bChapter /bb207 /b

    ra’s POV

    A deathly stillness gripped the room.

    The air was thick, every breath hanging like it could be thest.

    I could hear the faint rustling of breaths, but no one dared to move a muscle.

    “No?” I let out a cold chuckle. “I think I’ve made myself clear.”

    A momentter, the guards burst through the door, responding to Mira’s frantic cry.

    “Is everything alright, mydy? We heard yelling.” One of them asked, eyes flicking to each of us.

    Amara swallowed hard. “We–”

    I cut her off, my voice smooth and unwavering. “I was simply putting on a little show for thedies. Nothing to be rmed about, right, Lady Amara?”

    I shot Amara a pointed look.

    “Yes, yes, that’s right.” Her face was as pale as a ghost. “We were just having a bit of fun.”

    The guards exchanged a nced but nodded, heading out of the room without a word.

    I turned to the others, scanning their nervous faces. “I may be a bit… direct, but I’m not unreasonable. I can keep things civil, but only if no one tries to provoke me on purpose. Can we agree on that?”

    Mira shifted uneasily but muttered, “We didn’t mess with you on purpose…”

    “Oh? Is that why my stick is lying on the floor?” I asked, my voice ice–cold.

    The room fell into an ufortable silence.

    A soft, timid voice broke through the tension.

    “… I think what you idid /iwas pretty impressive.”

    I turned toward the voice and saw a small girl standing at the back of the group. She flinched when our eyes met but stood her ground, her voice growing steadier.

    “You must be really good at darts… and the game of quoits?i” /ishe stammered.

    I grinned. “Not a pro, but I’d say I’m decent.”

    The girl’s cheeks turned a light pink. “My name is Elizai. /iI’m from the House of Light. I always struggle with darts and quoits at the vige carnival… I never win.”

    “Well, it’s all about practice.” I shrugged. “Maybe I could show you a thing or two sometime.”

    Eliza’s eyes widened. “Really?”

    “Why not? I’ve got some free time.”

    A couple of the girls loosened up at the mention of shooting, and the mood in the room started to shift.

    b“/bCan all the she–wolves in your group shoot?” asked a ginger–haired girl, curiosity in her voice. “Some, but not all.”

    09:28 Tue, 26 Aug

    “I wish I could shoot,” the girl added with a sigh. “But my brother says it’s not a proper thing for ady to do.”

    “Your brother’s right,” Amara chimed in, her tone dripping with condescension.

    The room immediately grew cold.

    38

    “Lycan’s the strongest species in the world.” Amara spoke loudly, her voice carrying authority. “Thanks to our noble bloodline,dies like us don’t need to dirty our hands with such things.”

    “Yeah, right,” Mira sneered, ring at Eliza. “Shooting? You’re lowering yourself to the level ofmoners.”

    Eliza’s lips quivered, but she remained silent, holding back tears.

    “That’s not right.” I spoke up, my voice firm. “Shooting and fighting aren’t just for men. A girl can learn those things too.”

    Amara gave me a forced smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “With all due respect, ra, you know nothing about the Lycans. Maybe it’s best if you keep your opinions to yourself.”

    I met her gaze, unbothered by her condescension. I could tell I’d struck a nerve. Amara didn’t like being challenged–especially not by me.

    “I’m tired,” I said with a raised brow. “Let’s pick this up tomorrow.”

    Amara sighed in relief. “Tomorrow, then. Same time.”

    I nodded and turned on my heel, heading toward the door.

    Just as it clicked shut behind me, I caught snippets of Mira and Issa muttering about the “traitors” among them.

    For the next five days, I showed up to the Drawing Room each day. Amara, to my surprise, never crossed the line again. It was like an unspoken truce had

    formed.

    The strangest part? Eliza and I became… friends.

    When Amara wasn’t around, Eliza would sneak me snacks–small,forting gestures that made everything feel a little more normal. And, as promised, I’d teach her how to shoot one day.

    Five days passed in a blur, and the date of the Spring Ball finally arrived.

    At around seven in the evening, I joined thedies in the garden. The fairy lights twinkling in the trees made the ce look like a dream.

    The sweet scent of blooming flowers filled the air, and vibrant colours painted the sky as the sun dipped below the horizon. The drapes, swaying gently in the breeze, caught thest of the sunlight.

    “This is incredible,” I murmured.

    Eliza giggled beside me, “I know, right? The Spring Ball is the highlight of the year. Every girl looks forward to it.”

    Formally dressed guests lined the winding path into the garden, and servants busied themselves withst–minute preparations. I stood with the others, waiting for our turn to enter,

    Thenb, /bEliza gasped.

    I followed her gaze and saw a maid in the corner, struggling with a barrel of beer. She tried several times to lift it, but the barrel wouldn’t budge.

    “That poor girl,” Eliza whispered,

    I watched the maid’s growing desperation. Then, I made a quick decision. I pulled off my coat and handed it to Eliza.

    “Can you check this in for me?” I asked,

    09:28 Tue, 26 Aug

    “Where are you going?” Eliza started, but I was already walking toward the maid.

    I approached her carefully. “Do you need some help?”

    The maid spun around, eyes wide in panic.

    “I saw you struggling with the barrel. Where does it need to go?” I asked again, my voice calm.

    The maid straightened, her fear palpable. “Miss… I can’t trouble you with this…”

    “I honestly don’t mind,” I said, lifting the barrel with ease. “Where to?”

    The maid’s mouth dropped open. “This way… Thank you so much, mydy!”

    68%

    +38)

    As we walked through the garden, I caught curious nces from every direction. It was definitely odd–ady in a gown and heels carrying a heavy barrel

    on her shoulder.

    But I didn’t care.

    The maid led me to a beverage bar, where I ced the barrel with a soft thud. She bowed deeply.

    “My Lady, I can’t express how grateful I am.”

    Before I could answer, a deep voice rumbled from behind me.

    “Is this what you do now? A porter?”

    I froze, recognizing the voice immediately.

    I turned and saw Dorian, his smile effortlessly charming as ever.

    His appearance tonight was striking–tailored ck suit, silver embroidery that shimmered faintly in the light, and those eyes–those damned eyes- glinting like stars.

    Despite myself, my heart skipped a beat.

    Dorian’s smile deepened as he took a few steps closer, his gaze fixed on me. “Who put you up to this heavybour?”

    I took a breath, steadying myself. “Nobody. I was just helping a maid.”

    He chuckled softly. “Carrying a barrel on iyour /ishoulder… That was quite the entrance. You caught everyone’s attention.”

    I snorted. “Do you feel ashamed? That your mate is a graceless lowborn?”

    “Not at all.” Dorian leaned in, his fingers brushing a rose petal from my shoulder, “I like that my Queen is different than the others,” he whispered, his voice husky.

    I froze, a flutter spreading through my chest.

    But before I could say anything, Amara‘ voice cut through the moment.

    “Dorian!”

    I looked past him and saw Amara, standing a few feet away. The bmalice /bin her expression was unmistakable.