Semua Bab My Mate Chose My Best Friend, So His Uncle Claimed Me: Bab 171 - Bab 180

Marcelo recovered first, which I expected as much.A man like him hadn't risen to the position of Lord Valmere by crumbling beneath silence alone. The uncertainty I had seen moments ago disappeared almost as quickly as it came, tucked neatly back behind the practiced smile he had perfected over years of political gatherings and merchant councils.He drew in a slow breath and smiled. "I was under the impression," he said evenly, "that the royal palace had already taken charge of investigating that unfortunate incident." His voice remained calm and reasonable as if we were discussing delayed shipments instead of the day someone had tried to end my life. "I saw no reason to interfere with an ongoing royal investigation."Beside him, Seraphine nodded immediately. "Exactly." Her relief came far too quickly. "It would have been inappropriate for House of Valmere to involve itself while His Majesty's investigators were already handling the matter."I watched them quietly. I didn't interrupt

The Caelthorn residence had never felt this peaceful.The afternoon had long since melted into evening, leaving the sky painted in shades of amber and violet beyond the gallery overlooking the estate gardens. Lanterns had already been lit throughout the courtyard below, their warm glow illuminating servants as they busied themselves preparing tonight's dinner.Father had insisted upon a small celebration. Nothing extravagant. Nothing befitting nobles.Just family.After everything that had happened, he claimed the household deserved at least one evening where nobody spoke of investigations, politics, or treason.For once, I intended to listen.A crystal wine glass rested comfortably between my fingers as I leaned back against the broad warmth of my husband's chest. His arms circled my waist lazily from behind, one hand resting possessively over my stomach while the other held his own glass of red wine.Neither of us had spoken for several minutes.We simply watched.Below us, servants

"Long live Alpha Lucretius!""Long live Luna Euphyllia!"The voices rose together until they became one.The cry echoed across the entirety of the Golden Eclipse Pack, rolling over the castle walls and spilling into the surrounding forests where even the birds startled into flight. It wasn't merely applause or celebration. It was a vow, spoken by hundreds of wolves who had gathered within the castle grounds to witness the completion of the Luna Ceremony.The ceremony itself had passed in a blur. The ceremonial vows. The blessing beneath the Moon Goddess' altar. The ancient rites that had welcomed every Luna before me.Then, the final blood pact.I had barely recovered from the warmth that spread through my chest when our blood touched the sacred stone before the entire merupted into celebration.Now, standing beside Lucretius upon the grand terrace overlooking the assembled pack, I found myself momentarily speechless.Below us stretched a sea of familiar faces where warriors wearing t

The silence between us stretched until it almost became tangible. Neither of us spoke.Neither of us looked away.The man standing behind those iron bars searched my face as though desperately trying to place a memory that refused to belong to him. Perhaps, there had once been a time when that gaze would've made my heart race.When I would've mistaken his attention for affection... When a single smile from him could have brightened my entire day... Now, I simply looked back.Without resentment. Without longing. Without love.It was a strangely liberating realization.The heavy iron gate closed behind us with a deep metallic clang. The sound echoed throughout the detention grounds before gradually fading into silence. Only then did I realize I had been holding my breath.I heaved out a sigh. The cool evening breeze brushed against my face, carrying with it the familiar scent of pine drifting from the forests surrounding the Golden Eclipse territory. It washed away the stale air of the

For several long moments, I simply stood there, unable to move.The lavender swayed gently around us beneath a breeze that carried neither warmth nor cold, only the quiet serenity unique to the Celestial Realm. Somewhere in the distance, silver streams shimmered beneath an eternal sky, their waters reflecting constellations untouched by the passage of mortal time. It was as though the heavens themselves had paused, allowing me this single moment before reality finally settled into my heart.My gaze remained fixed on the two figures standing before us.It was Mother and... Father.No.That couldn't be right.I blinked once, then again, almost expecting the vision to dissolve the moment I looked too closely. Yet Father remained exactly where he was, standing comfortably beside Mother with the same gentle smile that had always managed to quiet every storm inside me."Father?"The word slipped from my lips before I realized I had spoken it aloud.He smiled wider. "There you are, my little