Chapter 80 Welcome Or A Test?

Chapter 80 Welcome Or A Test?
APOLLO'S POV

As we entered, the people erupted into cheers, their voices echoing against the high stone walls. Some threw petals into the air, showering us in blossoms of white and gold. Others bowed low, pressing their foreheads to the ground in reverence. Children peeked from behind their mothers’ skirts, their eyes wide with awe as they looked at us.

King Theoron stepped forward, his gaze steady on me, but when he looked at Reika, his expression softened. “Welcome home, my daughter,” He said, his voice deep and resonant, carrying easily over the crowd. 

Then his eyes shifted back to me, assessing, weighing, as if he were measuring every breath I took. “And welcome, Alpha Apollo of the Thunder Howl.”

He extended his hand, regal and firm. I clasped it, feeling the strength behind his grip. The entire courtyard seemed to hold its breath at that moment, the Lycan King and the Alpha standing together.

The cheers rose again, louder this time, and I glanced at Reika. She was radiant, her hand resting gently on her stomach, her eyes shining as the people of Aurelia celebrated her return. For the first time, I felt not like an outsider, but as though perhaps the Moon Goddess truly had woven our paths together for something greater.

King Theoron himself led us through the winding corridors of the palace, his steps deliberate, his presence filling the silence between us. When he stopped before a pair of towering doors carved with the image of a crescent moon, he gestured for them to be opened.

"I hope you both like this room. I especially had the servants decorate it to your liking," King Theoron said as he pointed to the room for us to get in.

The room revealed to us was unlike anything I had ever seen. It was vast, with high ceilings painted with constellations in silver and gold. Heavy velvet drapes framed tall windows that overlooked the sprawling gardens of Aurelia, where fountains glittered in the sun and roses bloomed in perfect rows.

A grand bed stood at the center, its frame carved from dark oak, dressed in silken sheets of ivory and embroidered with threads that shimmered faintly in the light. Tapestries lined the walls, each one depicting scenes of Aurelia’s victories, its legacy woven into every thread.

"My King, I appreciate everything. I am certain Reika and I will have a good rest in this room," I reassured the King that his efforts won't go to waste. He nodded in response.

The air smelled faintly of lavender and sandalwood, calming yet regal. But what caught Reika’s attention most was the adjoining chamber. The King had asked the servants to prepare a room for our child. Its walls were painted a soft silver-blue, adorned with delicate motifs of stars and moons. A cradle, polished to a gleam, rested near the window, draped in sheer fabric that seemed to glow in the afternoon light. Shelves already held tiny garments, blankets, and carved wooden toys.

"Father, thank you for doing this for our child. This room is beautiful," Reika said, beaming with joy.

Her hand instinctively pressed against her stomach. Her eyes glistened with emotion, and for a moment, even I felt the weight of the King’s gesture; it was more than hospitality. It was an acknowledgment of our future.

The welcome was only the beginning. By evening, Reika and I were escorted into the grand hall of Aurelia’s palace for the banquet prepared in our honor. I had heard of the Lycan Kingdom’s wealth and power, but what I saw surpassed even my imagination.

The hall stretched endlessly, its vaulted ceilings painted with silver constellations that seemed to shimmer under the light of countless chandeliers. Golden sconces lined the walls, each one lit with enchanted flame that burned steadily and bright, casting a warm glow upon the marble floors. At the far end stood a dais draped in banners of midnight blue, embroidered with the crest of Aurelia, the crescent moon wreathed in radiant flame. Long tables filled the space, laden with dishes that overflowed with roasted meats, exotic fruits, golden breads, and goblets of wine that gleamed like liquid fire.

The scent of spices and herbs filled the air, mingling with the hum of hundreds of voices. Every noble, warrior, and elder in Aurelia seemed to be gathered there, their eyes fixed on us as we entered.

Reika walked beside me, her head held high, her beauty radiant in the soft light of the hall. I caught the pride in her father’s eyes as he looked upon her, though his face quickly hardened when his gaze shifted to me. King Theoron led us to the high table at the dais, where seats had been prepared at his right hand, for Reika and for me.

As we took our places, a hush fell over the hall. The King rose, lifting his goblet high.

“Tonight, we welcome home my daughter, Princess Reika of Aurelia,” he declared, his voice carrying with the weight of command, filling every corner of the chamber. “And by her side, Alpha Apollo of the Thunder Howl. Together, they stand before us as bondmates, chosen by the Moon Goddess herself.”

The hall erupted into cheers, goblets raised, voices echoing with respect. 
I felt the weight of their eyes on me, not just curious, but measuring, assessing if I was truly worthy to sit at their King’s side.

When the noise quieted, the council began to rise one by one. The first was a tall, broad-shouldered man with hair the color of steel. “I am Lord Kaelen, Master of Arms and commander of Aurelia’s legions. It is my honor to welcome you both,” he said, bowing low before Reika and me.

Next was a woman robed in deep crimson, her eyes sharp as a hawk’s. 
“Lady Seraphine, Keeper of Lore and Seer of the Council. The Moon’s light shines upon you both this night,” she said, her voice melodic yet edged with wisdom that seemed to pierce through me.

One after another, they came forward, Lords, Ladies, Generals, and Scribes, each offering their respect with bows and words heavy with tradition. Even as they greeted me warmly, I felt the weight of their scrutiny, as if every syllable they spoke was another measure of my worth.

The feast itself was unlike any I had known. Musicians played upon gilded harps and silver flutes, their melodies weaving through the hall like threads of starlight. Dancers in silken garments spun gracefully, their movements mimicking the cycles of the moon. Plates were piled high before us, goblets filled again and again with Aurelia’s famed wines.

And yet, beneath the grandeur, I could feel the test beginning. The council members asked questions, subtle at first, about Thunder Howl, about my leadership, about the battles I had fought. Lord Kaelen pressed me about strategy and strength, while Lady Seraphine inquired about honor and prophecy. Each question was laced with hidden edges, their words polite but their eyes sharp.

I answered each one with calm conviction, never breaking gaze, never faltering. I spoke of the strength of Thunder Howl, of how my warriors had stood even when outnumbered. I spoke of loyalty, of justice, and of the bond Reika and I shared, the bond the Moon Goddess herself had blessed.

Through it all, Reika sat proudly at my side, her hand brushing mine under the table, her presence grounding me when the council pressed hardest. She was not just a princess that night; she was my anchor, my strength.

By the end of the evening, the council’s tone had softened. Respect had replaced suspicion, and though I knew the true test had only just begun, I had passed the first measure.

King Theoron oversaw me throughout it all, his expression unreadable. When the banquet ended, he rose once more, his voice deep and steady. “Tonight, Aurelia has welcomed you both with open arms. But know this, Alpha Apollo, tomorrow, we shall see what truly lies in your heart.”

The words were both promise and challenge, and I knew the real trial was yet to come.