CHAPTER 206: _IT’S TONIGHT!

Elian’s POV

*****

[So, let’s run through our plans to get Lucian his memories. Well... Your plan. Go!]

Elian blinked at his reflection on the large wall-sized mirror in a room Aurora had dragged him to.

The princess seemed bubblier than usual, talking on and on about how their looks tonight matter a bunch.

The room itself was over ten meters high and was lit up with white crystals etched on the ceiling and walls.

A few maids lingered around, bringing out jewellery and handing it to Aurora, who was busy scrolling through a holographic screen in her palms.

"Did you bring anything from the Dark Lands, at least?" She turned her head to him, squinting. "I imagine Lord Kyren would take care of that. Right?"

All Elian could do was smile awkwardly, his face heating up with embarrassment. "Isn’t what I’m wearing now good enough?"

Aurora’s lips parted like he’d spoken blasphemy. She took a couple of steps back, her eyes trailing Elian from head to toe in a slow way that only made him more self-conscious.

Elian himself wore a black blazer with sharp, well-defined edges on the collars and two buttons slightly loosened. His silver blonde hair was smoothened and his pants matched his blazer.

To him, he looked perfect.

But to her royal highness—

"This is a masquerade ball, Elian." Aurora placed her hands on her waist, the holographic screen disappearing as she did. "Scratch that... It’s THE masquerade ball. One of the most important parties in Lunarian culture."

Yeah, yeah... He’s attended a few throughout the years. As a servant.

[Exactly. Don’t you want to kick some ass by showing up as the mate of three of some of the most powerful men on the continent?]

As tempting as that idea was, Elian actually didn’t want the attention. At all.

"Oh, and I don’t know if Lucian told you but the Northern wolves council are coming tonight," Aurora added casually, stretching her right hand in front of her.

A holographic screen appeared on it again, this time blinking with a notification.

"Ou." She grinned. "The designer is here! Who knows... She could cook something for you that’ll put..."

She paused, scanning him from head to toes again. "... Whatever this is to shame."

Argh, she was being dramatic!

[Congrats on being a stereotypical man and calling a woman "dramatic". One more thought like that and you might be on your way to becoming a straight jock.]

’I would never look down on a woman, you asshole!’

[Whatever you say, fruitcake.]

Elian gritted his teeth but ignored the system as the wooden double doors burst open at the far end of the hall.

"I’m here... Have no fear!" A tall woman with glistening white skin, almost like porcelain, was the first to walk in.

She wore a stylish iridescent skirt that sparkled with a plethora of colours from different angles under the lights of the hall. She also had a fur scarf wrapped around her shoulders and high heels that clicked on the floor like a time bomb.

[Here comes the glitz, the glam and the drama!]

Trailing behind the woman was an entourage of four men donned in black suits, two holding either side of a floating wardrobe while another two seemed to follow only as moral support.

Elian glanced at Aurora who had a pout on her lips. "You’re late, Dominique. The ball is TONIGHT! I should’ve tested these gowns days ago. Heck, weeks."

The woman, Dominique, didn’t say anything until she and her entourage stopped in front of Elian and Aurora.

Elian swallowed nervously, trying to avoid the sharp hawk-like gaze from her.

[Relax. She’s an average-level wolf. You could—]

’Now who hates women? You’re already trying to organise a wrestling match up with one.’

[Oh, hush. You’re the one getting shaken by her mere presence.]

"Forgive me, Aurora darling." Dominique clasped her hands in front of her chest, smiling like they were friends. "But I got your measurements and made them according to the drawings you sent. I’m sure you’ll like them."

Even though clothes could be made with machines in seconds, there was still something intricate and artistic in the touch of a true artist.

That’s why people like the royal family had their personal tailors.

"Don’t keep me in suspense." Aurora clasped her hands in front of her chest as well. "Show me the gowns!"

Instantly, the suited men dropped the wardrobe on the floor. The sound of it touching the ground echoed through the hall.

At that moment, the maids who still lingered around all proceeded to stand behind Aurora, numbering three.

"Open." Dominique snapped her fingers, causing the wardrobe to open.

Elian subconsciously took a couple of steps back, but nothing could’ve prepared him for what he saw next.

The wardrobe wasn’t cramped with clothes and gowns like he’d expected.

Oh, no.

Instead, it stretched wide like a second room on its own, filled with enough space to be a walk-in closet.

[Spatial manipulation technology detected. Oh wow, this Dominique lady isn’t here to play.]

"You’ll find your gowns on the right side of the pocket space," Dominique smirked knowingly, placing the fingers of her right hand in front of her mouth.

Aurora didn’t waste another second, rushing into the closet while Elian just stood outside awkwardly.

[Aw, my little socially anxious fruitcake. Do you want me to distract you with some stats?]

Elian’s nostrils flared. ’Would you blame me for my social anxiety after the hell I went through in this palace all my life?’

