CHAPTER 93: THE GIFT

• ELOISE •

I no longer felt the softness of my bed, but something crusted. The cold seeped through my clothes.

Something prickled my face, not just in one spot. My lashes fluttered, and they felt heavy as if something had covered them.

Bewildered by this change, I opened my eyes. My vision blurred for a minute, but after a few blinks, I saw the heavy and pale sky.

Sky?

I pressed my hands to my sides and sat up, cold air expelling from my mouth.

"Where am I?" I mumbled with trembling eyes as I took in the snow-clad area. In panic, I forced myself to my feet.

I spun to take a long look around, but I couldn’t find anyone or anything, just a path of endless snow and the cold air howling.

How strange. I stared at my hands, which I assumed would be covered in snowbites, but they weren’t. I did feel the cold, but at the same time, I did not.

Driven by an unknown feeling, I began walking the area, my bare feet crunching against the snow. The further I walked, the harsher the wind howled, carrying the snowflakes through the air.

I stopped at a hill, gasping in awe at the pale light unfurled across the sky, green, soft, and alive like magic was painted.

"Your Grace."

It was beautiful.

"Your Grace."

And I couldn’t look away.

"Your Grace."

~•~

I opened my eyes. Was it a dream? I really wish it wasn’t, it was far too magical not to gaze upon it myself and feel. I found myself lost.

I turned and realized something. This bed was bigger and my clothes...I opened the blanket and found myself in my nightgown.

After I spent the entire day with Dia, I went back to my chambers and collapsed on the bed, exhausted. I must have fallen asleep then.

I sat up and checked. This was Drevon’s chambers. Did he carry me back here, wash me up, and change my attire?

Gosh! That beast!

A knock came from the door. "Your Grace."

"C-Come in, Osha."

The door opened, and Osha stepped in, offering a bow. She shivered abruptly, briefly rubbing her arms.

"It’s so cold, Your Grace. Did the wood burn out?" She walked to the hearth, pausing when she saw the wood was still heated and there was fire. "Is it no longer working?"

She added more wood to the fire to burn.

"I was hoping to see you yesterday," I said.

"The monarch instructed me to take a day off." She turned to me, suddenly beaming.

"Why are you so happy?"

She cleared her throat. "Nothing!"

I fixed her with a pointed look. "Huh..."

"What would you like to do today, Your Grace? Or would you prefer to have bed rest the entire day? I’ll bring all your meals here."

"I honestly don’t know," I said, swinging my legs off the bed.

"Or..."

"What now? You clearly look overly excited, so spill it out!"

Osha hurried out the door, only to come back in the next minute with a large box. She rushed to the bed and dropped it.

"This was sent to me from the monarch!"

I darted my eyes to it.

"I’m sure he couldn’t give it to you himself because he had to attend court early this morning."

I reached for the ribbons, undid them, and opened the box. Inside was a gown. I took it and held it up, struck by the beauty of it.

It was a black and crimson gown with an elegant high neckline and a fitted bodice. The sleeves were flowing and wide, embroidered with delicate red and white flowers that bloom down to the hem.

"It’s stunning," I murmured.

I read the contents of the card.

Wear this for me, and come to the ball.

"What does it say?"

"I’m going to attend the ball."

"That is wonderful news! I can’t wait to get you ready!"

I didn’t share in Osha’s joy because I got confused. Why would Drevon suddenly change his mind?

A knock came through.

"Who now?"

"It could be Dia." Osha walked to the door and opened it to check. "You’re..."

I stretched my neck to see before Osha gave way, and Ravyn stepped in, dressed sharply in her uniform.

"Ravyn?"

"Hello, princess," she greeted smoothly. "My eyes are blessed to see you this fine morning."

"W-What are you doing here?"

"I’m here for you, of course," she said, walking closer, eyeing the dress on the bed.

"You’re now my ally?"

"Yes, princess, a great honor," she replied, taking the card. "This is in the Alpha’s handwriting. He wants you to attend the ball?"

She was talking about Drevon.

"As it seems."

"Odd." She tipped his head. "I could have sworn he didn’t want that." Then she grinned. "Tell me how you persuade him, pulling an all-nighter?"

I blushed. "I-I do not know what you mean."

"Oh, come on..." she drawled. "Us girls have to stick together." She sat on the bed. "Spill."

"Spill what?"

"How did you get the Alpha to fold?"

"Isn’t it too early to ask such a thing? Inappropriate, too?"

"Nothing too late or inappropriate, isn’t that right, beautiful?" She turned to Osha, whose face turned tomato red.

"B-Beautiful?"

"Yes, so much I can’t take my eyes off you now."

"Stop teasing my handmaiden," I retorted.

"I’m not teasing, just admiring goddess creation."

"I-I’ll go make fix a warm bath, Your Grace!" Osha hurried to the bathing chamber.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, getting straight to the point.

"I’m your ally, princess."

"I know that already. You know what I mean."

"Oh, where are my manners?" She rose to her feet and dropped to one knee.

I stared at her with wide eyes as she took my hand and gave me a kiss. "From this moment henceforth and for the remainder of my days, I pledge myself to you as a member of your court and your Beta."

"B-Beta? I’m not a lycan nor am I an Alpha!"

She chuckled. "I said that so you’d understand the position I hold by your side."

I gulped as the realization struck me. Ravyn wasn’t just my ally; she was my personal aide, to be sworn and dedicated to me until the end.

"Do you accept me, princess?"