CHAPTER 240: _THE FUTURE OF LUNARIA

Elian’s POV

*****

[Warning: Host might be having a full-on existential crisis. Proceed—]

"Can you not, right now?" He grunted, snapping his neck before bringing his gaze back to the reflection on the large mirror in front of him.

Night had arrived and with it came the time for Lucian’s official address to the people of Lunaria.

Preparation and anxiety hung in the air, maids scurrying around, attending to the high folks who’ll be present for the address. And amongst those "high folks" was Elian.

"For the last time..." He swatted a maid’s hand away from his collar, glaring at her. "I can handle my collar myself. By the gods, don’t you guys know a thing about personal space?"

There were three other maids in the room, either staring awkwardly at him or arranging his rumpled bed and picking out trinkets.

The maid he yelled at shrank back, placing her hands in front of her face as she bowed. "F–Forgive me, master Elian. But they’re orders. You need extra attention now and—"

"Orders from who?" He arched a brow, dusting the sides of his sharp purple blazer.

Suddenly, a knock sounded on the door, causing him to whip his head in that direction. The door swung open, Luna Queen Elowen strutting in with her usual regal elegance.

Her golden gown swept the floor behind her like sunlight, her hair braided and eyes sharp when they locked on Elian.

Talk about perfect timing...

"Is there a problem?" She questioned, a small smile on her lips.

Elian briefly glanced at the door behind her, noting the two guards stationed there. They stood on either side of the entrance outside, their backs facing the room, their golden armors glistening.

’Last time they left guards in charge of protecting me, an Alpha-class wolf snuck in and I got kidnapped,’ he thought to himself, bringing his eyes back to the Luna Queen.

"Not exactly a problem, ma’am." He bowed slightly but before another word could leave his lips, she held his shoulder.

"Ah, ah... You don’t need to be so formal with your future mother-in-law, Elian." She helped him straighten up, patting his cheeks gently.

Elian’s face heated up but he hid his embarrassment, nodding. "Right. Sorry, old habits. Anyway, I was trying to say I didn’t ask for maids so—"

"I know." She interrupted, waving dismissively. "But I did. I assigned them to you for tonight."

He blinked, his lips parting.

The maids didn’t say anything, keeping their heads lowered and staying so silent that he could hear their heartbeats.

Elian didn’t need to ask before Elowen knew the question in his mind.

"You must be wondering why." She sighed, tightening her grip slightly on his shoulder.

She gestured toward the door, forcing him to follow her, side by side.

"Well, it’s nothing much other than wanting to give you a taste of the royal treatment." She continued, grinning. "Tonight especially—you’ll be standing at Lucian’s side as he takes on the hardest position in all of Lunaria."

They got out of the room, much to Elian’s well-hidden annoyance. He glanced back into the room, silently blinking at the maids.

Fortunately, they were already leaving, closing the door behind them when they trooped out.

"You’re his mate, Elian." Elowen’s voice softened, making him bring his attention back to her. "And I know this empire hasn’t treated your kind..." She stopped herself, probably realising how odd that last word was.

Her eyes fled away from his for a moment, her lips parting briefly before she found her voice again. "... Omegas. You’ve faced harsh traditions and the judgment of our hierarchy. The strong eat the weak and the weak have no choice but—"

"To grovel." Elian completed the sentence, his jaw tightening slightly when flashes of memories from his past as a servant came rushing through.

Each slap. Each insult and berating from nobles and wolves of high standing was simply because of his Omega status. Simply because he was "below" them.

But little did they know... That wasn’t him anymore.

"I’m moving on from all that, Elowen." He called her by her name this time, his smile forced. "And I know I’ll have to be by Lucian’s side."

Silence.

They stared at each other, Elowen seeming surprised by his sudden change in mood while Elian’s mind reeled.

’Her husband might’ve had a clue about my past. My true origins.’ he thought to himself, still replaying the confrontation with Kyren.

It was clear to him he’d probably been trying to tell him something before Lucian interrupted. Something he felt the need to keep to himself in the end.

[What do we even do if we want to dig up your past?] The system asked like it wasn’t supposed to be the one knowing it all.

[How many times do I need to say this? I make calculations and deduce certain outcomes based on probabilities. I can also look into your past with ease... If you had a past to look into.]

