CHAPTER 271: JOLLY SEASON II

The King was planning to starve us. I concluded, as he went on and on talking unnecessary gibberish about the generosity of the Queen, and my possible ascension to the throne.

Who sent him to blow my trumpet? And to what end was his praise? I bit on my lower lip, shifting from foot to foot, hearing the applause that exploded through the hall as he talked about my magic prowess for the umpteenth time.

Can we cut this bullshit already? I looked down, meeting Diana’s gaze. Of course she is aware of my unstable aura at the moment. But who would blame me? Did the king think that I craved attention like most would?

The applause died down after a few beats, but the ripples of curiosity in the room didn’t. As the Lycan King’s words settled into the air, I caught the glances then — some fleeting, some lingering — and the low murmurs that never truly stopped.

Diana’s hand clutched my left one tighter, her warmth grounding me even as my stomach gave a low, traitorous rumble. It was bad enough that I could smell roasted meat wafting from somewhere nearby; now my empty stomach had decided to join in the festivities.

I smiled politely as a pair of elders stepped forward, inclining their heads. Behind them, more were converging, to meet me. At this rate, I would faint before i was done with the political nonsense.

"An honor to finally meet you, Lady Dora," one said, his voice gravelly with age but his eyes sharp with interest.

"The honor’s mine," I replied, dipping my chin just enough to be respectful without pretending I didn’t notice the weight of their scrutiny.

The murmurs reached my ears in pieces as more elders came to greet me.

"...that’s the girl the Queen offered..."

"...turned him down, bold move..."

"...maybe it’s a ploy..."

"...heard she embarrassed the court..."

Oh yes, they knew. Which meant the King had told his council — and likely in a tone that would make my every breath tonight a subject of speculation.

Maybe I should have stayed home? With this height of interest, it wouldn’t be a surprise for things to go south here.

Diana shifted beside me, sensing my slight tension. I gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze, even though the temptation to ask for food right here in front of everyone was becoming dangerously real.

The Lycan King’s deep voice broke through the haze of murmurs, and into my thoughts after what felt like forever.

"Ray," he called, his gaze shifting to the elder’s son who had chauffeured us here, who was standing at the edge of the dais. "Show Lady Dora and her companion to their rooms. See that they have everything they need."

Ray bowed and stepped forward with his usual easy stride, though his eyes flicked briefly to mine with what might have been amusement. "This way, my lady."

I gave the elders one last courteous nod, ignoring the way a few of them whispered as soon as I turned my back, and followed Ray out of the hall with Diana still holding my hand. Whatever welcome they’d planned here, I suspected it was going to be more complicated than a bed and a plate of food.

Ray led us through a series of wide, high-ceilinged corridors, each lit by golden sconces and lined with portraits of stern-faced Lycans from generations past. The polished stone beneath our feet seemed to swallow our footsteps, the silence between us broken only by Diana’s soft intake of breath when we passed an arched window.

Outside, the moon hung almost-full and bright over the sprawling courtyard below, bathing the flagstones in silver. Guards patrolled in pairs, their shadows stretching long across the walls.

"You’ll find the rooms comfortable," Ray said, his voice clipped, professional. "The King takes care of his guests."

The way he said "guests" made me think of gilded cages.

At last, he stopped before two massive double doors facing each other across a carpeted landing.

"This one," he gestured to the door on the right, "is yours, Lady Dora. And this one," he nodded left, "for your companion."

I glanced at Diana, who was already shaking her head. "We’ll share," I said.

Ray hesitated. "The King had these prepared—"

"I’m sure he did," I cut in gently, "but I don’t take chances with my sister."

A beat of silence, then a curt nod. "As you wish."

He pushed open the right-hand door, and I almost forgot to breathe.

The room wasn’t a room so much as a private palace. A crystal chandelier dripped light over a bed large enough to swallow three people, its canopy draped in midnight-blue velvet. The rugs were thick, the kind your toes sink into, and every surface gleamed as though polished moments before.

