Chapter 263: Offer

It took a while, and by the time Aria was done drying her hair and dressing up, she knew they were already late, even as she glared at Zyren’s back.Having tried to hide the many marks on the side of her neck, she was aware that she had done a terrible job since there were others she couldn’t even see or reach.

She was also aware that Zyren would rather wipe off her handiwork than actually help her to stop people from noticing what had happened. Moreover, it didn’t help that Zyren had finished inside her, and she had no time to wash it off.

Still glaring at him, even as he opened the door for her with a soft, clearly pleased expression on his face.

"I have a gift for you!" he whispered into her ear as they both stepped out and made their way toward the huge doors of the dining area.

Aria didn’t even try to ask him what exactly he had for her, aware that whether good or bad, she would eventually find out. Still, she was a bit relieved that, with how good his mood seemed to be, it was unlikely that whatever it was would be bad.

They arrived at the door, and it was instantly thrown open even as the guards lowered their heads, Zyren entering in his kingly aura as he walked past them as if they weren’t there.

The Werewolf delegation had arrived and were seated, even as everyone got up the second they arrived—all except King Jared, who sat at the other end of the table.

Everyone got up and bowed, all except the woman who stood beside King Jared, who simply stood up with a proud look on her face and a light smile.

She’s beautiful! Aria thought to herself, noticing the furry ears on her head, which looked even whiter than most—a brilliant contrast against the woman’s skin.

King Zyren walked forward, and Aria followed him, moving to stand by her own seat beside him, not sitting until he was seated and gave permission for everyone to do the same.

The food had already been set on the table and brilliantly covered, and unlike the last time they all sat at the same table, the tension was less.

The vampire’s side still bared their fangs at the Werewolves, and the Werewolves did the same, but merely in a way to show disgust rather than blatant aggression.

Zyren is right! They are here for a very serious reason! she thought to herself, focusing her gaze on King Jared for a second just before she realized that the woman who sat beside him had been staring at her from the very beginning without any intention of looking away.

Almost like she wanted Aria to know.

"It was surprising when I got your message. Your journey was good?" Zyren began to speak even as he started to eat—a sign that everyone else could go ahead and do the same.

Everyone but King Jared, who had already begun to eat even though King Zyren was yet to arrive.

Zyren took a bite before focusing his attention on his goblet, which had been filled up to the brim, and drank from it.

"Yes, I’ll tell you about it later!" King Jared said, making it clear that he would rather have the more in-depth conversation in a more private setting.

Zyren merely continued to drink from his cup, even as Aria focused on her food. She was sure she would be around for the meeting, so she wasn’t in a hurry to find out why.

Intermittently, she would feel an intense gaze or two on her, one of which, of course, belonged to Lady Vivian, which she completely ignored even as she continued to eat.

Wouldn’t it be nice if Lady Vivian turned out to be a Zygon?

she thought, tempted to use her powers on her just to find out!

Zyren would kill her, and that would be the end of it, she thought again, wondering how someone could be so obsessed over someone for so long.

She was aware that Lady Vivian was a vampire and, with her long lifespan, she could afford it—unlike her, who was human.

The dinner was a quiet affair, and a few people spoke amongst themselves, even as Aria noticed that the woman who sat with King Jared—and clearly had to be his wife with the small crown on her head—didn’t so much as try to have a conversation with her husband.

I don’t know her! Isn’t this staring a bit excessive? she thought to herself, still crunching on the food in her mouth, when she suddenly heard a female voice she hadn’t heard before—one that turned out to belong to her.

"King Zyren!" she began, her voice incredibly soft—so much so that Aria couldn’t help but feel a spark of jealousy toward King Jared, who managed to get such a beautiful and sweet-sounding partner.

My voice could never come close, even if I tried! I’m sure she’s even much more powerful than Rymora, Aria thought to herself, even as she heard the woman continue to speak.

"...My name is Queen Clara! I am the Luna! I believe we have not met before!" she said, even as Zyren, who sat beside Aria, nodded his head while still sipping on his cup with a satisfied look on his face.

He glanced briefly at Aria before responding, an action she found confusing.

"Yes! What do you think about the city?" Zyren asked her in a laid-back tone that almost sounded friendly, even as Aria stared at him, wondering what he was up to.

"It’s pretty!" she responded, her gaze fixed on Aria, who stared right back until her head jerked slightly in Zyren’s direction as she heard the next words that came out of his mouth.

"I could show you around a bit! There are places I think you would love!" he said, his voice low in a way that sounded more than friendly as he looked at her before lowering his gaze back to the cup he held.

Aria was taken aback when Clara instantly beamed.

"Thank you, King Zyren. I would take you up on that offer whenever you are available to give it," she said, her tone light and charming, while Zyren merely smiled faintly and took another slow sip from his cup.