CHAPTER 105: STRINGS OF MEMORY

Days had finally passed, and Ariana stood in front of the mirror, her heart pounding. The last few days had made her increasingly nervous...maybe because she knew this celebration was all for her. And now that the day had finally arrived, she didn’t know how to feel. At this point, her emotions were all mixed.

Leah curled the front part of her hair. Ariana wore a dark, silverish gown that flowed freely down her body. It had short sleeves, paired with long gloves that reached her elbows. The silver hairpin, used to hold her beautiful bow bun in place, complemented the gown perfectly.

"Queen Ariana, everything is done," Leah said, stepping back a bit. Ariana nodded with a calm smile.

Just then, the door opened—and her heart skipped a beat. She knew exactly who it was, even though she hadn’t seen him yet. Her husband.

Her heart raced.

Leah bowed quickly and exited. Ariana turned around, and immediately, her eyes landed on him. Her heart leapt. He wore a matching dark royal suit, different from the usual ones she had seen. His hair was neatly swept back, though a few rebellious strands fell perfectly over his face. His already breathtaking appearance looked even more striking.

His posture was perfect, it radiated command, power, and authority.

His eyes landed on Ariana, slowly trailing upward then downwards as he spoke.

"Your beauty advances every second, sweetheart. You look so gorgeous that the stars above wouldn’t be enough to count just how magnificently beautiful you are."

Ariana’s eyes widened, not expecting those words. She stared at him in disbelief, her heart racing and melting at the same time. His words kept repeating in her head.

Zavren, noticing her silence, walked towards her and gently held her chin, his eyes now fully drinking in her beauty. A slow smile curled on his lips. All Ariana could do was stare at him in silence, her mind replaying his words like a chant—and each time it did, her heart skipped all over again.

And as if that wasn’t enough, Zavren bent slightly and gently planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

Ariana’s face warmed as her body felt like it was floating. The feeling was too good...his soft lips on her forehead—too good to be real. She couldn’t help but smile widely. Zavren chuckled lightly as he stared at her dimples, which now showed thanks to her ear-to-ear smile.

At that moment, she looked like a girl who had just heard her name called by her crush.

Zavren extended his hand, and Ariana placed hers on his. As he did, he spoke:

"My dear Luna, are you ready?"

Ariana nodded, her lips pursed nervously. Zavren gave a curt nod, and together they walked out of the room. The hallway was silent and comfortable. Ariana’s heart began to thunder as they walked, until they reached a particular hallway and stopped in front of a large door.

"You don’t have to be scared, sweetheart. I’m by your side," Zavren assured her gently, noticing her hesitation and fidgeting. Ariana nodded, a small smile curling on her lips as her eyes locked on his. He returned her look with a soft nod.

The door opened—and just as it did, the lights dimmed. The earlier piano and violin music slowed down. Ariana walked by Zavren’s side. The whispers turned into silence as eyes widened. Ariana maintained her gaze straight ahead, like a queen. Her posture was straight and elegant—graceful, yet confident.

She noticed people parting ways as they walked, even though the path was wide enough.

Zavren and Ariana walked toward the particular seats at the front—thrones for the king and queen. Just as they sat, the silence still lingered, with all eyes still on them. The light returned, and the piano and violin resumed their slow, beautiful melody.

Various ladies and lords stood talking while holding glasses of wine and drinks. Some princes and princesses, queens and kings, were among the invited guests. The hall was huge, filled with many high-ranking figures.

Ariana’s gaze swept through the crowd, turning toward the instrumentalists’ section. Though they played on, she was looking for Lady Stephanie. She was supposed to be here. Wasn’t she meant to be playing with them? Ariana felt curious and prayed that she hadn’t changed her mind.

Zavren, who had noticed Ariana’s wandering gaze, followed it, then turned back to her and asked,

"Is something wrong?"

Ariana shook her head, though her face fell for a moment. She needed to be hopeful—Lady Stephanie would arrive any moment now.

After all, this was just the beginning.

Zavren stood up. Ariana watched, and just as he did, the instruments fell silent and the light chatter faded. Ariana grew curious.

Zavren’s grey eyes rested on her, a small smirk playing on his lips. Ariana’s gaze locked with his as he calmly said,

"May I have this dance?"

Ariana nodded, her face warming. It was time for the Luna and Alpha’s dance to begin.

