His Cursed Luna

10. Crowned Princess

A very young lady was standing in the middle of the furthest room of Goldenrealm Castle. She looked like a porcelain doll in the off-white-pinkish gown that hugged her torso perfectly and then fell freely from her waist. Beautiful flowers were embroidered around her waist and her skirt.

“Here’s the jewellery sent by her majesty,” a maid mentioned.

Penelope sighed in silence. Her room generally remained empty. Hardly any maid showed up to help her. Bridget had been her only companion for years. Things changed since her coronation was decided. The ancient Maya herself had chosen this gown for her to wear on this special day and even was kind enough to send a matching set of pieces of jewellery. A dozen of maids were sent to dress her up.

Her silky golden hair was curled into an elegant bun, leaving some strands around her face. The light makeup complemented her beautiful blue eyes. Her cheeks appeared to be rosier as she thought of the stranger who made this day a reality.

Bridget was watching her from afar. She was happy and surprised at the same time. A hint of worry reflected in her eyes. What if the King found out about Penelope being wolfless? Above all, she was worried about the stranger who showed up in Penelope’s life from nowhere, turning it upside down. Who was he? What did he want?

“You look beautiful, princess,” a maid complimented her.

“She is truly pretty,” another one mentioned.

This was new, too, just like the attack she faced the other night. Many things weren’t happening as they did in her past life. And she never ran into a mysterious man in her old life. Who was he? Why did he save her? She wasn’t crowned until she reached twenty, and Elijah had a big part in it. She had to go against a trial with Isabella, and she barely survived the last time. Elijah stood by her side and helped her to succeed.

Soon the maids left the room, leaving her alone with Bridget. Penelope looked at her friend. A smile appeared on Bridget’s lips. Slowly she walked closer to the Princess.

“I am worried, Penelope,” she finally confessed, “that man came from nowhere and put you on the spot. We still know nothing about him, and the Lycan King is a viscous wolf. It is hard to believe he gave up Isabella’s crown so easily.”

Bridget stopped to catch a breath.

“Don’t be worried, Bridget,” Penelope calmly uttered.

“How couldn’t I? Above all, you have no inner wolf. We must conceal this truth, Penny. We also have to watch out for our backs. I am sure your uncle is planning something. I can feel it,” Bridget ranted.

Penelope put her palm on Bridget’s shoulder. She could sense how worried her only friend was. A smile appeared on her rosy lips as she spoke, “I will be fine, Bridget, and that mysterious man will never harm me. I can sense it in my heart. Trust me, Bridget, and I am not alone.”

She tried to look confident even though thousands of thoughts were clouding her mind. Penelope could also sense the uneasiness in the air. She knew her uncle very well, and many in the castle were waiting for her demise. She needed alliance, and that would be her only way out. But there was no point in making Bridget more uncomfortable. Hence she kept her thoughts to herself.

A gentle knock on the open door stopped their conversation, “Princess Penelope!”

Penelope tilted her head to the door. Four warriors were there to escort her to the Coronation Ceremony. They bowed their heads as one of them spoke politely, “the guests have arrived, and His Majesty is waiting for you, your highness. The time is near.”

Penelope stood up, holding her head high. She slowly walked down the corridor, and her steps stopped as she reached the staircase. Her uncle was standing there, waiting for her arrival.

“Good evening, uncle William,” Penelope forced a smile. She had to put on a show to find out what these people really wanted.

“Ah, here you are,” he smiled, “beautiful, as always.”

He took her arm as he led her down the stairs when a herald announced their presence. The setup of the hall was different. A red carpet ran down the hall, leading to the altar. The crowd was sitting on the chairs in two rows on both sides of the carpet. The altar was decorated with white roses and golden knots. Everything was pure and to Penelope’s liking. It was way different than her Coronation last time. Much simpler and beautiful, and above all, Elijah was not the one walking her to the altar where a priest was standing.

William slowly walked Penelope to the altar and stood before her by the priest. The slow music stopped for a moment as all the eyes fell on the altar.

“My dear distinguished guests, today we have gathered here to honour and celebrate the coronation of my beloved niece, Princess Penelope Nicholas Adalbert. Thank you all for joining us on this auspicious day to witness the magical and historical moment of the Continent of Goldenrealm. The Ritual may begin,” the King made the motion.

“With the blessing of the Moon Goddess and the power I have been bestowed upon, I now ask Penelope Adalbert, the young princess of Goldenrealm, to kneel before the crown,” the priest started the ceremony.

Penelope slowly knelt before the priest as she heard him, “Penelope Nicholas Adalbert, do you swear before the eyes of the Moon Goddess and in the presence of honourable Ancient Assembly, Royal Council of Goldenrealm, the Royals and the Noble households, to rule wisely and justify, to take care of your people and your continent, to honour the memory and rules of your ancestors and protect your heredity, not to break the laws and to keep peace among all five Lycan continents?”

“Yes, I do,” Penelope asserted.

