Chapter 133 Royal Protocol
POV: Luna
The next morning, I was summoned to the Headmaster's office before breakfast.
This couldn't be good.
When I arrived, Professor Cael was there along with the Headmaster.
"Miss Eclipse," the Headmaster began. "We need to discuss your new responsibilities."
"I'm already protecting the Princess. What more do you want?"
"Proper protocol. You can't protect her if you accidentally cause a diplomatic incident."
"A what?"
Professor Cael pulled out a thick book. "Royal pack hierarchy is complex. There are rules about eye contact, speech patterns, territory boundaries. One misstep could insult not just Princess Selene, but her entire kingdom."
"You're joking."
"I'm not. This is serious, Luna."
They spent the next hour drilling me on protocol.
Don't make direct eye contact unless the royal initiates it. Don't speak unless spoken to in formal settings. Don't challenge their authority publicly. Don't enter their space without permission.
It was exhausting.
"This is insane," I finally said. "Selene and I are bonded. We're supposed to work together. How can we do that if I'm constantly worried about breaking some random rule?"
"You adapt," the Headmaster said. "And you learn quickly. Princess Selene's life depends on it."
After the meeting, I went straight to find my friends.
They were in the common room, already eating breakfast.
"How was the royal protocol lecture?" Nova asked.
"Horrible. Did you know I'm not supposed to sit in her presence unless she gives permission?"
"That's ridiculous."
"That's royalty."
Aria frowned. "How are you supposed to protect her if you can't act naturally?"
"I have no idea. But apparently, I have to figure it out or risk starting a war."
"Dramatic much?" Lyric asked.
"That's what the Headmaster said. Multiple packs are watching Selene. Any slight against her is a slight against the Northern Kingdom."
Sienna looked thoughtful. "We should practice. Run through different scenarios."
"You're kidding."
"I'm serious. If this is really that important, we need to prepare you."
They spent the next hour making me practice formal greetings.
Nova played the Princess, adopting an exaggerated haughty accent.
"Good morning, Miss Eclipse. You may approach."
I walked forward, trying to remember the proper distance. Too close was presumptuous. Too far was insulting.
"Good morning, Your Highness."
"Wrong!" Aria said. "You made eye contact. That's a challenge to her authority."
"We're literally bonded! How is looking at her a challenge?"
"Because royal protocol is stupid," Nova said, dropping the accent. "But we still have to deal with it."
We ran through the exercise a dozen more times.
By the end, I was ready to scream.
"Why is this so complicated?" I groaned.
"Because powerful people like complicated rules," Sienna said. "It keeps everyone else beneath them."
"Well, I hate it."
"We know. But you're stuck with it."
A knock on the door interrupted us.
Cole stepped in, looking amused. "Heard you were having royal protocol training. Mind if I join?"
"Please. Maybe you can explain why this is necessary."
He sat beside me. "It's political theater. The Northern Kingdom wants to see that Silverwood respects their Princess. That means following their rules."
"Even if the rules are stupid?"
"Especially if the rules are stupid."
I slumped back on the couch. "This year is already exhausting and it's only day two."
Cole pulled me close. "Want some private tutoring? I know a lot about royal customs. Might be easier one on one."
Through our bond, I felt his amusement. And something else. He was enjoying having an excuse to spend more time with me.
"Fine," I said. "But if you laugh at me even once, I'm out."
"Deal."
We went to his office. It was small but comfortable, filled with combat equipment and tactical books.
"Okay," he said. "Let's start with the basics. Why does royal protocol exist?"
"To make everyone's life difficult?"
"To establish hierarchy. Wolves are pack animals. We need to know our place in the social order."
"I know my place. I'm Luna Eclipse, Eclipse wolf, destroyer of dark mages."
"And Princess Selene is heir to an entire kingdom. In the social hierarchy, she outranks you."
"That's ridiculous. I saved the world last year."
"Doesn't matter. She was born royal. You weren't."
I wanted to argue, but I could see his point.
Frustrating as it was, Selene's political position was powerful.
"Fine," I said. "So how do I navigate this without losing my mind?"
