Alpha's replacement bride is destined mate-Chapter 45 The Court Banquet

After lunch, a few maids came to Emily’s room to freshen her up. All afternoon, they bustled around Emily. Among them was a maid who specialized in hairdressing, and she worked with such skill and delicacy that Emily’s long hair was expertly plaited into an intricate style.

The other two maids, who were busy selecting suitable gowns and jewels for the banquet, chose from among the various finery a low-cut white dress adorned with diamonds, which was both elegant and striking. There was also a maid who specialized in matching shoes to ensure that Emily’s outfit was impeccable from head to toe.

Emily sat at the dresser like a doll, allowing them to dress her up. During this time, the royal steward also came to brief her on the dinner proceedings.

The royal steward informed Emily that not only would many nobles be attending the banquet tonight, but also some pack Alphas and their Lunas.

The royal steward whispered the names on the list to Emily, hoping that at the beginning of the dinner, she would remember the names of these important people and their physical characteristics.

Emily nodded in agreement, but she couldn’t retain a single name. Once the royal steward had left, the words he had whispered to Emily faded away with him.

Finally, the maids finished their work. They had dressed Emily as if she were a true celebrity. In the mirror, she wore a low-cut white dress adorned with sparkling diamonds, her brown curly hair coiled elegantly behind her head, and teardrop-shaped crystal earrings dangled from her ears. They had applied intricate makeup to make her look glamorous yet not vulgar.

She was so beautiful; she looked like a princess.

The maids cast admiring glances at Emily and gathered around her, praising her beauty as if it rivaled that of the Moon-goddess.

"You’re so beautiful, my love," Klaus’s approving voice came from behind her. Emily, looking in the mirror, saw Klaus leaning against the doorframe in his dark blue suit. His suit was impeccably tailored, emphasizing his broad shoulders and strong frame. Dark blue, not only the hue of his attire but also a symbol of nobility and power, contrasted beautifully with his silver hair and deepened the hue of his eyes.

When the maids saw Klaus, they promptly retreated, leaving the two of them alone in the room.

Klaus walked slowly towards Emily, who had placed a delicate wooden box on the dresser. He opened it and withdrew a long pearl necklace.

Emily looked even more radiant with the pearl necklace around her neck. The necklace sparkled with a lustrous white sheen that complemented her white dress flawlessly.

"Did you buy this necklace?" Emily caressed the pearls on her necklace, unable to resist the cool, smooth sensation they provided.

"This is a relic from my mother," Klaus said, his hand resting lightly on Emily’s shoulder as his fingers grazed her rosy cheek. "And now, it’s yours."

"I can’t accept such a valuable gift," Emily protested, instantly feeling honored to learn that the necklace had belonged to Klaus’s mother.

"No one else deserves it as much as you do," Klaus’s tone was firm and unhesitating. "You’ve earned it."

"Thank you," Emily replied, knowing she couldn’t decline. She accepted Klaus’s offer with gratitude.

"When the moment arrives, let’s make our entrance into the banquet hall together," Klaus said, offering his arm with effortless elegance.

Emily stood, and as she slipped her hand through the crook of his arm, she felt a sense of safety emanating from his sturdy, muscular physique.

She smiled warmly at Klaus and strode confidently by his side.

Upon arriving at the banquet hall, they discovered a substantial number of guests already assembled within. The extravagance of the hall immediately captured their attention. The immense crystal chandeliers bathed the room in a soft, radiant light, and the glow bounced off the golden decorations and mirrors, creating a surreal, dreamy ambiance. The walls were adorned with exquisite paintings and tapestries, showcasing the wealth and refined tastes of the royal family.

The floor was covered with a red carpet, soft and silent beneath their feet, as if they were stepping on clouds with every stride. Guests navigated the room, attired in ornate gowns and formal attire, each dressed in a striking manner that mirrored their rank and status.

Every corner of this opulent banqueting hall exuded dignity and grandeur. Monumental columns, carved with intricate designs, stood tall around the hall like masterpieces. The intricate cutlery and flickering candlelight at each table enhanced the romantic ambiance of the dinner.

Several men approached Klaus of their own accord to greet him, and upon seeing Emily, they were struck by her beauty.

"You’re so beautiful, Luna," an alpha from the northern pack complimented her. "You must be the most radiant woman in the South."

