LOGINRuth smiled. “What is it, Miss?” she asked gently. “Is there something you don't like? Tell me. I'll have it rearranged for you immediately.”“That's not what I mean,” Eirene stammered. “Everything is beautiful. I love it. But I think this is too much.”Ruth's smile widened slightly. She looked pleased. “I'm relieved that you like it, Miss. But don't worry. This isn't excessive at all,” she said. “On the contrary, this is only a small portion of it.”Eirene immediately turned towards her with a shocked expression. “A small portion?”Ruth nodded as though it were perfectly ordinary. “There are still several items being delivered.”Eirene was so stunned that she felt her head begin to spin. At that point, it was no longer a matter of being unable to speak—even breathing had become difficult.Throughout the tour, Eirene continued to gasp in surprise. She was amazed again and again.To her, everything looked extraordinarily luxurious and possessed a level of refinement completely differen
As soon as they left the lounge, Eirene assumed that Ruth and Hester would accompany her outside. After all, she felt she had rested enough and wanted to get back to the Aurelion Residence as soon as possible. However, she was mistaken.Eirene realised that the route they were taking was different to the one they had used earlier because it did not follow the same path. They were not heading towards the palace's front courtyard, but towards another area that felt both unfamiliar and strangely familiar at the same time.The corridor was unfamiliar to Eirene, yet it did not feel like she was seeing it for the first time. The same was true when they entered the lift.Eirene frowned quietly. Her curiosity was piqued, but she restrained the urge to ask Ruth.Although she had visited the Palace many times, she had never explored the entire building, only certain areas. Yet somehow, the place they were heading towards felt very different from the rest of the palace. She sensed an atmosphere
Gwyneth's answer came without hesitation. It was simple, yet it struck Yoren harder than anything else.Yoren froze instantly. The rest of his words vanished the moment her statement registered.“S-she loves me?” Yoren repeated uncertainly. Suddenly, the world seemed to spin around him. He felt dizzy, as if he were about to lose consciousness, and memories of everything he had done to Eirene flooded back. “That's impossible. There's no way she could love someone who has hurt her time and time again.”Deep down, Yoren felt profoundly unworthy. He was self-aware enough to recognise just how cruel he had been to her.Yoren winced. He looked utterly tormented. “No, Gwyneth,” he murmured weakly. His voice was so quiet that it was almost drowned out by the sound of his breathing. “Do you know?” He blinked several times, trying to regain his focus, before looking at Gwyneth again. “She didn't just sacrifice part of her life for me. She also put her life in danger.”“Alpha, listen to me,” sai
Yoren fell silent for a long time—a very long time. He was truly in a difficult position. Facing Gwyneth had never been easy for him.At that moment, he felt he had already given in to her far more than usual. He had explained the matter of his recovery, which ironically brought him no happiness at all, believing it was the most important part. Unfortunately, he found that Gwyneth was still not satisfied.Yoren let out a heavy breath and looked at Gwyneth. “I've already brought her to the palace,” he said. “You know what that means, don't you? Especially now that I've performed the ritual with her.”“I know what it means,” Gwyneth replied, “but it isn't enough.”Disbelief flashed across Yoren's face. “What do you mean?”Gwyneth took a step forward, drawing slightly closer to him. “You have done what you were supposed to do. Your decision is a direct order for this palace—and the entire world—to accept Eirene.”Yoren felt his body tense with each word she spoke. His instincts flared to
Yoren continued walking, not once looking back. His strides were long and swift as he crossed the grand main hall of the palace.The servants stood in rows to welcome Yoren home. They lowered their heads further still as he passed, but he paid them no heed.Yoren paid no attention to any of it. His mind was too crowded, too noisy and too suffocating for him to notice what was happening around him.“Alpha.”Yoren glanced over and saw Naomi emerging from a corridor intersection, hurrying towards him. He slowed his pace for a moment, but then resumed walking at the same speed.“Welcome back,” said Naomi, bowing respectfully. “Forgive me, Alpha. I was just communicating with Gardeno to confirm your return.”Yoren ignored her. He kept walking, allowing Fabrizio and Naomi to follow him.The three of them passed through a long corridor bathed in morning sunlight without speaking. Silence accompanied them until they finally arrived at the Alpha's office.Yoren entered first, surveying the roo
Ruth let out a quiet breath after the call ended. Even though she knew everyone working in the Palace had gone through a rigorous selection process, she still made sure that not even the smallest mistake occurred.The Palace staff were competent people. They were efficient and meticulous, but today was different, making Ruth far more attentive than usual.“Careful,” Ruth admonished, seeing two servants carrying several large boxes. “Don't drop them.”They responded, “Sorry, Watcher.”Ruth turned to another group. “Be careful with those gowns, too.”“Yes, Watcher,” they answered.Ruth rubbed her temple before suddenly remembering something. “Who should I choose to be Miss Eirene's personal maid?” she murmured to herself.Ruth’s mind continued to work. She kept weighing up options, organising plans and making selections.She remained in motion almost the entire day. She barely rested, stopping only briefly for lunch before returning to work. Strangely, she did not feel tired at all, eve
The residence was known as the Eastern Palace. While not as grand as the Main Palace of Velmora, where Yoren resided, the building was spacious and dignified enough to reflect the status of its occupants. It stood amidst a grey stone arrangement overlooking the valley, surrounded by meticulously
The dining room fell silent after Eirene gave her firm answer. She remained seated, her body as stiff as if nailed to the chair. The words “not for sale” still echoed loudly in her ears. Yet, rather than feeling satisfied, she felt an even greater constriction in her heart.Aft
Paige knew even before she had heard a single whisper. The stares felt real; those small glances from the corners of people's eyes could not simply be ignored. Heads leaned towards one another, followed by faint smiles that were quickly concealed whenever she turned to look. The guests' behaviour m
Since the morning, the palace had been operating like a well-oiled machine. Crystal chandeliers gleamed flawlessly. A deep red carpet stretched from the main staircase to the grand hall. Arrangements of white and silver flowers adorned the towering pillars, their soft fragrance mingling with the