“With the blessing of Moon Goddess, I hereby pronounce you, Penelope Nicholas Adalbert, the daughter and first-born of Late Lycan King Nicholas Adalbert, the lineage of Ancestor Adalbert, as the Crowned Princess of the continent of Goldenrealm. May the spirit of golden wolves be alive in your heart, and may your soul remain pure as you rule over this ancient and sacred land with pride and prosperity,” with that, the priest put a crown on Penelope’s head and motioned her to stand up.

With a deep breath, the Crowned Princess of Goldenrealm stood up, facing the gathered crowd, “thank you all for believing in me. I promise to oblige the promises I made today and will try my best to uphold the customs of my beloved motherlands.”

The crowd broke into applause with her every word. Her aura reflected the Lycan bloodline, pure yet strong. She stepped down from the altar slowly.

“Congratulations, Princess!”

“Best wishes, your highness.”

Distinct wishes overwhelmed Penelope as she proceeded to the middle of the hall. Every pair of eyes were on her, watching her every step. She could remember her coronation from her past. After the ceremony was over, Elijah came forward and asked her hand for the first dance, showing everyone that he intended to court the Lycan Princess. A pang of sadness rose in her heart as she realised Elijah was standing right before her once again.

She took a deep breath and continued to walk around the hall, accepting the applause, when she abruptly found herself face-to-face with Elijah again. She detested him, and his presence made her skin crawl. She wanted to turn away, but she forced herself to stand her ground and look him in the eye.

“Congratulations, Princess. Would you please honour me with a dance?” He bowed, showing his gentle gesture.

“My my! It looks like you have a suitor, Penelope. Ah, young love,” her uncle spoke to get everyone’s attention. Penelope felt like de-vu-ja. She already had lived this moment, word by word.

Lie! All lies! He never loved me. I was only a tool for him to reach the crown! Her heart cried out as she pressed her lips together, thinking of a decent reason to refuse him. She wanted nothing from Elijah.

“Thank you, alpha Elijah, for your kindness, but….” Penelope paused for a moment as she tried to think of a way. Any impolite gesture towards this man on her day one as the crowned princess would do no good. There was no telling what evil thoughts these people were knitting around her. Above all, everything was not exactly the same as last time. Probably a dance with Elijah wouldn’t hurt, but she even detested the idea of being near his shadow.

Elijah was eagerly waiting for what the Princess had to say. Penelope gulped as she scanned her surrounding. The heavy air was choking her. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Oh, Goddess! Help me out! She prayed, hoping for a miracle.

“But?” Elijah spoke with concern though his tone was gentle.

“She has already promised me a dance,” a familiar voice came to her rescue. Her mood lightened up as the mischievous glances caught her eyes. A lord in a dark green coat strode towards Penelope. His face was hidden under a beautiful mask, as usual, revealing only his charming smile that she was dying to see. His presence even silenced Elijah somehow.

“Forgive me, Princess, I am late,” he apologised as he took her arm and placed a kiss on the back of her hand.

“Not at all,” Penelope smiled as she continued, “on the contrary, your timing was impeccable.”

“Would you do me the honour?” He asked.

“My pleasure,” Penelope agreed quickly, taking his hand.

The couple danced in the middle of the hall. Every single step was perfect. It seemed like they were becoming one with the piece of joyous music, like two swans dancing under the moonlight on silvery water. A mysterious Lord and the newly crowned princess - what a perfect love story.

On the other hand, Elijah stood there like a statue. A hint of anger grew in his heart as he saw Penelope dancing in the arm of another. He was rejected by that stupid princess. His eyes quickly looked for King William. Elijah thought he would be disappointed since it was his plan. Elijah was supposed to court Penelope and win over her heart. Why was the king so calm? What was he thinking, Elijah wondered.

The music slowly disappeared, and the guests started to leave one by one. Penelope bid goodbye to every one of them, showing her courtesy, but her eyes kept looking for her mysterious saviour. He disappeared into the hall after their dance. Once the last guest left the hall, Penelope sighed in silence. Everything was better than she ever expected.

“That was a splendid evening,” she heard her uncle.

“Yes, it was,” she smiled.

“Penelope, I want to talk to you about certain political matters. Please meet me in my office,” he patted her shoulder as he left the hall.

“Of course,” she nodded, but a knot built up in her stomach. Something was wrong.

She sighed as she prepared to leave the hall when she felt a sudden tap on her shoulder.

“Leaving, princess?”

Penelope turned her head lazily as she knew the person, “I thought you were gone.”

The mysterious lord stood very close as he looked into her eyes. His long finger trailed on the side of her face, sending sparks into her skin, making her forget all her miseries. What kind of spell was that? Soon she realised the man was tucking a flower by the side of her ear.

“Huh?” She hummed.

“Don’t move,” he ordered as he arranged the flower properly in her hair. Once he was done, Penelope’s palm gently touched the flower only to realise it was not real. Was it some gemstone? She wondered.

“You are breathtaking, Princess,” he husked.

“Who are you?” Penelope questioned again, more to herself.

“You will know when the time is right. Goodbye, princess,” he smiled as he turned to leave.

Penelope felt cold inside as she saw him leaving, as if something had stabbed her heart. Her legs followed the man as her mouth formed the words involuntarily, “when will I see you again?”

His legs halted at the sudden question. A chuckle left his lips as he uttered, “soon, princess.”