Chapter 81

Chapter 81
Emily's POV

Five Days later...

The courtyard bustled from the arrival of guests. They moved in groups, their laughter and camaraderie weaving through the evening atmosphere.

Inside the royal dressing room, Brielle and the handmaidens, and the royal stylist worked harmoniously to get me ready for my big day.

A knock rapped on the door and Leia walked into the room. She was already dressed for the occasion, styled in a sleeveless dark blue gown. It hugged her form elegantly. Her hair was styled into a crown halo, making her look every bit the Noblewoman she was.

"You look absolutely breathtaking, My Lady, Goddess above! You were born for this, Leia purred as she crossed the room and joined me before the tall mirror

"Hello, Lady Leia." I greeted, taking in her radiant appearance. "You look absolutely fabulous."

"In this?" she asked, teasingly lifting the hem of her gown. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," I affirmed.

She grinned. "Randolph chose everything himself-the dress, the shoes, the necklace. He insists I look impeccable in them.

"And you do," I confirmed. My gaze swept over her before something on her neck caught my attention. My breath hitched. "Is that?"

Leia let out a delighted laugh and nodded. "Yes, it is. Randolph marked me last night, she confessed, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

A gasp slipped from my lips. Before I realized what was happening, I was pulling her into my arms. "That's Incredible!

Leia laughed and stepped back. She rubbed her tummy. "I still can't believe it," she admitted, reaching for the mark on her neck with her free hand, as if confirming it was really there. "If happened so fast. One moment, we were talking, sprawled on the bed and the next... he claimed me."

My heart constricted with warmth for her. "I'm so happy for you!" I gasped. "You deserve this, Leia."

Lela's eyes shone with unshed tears. "Thank you so much. Tonight? It's your turn to be celebrated." She gave me a playful nudge. "How does it feel? You're about to become Calix's Luna officially,"

I let out a breathy chuckle before a swirl of emotions settled in my chest. "It feels overwhelming but in the best Way

Lela smirked. "Well, you look the part" She stepped back, taking in my reflection In the tall mirror. "Calix is going to lose his mind when he sees you."

Speaking of Calix. I haven't seen him since this morning. Days ago, he'd returned from his short trip the next day, In the morning, while I was still asleep. But it wasn't just that trip. I have a strong feeling there was something else he was keeping from me-something everyone else in this castle knew except me.

"Have you seen Calix?" I asked.

Leia shook her head. "No," she replied "But I saw him leaving the castle about an hour age

"Did he tell you where he was going?"

"No," she replied, but there it was again that fleeting hesitation in her eyes, the subtle giveaway that she wasn't being entirely truthful.

Exhaling, I turned back to the mirror, allowing the handmaidens and the stylist to resume their work.

The handmaidens adjusted the gold sash around my waist while the stylist secured the final pins in my braided hair. Leia reached for my necklace on the table and fastened it to the nape of my neck.

Done, they stepped back, allowing me a full view of myself in the tall mirror. The woman staring back at me looked bath elegant and regal. For the ceremony, I was dressed in a breathtaking black gown adorned with intricate gold embroidery. The fabric was off-shoulder, baring my collarbones, its hem cascading around me like liquid silk.

My hair, styled into a long fishtail braid, was woven with thin golden ribbons and held in place by fanciful pins. A few soft tendrils were left to frame my face, giving me an air of gentle sophistication.

Suddenly, my thoughts drifted to them and a wave of melancholy swept through me. My gaze faltered. My parents. Was it wrong that I still ached for their presence despite everything I'd endured at their hands?

For a moment, I recalled what life was like in Azalea Castle, when I was a little girl, before my nightmares became constant

We used to be one happy family. Every moment. felt cherished, was, filled with fun and adventures.

My parents, though burdened with the responsibilities of the kingdom, always made time for me. And then we lost it-that happy family, the bond that used to bind us together. After I failed to shift, they joined the rest of the kingdom in believing I needed fixing.

Was it bad that, despite all of that, I still wished they were here? My mother giving me her blessings and my father walking me down the aisle to meet with Calix?

Fresh tears threatened my eyes. I gulped, squaring my shoulders and straightening my stance. A firm knock sounded on the door.

