Chapter 260
The moment Diana and I stepped into the party hall, the air shifted.
Conversations faltered mid-sentence, music softened, and a wave of attention rolled toward us. Heads turned, eyes widened, and for one brief, delicious moment, it felt as if the whole room had been waiting for my arrival.
My gown — my mother’s masterpiece — lived through its function, so strikingly deep it seemed to drink in the light, only to spill it back in silver-thread embroidery that shimmered like constellations across the fabric. Every step sent the skirt rippling, the tiny beadwork at the hem winking like droplets of frozen starlight.
My now white hair, streaked with a few stubborn black strands, had been coiled into an intricate style, each twist catching the glow from the chandeliers above. Mother had wanted me to look like a queen’s equal. From the murmurs swelling around us, I knew she had succeeded.
My ears drank in the murmurs greedily while my brain consumed them rapidly.
Oh my God, Laura outdid herself. Look at the girl — and Diana. The queen won’t like this.
True. She’s quite defensive of her reputation as ’fairest p>
Would you be happy if someone outshined you on your birthday?
Maybe not… but the girl is harmless. Do you see that glittering diamond?
I hope this party doesn’t end in a fight.
I don’t think so. The queen will curtail her bloodlust for the girl. There are too many dignitaries here; she wouldn’t want to disgrace herself.
The girl looks beautiful.
See the men ogling her… isn’t that the prince from the nearby community?
Oh my, this girl loves drama. She’s bound to get it tonight.
That — with a husband maybe. Our girls have no chance tonight. It’s not fair.
So beautiful!
I want her.
Mom, this is the queen I want. I heard she’s the best witch here.
Do you think the queen values her? I want her in my kingdom.
I want her as a wife.
I want to taste that p>
I tuned out, winking at a smiling Diana. I’d been anticipating this. I smiled — slow, deliberate — letting the hundreds of people look their fill before seeking out the platform where my mother sat among the other dignitaries.
Her posture was all dignity, her expression politely neutral, but I caught the quick spark in her eyes, the faintest upward twitch at the corner of her lips. Pride.
I winked at her, and for a heartbeat, I felt I wasn’t simply wearing a gown — I was wearing her skill, her love, and her quiet defiance.
My father too was smiling. Mischievously. Of course, we had a lot of plans for tonight. Stage one was already successful; it didn’t matter that the queen wasn’t present yet.
Then my eyes clashed with Rachel.
A shocked Rachel. She stood near the dais, a jeweled goblet halfway to her mouth. For a moment, she simply stared, her lips parting slightly as her gaze swept over me. Then her eyes narrowed, her jaw tightened, and she took a long, deliberate sip.
Her little court of silk-wrapped shadows leaned in close, whispering behind manicured hands. Their dresses were fine, but not finer than hers — of course not. Rachel would always try to shine brightest. Too bad I was here.
Delicious.
Guests began peeling away from their own conversations to intercept us, no longer content to mutter amongst themselves.
“Magnificent,” one woman breathed, her gloved fingers brushing my sleeve as though she might steal its magic by touch. She didn’t look familiar; she must be from one of the neighbouring communities.
“Breathtaking,” another murmured, eyes wide.
Even those who had long perfected the art of pretending I didn’t exist suddenly found cause to speak — though their words were for the gown, not for me. Did it matter though?
Diana leaned closer, her lips barely moving. “You’re causing a small riot. And we haven’t even started p>
“Good,” I murmured, letting the corner of my mouth curl upward. “Let them choke on it p>
She snorted softly, then raised her chin as a tall man in peacock-blue robes bowed to us with theatrical flourish.
What now? He couldn’t be more than twenty-five. Why act older than that?
I could feel Diana’s amusement.
“I’m Prince Dane. I p>
“I’m not interested. And if you don’t mind, we were just about to pass p>
The prince, astounded to be dismissed so easily, moved aside, watching with slightly slackened jaw as Diana and I moved forward together, our steps in sync — her smile polite as she greeted classmates, mine sharpened at the edges.
