Chapter 28

With that, we made our way to the grand dining hall. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meat and exotic spices, mingling with the hum of conversation. As we entered, all eyes turned toward us. I held my head high, trying to exude confidence even as my heart pounded in my chest.

Alpha King Cyrus sat at the head of the table, his piercing gaze fixed on me. His presence was overwhelming, and I could feel the power radiating from him. I offered a polite curtsy, and he gave a barely perceptible nod in return.

"Lady Cressida Carstairs."

He called my name ominously. I lowered my head a bit in reverence.

"Jude Carstairs never mentioned that he had another daughter. But I suppose that's just one of the many things he failed to mention isn't it?"

"Your Majesty, I apologize for my father's many mistakes."

I said curtly. There was a long silence, then it seemed like the King was done with me. Or maybe he didn't want to revisit the whole issue with his ex beta Jude Carstairs.

The Alpha King turned his burning gaze to Rowan.

"You look healthier and healthier every day I see you. Your quick recovery is truly a mystery."

"The moon goddess has been most merciful on me Your Majesty."

Rowan said to his father as he held his gaze.

The King seemed to scoff.

"Then you must visit her temple and offer her offerings."

"I intend to your Majesty. The next full moon would be a welcome opportunity."

Elana, The Royal Concubine sat beside the King, looking every bit like a queen. She regarded Rowan with a calculating look. Her beauty was striking, but there was a coldness in her eyes that sent a chill down my spine. I avoided her gaze and my eyes landed on the Queen Dowager. She glared at me unabashedly and I suddenly felt very insecure. I wondered if I properly dressed for the dinner. I had picked one of Isabelle's gowns hoping it would be enough.

But now, standing in my gown and watching them in all their finery, what I was wearing paled in comparison to what even the young Princess Eleanor was wearing.

Lucian and Delilah did not hide their condemnation towards us. Their expressions a mix of disgust and disdain. Lucian's eyes flashed with something darker—perhaps jealousy or suspicion. Delilah, his wife the Crown Princess sat next to him, a slender hand on her round rotund belly. They were expecting their first child together. Rumors said Crown Prince Lucian was confident that it was a boy, a male heir. I also heard he had thrown a party when he found out his wife was pregnant.

Reagan on the other hand slouched in his chair, a bored expression on his face. He didn't look interested or even the slightest bit concerned that we were eating with them. He looked like he would rather be anywhere but the dinner table. Blanca, his foreign wife sat beside him, looking nervously at Delilah, seeking approval with every glance. I felt a pang of sympathy for her but quickly reminded myself these people would not extend the same sympathy to us.

Princess Eleanor sat at the end of the table,  she had her mother's beauty, with lighter hair. She didn't seem to have the same feelings the others had towards her. And when I offered her a small smile, she tentatively returned it.

As the servants walked around with the first course, Lucian turned his gaze towards me.

"I heard you had the pleasure of meeting my mother. What did you think of her mother?" Lucian asked as he turned to his mother.

The Royal Concubine smiled, a gesture that did not reach her eyes. "Indeed,  Cressida is quite... interesting. It was enlightening to speak with her."

I inclined my head politely, meeting the Concubine's gaze without flinching. "Thank you, my lady. It was an honor to speak with you."

Delilah scoffed.

"Of course it is. You're lucky all you got away with was a warning after the deception and the lies you told to us."

She answered haughtily. I wanted to open my mouth but words did not come out.

Lucian shrugged.

"Oh leave it my dear. If mother has forgiven her, I suppose we have no option but to do the same."

Delilah sighed.

"You are right. But I can't help but wonder if it is a good idea. I mean, her father committed treason, he betrayed the crown. His daughter comes peddling lies and we just accept it with open arms. We should be more weary of the Carstairs. There is a reason they are exiled in the first place."

"I agree with Delilah." Blanca chipped in quickly.

"There is also a reason that despite their entire family being in exile, I was given a bride from the Carstairs family is it not?!"

Rowan asked as he turned to the Royal Concubine.

The whole table went silent.

