They returned the same way they came, and Charlotte slept off immediately. The next day, Charlotte was gone by the time Ella woke up. Preparation for the king's tour started promptly. They were going to start at Lycan Tundra. Charlotte and Evie went outside the palace for their usual training.
"By the time you leave the palace, you should be able to use the dagger well."
"Yes, I will. We still have to figure out how the business will continue."
"How many copies have you been able to write?"
"It's quite fast now. I'm getting used to it. Three."
"That's great. We'll sell it in the two states when it's ten already. Five here and five there. The book is getting famous already. Ministers, nobles, and merchants go to visit the owners of the copies that were sold. They have become more respected."
"Won't people start asking you for more whenever they see you?"
"I walk in disguise these days."
"Sorry to bother you."
"It's fine, but the next ones we sell, you won't give me that much. All I did was sell it."
"You did well; 4 million shekels out of 94 is too much. I still have 90 left."
"How much is my daily wage as a maid? Just tens of shekels. Of course, 4 million would look big to me."
"It's yours, and it's yours already. When we want to sell the next ones, we'll decide on a percentage you'll receive for everything you sell."
"Okay then, thank you, my lady."
"You're welcome," Charlotte said, patting Ella's hair. "Let's go now. It'll be getting late."
"I'm tired of staying at the palace. I haven't been outside the palace since returning from that inn." Charlotte sighed as they strolled back.
"Where should we go?"
"The night market at Ishon."
"That's quite far."
"I heard that they sell a lot of pretty things there. One of the maids got a jade pin there."
"But still. Look at that werewolf standing beneath that tree. He'll report to the king once you take one step further from here," Ella said, pointing at Joe.
"That king of yours is such a wet blanket. He restricts my movements so much. He's practically brooding over me like a hen."
"Is that how you speak of my benevolence behind me?" Aurelius's voice rang.
Ella took five steps backward, pushing Charlotte into the flame.
"No, my king, I appreciate your smothering benevolence. It makes me feel safe like a bird in a cage."
Ella stared at Charlotte with her eyes widened and her mouth agape. This was the first time she'd be seeing both of them together. She thought Charlotte was a respectful and easygoing omega. Of all the people, she decided to talk to the alpha king so brashly. She must indeed be his mate.
When Alpha King Aurelius chuckled, rubbing Charlotte's head, Ella felt she should pull her hair out of her head.
"Will I be able to go wherever I want when we travel? I have never been to other states. I want to tour everywhere and see many things," she said with a cheeky grin, spreading her arms wide.
"You will not roam about," he said, dropping her hands by her sides.
"I've not traveled places all my life."
"It's not safe outside," he coaxed gently.
"I hate you," Charlotte whined.
"Do not be offended; I will make it up to you someday."
Ella wanted to barf at the scene in front of her. She can't survive this for one more minute.
"Let's go to Ishon tonight. That is the only thing I can promise."
"I don't want to go with you."
"You should accept my generous offer while it lasts. Many noble daughters will kill for this opportunity."
That made Charlotte angered.
"Then go with them," she scoffed, her nose flared up.
"I will buy you many pearls."
Ella didn't know who to smack in the head between the duo, whether it was Charlotte for being so petty or the king for being so tolerant with her and even placating her.
"I will go now," Ella said, bowing to the duo. Her inner wolf was causing chaos within her, making her crave intimacy.
"Don't go. Let's go to Ishon," Charlotte said, turning to leave.
Alpha King Aurelius's aura blazed as he held her wrist. "You should have listened when I was gentle," he said as he lifted her off the ground, and their figure blurred as the Alpha King dashed away.
Just as Ella was about to walk away, she felt a strong arm grab her wrist. She was about to hit whoever it was with her other hand, but Thorne caught her fist.
"When did you reach here?"
"Two seconds ago."
"You can run that fast?"
"I leaped from behind the castle fence."
"You can jump that high?"
"I'm the alpha king's gamma; sure I can."
"Oh my, I envy you."
"You don't have to," he said, rubbing his jaw on her hair.
"I missed you. Very much," she said, wrapping her little arms around his waist.
