04

The grandeur of the Royal dining hall waa breathtaking. The hall was an enormous room with a high ceiling, adorned with intricate murals and ornate chandeliers. A long mahogany table, large enough to accommodate 30 people, ran through the center of the room.

The servants, dressed in their finest livery, moved swiftly and silently, placing silver platters and bowls filled with steaming food along the length of the table. The dishes were a feast for the senses: roasted meats, grilled fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, pastries, and loaves of bread.

The dining set-up was majestic; the plates, glasses, and silverware were polished to a shine, and there were intricate floral arrangements and candles as table decor.

Then Aurora approached the hall, accompanied by her maids. Aurora wore a beautiful, lavender-colored dress that flowed elegantly down to her ankles. The bodice of the dress was embroidered with delicate, silver thread, and her long hair was styled into loose waves that cascaded down her back. She wore a simple necklace with a small, sparkling gemstone that complemented her dress perfectly. Her maids had taken great care in dressing her, ensuring that every detail was perfect

As Aurora walked into the dining room, the aroma of the food hit her nose, making her stomach grumble with anticipation.

As she had rightly been informed, it was going to be her first meeting with her father-in-law, which to Aurora seemed weird. She knew newlyweds were supposed to pay their respects to their parents on the same night of the name-calling, where they'd then receive blessings. But it was nothing of the sort. Her first breakfast was supposed to be her second and unofficial meeting with her in-laws, not her first.

All she could make up as an explanation was that they did things differently in Scorpion Zeal pack, unlike back at her hometown.

The table was grand, made of fine polished wood, with intricate carvings and designs along its edges. The plates were made of the finest porcelain, each with a unique pattern and design. The silverware was polished to perfection, glinting in the light that streams through the tall windows of the dining hall.

Her eyes met Derek's, who was already sitted at the table.

He wore a long tunic that was made of a thick, deep blue wool, embroidered with silver threads along the edges of the sleeves and the hemline. The tunic was belted with a brown leather belt, which had a silver buckle that was intricately designed with the image of a wolf. Underneath the tunic, he wore a simple white shirt, with a wide collar that extended over his shoulders. The collar was embroidered with a pattern of small silver wolves, and it added a touch of elegance to his outfit.

Both of them smile awkwardly at each other, as they remembered the events of the previous night. Derek's face turned slightly red, and he tried to focus on the food in front of him.

Aurora felt a flutter in her stomach as she remembered the sensation of Derek's hands on her body, and averted her gaze, trying to compose herself. She sat down next to Derek, and their thighs brush against each other.

The maids started serving the food, and Aurora took a sip of the warm tea that's placed in front of her. She glanced at Derek from the corner of her eye and noticed that he wasn't eating much. He seemed lost in thought, and Aurora wondered what brother him.

She decided to break the awkward silence by starting a conversation. "Did you sleep well?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

Derek looked up at her, and their eyes met again. He managed a small smile and nodded. "Yes, I did. Thank you for asking," he replied softly.

Aurora could sense that something was off, but she didn't want to push him. She took a bite of the warm porridge that was served and savors the flavor. It was creamy and has a hint of cinnamon, her favorite spice.

As they continued eating, Aurora catches Derek's gaze again. This time, he looked at her with an intensity that she'd never seen before. She felt a shiver run down her spine, and her heart beat faster.

Ragnar walked in with his entourage, causing the servants scatter to their respective positions and bow. .

Ragnar is an imposing figure, standing tall with broad shoulders, and he has an air of authority that seems to precede him. He's dressed in a regal attire, with a long, flowing robe that's adorned with intricate embroidery, and a gold-embellished sword hanging from his waist.

Derek and Aurora got to their feet as the king approached their table. Aurora was unsure of what to do, but she knew she needed to show respect to the Alpha king. She looked over at Derek, hoping he could offer some guidance.

She watched as Derek bowed before the king, and then she followed suit. Derek then introduced Aurora to the king.

"Your Highness, may I present my mate, Aurora," Derek said as he motioned towards Aurora.

The king looked at Aurora with an appraising eye before nodding his head in acknowledgement. "Welcome, Aurora. I hope you are finding your new home to your liking."

Aurora smiled shyly, feeling slightly intimidated by the king's powerful presence. "Yes, Your Highness. Thank you for your hospitality."

She had heard stories about how intimidating the Alpha King could be.

The king then motioned for Aurora to rise and she did so. He extended his hand to her, and Aurora realized what he wanted her to do. She lowered herself to her knees before him, a sign of submission and respect. She clasped her hands together and inclined her head as she waited for the King to acknowledge her. She dropped to one knee and took the king's hand in hers. She lifted it to her lips and kissed the back of it gently.

"Your Highness," Aurora said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

The king looked down at her, his expression unreadable.

As Aurora knelt before Ragnar, her eyes caught sight of the sword that hung from his waist. It was a beautiful weapon, the hilt encrusted with diamonds and the blade polished to a shine. The sight of it reminded her of her father, who had always carried a sword with him wherever he went. She couldn't help but feel a pang of homesickness.

Her mind drifted back to the last time she had seen her father. It was the day of her departure from her homeland, and he had come to bid her farewell. She remembered how he had hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear, "Be strong, my child. Make us proud." She missed him terribly and wished she could be back home with her family.

As Ragnar placed his hand on her head, she felt a warmth spread through her body, as if the king's touch was imbuing her with some sort of energy.

After a few moments, the king removed his hand from Aurora's head and stepped back. "You have my blessing, Aurora," he said simply.

Aurora rose to her feet, feeling a mixture of gratitude and confusion.

Derek watched, his eyes scanning the room, keeping an eye on everyone's movements.

Aurora felt a rush of nerves as she took her seat, knowing that the king was watching her every move. She tried to remain composed, smoothing her dress under her as she settled in her chair. Derek, sensing her discomfort, reached under the table and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Ragnar sat, also motioning the others to.

"By the way, you look radiant, my dear," Ragnar said, a hint of false kindness in his voice. "I trust you had a good night's sleep?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Aurora replied with a smile, "Thank you for asking."

"I'm glad to hear that," Ragnar responded. You're in good hands now, my son will take care of you."

Derek could feel his father's eyes on him; he straightened up, his posture becoming more rigid. "Yes, Father," he replied.

As the meal nears its end, Aurora notices that there has been no mention of the queen or Fel coming to join them. She knew the queen was alive and that Derek had a young sister named Fel, but she saw neither of them.

She looked around the ro; starting to feel uneasy and wondering if something has gone wrong.

"Your Highness," Aurora began tentatively, "I was expecting to meet the queen and Princess Fel today. Are they not joining us for breakfast?"

Ragnar looked at her with a faint hint of annoyance in his eyes. "No, they won't be joining us," he said curtly.

Aurora's heart sank at his response, but she tried to hide her disappointment. "Oh, I see. Is everything alright?" she asked, hoping to get some answers.

"It's none of your concern," Ragnar replied sharply, cutting off any further questions.

Aurora nodded meekly, realizing that she may have overstepped her bounds. She looked down at her plate, suddenly feeling very small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

Derek noticed the exchange and tries to lighten the mood. "Father, have you heard the news from the neighboring pack? Their Alpha just had a litter of ten pups!"

Ragnar's face softens at the mention of the pups, and he begins to engage Derek in conversation about it. Aurora looks up at them, grateful for the distraction from her worries, but still feeling unsettled about the queen and Fel's absence.