Nova’s pov
“How can I meet the elders?” I asked Anika, my voice shaking with anxiety. My arms were crossed around my chest, but it was more out of nervousness than defiance.
I was terrified of what might happen if I met the elders, I didn’t know what they will say, but I was also desperate to meet them so I would know what fate has in store for my pack.
“Um,” Anika gulped, her eyes widening in surprise. She hadn’t expected me to come to the royal kitchen to ask such a question, and she seemed a bit flustered by it.
I was glad I’d caught her off guard since I wasn’t sure she would have given me an honest answer because people at the royal villa seemed to be secretive and they hardly disclose anything going on in the royal villa to anyone.
I held my breath as I watched her open her mouth to talk, I waited for her response, eager to hear what she would say.
“I do not know how! I am just a mere head maid who knew nothing about the elders or anything going on in the courthouse!” Anika blurted out, her eyes darting around the room as she nervously fidgeted with her dress.
My gaze hardened as I watched her moving her gaze everywhere but on me, she seemed unsure of herself, almost as if she was feeling guilty about her answer. She wouldn’t meet my gaze, and I could tell she was telling untrue.
There was no way she didn’t know anything about the elders – after all, she was a head maid, with access to all sorts of information.
“Okay,” I moved my gaze away from her, picking up a freshly sliced apple and taking a bit from it. “Who do you think would know how to summon the elders?” I asked, shoving the last piece of apple in my mouth.
“I think that should be the royal Beta!” she smiled, taking out a plate and adding some sliced fruits to it.
“The royal Beta?” I asked with my eyebrows raised. “Who’s that and where can I find him?” I was confused as to why I would be meeting someone I don’t know.
“I do not know if you’ve met him before because he’s rarely seen outside. He’s either away on a mission, in his office shoving his face on paperwork, or he’s with his Majesty.” Anika smiled, placing the plate on the counter beside me.
I picked a sliced Peach from the plate and took a bit from it, staring at Anika with the hope of getting a piece of useful information from her.
“Since His Majesty is currently not in the royal villa, the royal beta must be in his office, overseeing the matters of the nation in his Majesty’s stead!” she blurted out, rinsing the knife in the sink.
My eyes widened in excitement and I carefully dropped the Peach back into the plate.
“You mean to tell me that the royal Beta should be in his office at the moment?!” I wiped my hands with a neat hankie before dropping it on the counter.
“Probably,” Anika nodded twice and I gave her a thumbs up.
“Where is his office located?” I asked, unable to hide my eagerness. I wanted to meet the so-called royal Beta and have him summon the elders for me.
Anika seemed to sense my excitement, and a small smile played on her full round lips.
“The royal Beta’s office is located in the royal office building, on the second floor,” she answered, her tone casual and matter-of-fact.
“Thank you!” I rushed out of the royal kitchen and all the maids bowed their heads as soon as I walked past them.
I got to the building I was in earlier and a small frown appeared on my face. How am I going to ask him to summon the elders for me? Will I have to be authoritative or I would plead with him?
I walked into the building with a series of thoughts running through my mind. I didn’t know someone was coming in the opposite direction until I bumped into that person, letting the files in his hands drop to the floor as he wrapped his arms around my waist, stopping me from slumping to the floor.
“You should be careful!” he gasped, pulling me to my feet before packing the files that littered the floor.
With my heart thumping hard against my chest, I flipped the strands of hair that were covering my face behind my ear, the guy gasped as he got a clear view of my face.
“Your… Your Highness?!” his jaw dropped and his eyes widened in shock.
I didn’t know what was that until I stared at his face. It was him! It was that guy that locked me in my room the other day.
“You!” I gasped, pointing my finger to his face, “You’re the one who locked me up in my room the other day, like a prisoner!” I shouted, my voice filled with fury. I glared at him, my face hot with rage.
He had a stunned look on his face as he took a step closer to me, closing the little space between us.
“How dare you a werewolf question my actions!” he snapped, his face flushing with indignation. I arched my brows, unable to believe what he had just said.
He dare call me a mere werewolf?
“I was merely following the orders of his Majesty, and you dare to question my loyalty to the King?” he continued, his tone growing harsher which was beginning to annoy me.
“I am a devoted subordinate of the King, and I will not be treated like a common criminal!” he fumed, his voice rising in anger. His words were like a slap in the face, and I felt my temper rising in response.
“You’re nothing but a dumb, arrogant servant who thinks they can treat people like dirt!” I howled, unable to contain my anger.
My chest was heaving as I struggled to control my emotions, but I was unable to calm myself.
“How dare you call me a ‘mere’ werewolf when I am the Queen?” I howled, gripping the collar of his shirt.
“What is going on here, royal Beta?” a voice asked behind us and I turned around to see the elders, walking up to us.
Huh? The royal Beta? I turned, moving my gaze everywhere but I couldn’t see any other person around here, but the guy.
