DIANA
Back to the present...
Nervousness and a little bit of excitement are what I currently feel when Zamiel announces that we're entering the palace's perimeter area. That only means one thing, and that's that we are already inside the lycan's territory.
I'm feeling nervous because I will be meeting new and unfamiliar faces, and I'm not sure if they will be good or not. At the same time, I am kind of excited, as this is the first time I'm going to be outside our pack's territory. Not only was I in another place, but I was actually in the palace itself. The main and central city in the whole Iland Kingdom.
As I grew up in the Flaming Raven Pack, I wasn't able to leave the area except when my parents and I decided to leave our past pack and hide in this kingdom.
And since then, I have only heard things about the Iland Kingdom and the Central Palace from the pack elders and even some sentinels and scouts who had missions outside.
Of course, I was also feeling nervous because this was my first time going to an unfamiliar place. Fortunately, I have some of my friends with me; otherwise, I would never even think about coming to this place in the first place.
Even though I was nervous, I couldn't keep my eyes from wandering around the moment our car entered the vicinity. My eyes held amazement as I saw things that were different from how I thought everything was supposed to be.
Since this was the main palace, what I thought of before was that there would be a big castle-like place at the center. And then those fairytale-like fountains, trees, and greeneries, and those uniformed castle maids and servants waiting in line to welcome the king on his return.
But what I'm currently seeing is different. Far more different.
It shouldn't be called a palace but a town instead, since there were no big, tall, and spectacular palaces that I was quite expecting.
Instead of calling it a palace, it should be called a town. Since it wasn't far from how our pack village looks. It was just that this is a lot wider in terms of the area, while the houses here are twice as big and extravagant as Alpha Frank's mansion. And I couldn't deny that this is a lot more beautiful and sweet compared with the pack's territory.
Aside from the greenery, which is really eye-catching, what made the palace more homey was how well the distance was measured for every neighboring house. It wasn't too close, yet it wasn't too far.
However big the house is or how small it is compared with others, the same space or area is still measured. If it were not so late, I probably would have also spotted some people, including children and teens, having fun in the street. Because the area really speaks about unity and peace despite the silence and darkness of the night. Maybe it would be better to visit during the day.
Not long after entering the vicinity, we finally spotted a wider range of empty spaces. Because of the distance from the rest of the houses, I can't clearly identify the rest of the empty space. Except for a mansion—bigger than the one I spotted in the way—in the middle of that space, which was illuminated.
It was really a big mansion, maybe five times the size of Alpha Frank's mansion. When we finally reached the front of that mansion, I had a full view of the wonderful place.
The front area of the mansion is a wide front yard with sculptures of Fenrir, the god who, according to the Lycans, is the son of the Moon Goddess and came from her own flesh and spirit. According to what I have studied from the history books, clans believed that Fenrir was the warrior of the Moon Goddess and owned the goddess' blessings.
Whatever the truth is, I only know that Fenrir is a god—a warrior god. Aside from the different statues of Fenrir, either in his human form or his majestic wolf form, at the very center of the front yard is a big fountain. In the middle of the fountain is a statue of a very beautiful and exquisite woman in a simple dress, smiling gently at the cubs at her feet.
What made it more noticeable was that, among all the statues, it was the only one without lights. However, because of the moonlight reflected in the clear water flowing through it, it can still be seen on this dark night. Furthermore, the statue's only color difference is a lovely golden flower crown.
It was really beautiful. Fortunately, the car had to take a round in that fountain before stopping, so I had enough time to stare at the wonderful art.
"We're here," Zamiel said, breaking the peaceful silence in the car.
Then a series of scuffles were heard in the car as everyone who seemed to be asleep for the entire three-hour ride stretched their numb arms.
Now that I realize it, it was a very fast journey. I thought it would take at least six or seven in the morning before we could reach the place. But it was only around three hours, if I calculated it right.
"D! Come out now! Quick!" Cornelia excitedly shouted from the outside.
So I did not wait for the man beside me to come out first. With an obvious excited grin, I also opened the sliding door on my side and came out first.
The moment I came out of the car, I was immediately dragged by Cornelia and pulled in front of the fountain. Waiting in front of it were Froilan and Lee.
"Let's take a picture and send it to Tania. She'll be jealous for sure!"
And so we take our positions in front of the fountain. I immediately sat in the middle of the fountain, which was also in front of the statue of the Moon Goddess. While Lee takes my right side and Froilan takes his right. Lee was standing beside me while Froilan lazily sat.
"Who will take our group photo? It won't be me. I will not accept not being included in the picture," Cornelia asked.
I was about to ignore her and wait for someone to volunteer when I spotted Gener's figure coming. At his back was his male and female beta.
I don't know what got to me at that moment, but I stood up, took the phone out of Cornelia's hands, and with a dashing smile, I walked in front of Gener, who silently stopped and looked down at me.
"Right in time. Can you take us a group photo, please?" I said, widening my smile after the word 'please'.
It was already silent, but it became more awkwardly silent after I finished my words. I could feel the surprised and gawking stares of everyone, but I ignored them all as I remained smiling at Gener, who was also silent and was staring back at me.
So, the first time I came into Gener's territory, what I did was order him to take a photo of me and my friends. I know it was really daring of me to do that, but I have my cards. And I am not even forcing him. I just want to slightly tease him. It will still be his final say if he agrees or not.
