100.

-HER-

I went back to the wing and took a bath before dressing up for the day. I felt so tired and sick that I had to lay down for a bit. I quickly got dressed and headed towards the courtroom. People were already starting to gather there and I felt their eyes linger on me.

I tried my best to ignore them as I scanned the crowd for the tall she-wolf. I was soon able to spot her, waiting by the courtroom door, talking to a man. It was the General. I realized it was her father. After he was done talking to Celeste, I approached her.

She silently nodded at me before we walked inside the courtroom together. It was easier to ignore all the stares when I was with her. Being with her, brought this strange sense of protection. We sat where we sat yesterday.

The only difference was that the other three wolves weren’t with us, especially Ares. For a moment, it made me emotional. I blinked away my tears and tried to focus on the moment instead. It was after all the minsters and wolves related to the court had assembled when the royal couple walked in.

Everyone stood up to greet them before bowing. After the royal couple settled on their throne, everyone took their seats. The sessions started shortly after. I was starting to get familiar with all the formalities and who was in charge of what.

If I had trouble understanding anything then I would ask Celeste. She would whisper and explain to me what was going on. Today most of the session focused on troops that Ezekyle had asked for and some problems related to crops.

“I don’t think it would be a great idea to send so many wolves to Ezekyle,” The General spoke, “I don’t want my men to go to proxy wars,” He added. I couldn’t help but glance at Celeste at the mention of Ezekyle’s name.

She simply had her hands crossed over her chest and was leaning back in her chair as she listened to the minister and the royal advisor debate on the issue.

“What war?” I asked her. At this, she looked at me and answered, “Ezekyle is at war with the dragons currently,”

“Why? What did they do to him?” I asked her. She shrugged and replied, “I am not sure but as far as I can tell, it’s a land dispute. The dragons are very notorious at occupying land,”

“I think we should send some men anyway,” Arles spoke this time, “My son and the members from his court are there already,” As he said that, his eyes drifted to us for a fraction of second.

“But do you think it would be safe to send the prince at war? That too on a proxy war and on behalf of another kingdom?” The Royal advisor questioned.

“I am fine with it,” The queen shrugged nonchalantly while I sat back and thought about it. It sounded very dangerous. I didn’t know what they were up to. I couldn’t help but feel more concerned. If only there was a way I could communicate with Ares.

Some more discussion took place on this matter before it was shifted to crops. It didn’t take very long for them to deal with it. After the session at the court was finished today, Celeste took me to the library where the queen of the wolves would be talking to me.

It made me nervous all of a sudden. I hadn’t talked to her in person before.

“It’s alright,” Celeste told me when she noticed how I was getting anxious, “She is very friendly and nice to everyone. You don’t have to worry about anything. Just do as she tells you to do,” Celeste tried to comfort me as I shuffled on my feet.

We were currently standing outside the library when we heard footsteps approaching us. I looked over the shoulder to find the queen of the wolves walking down the hallway towards us. I instantly froze as she stepped closer to us.

Nefret smiled at Celeste before she turned to me and chirped, “Hello, Arsinoe,”

“Hello,” I bowed my head slightly but she waved her hand at me and spoke, “That’s not necessary when it’s only us. We should get inside now and start talking about some fun stuff that would help you get through the problems we face in Zaeris,” She tried to warm us up.

“Alright, I’ll see in the evening then,” Celeste told me and she was about to leave but Nefret interfered soon, “Oh no, you’re not going anywhere, my dear Celeste. In fact, you'd be joining the two of us too,”

This made the she-wolf stop and look at Nefret in bewilderment, “I shall train you from now as well because I believe someday, you’d be someone’s queen as well,” She told Celeste. Meanwhile, I was standing there with shock and bewilderment decorating my face.

“Please… I-“ Celeste tried to excuse herself but Nefret simply shook her head at the tall she-wolf before she walked inside the library, “Follow me,” She spoke above her shoulder.

“Wow, she knows too?” I couldn’t help but ask Celeste as we entered the library.

“Only you and she know about this,” She muttered. I found myself staring at her. I knew the pain of rejection but I couldn’t start to wonder how it would be like to be rejected by your own mate. I think my world would have shattered if Ares ever rejected me.

I was already on the verge of killing myself after whatever Chefren and my brothers did to me. If it was Ares on their place, then I would have lost it.

Celeste didn’t deserve this pain. She was both powerful and graceful. She was very unique. I had never seen anyone like her before.

When the lycans visited yesterday to take away Ares and the other two wolves, I noticed how Celeste almost looked like a lycan. She was tall and she already had this aura that only belonged to the lycans.

She was both beautiful and very intelligent. I didn’t know why Ezekyle wouldn’t want her.

The rest of the afternoon, Nefret taught us some basic ways to command attention and respect from the subjects and also, how to take care of them.

Nefret turned out to very calm and benevolent in person. She didn’t seem like this when in court sessions or maybe it was because Arles was there too all the time. His brooding face and presence had the ability to spoil anything really spoilt teh effects of her charm.

By evening, I was very much tired and went straight to the wing to sleep. I woke up next morning feeling sick but I went to training anyway and attended the court sessions before going to the library with Celeste to learn things from Nefret.

The next few days passed like this. I was very tired by the end of the day and usually fell asleep the moment I touched the bed. Celeste was right. I didn't get much free time to miss Ares.

After almost a week had passed, I tried to talk to Celeste about Ezekyle but she still seemed ready to open up. One afternoon, when we were in the library with Nefret, Celeste finally spoke, "He doesn't want a queen. I am really wasting my time here,"

"A King might or might not want a Queen, Celeste but at some point, he definitely needs one," Nefret answered pensively. I didn't miss the emotions that were latched on her voice as she had said that. She had definitely said that from experience.