DIANA
The frown in my face deepened as I looked more at all these brochures and magazines laid on top of the glass table. I think I am already getting dizzy with all these pictures because they now all look the same, making it harder to decide what to pick and whatnot.
Well, in all honesty, they really do all seem the same—same flowers, same gowns and suits, same venue, same decorations, etcetera. What they all differed on were some small details in materials and designs that for a person like me who wasn't into this type of extravagance, would find it hard to differentiate them all.
For real. And maybe the name of the brochure and magazine would also add a factor to easily differentiate them.
I don't know why but I have been facing these brochures and magazines, being forced to choose among them for different themes, since early in the morning. And when I say early, it means earlier than I usually wake up.
So yes, they—specifically Selene—disturbed me in my supposed sleep just to do an eenie-meeny-miny-moe!
If they had woken me up for a better cause, like doing some early morning exercise or something, I would have been happy to oblige. But no! It was actually to face these boring sets of paper, which only makes me want to punch someone!
Fortunately, I had been mentally preparing myself for some unwanted surprises so these things couldn't make me lose control in front of someone else. And despite the fact that I have been disturbed in my sleep, I was able to keep myself from blowing up.
"Look, D. I know that this is not your type of thing but as for your current position, you have no choice but to get used to it. Because and just because you will be doing this sort of thing, not only once, but many times, you'll be numbed by it. Let's say this is just the beginning, really," Selene helplessly said, maybe after noticing me dazing while having a frown.
Well, I know that for sure. It was included in my mental preparation; that's why I wasn't reacting strongly after being forced to do this early in the morning.
After having a whole week of leisure and freedom—although I was only allowed to roam inside the palace—I was made aware of my possible future and early tasks before I was crowned as the Iland Kingdom's queen.
It was told to me at last night's dinner. After eating, Gener told me to come into his office because he would like to speak with me. Although I was already in a bad mood since it was the last day of my freedom, I do know the vexing fact that I have no choice but to accept that.
So after having my companions go back to their rooms after assuring them that I wouldn't make it hard for 'His Highness', I came and entered his office.
When I entered, what I noticed was not how simple and organized the office was—far different from what I expected a king's office would look like. What caught my attention first was the monarch sitting in front of his table, wearing a simple midnight blue plain colored shirt.
His hair, which was kind of messy but fashionable and well—fine, in a handsome way—were obviously damped. He probably got a quick shower in his room before he got here.
I have been living in this place for almost a week now and maybe because he was also away for some matters concerning the kingdom for the same week, this was only the first time I saw him in casual and ordinary clothes.
Because even when eating a while ago, he was still in his formal attire, and it was I who felt uncomfortable around him while eating.
Anyway, what really makes it hard to look away is his reading glass, which is very likely the reason why, despite his messy look, it gives him a clean and simple temperament. Plus, how he seriously read the papers in his hands made him look more like a cultured authority figure, which in reality he is not.
Definitely not! This was a scam, okay?! And I shouldn't buy it!
So with this cold truth, I was finally prompted by the fact and I was able to get back to my senses.
"I'm here. What's the matter now?" I asked after I felt the embarrassment was gone.
"How about you come and take a seat first?" he quickly answered without looking up.
Since I promised to be good and to give thanks for his freedom without showing his face in front of me for a whole week, I obediently took the seat in front of his table.
"How about now? Can you talk?"
That's only when he looks up from the papers in his hands. He seriously looked at me before putting down the papers. Then, using his long and manly fingers, he slightly pushed up his rimmed glasses and then massaged the bone of his upper nose, just below the middle of his brows.
"You still know that tomorrow will be the end of your vacation and that you will start your tasks as a future queen, right?" he asked, deciding to take away his reading glasses.
I quickly glance at it, quite regretful, before I look back at him and answer. "Yeah."
"Good. So here's your first task: I will give you another week to prepare for it in time for my leave. There was a case of a rogue attack in the south and the small packs there asked for our assistance so I will have to leave again and can't help you."
I almost asked him sarcastically about what it means to me and why he keeps prolonging the wait when he could just skip that unwanted information and directly tell me what my task is.
But Cornelia's serious and warning voice quickly stopped me from doing so. He should thank my friend for that.
"Okay, I understand. So, what's the task?" I asked after he spoke.
Because, for sure, if I cut him off with this question, he would notice my sarcasm.
