Chapter 32 - Secrets

I returned to my room and found Chant there, organizing my belongings as best as she could.

"I was so relieved when I heard," she rushed to hug me, and I reciprocated the gesture.

"I thought he was going to send me away," I spoke honestly.

"I was sure he wouldn't. Have you seen the way he looks at you?" I shook my head, thinking she was going crazy.

"I'm serious! Whenever you're around, the king seems to calm down. All the staff is talking about it." I looked at her seriously.

"And what else are they saying?" I needed to know about the other contenders to prepare for tomorrow.

"They say Miss Freya is a well of arrogance. She's never satisfied with anything and wants everything done yesterday. No one can stand her anymore, and they were sad to know she wasn't eliminated." She sat down next to me on the bed. "As for Ember, she's been offering some favors around to get information from the king."

"Favors? What do you mean, favors?" I was shocked by her revelation.

"Favors, Miss Bass." She got up from the bed and adjusted her dress, making me put my hands over my mouth.

"Do you think she and the king...?" My heart was pounding, and I was sure the whole castle could hear it.

"They're saying yes. She won't spare any effort to win." I slumped on the bed, feeling defeated.

"How can I compete against that?" I brought my hands to my face. "I haven't even let him kiss me."

"HE TRIED TO KISS YOU?"

"Shhhhhh, don't shout. The walls have ears." She rushed to me, and I noticed her curious eyes.

"He tried, but I dodged it. Did I do something wrong?" She tilted her head to the side, analyzing me.

"I don't think so, Miss. Otherwise, he would have sent you away too."

After hearing Chant's words, I felt a little relieved. She was my confidante and always supported me, even in the most difficult situations. Her presence was comforting amidst all the pressure of the competition.

"You did the right thing by dodging the kiss, Miss. It's important to stay true to yourself and not succumb to pressure just to please the king," Chant advised with a approving look. "What matters is that the king chose you as one of the finalists, which shows he's interested in getting to know you better."

"I hope so," I sighed, feeling the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. "But with the other contenders using tactics like that, I feel like I'm at a disadvantage."

Chant approached and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Miss. The king is not looking for someone who offers favors or plays games. He's looking for a genuine companion, someone who understands and supports him. I'm sure you have unique qualities that will enchant him."

Her words comforted me, but I still felt a lump in my throat. The competition was becoming fiercer, and I didn't know if I could handle the intrigues and political games of the other contenders.

"I know it's tough but try to focus on being yourself and showing the king who you really are. Don't try to be someone you're not just to impress him," Chant advised.

"You're right. I just need to be myself, and if he chooses me, it'll be because he likes who I really am," I replied, feeling a bit more confident.

I decided to walk through the palace to clear my mind and try to gather my thoughts. The tension from yesterday and today's events had shaken me, and I needed to remind myself of who I was and why I was there.

I sat on the stairs on the side of the palace, a place accessible only to maids and servants, but for me, it was the closest I could get to nature.

I tried to reconnect with my inner wolf and feel the presence of my pups. Peace flooded within me, and I felt that everything was going to be okay.

When I returned inside, I found the king crossing the same hall I had just accessed. I curtsied, and he slowed down and came towards me. I could see the urgency in his eyes.

"Are you alright?" I asked as soon as he got closer, but I received no response. He held my face and kissed me fervently. His lips seemed urgent. I couldn't resist his touch and held onto him as tightly as I could.

Our kiss lasted an eternity and ended too quickly. When the king pulled away, his eyes were filled with a mixture of passion and fear.

"I'm relieved that you're safe," he whispered, his voice slightly hoarse from emotion. "I couldn't bear the thought of losing you."

I felt a shiver down my spine, and my cheeks blushed at his sincere words. I didn't know how to react, but I let the honesty of his words penetrate my heart.

"I'm relieved too that we're alright," I replied with a shy smile.

The king looked at me for a moment as if he was about to say something, but he seemed to reconsider his words. Instead, he gently caressed my cheek.

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to come to me. I want you to feel safe here," he said with a protective look.

"Thank you, Eldric," I murmured, feeling comforted by his words.

He smiled again and nodded, as if he was about to say something else, but before he could speak, we were interrupted by hurried footsteps approaching us.

"King Eldric, we have urgent news," Connor, the messenger, said as he reached us.

Eldric diverted his gaze to Connor, and a serious expression returned to his face. I could instantly feel the change in the atmosphere.

"What happened?" the king asked, concerned.

"They're hunting your candidates, sir. It seems they want to eliminate them before the final ceremony," Connor informed, gasping for breath.

My heart raced within my chest, and I felt a chill run down my spine. It was as if reality hit us hard, reminding us that we were not immune to the dangers lurking around the kingdom.

"We will protect them all at any cost," Eldric declared, determined.

I knew that even in the face of challenges and threats, he would do everything in his power to ensure the safety of his contenders. The king turned to me with a serious but caring look.

"Rachel, you'll be under special protection from now on. No one will harm you as long as I'm in charge," he said firmly.

I felt grateful and relieved for his words, but I also knew that the challenge had only just begun. We were during a dangerous game, and I would need to stay strong and vigilant to face any obstacles that came our way.