A Seat At The King's Table

Sage’s POV

Dinner felt like a trial I never signed up for.

The hall was long. A little too long. A table stretched through the middle. 

By the time we got there, people were already seated. There were two men and three women. 

Young and Elderly in both genders. 

One of the elderly women being the one from earlier. 

I slowed.

Dominic didn’t.

He walked ahead like this was nothing. Like he hadn’t just burned my past and dressed me in silk like I belonged here. His hand brushed my lower back once. Not in a way to guide, but in a way that meant Claim. 

I stiffened.

We reached the table.

“You’re having dinner with us today?” The Elderly woman said. 

Dominic didn’t respond, he just found his seat. 

I stayed standing. Unsure where to sit. Unsure if I should even breathe.

Dominic pulled out a chair. The one beside his.

“Sit,” he said.

I did.

My stomach twisted.

The elderly woman with Silver hair leaned forward first. Her eyes ran over me like I was dirt on a royal table.

“So,” she said, smiling thinly. “This is her? The lady you’ve been looking for?”

“Don’t you think it would be proper to introduce her to the family?” The Elderly man added after staring at me for the longest.

Dominic’s head snapped up finally. “Sure, but let’s have dinner first.” 

He turned to me, “You haven’t taken anything. Don’t you like the food?” 

It looked tantalising and delicious, but I just couldn’t find myself dishing. I was never allowed to. In fact, this was my first time at a dinning table. What I knew was Scraps. I grew up eating scraps and leftovers from the Alpha’s palace. 

I could feel everyone’s eyes on me as I picked up the serving spoon with shaky hands. I took a very small portion. His eyes flew back to me. 

“What do you think you’re doing?” He took the spoon from me and dished it.

I struggled to finish the food, not just because he gave me more than I was used to eating, but because of the heavy eyes and tension from unanswered questions. 

Once we were done, the maids began to clean up while King Dominic stood, finally ready to address everyone. 

“As everyone knows, I’ve been in search of my mate for ages. Desperately seeking and thinking that the moon goddess will never pair me with anyone.”  

“But finally… I found her.” He said, his eyes falling on me. “This is Sage, My mate and soon to be Queen.” 

Their eyes widened. But Dominic acted like he hadn’t just dropped a bomb. 

“And Sage. That’s my Uncle…” He said, pointing the Elderly man. “Desmond.” 

I bowed in respect as he introduced me to each of them. 

“My mom… Queen Gabriella” He pointed at the woman from earlier. 

“My stepmother… Madame Elsie.” He pointed at the other elderly woman. 

“This…” He paused at the young man. “My stepbrother.” 

He didn’t say his name. My eyes moved from him to his brother. They barely even made eye contact. 

“And Over there is Lily. She’s family too.” He said finally. 

None of them looked happy to see me. If I were in their shoes, I don’t think I’d be happy to see me either. 

Something about that Lily girl caught me. She looked Elegant in ways I could never dream of. And more disturbing, I noticed how she grabbed her fork tighter every single time King Dominic did something nice for me. 

Dinner was over, but no one was leaving. I got confused, waiting for someone to move out first so I can follow suit. 

But no one left. 

“Where’s dessert?” Madame Elsie complained. 

The maids returned with another set of food. “Your majesty, we’re so sorry for the delay.”

The maid set the bowl down in front of me, the steam rising in a familiar, fragrant swirl. 

It was Wild Garlic and Bone Broth Congee.

My breath got stuck in my throat. My favourite. 

Back at the Alpha’s palace, the old cook would sometimes hide a bowl of this for me every time it was prepared. 

“What is that?” Madame Elsie asked, her nose wrinkling in visible disgust as she stared at the bowl. “It smells… Weird.” 

Dominic didn’t look at her. He kept his gaze fixed on me, watching my reaction. “I believe the term is ‘soul food,’” he said calmly. “I asked the kitchen maids to replicate it. It took them three tries to get the scent right.”

I looked at the bowl, then up at him. He had gone to the trouble of finding out the one thing I actually enjoyed and served my preference to his family too.  

“Eat, Sage,” he prompted, his hand moving to the table near mine. “I’m told it’s best when it’s hot.”

The silence in the room was deafening. Queen Gabriella looked like she wanted to shatter her wine glass. I was a stray being fed at the King’s table, and Dominic was making sure everyone knew he didn’t care one bit. 

After burying my head in my plate out of excitement, I finally raised my head to see that no one else was eating, just me and Dominic. I suddenly felt uncomfortable.

He Neglected his family just to make me happy? Cyrus would never. 

The fact that he even cared to find out what my favourite meal was. 

When dinner was over, I disappeared to my room as quickly as possible. Scared that his family might gang up on me for ruining their dinner.

“Pheeew.” I let out a sigh as I slid down the door. 

Footsteps echoed outside the door, making me move away from it quickly. Followed by a knock.

I turned.

He didn’t wait.

Dominic walked in like the room belonged to him. Like I did too.

I crossed my arms. “I think this is too much.”

“It’s not.”

“It is,” I snapped. “The clothes. The room. The food. I didn’t ask for any of this.”

He looked at me then. “Is that your own way of saying thank you?” 

My throat dried as I reasoned how ungrateful I had been. 

“I’m so sorry, your majesty. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me. I’m grateful. Sincerely grateful.”

I paused for a bit. “But I’m still bothered. Why are you helping me?”

My voice shook. “This isn’t just about the mate bond. I know that. So tell me. What do you want in return?”

He didn’t answer.

Instead, his eyes narrowed slightly.

“You’re pale,” he said, stepping closer. “Too thin.”

I stared at him.

“Excuse me?”

“You’re malnourished,” he continued calmly. “Starting tomorrow, you’ll have a proper meal plan. No skipping, No excuses.”

Something in me snapped.

“Why do you keep ignoring my questions?” I demanded. 

He stepped closer.

Close enough that I could feel his warmth.

“Some questions,” he said softly, “are better left unanswered.”

My breath hitched.

Before I could step back, he reached out and pulled me to him.

I struggled. 

“Don’t…” He whispered. 

My chest slammed against his.

My heart went wild. 

I hated that my body betrayed me like this.

His hand rested on my back. “Goodnight Mate.” He said softly.

And then—

His lips touched mine. Not rough. Not hungry. Just warm and sweet.

My breath froze. For one second, everything went silent.

Then he pulled away.

Just like that.

I stood there. I was shaking, furious, confused, all at once. Wanting to scream and wanting to pull him back all at once.

He turned to leave.

The door closed behind him.

I sank onto the bed.

Hand pressed to my lips.

“This is bad,” I whispered.