We turned as one of the guards stepped inside and bowed. "My Lady, the visitors are here to see you."

Visitors?

My brow furrowed as confusion settled in my chest. Who would come visit me now, just before the ceremony? And why aren't they headed towards the Sacred Moonlit Court just like everyone else?

Before I could voice my questions, the guard stepped aside and absolutely no one but my parents stepped into the room.

My breath hitched. My fingers clutching the fabric of my gown as my eyes widened with shock.

"Mother?" I gasped. "Father?"

My mother's eyes watered as she took another step forward. My father stood beside her, his usually composed expression filled with emotions I couldn't quite place

For a heartbeat, no one moved. No one spoke.

Then, the dam inside me broke.

I surged forward, my gown swishing around me as I threw myself into my mother's arms. A sob tore through my throat as I clung to her, the warmth of her embrace shattering the walls had tried so hard to build ever since they left me off at Cathena.

Her arms wrapped around me tightly, and she sobbed. "My sweet girl." She pressed a trembling kiss to my hair. "We're here."

Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face. I hugged her very tight.

I straightened from the hug and gazed at my father.

Emily, I know no words can erase the pain I've caused you, no excuse worthy snough to justify my failures," he said. "I let my duty, my fears, and my mistakes blind me to what truly mattered. I let you suffer humiliation, demoted and left you off in Cathena when more than anything, I should have defended you and kept you safe.

"I'm deeply sorry. I know my apology cannot undo the past. But if there is any chance-any hope that it can, I will spend the rest of our days proving to you that I'm still the father who loves you beyond words. Your mother and I will do everything in our power to make up for the past.

"We're truly sorry, Emily," my mother chimed in.

My tears likened to a waterfall. The more I tried to stop them, the more they came In torrents. Brielle stepped forward with a handkerchief, gave it to me and fell back to a comer, to stand with the rest.

dabbed my tears and took a deep, steadying breath.

"I won't pretend you didn't hurt me. I won't pretend that the past didn't happen. You abandoned me when I needed you the most. However, you're my parents.

No matter how much I tried to push it away, a part of me never stopped hoping that one day, you'd come back for me."

"Can we start again?" my father asked.

Irushed into his arms and sobbed. "Yes," I repliede

Seconds later, my mother joined us, looping her arms around us. "Thank you, Emily," she whispered.

Happiness shimmered inside me. We stayed like this for a while as the world adjusted to our reconciliation, until a bell rang in a distant.

Leia gasped and clapped her hands. "It's time!"

Smiling, my parents and I straightened from our not-so-small hug.

Oh, no," my mother rasped. "Emily, we need to readjust your makeup."

I looked into the mirror. Good grief, my face was a disaster. The delicate kohl lining my eyes had streaked, leaving faint trails down my cheeks. My mother brought out her handkerchief. She dabbed away the smudges. She tugged me gently to the dressing table, and reapplied a light touch of powder on my face

"There you go," she said finally, giving me a proud smile. "As beautiful as ever."

My father took a step forward and brought forward a crooked arm. "Are you ready?" he asked.

I took one last glance in the mirror, smoothing my gown before striding to him. "Yes, I am," 1 replied and accepted his invite.

My heart pounded as my father and I waited outside the Sacred Moonlit Court, The bell had stopped ringing.

Inside the court, the guests sat quietly in their respective seats.

From where I stood, I could see Calix under the ceremonial arch facing the altar. He was captivatingly handsome as always, dressed in an opulent black brocade tunic that fitted his broad frame. His tunic was adorned with beautiful golden embroidery in the shape of intertwining wolves and lunar sigils.

Over the tunic, he wore a long, high-collared cloak made from the richest velvet. And beneath a pair of trousers made of dark, supple leather, neatly tucked into a pair of finely-polished knee-high black boots.

He wore black leather gauntlets with designs of ancient runes. And a leather belt which featured an elaborate golden buckle-a crest of the Nirian royal Lycan Lineage.

Suddenly, a tiny bell rang inside the court and the gathering rose to their feet in unison

Calix, who had been facing the high priest at the altar, turned and faced the assembly. The gathering bowed to him and just as the choir started a beautiful howling hymn, all eyes darted to the entrance of the court, to where my father and I stood.