ra’s POV

    I inhaled sharply, my breath catching in my chest.

    Dorian had never mentioned a godmother.

    And as for Elder Medline, I couldn’t recall ever crossing paths with her before. It was almost as if she’d deliberately avoided me.

    Her gaze flickered to me for a second, sharp and calcted, before she turned her attention to Eliza. “Get up, Lady Eliza. What do you think you’re doing, kneeling to a werewolf?”

    Eliza froze, visibly shivering. “B–But…”

    “Eliza, please stand,” I said, my voice firm but calming. “You haven’t done anything wrong.”

    She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand before slowly rising to her feet.

    Elder Medline’s eyes darted to me, her brow arched in challenge. “Now, Queen ra,” she began, her tone dripping with condescension, “can my daughter remain in this room? Or would you rather have us both leave?”

    “If Lady Issa doesn’t wish to be my bridesmaid, she can leave,” I responded coldly. “And you’re free to leave too, Elder Medline.”

    She sneered. “It’s not about what Issa wants or what I want. It’s about what the King wants. The King shoved a werewolf queen down our throats despite the House of Dark’s objections…so what choice do we have? We must obey.”

    I clicked my tongue in irritation. “Then let’s skip the bridesmaid tradition.”

    “Skip the tradition?” Elder Medlineughed, her voice full of derision. “Oh, no. You don’t get to change everything just because you’re the werewolf queen. The tradition stays.”

    Frustration bubbled up in my chest. I was losing patience quickly.

    Before I could respond, her gaze flickered to my belly, her lips curling into a smug smirk.

    “You’re probably thinking about telling me to leave, but don’t forget,” she sneered, “I’m the King’s godmother. Do you really want to make an enemy of me? And you, Queen ra, carrying the heir…Do you really want your child to lose all the support from the House of Dark?”

    A cold shiver ran down my spine.

    I wasn’t alone anymore.

    I had a child.

    b10:22 /bbSat/bb, /bbSep /bb13 /b

    And I couldn’t afford to ignore the consequences of my actions.

    I met her gaze, my mind racing.

    Elder Medline’s smile widened, as if she knew she’d won. “This is where you apologize,” she said, her voice a

    faunt.

    The silence in the room stretched long, suffocating. I could feel the eyes of the girls on me, their nervous gazes fixed on me. Belle bit her lip, sympathy flickering in her eyes.

    I drew a steadying breath, pushing down the anger and frustration that burned in my chest. “I apologize, Elder Medline,” I said, my voice smooth but tinged with restraint. “Both you and Lady Issa are wee to stay. And I would be honoured to have Lady Issa as my bridesmaid.”

    Elder Medline’s smirk turned into a full smile. “Good. Now, go get dressed in your wedding gown. The girls are eager to see you in white.”

    Her words were an order, but I said nothing in return.

    She had one thing right: I didn’t need any more enemies. I had enough to worry about with my unborn child.

    The secret about my child’s father was a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

    I couldn’t afford to make things worse.

    With a tight nod, I turned and walked into the changing room, the maids and tailors trailing behind me.

    My gown was everything I’d hoped for–ivory satin that shimmered with every movement. It draped over my body in soft, flowing waves, the delicate lily flowers embroidered along the fabric. Each one seemed to dance along the surface of the gown.

    The bodice was strapless, a sweetheart neckline entuating my curves. The skirt red out in a soft cascade, leaving a beautiful train behind me.

    When I stepped out of the changing room, the room fell silent.

    Belle gasped, hands flying to her mouth. “ra! You…you look breathtaking!”

    Eliza’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Mira’s face beamed with joy.

    Issa said nothing, but her expression said it all—shock and something else, maybe envy, maybe jealousy.

    Only Elder Medline remained unmoved. She sat with her arms crossed, her eyes scanning me with sharp, appraising judgment.

    “What is this about the waistline?” she asked, her voice icy.

    “What about it?” I replied, keeping my tone neutral.

    “It doesn’t fit,” she said with disdain, her lips curling. “It makes your waist look like a bucket. The tailors should tighten it, or you’ll need a girdle.”

    The tailors flinched, clearly terrified of displeasing her.

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    So your here

    I waved them off. “I told them to loosen the waistline. I’m pregnant. A tight waistline makes it hard to breathe.”

    Elder Medline’s lip curled in contempt. “I didn’t know a pregnant woman was so delicate. You’ll only be in the gown for half an hour. I’m sure you can survive it.”

    She turned to the tailors, her voice leaving no room for argument. “Put a girdle on her.”

    I could feel my patience snapping. “No, I won’t be wearing a girdle.”

    “Yes, you will,” she shot back, her voice cold andmanding. “It’s bad enough the King is marrying a lowborn werewolf. The least we can do is make sure you look decent for the guests.”

    I could feel the rage bubbling inside me, but before I could retort, a knock sounded at the door.

    “Mind if Ie in?”

    It was Dorian’s voice.

    I turned in confusion, and before Belle could rush to block the door, Dorian pushed it open and stepped

    inside.

    “Dorian!” Belle shouted, exasperated.

    He ignored herpletely, his gaze fixed on me with a mix of awe and admiration. “Christ,” he whispered, taking a step forward. “You look…it’s beyond words.”

    I smiled softly. “Thank you.”

    “Dorian!” Belle was practically pulling at his sleeve now. “Bad luck! You’re not supposed to see the bride before the wedding!”

    Dorian waved her off with a chuckle, not bothering to look at her. “We’ve got enough love to ovee a little bad luck. And, Medline,” he said, turning to the woman with cold politeness, “I see you’ve met ra.”

    “With pleasure,” Medline replied tly.

    “Good. I’ve called a meeting with the elders. They’re already waiting in the Council. Could you go ahead? I’ll catch up with you shortly.”

    Medline nodded, standing to leave. But not before adding, “Remember the girdling, ra.”

    I rolled my eyes internally. The day I wore a girdle was the day I died.

    As soon as she left, Dorian stepped closer, a relieved smile on his face. “I rushed down here when I heard Medline had arrived. How did it go? Did she give you a hard time?”

    I snorted bitterly. “Your godmother tried to strangle me with a girdle.”

    10:22 Sat, bSep /b13

    Dorian’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “What?”

    “Do I have a thick waist in your eyes?” I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm,

    Dorian blinked, clearly caught off guard. “What? No–ra, I think you’re perfect.”

    I sighed, a smile creeping onto my face despite myself.

    “Well, she said I had a man’s waist.” I let out a frustratedugh.

    Dorian’s face softened, his voice low. “Well, if I’m being honest, I’d rather describe how beautiful you are in my eyes, but it might sound…well, desperate.”

    I burst outughing.

    Dorian grinned, his eyes filled with warmth and affection. “I would die to hear thatughter every day for the rest of my life. But when was thest time I made youugh like that?”

    五

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