"You find the balance. Formal in public. Natural in private. Selene doesn't want a servant. She wants a protector and maybe a friend."
"How do you know?"
"Because I've dealt with royal wolves before. They're lonely. Isolated. Everyone around them follows protocol instead of treating them like real people."
I thought about Selene. About the vulnerability I'd glimpsed yesterday.
He was right.
"So I'm formal when others are watching. But when it's just us, I treat her normally?"
"Exactly. She'll appreciate it more than you think."
We spent the next hour going over scenarios. How to handle formal dinners. How to navigate pack politics. How to protect her without overstepping.
By the end, I felt slightly more prepared.
"Thanks," I said. "This actually helped."
"Anytime." He pulled me close. "And for what it's worth, I think you'll do great. You always do."
"Even when I'm terrified and have no idea what I'm doing?"
"Especially then."
He kissed me, slow and sweet.
Through our bond, I felt his confidence in me. His absolute certainty that I could handle this.
It helped. More than he probably knew.
A sharp knock interrupted us.
We pulled apart as Professor Cael opened the door.
"Luna. Princess Selene requests your presence. Immediately."
My stomach dropped. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. She simply wishes to speak with you."
"Did she say why?"
"Royals don't explain themselves to professors. Now go."
I followed Professor Cael to Selene's suite.
A servant opened the door and led me to a sitting room.
Selene was there, looking regal in a deep blue dress.
"Miss Eclipse. Thank you for coming."
"You summoned me. I didn't have much choice."
"True. Please, sit."
I sat, remembering to maintain proper distance.
Selene studied me for a moment. "I wanted to apologize."
That surprised me. "For what?"
"For being difficult yesterday. I was testing you."
"Testing me how?"
"To see if you'd stand up to me. Most people don't. They're too afraid or too eager to please." She smiled slightly. "But you argued. Challenged me. That's what I need in a protector."
"So the haughty princess act was fake?"
"Partially. I am a princess. But I'm also just a girl trying to survive." She gestured to her wrist, where the sigil glowed faintly. "This bond we share. Do you know what it means?"
"The Headmaster said our fates are intertwined."
"It's more than that. This is a Guardian Bond. Ancient magic used to bind protectors to royalty. It means you're not just my bodyguard. You're my shield. My sword. My anchor."
"That sounds intense."
"It is. But it also means I can trust you. Completely. The bond won't allow betrayal."
I looked at my own sigil. "Did you do this? Create the bond?"
"No. The bond chooses itself. It found you worthy."
"Lucky me."
She laughed. "Indeed. But it also means we need to work together. Truly together. Not as princess and servant."
"I can do that."
"Good. Because there's something you should know." Her expression became serious. "The assassination attempts. They're not random. Someone specific is targeting me."
"Who?"
"I don't know. But they're powerful. Organized. And they won't stop until I'm dead."
"Why?"
"Because I'm the heir. If I die, my younger brother becomes king. And he's easily manipulated."
"So this is about controlling the Northern Kingdom."
"Exactly. Which is why I need you to be vigilant. Trust no one. Not even people who seem friendly."
"What about my pack? Can I trust them?"
"Your bonded pack? Yes. The Guardian Bond recognizes true loyalty. But others?" She shook her head. "Be careful, Luna. This school isn't as safe as it seems."
A shiver ran down my spine.
"You're scaring me."
"Good. Fear keeps you alert." She stood. "That's all for now. You're dismissed."
I stood and headed for the door.
"Luna?"
I turned back.
She was smiling. A real, genuine smile. "Thank you. For accepting this burden. I know you didn't want it."
"No. But I'll do my best anyway."
"That's all I ask."
I left her suite and headed back to my dorm.
The hallways were quiet. Most students were in class or at lunch.
But I felt it again. That sensation of being watched.
I turned quickly.
A figure stood at the end of the hallway. Hooded. Still.
"Who are you?" I called out.
No answer.
The figure turned and walked away, disappearing around a corner.
I ran after them, but when I reached the corner, they were gone.
My mark burned. The Guardian Bond pulsing in warning.
Someone was watching. Waiting.
And they were closer than I thought.