6. Myrene's Target

"You can wear these clothes for now. Later I will bring you other clothes for the ceremony," Hunter said, handing Logan a pair of comfortable clothes.

Logan took the clothes and put them on right in front of Hunter.

"What about my people?" Logan asked, looking at the young man in front of him.

Hunter looked very dashing, befitting his title as Myrene's personal bodyguard. Logan was sure that the man was not much older than himself. In comparison to the Alpha of the werewolf tribe, his body was no less muscular.

The hunter smiled friendly. Things were different than Logan had expected. Compared to Myrene, the man seemed very different.

"Your people are safe. Don't worry. After the ceremony, they will be released and we will provide them with large land. And we will make sure they live happily here as part of the Lycan kingdom," Hunter replied.

Logan looked resigned and unhappy to hear that. But he knew it was better than letting them lose their lives in vain.

"Now, I will tell you what you have to do later in the ceremony," Hunter continued. He already had some books in his hand, ready to teach Logan.

Logan wasn't interested at all. He just wanted the ceremony to be over quickly. After all, he was sure it would be a simple ceremony. Who could summon all the guests in one day? That reassured him. Fewer people would be better.

"Can I see them?" Logan asked when Hunter was ready to sit on the couch.

Hunter looked at Logan for a moment. "You mean your people?"

Logan nodded.

Hunter immediately shook his head. "I am afraid not. Her Majesty would not like that. But I am happy to take you after the ceremony to meet them if you wish."

Logan knew he had no choice, so he said nothing. The most important thing was that they were okay.

***

"I don't like this dress, get me another one!" Myrene ordered the maid serving her to get dressed.

To meet the queen's preferences, the servants always had several dresses to choose from. Today, Myrene seemed to prefer lighter colors. She chose a navy blue gown with pearl embellishments on the shoulders and bosom.

Myrene also chose to keep her hair simple, only smoothing it a bit before placing the tiara on her head.

When she was finished, the servants left and a young man entered the room.

"Bring me my robe, we have to leave soon, Fyn," Myrene pleaded as soon as Fyn appeared before the man could say his greetings.

Fyn grabbed Myrene's robes and walked over to the woman before bowing politely and helping her adjust the robes.

"Good morning, Your Majesty. How are you today?" said Fyn as he carefully tied the straps of the robe.

"I am so sleepy, but I must meet General Feruhan. And be sure to send an invitation for tonight. I have to see what I can do later, too," Myrene replied.

"Do not worry, Ma'am. Everything will be ready in time for tonight, please relax. It's better if you get some rest," Fyn said thoughtfully. After putting on her robe, he stepped back and stood at attention.

Myrene quickly walked past him and out of the room. "I will rest a bit after the meeting with Feruhan."

Fyn accompanied Myrene. Once out of the room, several alert bodyguards walked behind her, following Myrene's quick steps down corridor after corridor and out of the building to the meeting room.

The morning sun shone beautifully. The spring air was crisp and slightly cool. Flowers were beginning to bloom, and plants that had died during the winter were greening up. It was a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere. Myrene enjoyed it as she walked.

As she passed through the side garden of the palace, Myrene's footsteps stopped. The figure of Atlas sitting by the pond caught her attention.

Fyn followed the queen's gaze. He saw Atlas alone, occasionally throwing pebbles into the middle of the pond.

Myrene smiled. She knew why he looked so glum. She left the path and walked towards the pond. Fyn and the guards followed.

Myrene asked them not to make any noise, so they walked quietly.

When they reached the edge of the pond, Fyn and the guards kept their distance, giving them privacy.

Myrene stepped onto the rocks at the edge of the pond and gazed at the large beautiful lotus that bloomed in the center of the pond.

"Are you alone?" asked Myrene, turning to Atlas, who was surprised to see her presence.

The man quickly got up and walked over. He bent down and gently kissed the back of Myrene's hand.

"Your Majesty, good morning. What brings you here?" Atlas greeted with a smile. But there was a clear look of disappointment in his eyes.

Myrene looked up and gently rubbed Atlas' cheek. "You look like a withered flower in the morning. Are you all right?"

Atlas enjoyed the gentle strokes on his cheek, which lifted his spirits a bit. He nodded in response. "Yes, I'm fine, my lady."

Atlas was still hurt that Myrene had broken her promise last night and chosen to meet Logan instead of him. But he didn't dare show it. It was just that he couldn't hide his feelings very well. And Myrene knew this man better than anyone.

Myrene hugged the man tightly. Atlas wasn't expecting that. He stood still with his chest beating.

"I'm sorry I didn't meet you last night. I will join you for lunch after I meet Feruhan. Is that okay?" said Myrene, hugging Atlas' back gently.

Atlas immediately melted. He smiled, returned the hug, and nodded. "Yes, my lady. I will wait for you."

"Next time, don't go anywhere without a bodyguard. I know you are strong enough, but I pay them to protect you. Otherwise, I will have to fire them all," Myrene said.

"Yes, I just wanted to take a short walk to get some fresh air. I left Luqa alone."

"Come back, he must be looking for you. Make sure you have breakfast," Myrene said, releasing her embrace.

Atlas nodded, already beaming. Making the man happy was easy.

***

In the meeting room, Feruhan was waiting. The war general looked dashing in his old age. He stood up as soon as Myrene entered the room.

"Your Majesty," he greeted, bowing respectfully.

"Good morning, General. How are you?"

"I am well, I wish you the same. Last night was the best night of my life, after the last war."

Myrene sat down at the end of the table and motioned for Feruhan to sit down. "We have everything now. With our abilities and those of the werewolves from the four largest territories, I believe we are ready to face the vampires."

Feruhan nodded, though he was a bit hesitant. "I still think it is not a good choice to start a war with them. After all, we signed a peace treaty with the vampire nation and the human nation hundreds of years ago. We cannot just destroy them. If this war breaks out, the future of us and the vampire nation will be even worse."

"I have already gone this far. I will not retreat, Feruhan. You know what I want. Diminish's death!" Myrene's voice was full of vengeance and anger.

Feruhan knew about Myrene's grudge, so the woman kept it a secret from no one. Still, it was not easy to kill Diminisch, the vampire king. The vampire who had killed Theodore, Myrene's father.