"Your beauty has outshone all the other ladies here," his Luna remarked sincerely, "I envy you."

"You’re just as stunning, Luna Rachel," Emily gracefully accepted the compliments, remembering the lessons the royal butler had taught her on what to say at banquets. At this moment, her memory was unusually sharp. She recalled the names and faces of the individuals she had just conversed with.

"I’m amazed by how well you’re carrying yourself, Lover," Klaus whispered in Emily’s ear after the greetings had died down. "What surprise are you hiding from me?"

"I’m a good student who learns and applies it now," Emily smiled in response to Klaus, always maintaining a smile in social situations where strangers abound, even when she was doing nothing. Those words, of course, had been taught to her by the royal butler. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"I hope you’ve surprised me in other ways too," Klaus’s hint was filled with ambiguity, and his hand shifted from Emily’s back to her side, where his fingers gently brushed against what he knew to be her sensitive area.

"Klaus, stop," Emily could still feel the sensation through her clothes, so she had to use words to halt him.

But Klaus clearly had no intention of stopping, and it seemed as if he wouldn’t give up until Emily gave him a positive response. At that moment, two small figures rushed towards them, and when Emily caught sight of the twin princesses, she let out a silent sigh of relief, for though the girls occasionally caused her trouble, at that moment, they were her saviors.

"Emily!" The twin princesses hugged Emily simultaneously. "You’re okay, that’s great."

"Thank you for your concern," Emily patted the heads of the two princesses. "I think I was just drunk last night."

"You weren’t just drunk," Klaus interjected, choosing not to tell Emily that she had actually been drugged. He knew Emily was the victim and thus wouldn’t blame her. But he wouldn’t let her go to the twin princesses who had taken them to the bar.

"I haven’t settled things with you two yet," Klaus said sternly to the twins. "Mushroom picking or grounding?"

"Emily, please forgive us," Mina immediately feigned pity and flattered Emily. "You know we didn’t mean to take you to the bar, and we never expected you to have an accident."

"Emily, please," Maggie added. "I don’t want to pick mushrooms anymore. Please tell Klaus not to punish us."

The two princesses lifted their freckled faces, gazing at Emily with pitiful expressions that softened her heart. She pleaded with Klaus on their behalf.

"Klaus, they’re still young," Emily said. "Don’t punish them."

Klaus glared at the twin princesses. "Not this time."

At his words, the twin princesses immediately cheered, "Great, great!"

Suddenly, the sound of a spoon tapping a cup echoed through the room, and the audience fell silent. Emily saw the king rise from his seat and raise his glass with a solemn expression.

"The king has something important to announce," Maiss, the royal counselor, stood by the king’s side, having just tapped the cup with a spoon.

King Famar cleared his throat and addressed everyone present in a loud, clear voice. "Thank you very much for joining us today. I would like to announce an important decision. Klaus, Dyson, come here."

Klaus and Dyson walked to where King Famar stood, and they positioned themselves on either side of the king. Then the king declared, "I have decided to restore Klaus to the title of prince and make him crown prince. Additionally, I welcome a new member to the royal family, Dyson."

King Famar said, patting Klaus and Dyson on the shoulders with both hands, "I hope you will both do your utmost to serve our country, and I eagerly anticipate your contributions."

"I am willing to give everything for the country," Klaus said, placing his fist over his heart in a gesture of loyalty to his homeland.

Dyson mirrored the gesture, his eyes sparkling with uncontrollable excitement.

"To our princes, Klaus and Dyson," Maiss raised his glass.

"To our princes, Klaus and Dyson," everyone echoed, delighted that the king had finally made his decision, that they had more than one prince, and that Dyson’s illegitimacy was now acknowledged.

"Oh, my God," Mina whispered to Emily, "You’re a princess now."

"You can stay in the palace with us forever," Maggie said happily. "Great!"

Emily was stunned. She gazed at Klaus, who stood proudly beside the king, and for a fleeting moment, he seemed like a true king. No, he was the future king. A complex emotion surged within her—a blend of pride in him and unease about her own status.

She did not yet possess a wolf. How could she ever be his princess? The thought reverberated through her mind, filling her with anxiety she had never felt before.

She gazed at him, spirited and confident, standing there, yet somehow so distant, too far away for her to comfortably reach out to.