"I heard the Royal Concubine made the suggestion. I do not know what your reasons were, but I am thankful that it brought me to Cressida."

Rowan squeezed my hand underneath the table. I looked at him and gave him an appreciative smile.

The Royal Concubine smiled demurely.

"There was no other family interested in wedding their daughter to you in the condition you were in. The Carstairs were exiled but we knew they were desperate. They would have done anything to be back in the Alpha King's good graces. That was why we selected a bride from there for you."

She answered with a sinister smirk on her face.

Delilah nodded her head.

"You should be grateful to mother for what she did for you. It's hard to find any decent noblewoman who would have married a deposed cripple like you."

Lucian and Reagan chuckled lowly. I ignored them, Rowan did too.

The Alpha King sighed, his expression unreadable. "There will be time to talk later. For now, let us enjoy our meal."

The dinner proceeded with an air of formality, each course more elaborate than the last. Conversation flowed, but it was laced with underlying tension. Delilah was mean. She would not stop taking jabs at everything I did. How I held my fork, how I ate and how my dress looked similar to what her handmaiden wore for the last Spring festival. I kept my responses measured, careful not to reveal anything or show even the least bit of anger.
I felt Rowan's presence beside me and it comforted me more than I expected it would.

As the final course was cleared away, the Alpha King leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Rowan, there are lot of changes coming to our kingdom. The council has decided that you would be beneficial to us. That is why you have been reinstated back into the Royal Council, Rowan."

Rowan's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he quickly regained his composure. "Thank you, Father. I am honored by the council's decision."

The Alpha King nodded. "We will discuss your new duties and role the council in detail tomorrow. For now, I suggest you both get some rest. It has been a long day."


...…..

I made my way back to my chambers alone. Lucian had pulled Rowan for a chat and had promptly dismissed me, saying they had many things to discuss. I was left alone with the three princesses before Princess Eleanor retreated to her chambers. I took that as my cue to leave too.

I was only a few steps away from the dining hall door when a soft, yet firm voice called out behind me.

"Lady Cressida," the voice said. I turned to find Crown Princess Delilah and Princess Blanca standing a few paces behind me. How they had managed to walk behind me so fast without me knowing was a mystery.

"Princess Delilah, Princess Blanca," I acknowledged, dipping into a respectful curtsey.

"Cressida," Delilah began, her tone dripping with condescension. "In case tonight’s dinner has blurred some lines for you, allow me to remind you of your place."

"I... I don't understand," I stammered, feeling a sudden chill.

"Of course you don't," Blanca chimed in with a sneer. "You've been living in a dream world for a while now, thinking that your marriage to Prince Rowan elevates you beyond your station."

My heart pounded in my chest. The two sisters had been cold towards me all through dinner time, but I thought that was it. I didn’t know that more of their animosity remained.

"Allow me to be clear," Delilah said, stepping closer. "The fact that you are married to Prince Rowan changes nothing. You are not, and will never be, one of us, no matter how many dinners you attend with the Alpha King. You would do well to learn your place, Cressida."

Her words cut deep, but I held my ground. "I have no intention of overstepping, Your Highness. I only wish to fulfill my duties as a wife and support my husband."

"Support your husband?" Delilah scoffed. "You think that's enough? You think you can prance around the castle after everything your father did and expect to be respected?”

Blanca laughed, a high, cruel sound. "And look at her! Dressed like a peasant. You should choose better clothing when in the presence of the Alpha King."

I glanced down at my dress, a simple but elegant gown that I thought appropriate for the dinner. Perhaps I was wrong. "I apologize if my attire offends you. I will take more care in the future."

Delilah's eyes narrowed. "See that you do. First impressions matter and you have managed to make a horrible one. And understand this: I will be watching you. We are all watching you. We know that you are hiding something. I will find out what it is soon enough."

A shiver ran down my spine. What did she know? What could she possibly suspect? I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure. "I assure you, Your Highness, I have nothing to hide."

Delilah's lips curled into a sinister smile. "We shall see. Just remember, you are here on borrowed time. One wrong move, and you'll find yourself cast out of this castle faster than you can blink."