And he would undoubtedly do the latter.
Or not.
It wasn't only me who looked and watched Gener as he took the phone in my hands. But unlike everyone else, it only took me three seconds before I flashed a very happy smile at Gener, who never changed his expression.
"Great! Thank you, Your Highness!" I genuinely said thanks as I ran back to the front of the fountain, posing in my position.
I widened my grin while looking at the camera pointed at our location. Gener also positioned the phone in front of him. He stood ramrod straight as he aimed the phone at us.
While waiting for Gener to take a photo, I was confused when he suddenly put the phone down and had his serious face looking at me. Before I could ask what was wrong, he pointed to my sides, so I looked at them.
"What the—hey people! What about taking a group picture?" I shouted at my friends, who were still out of their minds and dazed out.
With my shout, they finally moved. And I didn't care how they posed or how they looked. I resumed my stance and smiled at the camera, which was now aimed at us.
I don't know how many shots he took, but when I knew it was enough, I stood up and ran. Though this was not for a group photo with my friends, it was for a photo together, mate. This was not for a group photo with my friends but for a photo with my friend.
"Can you stay closer?" Selene asks, looking so serious while looking for a more aesthetic side.
I can only snort and step closer to Gener's side. For all I know, Selene was actually enjoying this.
"Okay, this position is perfect, but the subject is not yet. Come on, get closer."
I silently scowled, but I still grumpily took another step closer. "Is this close enoug—ah!"
I closed my eyes, waiting for my face to kiss the ground. Yet, instead of pain, what I felt was a big and warm hand holding me by my waist, saving me from falling to the ground.
Slowly opening my eyes, I saw the same environment as before, when I thought I was about to fall. The only difference is how close Gener and I were, including the tight hold he had on my waist, firmly making me stand up.
His golden eyes were staring back at me, and although he was against the light, they were still shining like a small ball of fireflies in the middle of the night. It was quite mesmerizing, and I just wanted to catch it in my hands. Hold it with my palm and never let go.
And so, my hand that was hanging on the side subconsciously rose up. Without my permission, since I was really busy staring at those wonderful golden orbs, my hand was about to reach out and catch those firefly-like eyes when a light flash coming from the phone that was aimed at us broke the silence that I did not know was there.
The feeling of warmth and that undeniable secureness that I subconsciously felt on our first close skin contact came back. It added another layer of embarrassment to me, and it is only now that I remember how shameful I acted that time.
"Perfect!"
And that sound finally brought me back to my senses. Like a scared cat, I immediately retrieved my hand and separated myself from Gener, who also let me go.
"Thank you," I silently said, not waiting for his response as I walked towards Selene and the others.
The moment I came in front of the obviously teasing Selene, I could only ignore her and take the phone from her hands. And then I turn toward where I think the entrance to the big mansion is.
"This way, right?" I asked no one as I took the lead.
"Ah, wait, D! You have to send the picture to me!" Selene shouted, trying to follow me.
And I ignored her again. I couldn't let her or anyone else see that I was blushing just because of a simple incident like that. Well, it wasn't a simple incident, as I was really out of my mind.
It was like some spell-bound thing was cast on me that I couldn't separate my eyes from. Although golden eyes are rare because only lycans with royal blood can have that eye color, it was not enough for me to be so enthralled by them.
It wasn't even the rarest color to begin with! The rarest ones are those silver eyes, which are the same color as the eyes of the Moon Goddess! And it was already in the legend that a chosen child of the goddess had the same eyes as hers. Since anyone who is born with silver eyes is the favored child of the Moon Goddess.
And for sure, he wasn't the only man who had a strong, big body like his. If I were just given a chance to roam all the kingdoms on the Mainland, I would have also found alphas who were better than him!
Just like the young king of the central kingdom of the Mainland. I heard that he's also young and more promising than what we had here in the Iland Kingdom. Both were strong, handsome, and loyal, yet I knew that, when it came to attitude, the king of the mainland was better than the other.
So if I were to choose between the two, I would, of course, choose the best!
Anyway, as I was saying, I wasn't really captivated by his eyes. Not at all. It was just that I was so shocked by my supposed-to-be fall that I was a bit in a daze. In which case, it was only a coincidence that I was looking into his eyes.
"Welcome home, Your Highness."
I stopped walking and waited for someone to come and walk with me. Fortunately, I was so busy explaining myself to myself that, although I was surprised by the sudden greetings, I did not embarrass myself anymore.
I already embarrassed myself enough by what happened just a few moments ago, and I could no longer take another embarrassment without even the morning sun showing. It'll be too early for me to wish for the earth to swallow me whole. I haven't even taken a step inside the mansion.
"Prepare the rooms for everyone and have the kitchen prepare light food," Gener said, who suddenly appeared beside me.
"Yes, Your Highness," a young man courtly answered, his head still in a respectful bow.
"Everyone can do what they like, either follow the maids to your chosen room or stay in the dining room to wait for the food." Then Gener looked at me and said, "Come follow me to my office. I still have some business with you."
"Ugh, yes, Your Highness," I respectfully answered, making him stop and just look at me.
Before I could even feel awkward with the way he was giving me that interested and amused look, I finally realized what I had done. And since I could no longer take it back, I could only look away with an obviously flustered face.
"Just lead the way, will you?" I whispered-shout.
Damn it! So much for my first day here!