~ Ellaric ~
The cup of Snowpeak Flower Tea, Selene ultimately did not drink.
She simply sat there quietly, watching as the steam from the tea gradually dissipated until the tea became cold, much like the atmosphere between us at this moment. And the white bone flute—she placed it in the drawer, neither discarding it nor using it, just hiding it away.
This act chilled me more than any words could. It meant that the dangerous temptation had been accepted by her, becoming a private secret she was unwilling to share with me.
I realized then that mere companionship and gentle care were no longer enough. I could no longer passively wait, nor could I hope for Selene to resist that cursed "fated bond" through sheer willpower. I had to take action, to solidify my position with deeds, and to make a clear and unequivocal declaration of my claim to everyone—including Selene herself.
The annual royal hunt became the perfect stage for me.
This was not merely a hunt but one of the most significant traditions of The Silver Moon Wolf Pack, symbolizing the Alpha's strength and dominion over the territory. In the past, to showcase the royal family's connection to the people, we would invite nobles and leaders of affiliated tribes to join. But this year, I decided to change the rules.
In the council meeting, I uncharacteristically proposed boldly that this year's royal hunt should revert to the oldest and most sacred tradition—namely, the twin kings' hunt, a ceremony reserved solely for the queen and her singular, Moon God-witnessed mate.
As soon as I finished speaking, the entire council chamber fell silent. All eyes darted between me, Selene, and Cairo, who stood among the rows of the guards. My intention was unmistakable. I was not making a suggestion; I was launching a political siege. I intended to use the most orthodox and indisputable tradition to exclude Cairo, the so-called destined mate, entirely—denying him even the qualification to approach the hunting grounds.
Grand Elder Augustus's expression soured significantly; he wanted to refute me but was unable to find any reason to do so, as I was quoting a tribal code even older than the concept of the destined mate.
I saw Cairo lower his head, his expression unreadable. As for Selene, she merely cast me a deep, complex glance before slowly nodding: "As the prince proposes. This year's hunt will involve only Ellaric and me."
In that moment, I felt a long-missed sense of victory. I had successfully regained ground.
On the day of the hunt, the weather was clear. Selene and I rode our finest warhorses, galloping across the vast royal hunting grounds. With no spectators and no shadow-like presence of someone else, it was almost as if we had returned to the past. Together, we seamlessly worked in harmony, using bows and arrows to hunt a robust stag, much like the first time we met.
I almost believed that the rift between us could be mended within this world that belonged solely to us.
But alas, I was too naive. The fortress I painstakingly built would always have openings for a cunning hunter to exploit.
Just as we prepared to return triumphant, urgent cries for help came from the forest at the edge of the hunting ground. Instantly alert, we followed the sound. In a clearing within the woods, we witnessed an enraging scene: several dire wolves, drawn by the scent of blood, were attacking a young girl who had fallen to the ground.
What angered me more was that I recognized the girl—she was Liana, the only daughter of the Blackstone Tribe's leader, one of our most significant allied tribes.
As we moved to intervene, a dark figure rushed out even faster than us. Cairo, like an arrow released from its bow, darted from the opposite side of the forest. He didn't even use a weapon, relying solely on his powerful physique and primal combat skills to tear through the throats of those adult dire wolves in mere moments.
Blood splattered onto his cheeks, but he paid no mind. He approached the terrified, pale-faced Liana, removed his coat, and gently draped it over her, softly comforting her.
I spurred my horse forward, my face dark with fury. Fixing him with an intense gaze, I demanded, "Why are you here? This is the royal exclusive hunting ground!"
Cairo lifted his head, his face showing just the right mix of surprise and apprehension. "Your Highness, Prince, and Your Majesty, Queen," he quickly knelt on one knee. "I was acting under the orders of Grand Elder Augustus to explain some local herbs to the guests of the Blackstone Tribe. It was purely by accident that Miss Liana wandered off, and I followed to find her. I intended no disrespect to royal traditions; please punish me if I have offended!"
His explanation was flawless. I could not determine whether this was an intricately orchestrated act or an infuriatingly advantageous coincidence.
The two-person world I carefully arranged to assert my claim had been rudely disrupted and utterly ruined by his heroic rescue. Not only did he escape any punishment, but he also became a savior in the eyes of our most important ally, gaining a significant political advantage.
At the celebratory banquet that evening, the atmosphere turned remarkably bizarre. The leader of the Blackstone Tribe personally carried a wine cup to Cairo, expressing profound gratitude and publicly declaring that Cairo would forever be a friend of the Blackstone Tribe.
Watching this glaring scene and listening to the nobles' quiet praise of Cairo around me, the string of my reason finally snapped.
I rose to my feet, interrupting their conversation, my cold gaze locking onto Cairo. "Deputy Commander Cairo, your luck is truly remarkable. You always manage to appear at just the right place at just the right time, playing the role of a hero."
My words were laced with undisguised sarcasm and skepticism. The banquet hall fell silent in an instant.
Cairo's smile froze on his face; he turned to face me, his eyes filled with hurt and bafflement.
But I didn't give him the chance to speak, pressing further: "First, you happen to find your destined mate at the celebration, and now you coincidentally rescue our most important ally during my and the Queen's exclusive hunt. Don't you find that your heroic deeds are filled with an excessive number of theatrical coincidences? Is this truly the Moon God's favor, or is it a meticulously crafted political performance?"
My accusations were like a sharp blade, aiming straight at the mask he wore.
However, Cairo's response once again exceeded my expectations. He did not defend himself but abruptly turned, kneeling once more before Selene on the throne.
"Your Majesty!" His voice brimmed with fear and sorrow. "I do not know what I have done wrong to make His Highness harbor such deep misunderstandings of me. If my existence only brings discord and suspicion to you and the Prince, if my achievements are seen by the Prince as nothing but vile performances, then please strip me of all my duties! I am willing to leave the palace, so long as you and His Highness can reconcile!"
His posture was as humble as dust, his words so noble they moved people to tears.
He did not refute me, instead leaving the final judgment to Selene. He portrayed himself as a loyal servant willing to sacrifice everything for the Queen's happiness, while I suddenly became the overbearing villain consumed by jealousy, blindly attacking a meritorious officer and jeopardizing alliances.
I saw Selene's face turn unbearably solemn. I noticed the nobles and envoys around me shift their gazes from surprise to disdain.
I had lost—lost completely and utterly.
Back at the palace, Barnaby approached me, his expression heavy with worry and exhaustion I had never seen before.
"Your Highness," he said quietly, his voice strained, "the situation is worse than we imagined."
"Speak," I rasped.
"Just now, Grand Elder Augustus, along with five tribal leaders—including the Blackstone Tribe—submitted a petition to Her Majesty." Barnaby took a deep breath, as if the weight of his next words were unbearable.
"They claim that, given Deputy Commander Cairo's outstanding achievements, unquestionable devotion to the Queen, and extraordinary contributions to our allies, they unanimously recommend that Cairo be appointed as Her Majesty's personal guard, fully in charge of Her Majesty's internal security."
My mind buzzed, going completely blank.
Personal guard. Internal security.
They were no longer satisfied with harassing from the periphery. They sought to insert a glittering blade, forged from merit and public opinion, directly and legitimately into the final core space between Selene and me.