[Uh... I don’t know. Anyway, look:]

[Here are the host’s stats:]

[Category: Wolfless Omega (Suppressed Lycan King bloodline)

Strength: 15

Durability: 14

Speed: 16

Regeneration: 13

Senses: 16

Mana Core level: N/A

Bond resonance mastery: 50% mastery of the skills of each mate.

Total Evaluation: Host is five points away on each stat to being a soldier class werewolf. With the Bond Resonance skill added, the host could easily stand his own against a soldier-class wolf.]

Elian couldn’t help but smirk at the stats.

Now this is some great news.

His stats had received a boost these past twenty days after he completed several special missions from the system.

[Oh, don’t get cocky! But ou, there’s more!]

[Host has created a new path of power different from wolves or witches. A path that still keeps your Omega nature active. I—]

"You," the system was cut short when Dominique pointed a finger at Elian. "You’re the Alpha Prince’s mate, right?"

Elian froze mid-blink. "Um—y-yes?"

Dominique’s crimson lips curved into a sly smile that could probably buy its own planet.

"Interesting. You’re even prettier up close." She tilted her head, circling him once like a sculptor studying new marble.

"I heard you’re an omega, but..." Her gaze softened rather than hardened. "You carry yourself like a storm trying to remember it used to be gentle rain."

Elian blinked again, completely thrown off. "Th-that’s... nice? I think?"

Dominique laughed, light and musical.

"Relax, sweetheart. I don’t bite unless someone’s late with their fittings." She snapped her fingers; one of her assistants immediately produced a sleek tablet-mirror that displayed glowing outfit holograms rotating in mid-air. "If you don’t have anything proper, I’ll fish out something that makes the entire ballroom drop to their knees."

Elian’s throat went dry. "I—uh—don’t worry, I’ll just wear what I have—"

"Nonsense." Dominique waved the idea away like smoke. "You can’t walk beside royalty looking like you came straight from a council meeting."

Before he could muster another excuse, Aurora’s voice cut through the air. "Actually..."

Everyone turned as she emerged from the spatial wardrobe, draped in a breathtaking icy-silver gown that shimmered with every step.

The crystal embroidery caught the ceiling lights like a constellation, and her long silver hair was braided into a waterfall pinned with opal gems.

"Well?" she asked, doing a playful twirl. "Do I look like the future of Lunaria or what?"

Dominique clasped her hands. "You look like an ice queen! Perfect."

Elian managed a chuckle, still overwhelmed.

Dominique turned back to him, one manicured brow arched. "Now, about you—"

But the doors to the hall hissed open again, this time with enough force to make every head turn. A faint breeze trailed in, carrying the scent of metal and ozone.

Kyren stepped through, his long cloak flaring slightly, a faint crimson glow humming at his fingertips.

Floating beside him was a neatly folded outfit suspended in mid-air—a sleek combination of black, red, and violet fabric trimmed in gold runic thread. The aura around it pulsed faintly, like it was alive.

Dominique straightened. "Well, if it isn’t Lord Kyren himself."

Kyren’s gaze barely flickered toward her before landing on Elian.

His expression was unreadable, but his voice carried something softer than usual. "I thought it might suit you better than what you have on."

The outfit floated forward, lowering gently into Elian’s hands.

Elian stared, completely stunned.

The fabric was light yet regal, the crest of the Lunarian royal line stitched subtly at the collar.

His heart hammered as he looked up at Kyren. "You... you didn’t have to—"

"I did." Kyren’s tone was quieter now, his crimson eyes unreadable. "Consider it an apology."

"Apology?" Aurora’s brow furrowed, glancing between them.

Kyren didn’t look away from Elian. "For not considering Lucian’s feelings earlier. For... saying too much when I should’ve said less."

The air in the room shifted.

Elian’s lips parted, but no words came out. His mind was a blur of conflicting emotions.

He wanted to tell Kyren it was fine, that he understood—but something in the man’s eyes rooted him to the spot.

Dominique quietly gestured for her assistants to leave, noticing the change in the room. Aurora busied herself pretending to check her reflection, though her gaze flickered between them in the mirror.

Kyren finally took a small step forward. "You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to," he said softly. "But it was designed for someone who deserves to be seen."

Elian’s chest tightened, an ache forming just beneath his ribs.

The system’s voice buzzed faintly in his mind just then.

[Warning: Heart rate spike detected. Emotional overload may cause—]

He ignored it. All he could see was Kyren standing there, unguarded in a way he rarely ever was.

"Thank you," Elian whispered, his fingers trembling slightly as they brushed the embroidered crest.

Kyren’s expression flickered—something unreadable, almost vulnerable—before he turned toward the door.

"I’ll see you at the ball, little flame."

And with that, he was gone, leaving Elian staring after him as the realization settled deep:

Whatever tonight brought, it would change everything.