To the left, an ornate double door revealed a bathroom that could have belonged to a queen — a deep marble tub fitted with jets, easily large enough to be mistaken for a small pool. Beside it, delicate glass bottles lined the counter, each labeled in elegant script.

The walls bore oil paintings of wolves under varying phases of the moon: a silver one leaping through snow, a black one howling at an eclipse, a white one staring straight at the viewer with almost human eyes.

On the far side of the room, a small library curved along one wall, opposite a pair of armchairs flanking a low table. A writing desk stood beside it, complete with parchment, ink, and a silver quill.

Diana’s gasp turned into a laugh. She was already pulling out her phone, angling for the best shot of the chandelier. "Our parents will never believe this," she said, sending the picture before I could protest.

"They’ll believe it," I said dryly, aware of the door shutting behind us. "They’ll just think we are being bribed by royalty."

She flopped onto the bed, sinking halfway into its softness. "If this is bribery, I’m not complaining."

I smiled despite myself, though the thought of what this comfort might cost kept me from relaxing fully.

We hadn’t even finished inspecting the bathroom when a sharp knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," I called.

The door swung open, and five servants entered in a neat line, each pushing a wheeled silver cart laden with covered platters. The smell hit me first — roasted meat, fresh bread, something spiced and sweet. My stomach growled again.

They bowed in unison. Two left immediately after setting down their carts, while the remaining three lowered their heads again.

"My lady," the one in front began, "we are here to serve you during your stay — meals, bathing, any needs you may have."

I blinked. "Bathing?"

"Yes, my lady," she said, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

The idea of strangers scrubbing me like I was some fragile ornament made my skin itch. "That won’t be necessary," I said, trying for polite. "We can manage."

Did they bathe the triplets too? My face twisted with something akin to disgust–I could see that mirrored in Diana’s eyes.

They exchanged quick glances, something almost fearful passing between them.

"You won’t be punished for it," I added, lowering my voice. "I just prefer to handle myself."

They hesitated again, and I realized with a quiet jolt what their nervousness meant — these weren’t pampered castle staff. Their wrists were thin, their eyes too watchful. Captives, perhaps, from conquered territories, kept here to serve as living proof of the King’s reach.

I sighed. "You can stay. Eat with us if you like. But you don’t need to wait on us."

It took some coaxing, but slowly they began to relax. Over slices of warm bread and fragrant stew, I asked them about their lives.

One was from the Northern Ice Flats, where the sun barely touched the ground in winter. She’d been taken during the King’s last campaign there. Another was from a lush valley far to the east, her family scattered when her village surrendered. The third — the youngest — spoke softly of a brother she hadn’t seen in three years.

They spoke of home like it was both a wound and a treasure, something that could still warm them even as it hurt to remember. Diana listened with wide eyes, occasionally nudging me under the table when a detail caught her.

When the meal was done, we checked out the bathrooms. By the time we’d finished bathing ourselves, nearly an hour had passed.

Another knock broke the quiet. The maids tensed instantly, wiping their mouths, smoothing skirts.

I went to the door and opened it to find Raul standing there with Levina, Claire, and Naomi clustered behind him.

"Welcome Dora! Come with us... We’re going exploring," Naomi announced with a grin, already reaching to tug me forward.

Exploring with these two? No, thank you.

"Not tonight," I said, stepping back. But had she really forgiven me?

"Come on," she urged with a slight pout. "It’ll be fun."

I shook my head again, firmer this time. "I would like to rest. However, I will join you tomorrow."

Levina and Claire took the hint, drifting away with Naomi, who shot me a wounded look before disappearing down the hall. I expected Raul to follow, but instead he stepped closer.

I moved to shut the door, but he slid his foot into the gap.

"Dora," he said quietly, "I know I’m a mess, but I’m sorry. I’m sorry for all of it, whatever it is. I... I don’t have many people here. And tonight, after everything, I just don’t want to be alone."

I studied him, searching for any sign of manipulation. What I saw instead was abject loneliness.

"We could just walk a bit," he said. "Diana can come too. The guards can follow if you like."

Diana perked up immediately. "The guards won’t be necessary."

I hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. But only for a little while."