Zavren extended his hand, and Ariana placed hers atop his large one. He gave her a knowing look. Ariana eyed him mischievously and couldn’t help but smile the same way. If she’d wanted to create a dramatic scene, she might’ve declined—and maybe that would’ve wiped that knowing smirk off his face. She laughed quietly at her own thoughts.

Zavren led her gently down the stairs. The lights were now focused on them, and silence reigned again. The violin started first as they began to dance. Zavren held her protectively, while Ariana placed her hands on his shoulders. Then the violin slowed as the piano picked up the same rhythm. The feeling was overwhelming...it stirred emotions within Ariana the once she could place and the one she Didn’t.

Her body swayed in rhythm, her eyes locked with Zavren’s.

"Do you feel good?" he asked softly.

She nodded.

He swayed her gently, their movements graceful and perfectly in sync.

Ariana’s eyes sparkled. At this point, it felt like her mind was floating with the notes of the song. Her face now glowed as she locked eyes with Zavren while they moved together.

"This is really beautiful," she whispered to herself, her excitement and happiness clearly visible.

Zavren’s lips curled up as he spoke,

"Oh sweetheart, you’ll see something even more breathtaking later tonight."

Ariana’s eyes widened—she instantly understood what he meant. She nearly missed her footing, completely thrown off guard. Just as her mind tried to process it, she staggered—but Zavren, who had expected this reaction, was already a step ahead. He held her firmly in place as they continued moving. No one noticed a thing.

"Zavren..." she called softly in her head curious if he would hear her.

"Mhn? My wife, do you want to tell me something?" he responded gently, hearing her soft voice in his head. But Ariana shook her head.

Her emotions were all over the place—happiness, nervousness, excitement. That must have been why he could hear her. And now that she had called him and he had heard, she couldn’t help but feel her stomach flip with sweet shivers and fluttering butterflies.

Zavren spun her gently, then moved her back so she was now pressed against his chest. She turned slowly before falling slightly into a graceful dip—his arm held her steady. The crowd watched in awe. Anyone observing would’ve thought the king and queen had rehearsed this dance countless times to be so flawless. If only they knew...this was their first time, right here at the Luna’s celebration.

Ariana’s lips curled into a playful smile as she turned back to him.

"You must have tried this with lots of women, given how perfect you are," she whispered in her thoughts, shifting her gaze. She prayed he hadn’t heard that.

But of course, he did. He always did... her emotions.

"Sweetheart, you are correct," he replied, "but you have to understand—what I do with you, I’ve never done with any woman before. My wife and I have not called a woman ’my wife’ except you snowflake."

His voice lowered into a soft, seductive whisper as he added,

"And tonight, I’ll do things that only you will ever see me doing, my wife."

Ariana’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe the words coming from his mouth—especially in this place, of all places. But she would be lying if she said her heart wasn’t racing wildly and part of her was curious on what he was planning to do.

The music began to slow down as Zavren’s movement slowed, and Ariana followed his lead. Just as the music stopped, Zavren turned to her. Ariana gave him a graceful curtsy, and Zavren responded with a light nod. He then extended his hand, and Ariana gently placed hers in his. Together, they walked back as the lights returned and soft music began to play once more.

Ariana wondered if it was time for the general dance now, before the official announcement. She remained curious as they made their way back to their seats.

Just as they sat, Ariana’s attention was drawn to a figure walking toward the middle of the grand hallway—the exact spot where she and Zavren had danced moments ago. Her eyes widened in surprise when she recognized who it was.

Lady Stephanie.

She was wearing a flowing green gown, her hair cascading down her back with a few strands framing her face. Her makeup was soft and light, enhancing her natural beauty. But what shocked Ariana even more was what she held in her hands—a violin.

Ariana’s lips parted in awe. She hadn’t expected this. Yes, she had known Lady Stephanie would be playing tonight, but she had no idea it would be like this—personally, for her.

Her heart warmed as the crowd fell silent. Many stared in shock, others in admiration, watching as Lady Stephanie stepped into the spotlight. The silence deepened as Ariana watched her raise the bow gently and rest it on the strings.

And then... she moved it.

Ariana’s body went still.

That note... she thought, holding her breath.

And then Lady Stephanie began to play.

Ariana’s eyes widened further, her shock visible. That note... that melody... it sounded familiar.

Just like the song her mother used to play for her when she was little.