~ Selene ~
The farce in the banquet hall, like an unshakable nightmare, replayed endlessly in my mind. Elaric's out-of-control questioning, Cairo's shocking kneel, and the seemingly respectful yet aggressively pressing joint petition of Augustus and his allies. Every scene branded itself onto my nerves like a searing iron.
I sat on the throne of the empty council chamber until late at night. The cold moonstone throne radiated a chill, but it couldn't compare to the frost in my heart. Never had I felt so isolated and helpless. On my left sat the lover who had been by my side for five years, now distorted by jealousy and insecurity; on my right were the watchful conservatives and self-serving allies, who bore banners of destiny and righteousness, trying to force my will onto their chariot.
And I, caught in the middle, stuck with no way forward or back.
When Elaric returned, he did not analyze the situation with his usual reason, nor did he soothe me with his habitual tenderness. He stood in the center of the royal chambers, his back to me, and with a cold and unfamiliar voice I had never heard before, issued his final ultimatum.
"They want to make him your personal guard, don't they?" His tone wasn't questioning but matter-of-fact.
I remained silent, which was as good as an admission.
"Fine." He nodded, like a soldier stepping onto a battlefield with a dead heart. "Selene, the choice is now in your hands. If you agree, if you let that man stay by your side day and night under the guise of protection, then starting tomorrow, I will resign from all duties as the prince consort and move out of the queen's chambers. I will continue to serve The Silver Moon Wolf Pack as an ordinary commander, but as for the bond between you and me, it ends here and now."
My heart clenched tightly, as though seized by an invisible hand, the pain leaving me almost breathless. "Elaric, are you threatening me?"
He slowly turned, his gray eyes devoid of their usual warmth, left only with exhaustion and a barren determination. "No, I'm not threatening you. I'm giving you the last shred of respect. I respect your authority as queen to make any decision. But I also reserve my right as your partner to walk away from a game I am destined to lose—a game that is fundamentally unfair. I cannot stand by and watch you gravitate toward him while applauding and blessing you from the sidelines. I cannot do it."
With that, he turned and walked into the study, shutting the door behind him. That door seemed to rise like a chasm, severing all the warmth and trust we had built over five years.
The next day, before I could recover from Elaric's threat to leave, Augustus and the Blackrock Tribe's chieftain came to see me together. They brought a joint signature petition from all the lords involved, earnestly requesting that I accept their well-intended proposal for the kingdom's internal stability and the reinforcement of external alliances.
"Your Majesty," the Blackrock chieftain said sincerely, "my daughter Liana feels deeply sorry for disturbing you and His Highness during the hunt. If not for Deputy Commander Cairo's timely intervention, the consequences would have been unimaginable. My tribespeople see it as the Moon Goddess reminding us that the safety of Her Majesty requires the protection of the strongest, most god-blessed warrior. We only wish for our alliance to be as solid as a rock."
Every word he said carried loyalty, yet collectively, they became an overwhelming political pressure. He implied that if I rejected the proposal, I would be dismissing his daughter's significance, ignoring the ties with his tribe, and even joking with the queen's safety.
Sitting on the throne, I looked down at the faces below—some sincere, some hypocritical—and a suffocating pressure I had never felt before engulfed me. My lover used emotions to corner me; my allies bound me with interests. They all pushed me toward the cliff, yet no one asked if I was willing to jump.
When the bell of the council chamber tolled, and everyone took their seats, I knew that I had to make a decision.
I looked at Elaric. He stood at his designated spot, expressionless, like an unaffected observer. Then, I shifted my gaze to Cairo. He still knelt at the front of the assembly, head lowered, resembling a saint awaiting a judgment of fate.
Slowly, I rose from the throne, and the entire hall fell silent instantly.
"Regarding Elder Augustus and the allies' proposal, I have given it deep thought." My voice, though not loud, carried clearly to every corner of the council chamber. "Deputy Commander Cairo's bravery and loyalty are evident to all. I am deeply grateful for everyone's concern for my safety."
I noticed a hint of satisfaction crossing Augustus's face, while Elaric's body seemed to sway slightly.
"However," I shifted my tone, "the internal security of the royal palace has always been the responsibility of the Royal Guard. They are well-trained and unwaveringly loyal, sufficient to handle all threats. Therefore, the establishment of a personal guard is unnecessary. This proposal, I hereby reject."
Augustus's smile froze. Meanwhile, I saw a faint relaxation in Elaric's otherwise stiff shoulders.
However, my words were not finished yet.
"Nevertheless, your concerns have given me a reminder," I continued, my gaze sweeping across the hall. "Although The Silver Moon Wolf Pack is strong, shadows are stirring beyond our bright borders. For example, the Cursed King who annihilated the Shadow Wolf Pack, or the northern barbarians eyeing us covetously. These external threats require a sharper, more decisive blade to address."
I paused, allowing my words to sink in. Then, I made a decision that surprised everyone present.
"I hereby announce the formation of a new elite force, independent of the conventional army and directly under my command. Its name will be the Royal Blade Guard. Its sole mission is to eliminate all the most dangerous external threats to me and The Silver Moon Wolf Pack. And the first commander of this guard…"
My gaze settled on the man still kneeling on the ground.
"…will be Cairo."
The entire council chamber erupted.
It was a decision that left everyone speechless. I had refused to allow Cairo to stay close to me, thereby placating Elaric and preserving the dignity of my consort. Yet, I granted Cairo a higher, more important position of real power, addressing the goodwill of the allies and conservatives. I even provided a noble justification for his new role: to fight against the Cursed King and avenge his tribe.
I thought this was a queen's wise, win-win maneuver. I believed I had regained control of the chessboard and placed everyone exactly where I wanted them.
After the council meeting, I returned to my chambers, weary, hoping for Elaric's understanding, even his appreciation.
But he offered neither.
He stood coldly by the window, watching the guards busy with the newly formed Royal Blade Guard.
"You've done well, Selene," he said emotionlessly. "A brilliant display of political maneuvering. You kept your prince consort and rewarded your destined one. Everyone is satisfied."
"Elaric." I stepped forward, trying to take his hand.
But he avoided me.
Turning to face me, his gray eyes were filled with a profound and unfamiliar disappointment.
"You refused to let him near your body but handed him a blade capable of threatening the kingdom's heart." He looked at me and spoke each word distinctly. "An independent force, unregulated by the council or the army, loyal only to you. Selene, are you controlling him, or paving his way step by step?"
My heart sank as though struck by a boulder.
Watching his resolute figure walk away, for the first time, I felt that the balance I had so carefully maintained might only be a self-deluded, even more dangerous beginning to irreversible chaos.