And as the flurry of greetings swirled around us, I let my gaze wander around the space chosen for the Queen’s birthday celebration, ignoring the blatant attempts by males to get my attention.
The party hall shimmered as if the walls themselves were spun from moonlight. Crystal chandeliers hung like frozen fireworks, their many arms dripping with prisms that caught the light and scattered it across the room in shards of silver and gold.
Above us, the ceiling was painted to look like the night sky — except the stars actually moved. They pulsed, shimmered, and drifted slowly, as though the heavens themselves had decided to drop in for the Queen’s birthday.
Columns carved from white marble lined the hall, each one wrapped in garlands of roses that glowed faintly as if lit from within. The scent was intoxicating — rich flowers mingled with spiced wine, roasted meats, and the faint bite of something sweeter.
The long banquet tables sagged under their own weight: platters of charred pheasant with shimmering cranberry glaze, towers of sugared fruits that glittered like they’d been dusted with diamonds, trays of delicate pastries filled with glowing cream. Crystal goblets brimmed with drinks in every jewel tone — ruby-red elixirs, sapphire-blue cordials, golden mead that seemed to hum softly if you listened closely.
The people were almost as dazzling as the décor. Velvet gowns trailed like rivers, silks clung like water, and threads of gold and silver caught the light with every movement. The men were just as shamelessly adorned, their tunics heavy with embroidery, some wearing crowns or circlets far too ostentatious for a mere guest.
It was beautiful — yes — and utterly exhausting.
“I suppose this is her way of saying she’s still our benevolent ruler,” I murmured to Diana. “Throw enough wine and sugared peaches at people, and they’ll forget you sold them out p>
Diana’s lips twitched, though her eyes stayed busy scanning the crowd. “You’re terrible,” she said under her breath. “And very right p>
We laughed leisurely, enjoying being watched. Diana lifted her hand to wave at an older woman who nodded warmly back.
I bent a little. “But I’m not terrible. I’m observant. Besides, you know this isn’t a birthday celebration — it’s a performance p>
“He does look happy, though,” Diana said, tilting her chin toward the dais.
The Queen’s brother, was it? — sat there smiling serenely, flanked by his chosen guards. The golden crown in his hair glinted like it had been freshly polished for the occasion.
“Yes,” I said. “Happy like a cat sitting on cream it didn’t earn.” I still had my reservations about their relationship. Something just didn’t sit right.
Diana laughed, covering it with a cough when a pair of noblewomen drifted close enough to overhear. “We should cloak our voices p>
“Might not be a good idea. More Sensitive people will notice and think something’s up. Let’s move to that area,” I suggested. Check latest chapters at.net
We kept to the edges of the hall, moving slowly, taking it all in. Diana’s eyes kept flicking to the people more than the decorations — cataloging faces, offering polite nods. I even caught her watching the group of musicians in the corner, their instruments pouring out a slow, haunting melody that threaded through the hum of conversation.
Then my gaze snagged on them — the triplets. Foolish sons of the Lycan King, moving into the hall as if they owned not only the room but the ground it stood on. Broad-shouldered, tall, their dark hair brushed back to reveal sharp features carved from stone.
They were surrounded by their usual pack of admirers — all teeth and charm — and… my friends. Or, rather, the people who had once pretended to be.
A bitter scoff escaped me before I could stop it.
Diana noticed. “Don’t,” she said quietly.
“Don’t what?” I asked, my eyes still on the group.
“Don’t let them see they still bother you p>
I tore my gaze away, my mouth twisting. “Bother me? Please. I’m just amazed at how quickly they traded loyalty for flattery. Just wondering why I hadn’t seen it earlier p>
’Everything is not your fault. You are not all-knowing p>
Of course, El decides to make an appearance.
’Where have you been p>
’Where I’ve always been, thick-head. I guess I should be grateful your head hasn’t burst with the attention you’ve been receiving p>
I scoffed. ’You are right, though. Not my fault p>
I let my eyes roam the hall again, suddenly aware that the only person here I trusted was walking right beside me. Her, and our parents. Family.
Oh well, let the party begin.