Chapter 39 - Marriage, Huh?
Chapter 39 – Marriage, Huh?
"Are you alright? You've been sulking ever since that night."
I raised my gaze and my eyes instantly landed on Ivo, sitting from across from me in the dining hall of the inn we were currently staying at. On his right was Kieran, then Cyran on his left. On the end of the table was Winter, and on the other end was Tito.
They had all their eyes on me while I let out a shallow breath. It had been two weeks ever since that incident and we continued on our journey back to Ronmin Empire. But ever since that encounter with the vampires, there were times I would sulk like this morning.
I wasn't still close to them, but they often joined me during meals. Sometimes, we would talk, but I usually zone out. Not because of the memory when they burned the vampires in the woods that night, or the revelation of being a sacrificial lamb. My concern was something else.
"Are you still sad about that traitorous knight of yours?" Kieran asked and, as if by instinct, Cyran also tilted his head in the same direction as his twin.
"No. I don't dwell on the things that already happened." I shook my head lightly, staring at my blurry reflection on the soup.
Mother trained me not to dwell on things that were out of my control. Perhaps, that was the reason I could quickly recover from the emotional pain my heart inflicted for the past three weeks ever since the attack in Everfell. It was just that short time, and my life had changed completely.
It wasn't the usual time where I would be in the garden, drinking tea while reading. Or eavesdropping with the maid and getting caught by Ashton. My life had evolved in traveling all day, sleeping in different inns or sometimes, in the forest if we didn't reach a town, strolling the streets of where we would stop, and so on.
Every day was different and I could never guess what would happen tomorrow. It helped me distract myself.
"Then, why are you sulking?" Ivo snapped me back to the current lapse as I raised my head at them.
"Because we're getting closer to Ronmin," I confessed under my breath, scanning all their puzzled countenance. "I barely know anything about Ronmin. Every time I asked Hugo, he made it sound like it wasn't a big deal. Will they even accept a human enter the empire?"
"Ohh…" Ivo nodded and so was everybody around the table, understanding my dilemma.
"Can you tell me about the Ronmin Empire? I don't want to get bitten."
Ivo rubbed his chin as he cleared his throat, putting down his spoon as he crooked a finger. My brows raised as he rested his arms against the table and leaned forward. His stance was akin to someone about to tell me a secret, so I instinctively leaned forward as well. To my surprise, everyone also did as if we would just gossip, but I ignored it.
"Right. Since this is your first time going in Ronmin, there were things you should be aware of to avoid offending people." Ivo started solemnly, while I doubled my ears so I wouldn't miss a word. "Ronmin is just like Everfell and all the towns we've been so far. The only difference is that we can shift to wolves."
I nodded attentively, eyes fixed on Ivo's solemn expression. Hugo already told me about this, but his tone compare to Ivo was akin to heaven and hell. The way the latter delivered it sounded more alarming.
"Since wolves were dramatic creatures, they are sensitive. So, before you say anything, you should think about it hundred times! If they misunderstood you, it can lead to a war between packs." I stiffened as my eyes dilated, biting my tongue on instinct. "Obviously, you are in our pack, so we will fight them. But we prefer peace."
Everyone nodded in agreement, closed-lipped. Ivo just told me one thing to remember, and it already made my back and palm sweat. Good thing I asked them instead of listening to Hugo's advice to 'not think about it too much, you'll be fine.'
'I won't be fine!'
"Secondly, we will head straight to the empire's capital and the royal palace. Once you step foot in Ronmin, you might receive unwanted attention. Try to ignore it as much as possible and never show you are intimidated. If you show you are, they will surely pick on you.
And lastly, since you will be getting married to Alpha Hugo, you will be having an audience with the emperor and the royal family, along with the elders of the council. As much as you can, please don't let Alpha Hugo open his mouth! The emperor is a scary man — he's more brutal than Alpha Hugo and he might silence him once and for all."
"Oh, right, because Hugo had a temper." I nodded in understanding, knowing how brash he was. "Is that really all I need to know? Is the emperor that scary… wait."
I blinked twice, staring at Ivo blankly. "Who's getting married?" I cocked my head to the side as I felt like I heard him say someone was getting married.
"Huh?" the three on the front also tilted their heads and when I glanced at Winter and Tito, they also had their brows furrowed. "You, Luna. Aren't you getting married once you reach Ronmin? Isn't that the reason why we're rushing back?"
"Me?" I pointed at myself for clarity as my brain can barely grasp their words.
"Hmm! I thought Hugo's courtship was a success, so you two are now lovers!" Ivo clapped once while everyone looked at me in confusion. If their eyes could speak, they would be asking me, 'how can you not know about your own wedding?'
My brain entered a blank state momentarily. Hugo's courtship was a success? And we're now lovers? About to get married? When did these things all happen?
"Wait… did Hugo tell you all this?" came out a weak voice, trying to find where all this misunderstanding came from.
"Huh, Alpha Hugo doesn't need to tell us. It's already obvious since he rarely leaves your side now like a doting husband!"
"Agree."
"Agree." The twins backed up Ivo in unison while nodding, arms crossed.
"That's right. It's already obvious with the way he smiles. It gives me goosebumps. The last time Alpha Hugo smiled that bright is when he shredded the previous Grand Duke in his human form." Tito also chimed in while nodding.
"Even the emperor will worry if he saw Alpha Hugo smile like that," Winter commented, and all I could do was look at them helplessly.
My mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. I wanted to correct their assumptions, but I found it pointless at this point.
"Marriage, huh?" I whispered as I propped my jaw against my knuckles. "Me and Hugo…"
"Why? Are you against it?" asked Ivo with raised brows.
"No." I breathed out, gazing down at the bowl in front of it, and whispered. "My gut feeling tells me the outcome will be the same, eventually."
"Huh???"
A subtle smile appeared on my lips as my eyes softened as I added under my breath, "For sure."