[But that’s the thing... I’ve tried. Everything since before Alpha King Arian picked you from that forest is gone. Non-existent. Almost like you—]

’Never existed until that moment.’ he completed, dread seeping into his being again.

However, before he could spiral into a point of no return, Elowen tapped him gently, bringing him back to reality.

"You... Spaced out." She whispered, squinting at his forced breathing. "Are you okay? Is all this too pressuring for you?"

His heart warmed slightly when he heard the genuine concern buried beneath all that sense of duty.

"I’m... I’m fine." He nodded, drawing in a deep breath. "Let’s just head to that throne room and get this show on the road."

She arched a brow, clearly not used to the string of words he put together.

But eventually, she shrugged, coiling her arm with his before they turned in the direction of an Ascension platform down the corridor.

Tonight would be the beginning of a new era in Lunaria.

And hopefully... The beginning of true change.

.

.

The Ascension platform rose smoothly, its light shimmering blue against the metallic walls.

As the hum died, Elian and Elowen stepped out, navigating the hallway before walking into the throne room.

Guards lined both sides of the long hall, armoured in gold and silver.

The air was thick with tension—anticipation mingling with mourning.

Above, Lunaria’s crest glowed faintly from a massive stained-glass dome, scattering moonlight across the polished floor.

Lucian stood beneath the dais, just before his father’s throne.

He was dressed in formal golden robes, trimmed with black threads.

The long cape draped behind him seemed heavier than usual—not from fabric, but from the weight of what tonight meant. Holographic screens flickered across the room, each showing live feeds from different cities of the empire.

Millions of Lunarians waited to hear their soon-to-be new king speak.

When Lucian’s gaze lifted and landed on him, a faint warmth crossed his face. Elian walked toward him, ignoring the eyes that followed.

As soon as he reached Lucian’s side, the Alpha Prince extended a hand without a word.

Elian took it, the touch grounding him.

"You look like you just survived a hurricane," Lucian murmured under his breath, lips twitching.

"Your mother’s doing," Elian muttered back, forcing a small smile. "She nearly assigned a battalion of maids to ’polish’ me before this."

Lucian chuckled quietly, his thumb brushing over Elian’s hand before he straightened, posture returning to royal stiffness. "I warned you. Once she decides you’re family, there’s no escape."

"Yeah. I noticed."

Before Elian could retort, the great doors creaked open with a hiss.

The council of Fang entered—Gamma Drax leading, his burly frame impossible to miss, followed by Delta Reina, her raven-black hair tied in a braid.

Their expressions were masks of composure, though the scent of unease clung faintly to them.

"Alpha prince," Drax greeted, bowing deeply. "The council stands ready."

Lucian inclined his head. "Good. Take your positions."

The two flanked either side of the hall, standing among the lined guards. The murmurs died instantly. The techs stationed near the holographic panels began adjusting lenses.

"Systems online," one of them announced. "Broadcast commencing in thirty seconds."

Elian felt Lucian’s grip tighten slightly. Beneath the cool surface, the Alpha Prince’s pulse betrayed his nerves.

"You’ll do fine," Elian whispered.

Lucian didn’t look at him, but his lips curved faintly. "Stay close."

The throne room’s large doors opened once more, this time admitting Kyren.

The Rogue King strode in with a presence that silenced the air itself—his black coat sweeping behind him like a living shadow.

Every soldier stiffened, every noble bowed just enough to be polite but not enough to provoke. He stopped near the edge of the dais, his crimson eyes flicking briefly toward Elian before settling on Lucian.

"Try not to choke, cousin," Kyren said evenly, his tone unreadable.

Lucian exhaled through his nose, a sound halfway between annoyance and amusement. "Good of you to show up."

"Wouldn’t miss it for the world," Kyren replied, clasping his hands behind his back.

The technician’s voice broke the tension. "Broadcast in ten..."

A blue light from the main console flickered, sweeping across the throne room like a wave. All conversation ceased. Even the air seemed to pause.

"...five... four... three..."

Lucian’s eyes shifted from Kyren to Elian—then to the massive camera rune floating before him. His shoulders straightened.

"...two... one..."

The holographic insignia of Lunaria spun behind him, filling every hovering screen.

The future of the empire was about to begin.