His Cursed Luna

14. The Serpent's Den

As the days flew by, Penelope's eighteenth birthday was fast approaching. No longer was she the docile, pitiful, orphaned Princess of Goldenrealm, but the newly crowned princess of the kingdom. Despite her uncle, the current King's disapproval, there would be a grand banquet held in her honour. However, Penelope found herself unable to muster up any excitement. Her mind was preoccupied with countless thoughts and concerns.

In her past life, she had learned about the massacres too late, but through her experiences, she gained a wealth of knowledge about the attacks. She had intended to confront Elijah, her trusted advisor, about his role in the events leading up to the massacres. However, Elijah was quick to turn the tables on her, placing the blame solely on Penelope. This was a bitter pill for Penelope to swallow, and she found herself grappling with a sense of betrayal and confusion.

Despite his title as Alpha, Elijah's actions left Penelope questioning his intentions. How could he have so easily opened the doors for dark witches to infiltrate their kingdom? It seemed unfathomable to her. These thoughts plagued her as she made her way to the library, taking slow, deliberate steps as she tried to work out an answer in her mind.

The library was Penelope’s sanctuary, a haven of quiet where she could retreat from the storm of thoughts and emotions that often overwhelmed her. It was a place of stillness, where time seemed to slow and the noise of the world outside faded into a distant hum. Here, she could breathe freely, away from the prying eyes and endless expectations that came with her position.

The moment she stepped through the heavy oak doors, a sense of calm settled over her, and the weight on her shoulders lightened, if only for a brief moment. The library was large and grand, with towering shelves that stretched up to the high, vaulted ceiling. The wooden floors creaked softly underfoot as she moved, the warmth of the polished boards a contrast to the coolness of the stone walls that held the space together.

Tall, arched windows lined one side of the room, their frames adorned with intricate carvings that only added to the room’s old-world charm. Sunlight filtered through the glass, its golden rays spilling into the room like a liquid, casting long, delicate shadows on the floor. The light seemed to dance, illuminating the dust particles that hung in the air and giving the room an ethereal glow. It was as though the very essence of the place was imbued with centuries of wisdom and untold stories, waiting to be discovered.

The scent of aged paper lingered in the air, rich and comforting, a familiar fragrance that always brought a sense of nostalgia. The shelves, towering with books of every imaginable kind, seemed to stretch endlessly, their spines worn from years of use. Each book held its own history, its own secrets, waiting to be unlocked by a curious mind. There were volumes bound in leather, others in faded cloth, and some with gilded edges that gleamed faintly in the sunlight. The sheer variety of the collection was astounding, covering everything from ancient texts on philosophy and history to modern works of poetry and fiction. No matter what subject Penelope’s mind wandered to, she could always find a book to suit her mood.

As she walked between the rows of shelves, her fingers brushed lightly against the spines of the books, savoring the sensation of their worn surfaces. The soft rustle of pages turning, the quiet murmur of whispered thoughts from long-forgotten authors—it all felt like a gentle hum of life, in perfect contrast to the bustling world outside.

She wandered further into the heart of the library, her eyes scanning the spines of the books, her mind continued to race. She was determined to uncover the truth about Elijah's actions, to find the answers that eluded her. The library was a grand hall filled with hundreds of books, ranging from history to magic. A chandelier hung high above, casting a soft light across the room. Penelope strolled through the aisles of books, running her fingers over the spines as she tried to calm her thoughts. The shelves were filled with books that she had read before, but today, they all seemed different.

Penelope found a cosy corner, sat down and started to sift through the pages of a tome on the history of the dark witches. She hoped to find some answers, to learn why they were so dangerous and why Elijah had aligned himself with them. Her heart sank as she read through the descriptions of their gruesome practices and their thirst for power.

She sat there, staring into space, lost in her thoughts. The more she read, the more questions came to her mind, and the less she felt like she knew. Many new facts were revealed before her eyes that she was unaware of in her past life. Her mind raced, trying to come up with a plan to deal with the dark witches and Elijah. She had to protect her people, protect herself. She knew the horror from her past life would appear sooner or later and her being wolfless would definitely cause another havoc.

As she stood up, ready to leave the library, a book on the shelf caught her attention. It was an old, leather-bound tome with gold embossing on the cover. She pulled it from the shelf, and as she opened it, her heart skipped a beat and a smirk appeared on her face. She finally found what she needed.

As the castle bustled with activity, it was clear that the preparations for the grand banquet were in full swing. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of exotic cuisine being prepared, while servants scurried about attending to last-minute details.

Goldenrealm had invited every pack to attend this auspicious celebration, and it was rumoured that even the Lycan King of Silverknight, Inarica and the Ancients would grace the occasion with their presence. The anticipation and excitement in the air were palpable, and it was evident that this was going to be an event to remember.

The grand hall was resplendent with elegant décor, worthy of such a grand occasion. The walls were adorned with intricate artwork and gold-plated frames, exuding a regal vibe, while the grand chandeliers, crafted from pure crystal, illuminated the space with their ethereal glow. The tables were draped with luxurious silk tablecloths, adorned with delicate lace and intricate embroidery, with glistening goldware and polished goblets carefully placed at each seat. The centrepieces were crafted from the finest crystal, glistening like diamonds under the soft light.

The guests were arriving, each one of them dressed in their finest attire, eager to join in the festivities. The Ancients entered the grand hall, their presence commanding attention as they surveyed the scene with a keen eye.

As Princess Penelope made her way into the hall, she was a vision of loveliness. Her gown, crafted from the finest silks, was a breathtaking display of artistry and elegance. It hugged her curves perfectly, accentuating her beauty and grace. The rich, vibrant hues of the fabric complemented her hair, which was styled in an intricate braid adorned with delicate flowers. Her head was adorned with a diamond tiara that sparkled with every turn of her head. She walked with Bridget by her side, greeting each guest with a warm smile and gracious words.

Princess Penelope's entrance into the grand hall was met with thunderous applause. Her radiance was amplified under the soft glow of the chandelier, and she glided through the room with grace and poise. As she made her way through the crowd, she greeted each guest with a warm smile and a kind word.

Her eyes eventually settled on her uncle. Despite his attempts to hide it, she could see the bitterness in his smile, and she knew that he was still resentful about being forced to arrange everything.

But Penelope was not one to dwell on negativity. Instead, she turned her attention to Elijah, who stood by her uncle's side. She knew that confronting him about his past mistakes would only lead to conflict, so she had prepared a surprise for him instead.

“Penny, was it wise of you to be here in this Banquet? There are so many people around and you are the centre of attention,” Bridget spoke with concern.

Penelope looked at her friend as a chuckle left her lips, “have you done as I asked, Bridget?”

“Yes, everything is prepared. The drinks will be served soon,” Bridget replied, still unaware of everything.

Penelope simply took her seat at a table and it was only a matter of time before Elijah approached her, and when he did, she was ready.