“Are you the royal Beta?” I whispered, my voice shook as I stared into his eyes, begging him to tell me otherwise.
“Welcome, wise elders.” the guy bowed slightly to the men who were looking at us with a confused gaze.
I was forced to loosen my grip on his collar, turning around to face the men with my mouth clasped shut.
“I was on my way to go call for the audience of Her Highness, but since she’s already here, please let’s head to my office.” the guy blurted out and I felt my cheeks flushed in embarrassment.
Was he truly the royal Beta? Good thing the elders were already here, shame wouldn’t have let me ask him for help.
“Your Highness!” Elder Bighana called and I moved my gaze to him, he had a faint smile on his face and I suddenly felt bad for what I was here to do.
“We got your message. You asked us to meet you here, at the royal Beta’s office?” he asked and I was confused to hear that.
I was here to ask the royal Beta to summon the elders in my stead. Here they are before me, telling me they got my message when I haven’t sent any.
I moved my gaze to the guy and he gave me a small nod. With that, I assumed it must be the Lycan King’s doing.
Who else would have known about me looking for the elders if not for him that asked me to clear things with them?
“Yes, yes… I called for you.” I stammered, fidgeting with my nails.
The guy must have understood my awkward situation, he cleared his throat and stepped forward to my front.
“This way, your Highness.” he smiled, throwing me the weird smile I’d ever seen.
I gave a cut nod and trailed quietly behind him to the office in the opposite direction.
Getting in, he walked us to a couch set and I sat down on a single seat while the elders took their seats across from mine.
The royal Beta walked over to us and dropped the files in his hands on the table before walking away from us.
“So, your Highness, why did you call for us?” elder Bighana asked, the smile on his face showed that he knew why I called for them, but his ear wanted to hear me say the reason they were here.
“Um,” I gulped, hitching the back of my palm as I thought of the way to break the news to them.
“After thinking about what you wise elders had discussed with me the other day, I have come to realize why his Majesty should be fully in charge of the matters of the nation.” I released the breath I never knew I had been holding when I saw the smile on the elder’s face deepen.
“Do you have any reason why you think his Majesty should rule alone?” another elder whose name has skipped my mind asked, his brows knitted as if he was suspecting me of lying.
“Well,” I adjusted in my seat, fixing my gaze on Elder Bighana who had a bright smile plastered on his face.
“Because he’s the king!” I blurted out, smirking to myself as I realised what I just said wouldn’t convince the wise elders if I didn’t give them a reasonable fact as to why his Majesty should rule alone.
“Would you have made him a King if you feel like he isn’t competent enough to be the King? Didn’t you make him the King because you see the zeal in him?” I arched my brows, staring at the rest of the elders from the corner of my eyes.
“The King’s role isn’t merely ceremonial,” I argued. “He is responsible for leading the nation, for making important decisions that affect the lives of his people. It’s not enough to simply be a figurehead – a King must actively govern and manage the kingdom, or he is no King at all.” I spoke with conviction, hoping to convince him of the truth of my words. But the elders’ faces remained void of emotions and I wondered if my words had any impact on them.
“Are you well aware that you’d be given tasks yourself if his Highness should rule alone? He alone can not do this alone, he needs a companion.” elder Bighana said, the huge smile not leaving his face.
I gulped hard, unable to give reply to what the elder had said. In the real sense, I wasn’t ready for any national tasks and it seemed like I was asking for such tasks myself.
I opened my mouth to talk but the youngest among the elders spoke up, beating me to it.
“You seem to be under the impression that the King should rule alone, without any assistance,” he chuckled, his tone measured and calm. “But the truth is, a King cannot rule alone. He needs the support of others, such as advisors and ministers, to govern effectively. Otherwise, he risks becoming overwhelmed by the demands of the position and unable to rule effectively.” he smiled, “I hoped my words would make sense to you, your Highness, and that you would understand the importance of a King having elders as his support.”
“I am well aware of that!” a smile found its way to my face, and I shifted my gaze to the youngest among the elders. “Do you forget there is a royal Beta? Isn’t his purpose in this nation to give his support to his Majesty? Having a royal Beta should be enough and I hope you wise elders will give the two the chance to prove their purpose to the nation.” I concluded, resting in the seat.
I watch the elders go silent and I believe they were having a conversation in their minds.
A minute passed and elder Bighana cleared his throat, calling for my attention.
“We have decided among ourselves and we have come to a conclusion…” he paused, picking the files off the table.
“We will do as Your Highness wish and if there seems to be anything we can help with in the future, we would be here to render our help!” he concluded, sharing the files with the rest.
My eyes widened in surprise and my inside danced in excitement. I made the elders step down from their position?! The Lycan King will help my pack and my people will be saved!
A tear rolled down my cheeks as I watched the elders stamp the files with their various seals.