Lord Vealor had been restless ever since he arrived at the palace.
Paranoia clung to him like a second skin, tightening its grip with every passing moment.
He had seen it, noticed it clearly.
The king’s attention toward the new breeder was far too intense to ignore.
Even though the king had openly claimed he did not bring her to the palace for breeding purposes, Vealor wasn’t convinced.
Not even for a second.
Something about it felt wrong.
He couldn’t shake the growing unease gnawing at his insides, the unmistakable feeling that his carefully crafted plan was slowly slipping through his fingers.
And he hated it.
“Aurora, you foolish girl!”
His voice thundered through the chamber, sharp and unforgiving.
Aurora flinched instantly, her entire body trembling at the sheer force of his anger.
Her head bowed deeply, her fingers clutching the fabric of her dress as if it could shield her from his wrath.
“Just one simple duty placed upon you by your clan, and you cannot carry it out?” Lord Vealor continued, pacing like a predator cornering its prey.
“Tell me, what is so difficult about spreading your legs for the king and bearing him a pup?
Is it truly that hard for you to handle?”
“F-Father…” Aurora’s voice came out shaky, barely above a whisper.
“I’m sorry.
I will do better, I promise.”
“Promises?” he scoffed, stopping abruptly to glare at her.
“Your promises mean nothing to me.”
His eyes darkened, filled with cold calculation.
“I gave you everything you needed.
Wealth.
Influence.
Access.” He began counting on his fingers, his voice laced with venom.
“I provided you with the finest aphrodisiacs known to man.
I even tracked down one of the greatest witches in the land just to concoct potions for you, anything to ensure the king would fall into your bed.”
Aurora’s breath hitched, but she didn’t dare interrupt him.
“And yet,” he continued, his tone dropping into something far more dangerous, “none of it has worked.”
Silence fell heavily between them.
“So far,” he added, his lips curling in disdain, “you have proven utterly useless.”
Aurora’s nails dug into her palms, but she kept her head lowered.
“Do not think that being my daughter grants you immunity,” Lord Vealor warned.
“I will not hesitate to discard anything that fails me.”
Her heart pounded violently in her chest.
“You have limited time to fix this,” he went on.
“The full moon approaches, and when it arrives, the king will enter his rut.
He will crave a woman, desperately.”
Aurora swallowed hard.
“And you will be that woman,” he said firmly.
“Even if it costs you your life, you will make sure he sleeps with you.
You will make sure he knots you.”
Her breath caught.
“This is the final piece in our game,” he added, his voice now low and deliberate.
“We need an heir.
And you, ” his gaze sharpened ” must become Luna.”
A long, suffocating pause.
“Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes… sir,” Aurora replied, her voice barely steady.
“Good.”
He turned away, satisfied.
“Now prepare yourself.
You must entice the king tonight at dinner.
He has invited us, and I intend to be present.” A faint, calculating smile appeared on his lips.
“I would very much like to meet this… new breeder.”
Aurora hesitated.
“But, Father… I might have a problem.”
His steps halted.
Slowly, he turned back to her, one brow raised.
“Speak.”
“The king seems… smitten with her,” Aurora admitted.
“I don’t think he would even look my way as long as she is around.”
For a brief moment, something dark flickered in Lord Vealor’s eyes.
Then he smiled, a cold, dangerous smile.
“Do not concern yourself with the new breeder,” he said smoothly.
“She will be handled.”
Aurora’s stomach tightened at his words, but she nodded anyway.
“Focus on your task.”
Without another word, he left the chamber.
The door shut behind him with a heavy thud.
The moment he was gone, Aurora’s composure shattered.
With a sharp cry of frustration, she grabbed a porcelain cup and hurled it across the room.
It smashed against the wall, shards scattering across the floor.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly.
Her father had always been like this, cold, demanding, merciless.
To him, she was nothing more than a tool, a means to an end.
His ambition mattered more than her life, and deep down, she knew the truth:
If sacrificing her would grant him power, he would do it without hesitation.
Aurora feared him.
But she also craved what he promised.
Power.
Status.
The title of Luna.
And so, she endured.
Her thoughts spiraled as she considered her next move, her desperation growing with every second.
She had to succeed.
Failure was not an option.
“Pull it tighter.”
Her sharp voice cut through the room.
The maid behind her startled.
“I said tighter, you idiot!”
