Chapter 2

The first time I laid my eyes on Flavian Fauntleroy was a mere few fortnights ago.

It was at the annual Assembly, where leaders and their families from all houses gathered to discuss the realm’s issues. I was not the Princess with the best social skills, nor was I known to be amiable or approachable. But that night, he was the first to come to me.

I always thought of myself to be a wallflower. Because that was what my sisters called me. I may be the prettiest out of all of us, but I was also the dullest. My line of gentlemen wasn’t as long as my sisters, because I could not offer as much personality as them.

But he saw me and walked up to me.

“Your Highness.” He curtsied. There it was. The swoon-worthy sky-blue eyes stared at me like I was the most precious person he’d laid his eyes on. He smiles at me and I return it, utterly caught in a daze. For someone like me, who was not a fan of shallow conversations, I enjoyed our conversation that revolved around astrology, geography, and geese. An utterly random talk that would make one question how they could talk about nonsense and yet still enjoy it.

At first, I thought he had an ulterior motive, walking up to me like that. Everyone does. But as time passed, it proved me wrong.

He was just a pure ball of sunshine, like a puppy wagging its tail enthusiastically. But he’s the Alpha of the realm’s most ferocious werewolf pack.

I returned to my chambers that night, giddily giggling and making little hops in between my steps. I felt a fluttering in my stomach. And also, I could feel my sisters’ stabbing stares the entire time I conversed with Flavian. I felt… victorious.

I could not keep Flavian out of my mind for the weeks that passed.

“What flowers does he like?” I’d ask out loud as I took a stroll in the garden, glazing my eyes over the bounty of flower fields.

“Does he prefer soup or meat?” I wondered in the middle of the luncheon.

“Who?” My 2nd sister, Aesira, asks.

“Nobody.” I smile and continue eating. Perhaps meat, because he’s a werewolf.

And even while I am with my governess, learning embroidery.

Perhaps he’d like an embroidered handkerchief?

I smile and shake my head.

“Princess?” I look up to see my governess giving me a strange look. “Are you feeling alright, your highness? Why are you smiling and shaking your head suddenly?”

“I just… remembered a funny incident, my lady. Do not mind me.”

“… If you say so.”

—

A few weeks pass, and news about Flavian reaches me. My lady’s maid gossiped it to me during the morning when I was getting ready.

I caught them gossiping among themselves and though I rarely care about what they’re talking about, my ears perked when I heard his name.

“If you’re going to gossip in my chambers anyway,” I speak and they freeze, “might as well allow me to hear it too.”

My lady’s maids turn to look at each other. Ellie, their head, turns to shoot them a sharp glare.

“Well, it’s about those troublesome werewolves again, your highness.” One of them spoke. She’s a leading gossipmonger in the palace, which raised some brows at me because she’s my maid. I do not pay them any attention.

“And what about them?”

“It’s a brothers’ feud. Alpha Flavian’s position as Alpha is being challenged by his older brother, the previous Alpha. It’s said they shall be dueling soon to see who’s stronger, but it’s obvious who will win. Forgive my language, your highness, but Fenrir is the biggest werewolf yet. He can topple his brother in mere minutes. But the pack will not agree to him becoming the Alpha—” the other maid elbowed her before she goes too far with her gossip. It was alright. I had heard enough.

I worry about Flavian. He will be toppled, so they say. I have heard many a rumor about Fenrir Fauntleroy, who goes by many names, and I believe it when they say he’s fearsome. How in the world can I help Flavian?

“Thank you. You may now leave,” I calmly order them to leave my chambers as I fall into deep thinking.

It was a few days after that my sister barged into my room and, for some surprising twist of fate, I was on my way to the House of the Wolves later that same day.

—

“You may know I am the most eligible maiden in the entire realm, and I have carefully chosen among the Houses. I have come to entertain my interest in the House of the Wolves. This means, Alpha Flavian, I am offering you my hand in marriage.”

My smile was getting spoiled as I waited for his reply. He was just standing there, dumbfounded, staring at me without a thought behind those eyes.

Until Fenrir Fauntleroy’s laugh caught my attention. He was snickering, that annoying laugh again.

“A fair maiden is spoonfeeding you your long-awaited esteem and glory, brother. Whyever are you making her arms hurt?” He grinned and mischievously tilted his head to taunt him. I could not stop my own from glaring at him and his insolence at my presence. He knows no manners. Truly a mad dog, a brawn without brains.

“Y-Your Highness,” Flavian finally breaks his silence. “I cannot just accept this proposal, as it is too… much. Perhaps there’s something you want in exchange? Y-You do not need to wed me for it, whatever it may be, I can make it happen without you needing to compromise your—”

“Are you rejecting me, Alpha?” I ask, still smiling. Though I could feel it turning wry. Am I going to be rejected at this moment? No. I will not let it happen.

I could feel his brother’s piercing eyes observing us like a ferocious predator.

“No, not at all. I am simply caught off-guard by this. W-What…?” It looked like he was confused. Very. His soft yet wild brows were furrowed in confusion. He must be thinking I have an ulterior motive. No, I just sincerely have taken a liking to him.

I sigh.

“Allow me to rephrase that.” I stare into his eyes once again. “Let us marry, Alpha.”

“Flavian is the man of my dreams! From being a brilliant Alpha to also being a gentleman to everyone.” I dreamily sighed. “How I would trade everything to be his mate.”

My eyes caught my lady’s maid softly shaking her head in the mirror as she did my hair. My brows furrowed as I ask, “You doubt me, Ellie?”

“It’s just that—“ she sighs. “Most girls, if not all, envy your position, Princess. They would die to live your life. Who would’ve thought their Princess dreams of being in another person’s shoes?”

