The palace didn't sleep.
Not really.
Even in the dead of night, when the halls grew quieter and the torches dimmed, something restless lingered in the air-like the entire kingdom was alive, breathing in the dark.
Lyra stood by her window again.
She hadn't slept.
Not even for a moment.
The forest outside stretched endlessly, shadows
weaving between the trees like silent watchers. Every now and then, a distant howl echoed
through the night-low, haunting, reminding her exactly where she was.
Among beasts.
Her fingers tightened slightly against the cold stone of the window frame.
"Three days..." she murmured.
Now two.
The thought settled heavily in her chest.
Not fear.
Never fear.
But something sharper.
Anticipation.
Annoyance.
A quiet anger that refused to fade.
A soft knock broke the silence.
Lyra didn't turn.
"Enter."
The door creaked open slowly.
Footsteps followed-light, careful.
"Princess...?"
A different voice this time.
Softer.
Younger.
Lyra glanced over her shoulder.
A girl stood near the door, clearly a servant, her posture hesitant but not as stiff as the others.
She held a folded set of clothes in her hands.
"I was told to bring this for tomorrow," she said, stepping forward nervously.
Lyra turned fully now, her gaze sweeping over the girl.
Unlike the others, she didn't look at Lyra with disdain.
Just... curiosity.
"...Leave it there," Lyra said, gesturing toward the
bed.
The girl obeyed quickly, placing the fabric down with care.
But she didn't leave.
Lyra noticed.
"You have something to say," she said calmly.
The girl startled slightly, then lowered her head. "I
-no, I just..."
She hesitated.
Then, quietly-
"You shouldn't trust them."
Lyra's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Who?"
The girl swallowed. "Anyone."
A pause.
"They don't accept you," she added softly. "Not here. Not... like this.
Lyra studied her for a moment.
"I already know that," she replied.
The girl looked up briefly, surprised.
Lyra's expression didn't change.
"But thank you," she added after a second.
Then she nodded quickly. "Goodnight, Princess."
The girl blinked, clearly not expecting that.
And just like that, she slipped out of the room.
Lyra stood there in silence.
"...Not everyone is the same," she murmured.
But that didn't change anything.
This place was still hostile.
Still dangerous.
Still-
A prison.
The next morning came too quickly.
Lyra stepped into the palace halls, dressed
simply but elegantly, her expression calm as ever.
But the moment she appeared-
The whispers began.
"They really brought a human..."
"She doesn't even bow..."
"Does she think she's equal to us?"
Lyra walked past them like they didn't exist.
Because to her-
They didn't.
She turned a corner-
And stopped
Kael stood there.
↓
Leaning slightly against the stone wall, arms
crossed, as if he had been waiting.
Of course he had.
His golden eyes lifted the moment she appeared.
Silent.
Observing.
Judging.
Lyra didn't hesitate.
She walked forward.
Straight toward him.
"You're in my way," she said calmly.
Kael didn't move.
Lyra stopped just a step away from him.
Close.
Too close.
"Then move," she said.
A pause.
Then-
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"No."
Lyra stared at him.
Unimpressed.
Annoyed.
"...Are all werewolves this childish?" she asked.
Kael's eyes darkened slightly.
"And are all humans this disrespectful?"
"Only to those who deserve it."
Silence.
Sharp.
Tense.
Kael pushed himself off the wall slowly, stepping closer.
Now there was barely any space between them.
Lyra could feel it-
That overwhelming presence.
That quiet, dangerous power.
But she didn't step back..
Not even an inch.
Kael tilted his head slightly, studying her.
"You don't know when to stop," he said.
Lyra's gaze didn't waver.
"And you don't know how to be decent."
For a second-
Something flickered in his eyes.
Then-
A low voice echoed down the corridor
"Kael"
They both turned.
The same woman from yesterday approached-
the one with the mocking smile.
Her gaze landed on Lyra instantly.
Still cold.
Still sharp.
"I see our guest is making herself comfortable," she said lightly.
Lyra didn't respond.
Kael's expression hardened slightly.
"What do you want?" he asked.
The woman stepped closer, her eyes flicking
between them.
"Just checking on the future queen," she said.
The way she said it-
It wasn't respect.
It was mockery.
Lyra noticed.
Of course she did.
"And what do you think?" Lyra asked suddenly.
The woman blinked slightly.
Lyra took a step forward.
Her voice calm.
"But firm."
"Am I everything you expected?"
A pause.
Then-
The woman smiled.
"No," she said. "You're worse."
The insult hung in the air.
Waiting.
Testing.
Lyra's lips curved faintly.
"Good," she replied. "I'd hate to disappoint."
The tension snapped.
The woman's smile faltered for just a second.
But she recovered quickly.
"...We'll see how long that confidence lasts," she
said coldly.
Then she turned and walked away.
Silence followed.
Lyra exhaled quietly.
Unbothered.
Or at least-
Pretending to be.
Kael watched her.
Closely.
"You enjoy provoking them," he said.
Lyra glanced at him.
"They enjoy underestimating me," she replied,
A pause.
Then-
Kael spoke again.
"You should be careful."
The words were quieter this time.
Less sharp.
Lyra noticed.
But didn't react.
"I thought you didn't care," she said.
Kael's expression went cold again instantly.
"I don't."
There it was.
Back to normal.
Lyra nodded slightly.
"Good," she said. "Because I don't need your
concern."
She stepped past him.
He didn't stop her.
But as she walked away-
Kael's gaze lingered.
Longer than it should have.
"...Annoying," he muttered under his breath.
And yet-
He didn't look away.
That evening-
The palace prepared for the wedding.
Servants rushed through the halls.
Decorations were brought out.
The atmosphere shifted.
Tense.
Anticipating.
Because tomorrow-
Everything would change