We were making our way when Edwin emerged from the heavy doors of the manor.
My hand holding Rufus’, along with my whole body nailed to the ground, froze. I wanted to escape, but where to?
Rufus assured me that everything was fine by pinching my palm and smiling at me.
Contrary to how I reacted, Edwin trotted to us with a smile and told us that the banquet was ready, adding that Warren and Flora had fixed their wedding date.
My attention was stolen by his announcement. It was too fast. We just went out for a walk, but by the time we were back, Flora and Warren had met their parents and even decided to get married.
I remember Flora saying before that she wanted to end everything with Warren, but now she was even alright with marrying him. Everything happened in a flash.
Leonard was very happy with the news. “Warren is really different when he’s matched with his true love. He’s no longer an amateur lad when it comes to relationships.”
Despite everything, I would admit Warren was awesome. On the other hand, I wondered how Flora was doing. She must have been in a trance.
While everyone was immersed in joy, Rufus spoke in my ear in the faintest of whispers. “They’re going to get married.”
Confusion bordered my face as I met his gaze. What did he mean? Rufus sighed. “It’s time for us to start planning ours.”
I chortled and nudged him gently. “What are you talking about? You’re getting ahead of yourself.”
“Ahead of myself?” Rufus asked dejectedly. A frown started to crease on his forehead, and he seemed very dissatisfied with my response. “We can’t delay it any longer.”
Rufus pulled me in his arms and cupped my face before offering a kiss on my forehead. “Honey, do you really plan on making me wait? I’m getting old, and as you can see, a lot of my friends are already going to get married.” While Rufus was speaking, I caught a glimpse of Leonard from my periphery, looking at me with a cheeky smile spread across his face.
Blood rushed to my cheeks as I pushed him away. “Well, let’s talk about it when we get back.”
Rufus didn’t seem to care if the others would hear us. He didn’t let go of me and instead muttered in an aggrieved tone, “Then promise me that we will talk about our wedding when we go back.”
In order to make him drop the topic for now, I had to nod. “Okay, I promise.”
Although Rufus usually seemed cold, mature and steady, when it was just us two, he was like a spoiled child who would incessantly make a fuss about something until I gave in. It seemed that I was the only one to whom he showed his true self, and it warmed my heart to know so. Still I wondered, were men all the same when they were in love?
Our group was about to join the banquet inside once Edwin and Leonard finished talking, but a guard rushed to their side and reported that Alina also wanted to come to the party. Hesitation flashed in Leonard’s countenance for a moment before he nodded and permitted her entrance.
After the guard left, he turned to us and helplessly informed us, “I am aware that Alina doesn’t want to be married off into another pack, not to mention she once thought of using Warren to get what she wanted. But since she wants to go to the party, I think it’s a good chance to let her learn her place.”
Rufus and I looked at each other, each mirroring the helplessness of the other. It would be best for Alina to give up on all her wishful thinking and started behaving herself, but the fear that Flora would be caught in the crossfire crept in our minds.
The only hopes I had for Alina were for her to stop causing troubles for everyone and find happiness by getting married in peace.
The party was being held in the castle. As soon as we arrived at the gate of the banquet hall, Flora and her parents, receiving congratulatory remarks, were surrounded by a handful of crowd.
Warren, who first noticed our presence, held Flora’s hand peremptorily and bent over to say something to her. Flora raised her head and searched for me behind the crowd. The moment her eyes met mine, they were lit up as if she had seen a savior. She shook off Warren’s hand and rushed towards where we were.
I ran to her and caught her halfway, scared that she might trip. She was pregnant, but it seemed that wasn’t enough to stop her from running recklessly like a school girl.
Flora flung her arms and wrapped them around me. She placed her head on my shoulder without saying anything. I let her be.
I was amused at the way she acted. A moment later, I held her hand. “Honey, I know you’re overwhelmed with churning emotions. But you should cheer up. You’re pregnant, and you know too well that your mood will affect the baby.”
Flora nodded lazily and grunted. “I know. I’m very happy now.”
The smile that was wiped off my face with concern found its way back to my lips. I didn’t say anything. Anyway, I would talk to her later tonight, so I could forget about reprimanding her.
Leonard and Rufus walked ahead of us, while Flora and I were taking our time behind them. We whispered to each other as we entered the banquet hall.
The double doors leading to the hall were opened for us, and unexpectedly, Alina was sitting at the table, waiting for us.
I was startled. I quickly pulled Flora behind me and looked at Warren. What I felt at that moment was a mix of embarrassment and uneasiness.
When I was about to comfort Flora, I found that Alina was just staring at me as if she was ignoring the others on purpose. What was she planning this time?
Sylvia’s POV
I felt my scalp tingle under Alina’s intense gaze. I could tell that there was a glimmer of hatred in her eyes.
Didn’t Leonard say she had been counting on Warren lately to get her out of her mess? If that truly was the case, why was she staring at me like that? Did she still have feelings for Rufus?
I thought with a frown as I took a good look at her eyes. Alina’s eyes were beautiful, and her irises were a shade of grayish-blue. She had always looked at people with a hint of innocence. She probably inherited the color of her eyes from her mother because Leonard’s eyes were dark green. They almost looked black.
Her eyes would light up every time she smiled. I didn’t think a resentful look suited her.
Alina smiled before looking away to greet everyone. At that point, she seemed like an elegant lady from a noble family.
I breathed a sigh of relief as soon as she turned away. Flora simply stood still as she murmured, “She’s so scary sometimes.”
After an exchange of pleasantries, Rufus was invited to sit in the main seat while Leonard sat on the first seat by the left. Opposite of him was Owen, followed by Edwin and Flora’s parents.
Alina came there early and chose a seat on the other side of the long table. I sat next to Leonard, alongside Flora and Warren.
“Your favorite baked banana is going to be served today,” Leonard said, helping me arrange the tableware as he spoke.
I thanked him with a smile. I didn’t expect him to remember that I liked baked bananas. I poured Leonard a glass of wine as we casually chatted. The atmosphere was harmonious while we talked, but when I looked over at Alina, I noticed that she was staring at me again.
The way she gazed at me made me uncomfortable. I could tell that there wasn’t only hatred and resentment glimmering in her eyes. It was something else entirely.
I looked down and sat straight, trying to ignore her. A she-wolf s mind really was complicated.
Leonard seemed to have sensed something when he looked my way. He smiled to ease the tension in the atmosphere before saying, “Prince Rufus, it is a great honor to have you as our distinguish guest in the Silver Moon Pack. Please have a taste of the globefishes here. I’m sure you’ll love it.”
Rufus smiled. “Thank you. The globefishes in your pack are quite famous around these parts.”
He laughed a lot in front of everyone today. His laughter made the atmosphere a lot more harmonious, and everyone was having a great time.
Everyone present had their eyes on him the entire time since he was the noble prince. He didn’t radiate arrogance either, so naturally, the topic was all about him. Flora’s parents were quite talkative, and they didn’t panic at all when they met the royal family-especially her mother, Hulda. In fact, she became so excited to meet the royal family that she almost tripped just to ask Rufus if she could have Ethan’s signature.
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