Chapter 9: Chapter nine

Raven's Pov

"What is this behavior, wife?! We are about to have breakfast, and then this ?" he exclaims with an irritated frown

"You should first tell me why the maids are telling me you won't allow me to leave Palace ground without your notice, and I'm not allowed to mix with our people. Then what is my duty as a Luna? To stay in here and be looking just pretty ?" I argue with the same frown. The whole room was hot from tension and shock.

"There are other duties that should be performed within the palace, and you know the security situation. There are bad people after you. I can't put you at such risk!"

"I know all this, but I still cannot be just in here; I want to know our people; they should know me and know I'm capable of my duties as their Luna," I argued firmly

"why are you being so stubborn this morning--"

"Your Highness, I think you should let her go; at least she won't choose to go without your notice, this way we know where she'd be when she's missing, and few guards will be escorting her" Paul, his bets says softly

This time, Kael and I were giving each other hard stares. I was just as stubborn as he was, and there was no way I was going back down.

"Whatever! But you won't be going near the border at any cost; this one is final, no arguments!!" he finalized with low grunts, and I rolled my eyes

With all that being said, we all proceeded to have breakfast.

After we were done, Kael left to do whatever he wanted while I chose to look around the Palace since I hadn't had the chance since I got back.

"This is the maid quarters, your highness. The head maid and cook are both waiting for you, your Highness," Mariam, one of my maids, says, and I nod in acknowledgment as I walk in.

As soon as my presence was known, everyone got up from the ground they were seated and bowed their heads in respect

I had no idea what to say. Should I ask for each of their names and roles, or what?

"good day, your Highness; I'm known to be the head of maids; I take charge of whatever happens in here and oversee each work they perform," a slender lady introduced herself with a pressed bow before standing tall before me with a slight smile which I returned softly

"and I'm the head of cooks; I'm in charge of every meal made in the palace and in charge of all chefs," she introduces herself with a short bow and then a smug look. At that moment, I knew she and I wouldn't be getting along very well

"I'm thankful for each introduction, and I hope we can all coexist under this roof together in peace and respect," I genuinely said, looking at each maid with a calm face, except the head chef, who still had the same smug look.

The next few minutes consisted of the heads filling me in on the things that happen at the palace, like balls and Luna meeting with other packs Luna, which hasn't happened for years. In fact, no celebration has ever been made in the pack for years, so many packs are too scared to come down here or put in an invite. But when it comes to war, they always summon some type of bravery to ask the Alpha for assistance, but most times, it never goes well.

I was a bit heartbroken by this revelation. The pack was really filled with darkness, but now that I am here, I will take it upon myself to bring in the light; I will stop the darkness.

"I'd like to go to town now," I declared a few minutes after leaving the quarters, my mind running with possible things I'd do.

After making a quick change of outfit, I began my journey to town with several soldiers guarding me. Even though I had repeatedly asked a few to stay back, it seems Kael had the final say in things like this.

All eyes were on our carriage as we passed through town. It was filled with so many people going about their day, but seeing the carriage, I noticed a few immediately fleeing like they had seen a ghost or some danger was coming

"why are they running? what's happening?" I asked the two maids I had taken with me, Mariam and Flora.

They both went quiet, but I could feel a looming situation.

"Why are you both quiet now? Tell me, why are they running? what are they running from ?" I asked for more time, firmly.

"they are running from us, Your Highness," Mariam says quietly, looking away from me in shame and sadness

"And why is that ?"

"Everyone knows how ruthless the Alpha is, and so are the soldiers. Everyone fears the royal family as they worry they might be killed or punished unfairly."

"wait, what? So, the rumors are true? He is a tyrant."

"the Alpha isn't as ruthless as his father, but noone chooses to find out the possibility," she adds

"so you mean all that happened during the old Alpha rule?"

"yes, your highness."

"Kael isn't as ruthless!"

"no, Your Highness, he's lineal but does have his limitations and harsh times but not as brutal as his father," she explains, and I swore my chest felt a bit lighter, like something was taken off from it

"Oh, I see," I simply said, turning back to the window and then stopping the carriage as soon as we reached the middle of town

"A few of you can wait here and watch over the carriage; I want to walk now."

"that's too dangerous, your highness--"

"are you going to be giving me orders now?" I snapped, irritatedly from their constant meddling

"A few of you will accompany me while the rest will stay here. Plus, they are already scared of you all; I doubt any of them are brave enough to come up to us with bad intentions."

They all stared at me like I had grown five heads, but I didn't wait a second for them to pick their words as I walked away, immediately causing them to rush.

As we walked further, more people kept running.

"did you bring the basket of clothes and food?" I asked my maids without turning to them

"yes, ma'am, the guards are carrying it along," she responds. I nod and then walk towards an open sewing shop

"good day--"

"Your Highness, you are here!! I promise I didn't mean to look," she exclaims, immediately dropping to my feet

Startled, I took a few steps back, feeling a bit awkward

"no, no, please get up, you aren't in any sort of trouble, please get up, please," I bent, pulling her up from the ground

She looks up at me in confusion and then at the guards that stood tall and intimidating behind me

"They are not here to get you; they are for me. Please be calm. I have come to distribute this to the people to make my rule known. I promise nothing Terrible is happening. In fact, I'll put a stop to all that I promise you," I declared with a determined look. Then, I handed her a few packed food items, which she hesitantly collected before letting her lips spread into a smile.

After this first interaction, I knew what to expect from the rest, and I was right. The next hour consisted of me trying to convince them that the recent Royal family is good and cares about their well-being.

Few were doubtful. In fact, few threw the food away right at my front, not caring about the soldiers, while few simply hid from us.

"you think doing this today would change our mind?!!! You evil people at the top have made us suffer so much, from poverty to unfair treatment! And now you come here with this little and expect us to fall at your feet with gratitude?!! You are new to your post. It seems you haven't been properly taught to stay inside there before you get hurt by one of us !!"

"Is that a threat to her Royal Highness?!!" one of the soldiers barked angrily behind me, taking a few steps forward, which caused the few people who had gathered to take several scared steps back.

Quickly, I stopped him in his tracks and gave him a firm stare to stop interfering

"Yes, I am new to this place, which means I do not know much, but the few I know make me sad and determined to make a change. I do not wish for any trouble but peace. I want to provide and protect you all. That's my duty, and I will do everything within me to do just that." I explained genuinely, but the man who had spoken gave a loud scoff of doubt, breaking my heart into pieces immediately.

"please just give me a chance, and I promise not to let you all down."

"Just leave this place, Your Highness!! We do not need your sympathy for our boring speech" a man suddenly says from within the crowd

"yes, leave! Leave! Leave! leave !"

They all began to chant aggressively and loudly, moving closer to us. With this, the soldiers immediately pushed me behind them and drew out their weapons. This simple action caused a roar from the crowd as they began to throw fruits at me

Quickly, one of the guards lifted me and began to run towards the carriage. As soon as I was secured, we left my heart in my throat in both fear and disappointment from the day.