He narrowly stared at me, like he was studying me or something. But I made sure to keep my countenance calm and composed like I didn't mean anything scornful about it.
"You have to prepare your own acknowledgment ceremony next week."
My mouth twitched with what I heard. Do I have to ask him everything for me to get all the information I need? Can't he just explain it all to me in one whole sentence?
Fortunately, it seems that he also found my confused expression so I didn't need to ask it again.
"In this acknowledgment ceremony, you have to provide my people and all the lycans that you deserve to be the queen. And you can do it according to your own judgment, as long as you are sure it can please the lycans. If you have more questions, you can ask Selene, as she will be assisting you with your whole week's preparation and planning."
When I heard that from Gener, I was terrified by the heavy responsibility as well as the pressure that I would almost back out if not for him clarifying that I only had to please the lycans. As for the other shifters residing in the kingdom, it was no longer my responsibility as they didn't have the right to object in the first place.
Again, that was all coming from Gener's mouth and not mine.
"You must make this ceremony perfect, D or you won't have it as good as the queen. I'm not trying to scare you but the lycans are not that easy to please when it comes to mates and such. Compared with other shifters, we, lycans give more importance to mates and mate ceremonies, like some oaths, because not only our lifetime happiness but our lives mostly depend on them. So if you can't please them in this acknowledgment ceremony preparation of yours, then they will deem you as underserving of your position and, most importantly, undeserving of his highness," Selene solemnly added.
And I could only sigh at that. Surely, I didn't want this to happen in the first place. I never dreamed of being a queen. The responsibility of a luna from a small pack, I can manage. I can even become an alpha if I am given a chance.
But to be in this high position? This thought never crossed my mind. What more so to dream this big and impossible?
"Yeah, I know," I answered weakly.
"That's good." Selene nodded at me with a smile. "I know that this is a hard responsibility that we forced on you. But as the mate of His Highness, it is your fate to be the queen and all the responsibilities that a queen may carry will be put into your hands now. Since you are the future queen, it is your task to help and assist His Highness in other matters regarding the kingdom, so the road will be hard for you, no matter what."
I secretly pouted but I also nodded. "Yes, yes. I know."
"And, oh, please don't think that we are threatening you with this. Actually, I have heard about your goal of changing the bad perspective of many about humans so I kinda know your plan." Selene opened up honestly so I couldn't blame her for being nosy.
"So just like what His Highness had told you, just do it in your own way, however, you want this ceremony to be. So long as you make the result in your favor, you're happy and everyone is, then so be it. We'll be there to assist you whatever the result so you don't need to worry," Selene smiled, which made me smile as well.
I guess there's no longer just me and my friends; there will be new supporters that will be added to the list.
"I know. And it's good that you know I am not doing this for their acceptance of me as your king's mate. I did not come here just to be a flower vase. I want to prove myself as a human that I can also lead them despite the weakness of my kind," I solemnly said, like it was a vow to myself.
Selene proceeded to smile back at me before he suddenly clapped her hands, which slightly surprised me.
"Since that's the case, please continue to pick whatever designs you want so that I can pass them on to the design team. How about you pick the gown first? We can just use the design as your overall theme and motif. What do you think?"
The sweet smile I was wearing quickly turned into a scowl when Selene returned those annoying questions.
Like, come on! I was already getting happy and then she would just break it off with those questions of hers.
Way to ruin the mood.
"Can you just do it on your own? I honestly don't have an idea about this type of choice scheme. Don't worry, I would like it whatever you pick!"
"No can do, D. Do I have to repeat myself again?"
"But I just can't! What if whatever I choose doesn't complement everything well? Nor would it suit other people's aesthetics?"
I swiftly shut my mouth when Selene sighs loudly. I awkwardly scratch the side of my mouth and look anywhere but her when she stares at me.
"My god, D! I didn't think you were this hard-headed! This is really a shock. I thought Cornelia and Tania were just exaggerating when they warned me about it but…" she cut off her words with a hopeless sigh.
I feel that not only my eyes twitched but even all my nerves twitched with the way she looked at me. Even without her speaking, I could hear her mocking me and I had this sudden urge to break something.
But I am now a person who must endure and practice patience so I could only smile at her forcefully before randomly pointing my fingers at the open pictures laid on the table.
"Let's go with this and this, then have this as well as this. As for whether they complement each other or not, I don't want to shoulder that problem. I'm just following your advice and these are what I want."