She called.

“What is it?” I groaned from the bed, still keeping my gaze fixed on the bed.

“The King Regent is here! He's having dinner here!” She said, and my breath hung up in my throat.