The Fate Of The World Is In My Hands, But All I Want To Do Is Eat! - Chapter 443

Chapter 443: Still don’t unlock

The other dogs circled curiously, their paws shuffling on the stone, but none pressed too hard.

They seemed to sense her gentleness, approaching one by one for their turn. Lilah laughed more freely now, reaching out and patting them carefully, her cane forgotten at her side.

“They feel so different from Oscar,” she murmured. “Oscar is… majestic. These ones are… playful.”

“Exactly,” Kael said, watching the scene with softened eyes. “Oscar guards the soul of our pack. But these dogs… they guard the land and bring back food. They’re hunters.”

“And now…” Lilah paused as one dog licked her wrist. “Now they’re my friends too.”

Kael’s chest tightened at her words. Her laughter rang through the garden like sunlight scattering through leaves. For a moment, he almost forgot the weight of leadership, the endless responsibilities.

He bent down slightly, his lips near her ear. “You’re amazing, Lilah. They never take to strangers so quickly.”

Her cheeks flushed. “It’s not me… they’re just kind.”

“No,” Kael whispered. “It is you.”

He pressed a kiss to her temple, and though Lilah’s heart hammered wildly, she didn’t pull away.

The dogs barked again, running circles around them as though to celebrate their new Luna, and Kael thought to himself.

Yes. This is the life I want her to know. This warmth. This joy. If only she could see…

Kael walked her back slowly, her hand resting on his arm, the faint scent of the garden still clinging to them.

On the way, they ran into Tyler.

For a moment, the air turned stiff. Was this a confrontation?

Kael wanted to speak up before Tyler did something mean again but to their surprise, Tyler lowered his head respectfully.

“I apologize,” he said. “I’ve reflected on my actions. I’ll keep my eyes on her still, but only for my own selfish satisfaction. To further tell myself that I was wrong.”

Lilah blinked at him before her lips curved into a small smile.

“I… I don’t mind. I’d like to prove to you that I’m not what you think I am. I’m just… ordinary.”

She knew he suspected her to be a witch. His actions, the way he looked at her and the way the glow in his heart dimmed each time… He definitely didn’t like her.

But there seemed to be hope this time.

Hope…

Tyler bowed again and excused himself, his steps brisk as he left them.

Kael glanced down at her.

“You’re kind… even to someone who doubted you from the very start.”

Her smile widened, gentle and light.

“He was only worried for you and for the pack. He meant no harm.” She said. “They say it’s better to the safe than sorry so I understand his caution.”

“I know that,” Kael admitted, though his chest tightened faintly. “But weren’t you hurt by his words?”

Lilah shook her head.

“Not really. Words don’t matter when the heart behind them is in the right place.”

Kael fell quiet, studying her as they reached their room.

The innocence in her expression made him ache with both protectiveness and something deeper, something that threatened to spill if he let it.

Soon, it was time to bathe before dinner.

Lilah’s cheeks burned at the thought.

She would once again be in his care, his hands tending to her as if she were fragile glass.

Ah, her body tingled.

But she was able to get through it as she did the previous day.

When dinner time came, they made their way to the dinning hall.

The table was as bright and cheerful as breakfast had been. Lilah had missed lunch at the dinning table, because she was busy with her lessons, so she hadn’t known how the pack spent that time. She did eat a few sandwiches though.

But here, in this moment, she laughed and listened, warmed by the bond around her.

This was her home now.

Her new home.

And she was so, so happy.

Meanwhile, back at the dark and gloomy side of country U, where the eerie building of the vampires’ castle stood, was a young man. A young vampire prince, rather.

One who was taking quite an interest in the affairs going on in country X.

“My Lord,” Donald called as he stood before Lloyd, who was gazing at the cloudy sky and the blood-red moon like they held some sort of hidden meaning.

He was seated on a pavement, resting his back on the pillar and hanging his arm on one of his folded knees.

The cold night breeze blew across his dark hair, and his eyes reflected the bloody moon like a ruby.

Donald bowed, stretching the invitations in his hands towards him.

“The invitation for the annual festival being held by country X has arrived, My Lord.”

Lloyd turned his head and caught sight of two instead of one, with a golden envelope, unlike the grey that was used for the festival invitations.

“And what’s the other?” he asked.

“This… I do not know, My Lord,” Donald said, feeling his cold blood run even colder. “They did not say. I believe you’ll be able to find out once you open it.”

“Mm.” Lloyd turned from the moon and then stood up.

He walked towards Donald and then looked at the invitations. One grey and one golden.

It was obvious what the grey envelope contained, so he picked the golden envelope and opened it, burning the case with a red flame and turning it to dust in an instant.

He opened it and as soon as he saw what was written, he began to laugh, his hand on his face like a madman.

“Wow, what a twist. This never happened in the original.” He said, amidst his laugh, that sent chills down Donald’s stiff spine. “I’m looking forward to seeing many more changes, haha.”

His ruby eyes glistened.

“Now, should I go pick up my partner for this event?” He asked, his eyes darting away and the paper pressed on his lips. “I feel like this is going to be more exciting than the original, so I’d better keep my popcorn nearby.” Hr chuckled inwardly and Donald gulped.

‘His highness is saying vague things again.’

****

The days gradually went by with a steady packed schedule.

Lilah would wake up, walk around with Kael so she could memorize paths by the sound of the wind and the crunch of gravel underfoot.

She’d meet Oscar first and then go greet the dogs who adored her, return for breakfast, bathe beneath his careful hands, and then resume her lessons until evening.

And in Kael’s arms, sleep would claim her completely.

The days felt so good and peaceful that she never wanted them to end.

But today was different.

Today, Lilah was seated in the common hall with the pack in other to get familiar with thrm.

And one by one, they introduced themselves.

“I may not see,” Lilah began with her hands folded neatly in her lap, “…but once I hear a voice, I remember it forever. Even if you tried to disguise it, I’d still know you.” A small smile tugged at her lips. “So let’s begin properly. Please, tell me your names. And not only that, tell me who you are, what you do and what you think of me.”

A murmur swept the room. She lifted her chin slightly.

There were a few things she learned about being a Luna, being a queen.

And that was that the ideals and thoughts of the people matter a lot. Only when knowing what they think, will you be able to push forward in their favor.

But of course, not everyone can like you but at least, to gain their respect, one must try everything.

And only when it seems like everything is not enough, can you think of more extreme measures.

Some can only be moved with whips and lashes, after all.

“Don’t be afraid to be truthful.” She said. “I certainly won’t use it against you. If I don’t hear what’s truly in your hearts, I can’t learn how to become the Luna you deserve.” She placed her hand on her chest, showing her determination.

The first to step forward was a tall man with a deep, steady voice.

“I’m Rowan. I oversee patrols along the northern border.” He hesitated. “I don’t doubt your kindness, Lady Lilah, but…” His tone hardened. “Kindness alone doesn’t keep a pack safe. A blind Luna seems… impractical.”

A ripple of unease spread throughout the hall.

That truth was rather harsh but Lilah only inclined her head.

“Thank you for speaking honestly. And you’re right. Kindness won’t keep the pack safe.” Her smile warmed. “That’s why I’ll grow in other ways too. Give me time, Rowan—and then judge me again.”

Rowan’s lips parted. His jaw worked, but in the end, he stepped back, eyes a little wide with satisfaction.

Her response was more graceful than he thought.

The next was a younger woman, voice sharp as a whip. She was a Beta in the pack. One of the few warrior women who could go toe to toe with other Betas in battle.

To her, a Luna had to be someone like Ophelia.