Chapter 206


    People exchanged looks in silence.


    “There is a problem,” said a deep voice from the crowd.


    A middle–aged man stood up from the long table in the middle. He had dark curly hair and a thick


    beard, dressed in a grey cloak.


    “And that problem is?” J asked.


    “You are not mated to the King yet. You haven’t had a proper ceremony. Hence, you are not


    qualified to sit on the Queen’s seat,” said the man.


    A faint smile appeared on J’s lips, “What is your name?”


    “…Elder Lamonte from the House of Shadow, mydy.”


    “OK then, Elder Lamonte. The decent thing for you to do is to arrange a seat for me before I arrive,


    instead of using me of sitting in the wrong seat when I can’t find a single ce to dine in this


    large dining hall. Don’t you agree?”


    Elder Lamonte cleared his throat, awkwardly.


    “My apology, Lady J.” he said, “I will have the servants arrange a seat for you right away. So


    please leave the King’s seat.”


    “Don’t bother.”


    J let out a coldugh.


    “I don’t feel like moving right now. Tonight, I am sitting right where I am.”


    People gasped.


    The dining hall erupted. There was an outbreak of mutterings and boos.


    “It is not your call to make!” Elder Lamonte said loudly over the noise, “If you keep acting like this, I


    am going to ask the guards to forcefully remove you from this dining hall-”


    Just then, the massive double door of the hall swung open with a cracking noise.


    A slim figure gracefully made her way into the room.


    “Don’t do that, father. Don’t ask Lady J to leave,” said this neer in a sweet


    voice.


    J looked over–it was Agnes.


    Elder Lamonte looked stunned, “But Agnes, sweetheart-”


    “Lady J is new to our world. We should wee her warmly instead of forcing our rules upon


    her. And I am sure Westin won’t mind his future wife taking his seat for just one night.”


    Agnes’s voice was soft and gentle, but it easily quieted down the entire hall.


    People seemed to respect her greatly.


    “But she just smashed you with a jug earlier today. She doesn’t deserve your kindness…” muttered


    a girl.


    Agnes smiled, “That was an ident. I have forgiven Lady J already. Now, why don’t we raise


    our sses together and toast to our future Queen?”


    She beckoned to a maid, who hurried over bringing her a ss of champagne. People all looked


    reluctant.


    Yet Agnes had already raised her ss.


    So out of their respect for Agnes, one by one, people picked up their sses and said


    in unison:


    “…To future Queen.”


    There was a clear hint of reluctance in their voice.


    J took a sip of her wine, looking at Agnes coldly.


    This Agnes was quite something.


    Either she was really a sweet and kind girl as she appeared, or she was in fact a master of


    deception.


    She was even better than Harper.


    Harper knew nothing but screaming, crying, and making a scene.


    Yet Agnes knew how to manipte people’s minds.


    By ying the innocent victim here, she had sessfully painted J as the bully.


    J knew that she should be extra careful while dealing with Agnes.


    The servants and maids filed in and brought food onto the table.


    J put her worries aside and started enjoying the dinner.


    It was quite a feast.


    The Lycans had great taste in food for one thing.


    Between the third course and dessert, Agnes walked up to the tform with a couple


    more girls.


    “Lady J,” Agnes curtseyed to J.


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    “Lady Agnes,” J nodded nonchntly.


    The girls didn’t seem willing but curtseyed to J anyway.


    “Allow me to introduce.” Agnes smiled, “This is Lady Issa from the House of Abyss, and Lady


    Kalinda from the House of Shadow-”


    J interrupted her, “House of Shadow?”


    Hours of Chadow and


    J interrupted her, “House of Shadow?”


    “The Elder Council had 3 houses, House of Light, House of Shadow and House of Abyss,” Agnes


    exined. “The elders and the royal family share this castle together.”


    J nodded.


    No wonder there were 3 long tables in this dining hall.


    Each house had its designated section.


    Agnes went around introducing all the girls and then turned back to J, “I just received a


    message from the King. There will be a Spring Ball in 5 days, a perfect opportunity for you to make


    your first appearance. The King wants us to prepare you for the ball-”


    “What is there to prepare for?” J leaned back in her chair and asked, “I know how to dance.”


    The girls exchanged a look of indignation


    “You need to work on your etiquette!” Issa snapped, “Or you will getughed at during the ball and


    bring shame to our King


    “Then it is the peopleughing at me who need a lesson on manner,” J sneered. The girls‘


    faces went red in anger.


    “You should be grateful that Lady Agnes is willing to spare her time and trim you! Kalinda said


    crossly, “She is sick, and her shoulders are injured thanks to you. If you


    ask me,


    she really shouldn’t be wasting her time on a barbarian like you


    “Kalinda, that is enough!” Agnes chided gently.


    J crossed her arms, looking at them one to the other, pondering


    “Lady J, please? Can you at least do this for me?


    Agnes begged, tears gleaming in her doe–like eyes.


    “King Westin gave this task to me. If you say no, I might get med by him…”


    “Fine,” J said abruptly.


    Agnes rounded her eyes, smiling through her tears, “Really? You will let us train you


    for the ball?”


    “Yes. I am actually quite curious of the Lycan’s etiquette.” J said idly, “Shall we start tomorrow?


    Where do we meet?”


    “We can do it in the Drawing Room. That is where the girls and I normally hang out. Or if you prefer,


    we can do it in your room instead-”


    “The Drawing Room it is.”


    J said firmly, rising from her seat, “I am full. Good night. And I will see you all


    tomorrow.


    She walked down the tform and headed to the door.


    She heard a light mumble from her back:


    …What a graceless lowborn…”


    J let out a short internally.


    To be honest, she really didn’t give a fuck about the Spring Ball or the stupid etiquette that Agnes


    nned to teach her.


    There would be peopleughing at her at the ball. So be it.


    She survived brutal battles. Some silly girl’s teasing and mockery were basically nothing


    Vet she was desperate in need of information.


    She needed to get a better understanding of the Lycan’s court, the castle, and the misted forest that


    separated her from her loved ones..


    She would wait till tomorrow and see what she could get out of those girl’s mouths. <hr>The next


    morning, J had breakfast in her room and headed to the Drawing, Room.


    The Drawing Room was wheredies in court normally hung out.


    They had a simr room back in the packhouse of Blood Moon Pack


    But J and her friends weren’t really interested in music, needlework, and paintings and rather


    spent their time outdoors. So that room was desertedter.


    A maid led J to the door and then quietly left.


    J pushed the door open for a crack.


    She first heard gentle no music walted through the air.


    Then there were whispers behind the music.


    Why did you agree to train that lowborn? You should let her make a total fool of herself at the ball.”


    That sounded like Kalinda’s voice.


    Agnes said in a gentle voice, “Westin asked me…”


    “Then you should have said no. The King, adores you. Everybody knows that! He really won’t mind


    it you say no.”


    Agnes sighed, “But if helping J makes Westin happy-


    “You know what will really make the King happy? You epting his proposal, Agnes!”