A small smile cracked my face. As I checked myself out in the mirror, I saw the person Ellie was talking about. Dressed in a peach dress that could’ve fed a family for a year, with accessories that could’ve fed them for longer. A carefully styled updo with a pretty tiara placed on top. A Princess who yearns for something less than what she already is.

“She’s not satisfied, it means.” A voice appeared from the door. Ellie and the rest of my lady’s maid turned to look at the person and immediately bowed. While I knew the voice too well and kept my gaze straight. The person entered without permission and stalked towards my vanity, where I was getting ready. Her shoes clacked the floor, sounding more expensive than mine.

“It seems my sister has been having delusions about the new Alpha of that rowdy House of late.”

“I’d rather not call it delusions, sister,” I replied, finding my hands on my lap and clenching them. She saw.

And she chuckles. “Do not be too tense, Akira. Have you not missed me? It’s been a few fortnights since I have left and now I am back, and you’re not even the slightest thrilled to see me?”

I sigh and relax my grip. My gaze rose to meet hers. My chestnut eyes softened as they met her strong, vibrant blues. “Of course, I am. I was just displeased with how you called my interest to Flavian. Welcome back, sister—Clara.”

Clara is the 3rd Princess who was just wed to the High Priest of the House of Sorcery. And ever since they were little, she and I’s ideals have always clashed. Clara’s dream was to fulfill her duty and marry into a strong house to provide strong allies for the crown, but I have always seen that as shallow. Does she not mind being used? I have always questioned her values, but for others, she is the ideal Princess. After all, that’s the only use we princesses have. Secure the crown for the clan to maintain peace and prosperity for the United Realms.

I always roll my eyes whenever I am reminded of it.

“You know, Akira, now that I’m wed, you replace my position as the most eligible maiden in all the United Realms,” she says and fixes my tiara. We lock eyes in the mirror. “What will the people think when they find out you fantasize about the new Alpha, who—let me say it honestly—is leading the most unstable House? You’ll be setting up Father for ruin.”

I subtly gritted my teeth. My blood was boiling inside but I made sure to keep a leveled expression. I’d rather die than give my sister the satisfaction of getting under my skin.

“You’re right.” I faked a smile. “My crown is not worth sacrificing to be the Lady of that House.”

She smiled, thinking we finally agreed on something. Little did she know, she only fueled my desire to be Flavian’s Luna… to spite her. I wonder if she’ll finally pull my hair out because it’s an expression I frequently see whenever I irk her.

“I’m glad we’re on the same page, Akira.”

I waited until she left and was out of earshot when I called my lady’s maids to come closer. My smile was long gone.

“Change my clothes, we’re paying a visit to the Alpha Flavian.”

—

It was an unannounced visit, so when my shoes first stepped out of the carriage, all eyes from all kinds of people—wolves—stopped what they were doing and stared at me with piercing eyes. When I moved to step out fully, they bowed their heads. For rowdy werewolves, I was surprised to see them pay me so much respect. Of course, save for the pups who did not stop playing and running around, without a care in the world. I paid them no heed for they were still young.

“Princess!” A guard approached me with wide eyes. His hasty approach alerted my knight who stepped in front.

“Ah, sorry mate,” he apologizes.

“It’s alright, Sir Lark,” I tell my knight. He steps back stiffly. My eyes meet the guard’s and I smile. “May I speak to Alpha Flavian?”

“A-Ah, of course, your highness. Please, follow me.” I noticed he hesitated a bit before complying. My head faintly tilted because of it. Perhaps the Alpha is already entertaining a guest?

We followed the guard into the tall, dark mansion. This was the House itself. What we passed by earlier was the town where the pack lived. And here is where the Alpha’s immediate family and other officials of the pack live.

I immediately felt chills run down my nape with the eerie aura. My sensitive motor senses did not just end at my five senses. I could feel an ominous aura inside. Perhaps I could’ve visited at a better time.

We ended up at a large double door which the guard knocked on. I could hear a few voices inside that stopped because of the knock.

“Her royal highness, the 4th Princess Akira Mair is here, Alpha,” his loud voice boomed in the hallway, temporarily shattering the tension.

“Come in.” I heard that familiar, heart-fluttering voice again. My shoulders slightly eased as the guard opened the door and led me inside. The thought of seeing him was the only thing keeping me from bolting out of this spine-chilling place.

I expected to meet with the gentle, charming, and tame sky-blue eyes but I audibly gasped when I met with the exact opposite ones, with furrowed brows as a cherry on top. Who is this feral wolf and why is it glaring at me?!

“You are scaring the princess.” I searched for the owner of the voice and found who I’d been looking for. There he is. There’s my prince. I looked back at this…monster and caught him snickering away.

“Pardon me, but you are?” I could not help but ask. My brow rose when he blatantly ignored me. Good thing Flavian was there to do anything but leave me hanging.

“Princess, do forgive my brother,” he said and it took everything in me to not look ‘too’ shocked. That’s his brother? The infamous Fenrir Fauntleroy?

By God. No wonder the house had such a dark aura. The devil incarnate is here.

I could not hold back a sneer at the mad dog. Thankfully, his Princely brother is here to make up for all his shortcomings. I looked at Flavian, determined to only look at him for the remainder of my visit, which will be as short as possible—much to my dismay. But I cannot, for the life of me, take another minute in the same room as Fenrir Fauntleroy.

“I apologize for the discourtesy; however, I have a proposal for the Alpha.”

Flavian blinked. “Please continue, your highness.”

I flashed him my perfectly practiced Princess smile. “You may know I am the most eligible maiden in the entire realm, and I have carefully chosen among the Houses. I have come to entertain my interest in the House of the Wolves. This means, Alpha Flavian, I am offering you my hand in marriage.”

Sister Clara, Father, and the rest of the realms. I know you are watching.