Aurora’s hand lashed out, striking the girl across the face.
The sound echoed loudly, followed by a stifled gasp.
“I’m sorry, my lady,” the maid whispered quickly, her hands trembling as she adjusted the corset.
Aurora had a reputation for such behavior, but it was carefully hidden.
Appearances mattered, after all.
“I said tighter,” Aurora repeated coldly.
“Yes, my lady.”
The corset was pulled further, constricting her waist.
Aurora exhaled slowly, her anger simmering beneath the surface.
Tonight… everything had to go perfectly.
Meanwhile…
“Miss, you must wake up now, or we’ll be late.”
Lily’s gentle voice broke through the silence as she tried to rouse Arabella, who had been fast asleep since the king left her chambers.
Arabella groaned softly, turning onto her side.
“Just a little longer…” she mumbled.
“Why do I even have to wake up?
It’s not like I have anywhere to be…”
“Yes, you do,” Lily insisted, pulling away the blanket.
“The king has extended an invitation.
You will be dining with him tonight.”
Arabella’s eyes snapped open.
“What?”
“The king invited you to dinner.”
Arabella sat up abruptly, her expression filled with disbelief.
“I don’t want to go,” she said flatly.
“Why can’t he just dine by himself?”
Lily blinked, clearly amused.
“I thought you would be happy, considering you haven’t eaten lunch,” she replied.
“And besides, the dinner isn’t just for you.
The king has guests, two lords, in fact.
They’re staying in the palace.”
Arabella frowned.
“And you know what that means,” Lily added knowingly.
“He must invite his breeders as well.”
Arabella let out an annoyed sigh.
“Well, I still don’t want to go.”
“Yes, you do,” Lily said with a teasing smile.
“I don’t.”
“Right,” Lily replied sarcastically.
Arabella narrowed her eyes.
“What was that supposed to mean?”
Lily hesitated briefly before speaking.
“May I speak freely, my lady?”
Arabella crossed her arms.
“That didn’t stop you earlier.”
Lily chuckled softly.
“When the king was here today… you practically snuggled up to him,” she said, her voice light but teasing.
“You were clinging to him as if your life depended on it.”
Arabella choked.
“I was not!”
“If I didn’t know better,” Lily continued, her eyes sparkling with mischief, “I would think the two of you were in love.”
Arabella’s face flushed instantly.
“Lily!”
The maid laughed.
“I’m only joking, my lady,” she said.
“Now, please, let’s get you ready.
It’s customary for guests to arrive before the king.”
Arabella blinked, surprised.
The last time they had dinner, she had arrived after him, and he hadn’t seemed to mind.
Still…
“Fine,” she muttered.
Lily smiled brightly.
“We must make you the most beautiful of them all tonight,” she said.
“I prepared natural ointments and scented oils for your bath.”
“You don’t have to do all that,” Arabella said softly.
“I’m fine with my natural scent.”
“I know,” Lily replied gently.
“But if you want to survive in this palace, you need the king on your side.
And what better way to do that than by making yourself irresistible?”
Arabella sighed but said nothing.
“For what it’s worth,” Lily added, “the oils will soothe your skin.”
Arabella gave a small nod.
“You seem very knowledgeable about this.”
“My mother is skilled in making natural ointments,” Lily explained as she helped Arabella into the bath.
The warm water embraced her body, and Arabella let out a soft sigh.
“This feels amazing…” she murmured.
“I could stay here forever.”
A faint smile touched her lips.
“Thank you, Lily.
You were right, the oils really do wonders.”
Soon, she stepped out of the bath, her skin glowing softly under the light.
The scent of lavender and orchids lingered in the air, enhancing her natural fragrance.
Lily carefully dressed her in a deep red off-shoulder gown, its corset hugging her figure perfectly.
Intricate silver embroidery shimmered along the fabric.
Her hair was styled into an elegant updo, with soft strands framing her face.
Light makeup was applied, finishing with a touch of red lipstick.
Finally, Lily dabbed scented oil along her shoulders, neck, and collarbone, then along her legs before helping her into her shoes.
“There,” Lily said with satisfaction.
“We’re done.
Shall we?”
Arabella looked at herself one last time, then nodded.
Together, they stepped out of the room, heading toward the dining hall, where the night’s events awaited them.
And perhaps… something far more dangerous.