17.
The grand dining hall was filled with the clinking of silverware and the soft hum of conversation. The air was thick with tension disguised as royal propriety. At the head of the table sat the Alpha King and Queen, their faces beaming as they lavished their attention on Bianca, the supposed princess. She basked in their praise, her every word carefully measured, her laugh light and sweet–yet laced with the smugness of someone who believed the
world belonged to her
The royal knights stood at their posts along the walls, a silent but vigilant presence. Among them was Remi. She stood tall, her face blank, but her wolf was restless beneath the surface. Bianca’s voice carried through the hall, and irritating melody that made Remi’s ears twitch.
“And I must say, the people of the kingdom have been so welcoming.” Bianca said, her tone dripping with false humility. “It’s such a blessing to finally find my place here.”
The Alpha King nodded, his chest puffed with pride. “Of course, my dear. You are the rightful heir. The kingdom is lucky to have you.”
The Queen leaned forward, her smile warm. “Have you thought about any royal engagements or duties you’d like to take on, Bianca? We want you to feel involved in every aspect of the kingdom.”
Bianca tilted her head, her hair catching the light. “I have been considering that, but there is one matter I th
should be addressed first.”
The King raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what is that?”
Bianca’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she glanced toward the knights. Her gaze lingered on one in particular. “I believe Head Knight Laurent should join us for dinner tonight. After all, he is one of our most loyal knights and
someone I’ve come to trust deeply.
Remi’s stomach churned, and her grip on her spear tightened slightly. She could feel the tension ripple through the other knights at Bianca’s suggestion. Laurent, who was stationed near the entrance, remained still, though Remi could sense his wolf bristling beneath his calm exterior.
The King and Queen exchanged a glance before the Alpha King chuckled. “Well, I don’t see why not. Laurent,
come, take a seat
Laurent hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping forward, his movements composed. “Your Majesty, I
am honored, but it’s highly unusual for a knight to join the royal table during dinner.”
“Nonsense,” the Queen said with a dismissive wave. “You’ve served this family faithfully for years. Take a seat,
Laurent”
Laurent clenched his jaw but obeyed, pulling out a chair near Bianca. As he sat down, Bianca leaned toward him, her scent overly sweet and cloying
“You work far too hard, Laurent,” she said, her voice soft and teasing. “You deserve a moment to relax.”
Laurent met her gaze, his expression unreadable. “I take pride in my duties, Princess. Relaxation is secondary to my responsibilities.”
you.”
Bianca’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “So serious. That’s one of the things I admire about
Remi’s wolf snarled in her mind, and she fought to keep her composure. Bianca’s blatant flirting made her blood boil, though she wasn’t sure if it was out of jealousy or sheer disgust. Probably both.
“I’ve been thinking,” Bianca continued, twirling a strand of her hair between her fingers. “Now that I’ve been found, it’s important for me to settle down, don’t you think? The kingdom would benefit from a strong union, and I’m
not getting any younger.”
The King nodded thoughtfully. “A royal marriage would indeed strengthen your position, Bianca. Have you considered any potential suitors?”
Bianca’s eyes flicked to Laurent, and she smiled coyly. “I have a few in mind ”
Laurent’s wolf stirred, irritated, but his expression remained neutral. “I’m sure whoever you choose will be a great asset to the kingdom, Princess.”
Bianca pouted slightly “You’re so modest, Laurent. You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
Crown Prince Raegan, who had been silently observing the interaction, finally spoke up. His voice was cold, cutting through the room like a blade. “Perhaps the Princess should focus on earning the respect of the kingdom before worrying about marriage.”
Bianca’s smile faltered for a split second before she turned to Raegan with a forced laugh. “Oh, brother, always so blunt. But I assure you, I’ve already won the hearts of the people.”
Raegan’s gaze was icy. “The people’s hearts are fickle. They value actions over words.”
The tension in the room thickened, and even the King and Queen seemed uncomfortable. Bianca’s expression hardened, but she quickly masked it with another smile.
“Of course, you’re right, Raegan,” she said sweetly, though her tone had a sharp edge. “I’ll be sure to focus on my duties.”
Remi couldn’t help but notice Raegan’s subtle disdain for Bianca
As the dinner continued, Bianca’s attention remained fixed on Laurent, but he skillfully deflected her advances, steering the conversation toward neutral topics. Remi watched silently, her wolf pacing in her mind.
When the meal finally ended, the knights escorted the royal family and guests out of the hall. Laurent fell into step beside Remi as they walked down the corridor.
“She’s insufferable,” he muttered under his breath.