"Are you trying to say you want to see me daily?"
"Yes, I want to see you every minute," she pouted.
"Then come home with me. You can't eat your meat and have it."
"I don't miss you anymore. What a cunning werewolf."
"I missed you too. Very much," he said, hugging her little frame even tighter.
•••
Ishon was at the capitol, Blizzard Vanguard, where the palace is; that was the pack's name. Many other packs were under Blizzard Vanguard. Ishon was where the bags, which were merchants, resided; it was always bustling with activities, especially at night, and it was every peasant's dream to purchase something tangible there as the things were of excellent quality and, of course, high cost.
"I didn't take my money," Charlotte grumbled.
"I have a lot of money; Joe will bring it," he declared.
They soon got to Ishon, the hub of Blizzard Vanguard.
He dropped her and adjusted his hat well, covering his face.
He then dragged her to a clothes shop and handed her over to the lady of the shop.
"Wow, what a beautiful she-wolf. She would radiate in any clothes. Let's find what will make hearts stop, shall we?"
Some minutes later, Charlotte came out from behind the screen.
"My young noble, take a look at your lover."
Alpha King Aurelius looked at her through the veil on the hat, and he gulped.
She was dressed in a golden silk dress—the gown, a rich tapestry of gold, draped luxuriously over her form. The front corset, meticulously crafted and adorned with pearls and gemstones, caught the flickering candlelight. The intricate golden embroidery on the bodice traced patterns that seemed to come alive with every step, a testament to the artisan's skill.
Her sleeves billowed like a cascade of silk, and the hood, attached at the back, framed her face in an aura of timeless elegance, her strawberry blonde hair flowing out of the sides of her head.
The skirt, gracefully sweeping the floor, swayed in rhythm with her steps as she walked towards him. The tight bodice made her bosom seem fuller, and the golden hue attracted attention.
"How do I look?" Charlotte said, fiddling with her fingers. Alpha Aurelius just stared at her. He didn't respond, and the air around Charlotte was getting colder.
"You look splendid, my lady," Joe said, clapping his hands animatedly. That was the only thing he could do to save his clueless king.
"Pick five more dresses for her," Aurelius ordered.
"There's no need for that; don't waste money. It's not like I can wear them anywhere. You don't even think they're beautiful," she sneered.
"You can wear them whenever we go out together on the tour."
"Does that mean you'll let me go anywhere I want?" Her eyes twinkled, and her anger toward him vanished immediately.
"Yes, with me." He said, clearing his throat before walking away
They left the shop and stopped at a jewelry shop.
"These are the best couples that have walked into this shop in months," the man said in flattery. It's not far-fetched if they were called the best couple in Fristia.
"How about matching jewelry? Oh my, something like obsidian will look great on my young noble here; you should think of getting that, too."
This jewelry seller was an honest merchant.
He led them to the section where matching jewelry was displayed.
"These are the best in the whole of Ishon. Pick whatever you desire."
Alpha King Aurelius reached out for the diamond necklace and placed it in front of Charlotte, trying to see if it would match her.
"Brilliant! This is an excellent choice. You must be of great class; only the higher class of nobles recognize the value of such jewelry."
"Do you like it?"
"Can I have it?"
"We'll take this," Alpha King Aurelius told the seller.
"I want to see your pearls, sir."
He called out his apprentice to show Charlotte the pearls. He wanted to sell the obsidian to Alpha King Aurelius poorly.
"Let me show you the obsidians," he said, motioning to Alpha King Aurelius, who was still watching the apprentice take Charlotte away.
The seller kept rambling about the jewelry, but he wasn't listening. He was trying to listen to what Charlotte was saying.
"Your lover would like this on you," he finally said. He saw that the young werewolf didn't care about himself but the beautiful werewolf he came with; that would be his selling point.
"I'll take them," he said, walking away when he sensed that Charlotte was no longer in the shop.
"Where is she?"
"She said she wanted to try out the pearl necklace behind the screen," Joe responded.
They checked behind the screen and saw that Charlotte and the apprentice were nowhere to be found.