Chapter 20
Perock
I stood in the center of the banquet hall, watching the servants busily attend to the final details of the decorations.
The entire hall had been transformed into a forest, with silver and blue silk draping from the ceiling, mimicking the effect of moonlight filtering through a canopy of trees.
Along the walls stood lifelike wolf sculptures, each handcrafted and unique—some with their heads raised in a howl, others on alert, and some tenderly guarding their cubs.
This wolf-themed birthday party had been in the works for a week.
Ever since I confirmed that Anna was my child, I had been waiting for this day.
I had the maids subtly coax the date of her birthday out of her, and from that moment, I began preparing.
The guilt of missing the past five years weighed heavily on me, and no matter what, I was determined to make this birthday the most unforgettable one for her.
“Your Majesty, the cake is prepared,” my steward, Thom, reported, his voice steady but warm with shared anticipation. “As per your instructions, it’s a chocolate cake sculpted into a wolf, with layers of blueberry and whipped cream filling.”
I nodded, a quiet satisfaction settling in my chest. I’d missed too many of Anna’s milestones—her first smile, her first word, the countless moments that shaped her into the vibrant child she was—but this, at least, I could give her: a perfect birthday, crafted with every ounce of care I possessed.
“When will Princess Lilia and Anna arrive?” I asked, my gaze sweeping the hall, inspecting every detail with a critical eye—the polished gleam of the silverware, the precise alignment of the wolf sculptures, the soft flicker of lanterns casting moonlit patterns across the marble floor.
Nothing could be out of place, not tonight.
“In about half an hour, Your Majesty,” Thom replied, consulting a small ledger. “The gifts from Fellinger have also arrived and are being wrapped in the preparation room as we speak.”
Lilia’s image surfaced in my mind—those sharp green eyes, always carrying a hint of wariness and suspicion.
Despite the many wonderful moments, we’ve shared as a family of three these past few days, the guard she kept up in her heart had never truly lowered.
I could understand her reservations; after all, the mistakes I made against her five years ago were enough to breed resentment in anyone.
But today, I hoped to break through the last barrier in her heart.
“Sam,” I said, turning to my captain of the guard, a grizzled veteran whose loyalty was as unyielding as stone, “I want security tightened tonight. Double the patrols around the palace perimeter, and station extra guards at every entry point. No one suspicious gets within a hundred yards of this hall, understood?”
“As you command, Your Majesty.” Sam bowed and exited to carry out my orders.
Even though I was in the heart of the palace, I still felt a sense of unease.
Investigations revealed that Jackson’s influence had already infiltrated the royal court, but to what extent and who the insiders were, we still couldn’t determine.
Especially on such an important occasion, I couldn’t afford to take any risks.
Half an hour later, the doors to the hall slowly opened, and my heart skipped a beat.
Anna stepped in confidently, wearing a pale blue gown. Her amber eyes—identical to mine—widened the moment she saw the decorations.
“Wow! Wolves!” she exclaimed, her voice ringing with unbridled joy, her small hands clapping together as she spun to take it all in. “So many wolves, everywhere!”
Lilia followed behind her, wearing a simple yet elegant green gown that made her golden hair shine even brighter. When her gaze fell on the decorations and then shifted to me, I caught a fleeting look of surprise and… was it emotion?
“Happy Birthday, little princess,” I said, stepping forward with a smile toward Anna, then nodding to Lilia. “Princess of Fellinger, thank you for allowing me to prepare this small celebration for Anna.”
“This is amazing!” Anna cheered, turning to grab Lilia’s hand. “Mommy, look at that wolf statue! And that one! And those blue lights, they’re just like the moon!”
Lilia nodded gently, her eyes shimmering with complex emotions. “It’s indeed beautiful, Anna. King Perock has put a lot of thought into this party for you.”
“And there are gifts.” I added, gesturing to a row of exquisitely wrapped boxes lining one side of the hall, their ribbons gleaming in the candlelight. “But those are for later, a surprise to end the night. For now, let’s enjoy dinner, then cut the cake. Sound good?”
Anna nodded excitedly, the light in her eyes when she smiled exactly the same as Lilia’s.
The music began to play, and attendants entered the hall carrying an array of dishes.
Throughout the dinner, Anna excitedly shared stories about her life in Fellinger and how much she loved wolves.
I listened intently, asking questions from time to time, watching her eyes—my eyes—sparkle with excitement.
A fierce protective instinct surged within me.
When the chocolate wolf-shaped cake was brought out, Anna was so thrilled she nearly jumped out of her seat.
“Make a wish before you blow out the candles,” Lilia said, her voice tender, her hand brushing Anna’s dark hair with a mother’s love, her touch gentle and grounding.
Anna squeezed her eyes shut, her hands clasped tightly, her small face etched with adorable seriousness, as if the weight of the world rested on her wish.
After a moment, she opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and blew out the candles in one determined gust, earning a round of cheers and applause from the gathered guests—nobles, courtiers, and a few carefully selected children invited to share Anna’s day.
“Can I ask what you wished for?” I said, leaning forward, my tone playful, a smile tugging at my lips.
Anna shook her head, a mischievous grin spreading across her face, her eyes twinkling with secrets. “Nope! If I tell, it won’t come true! That’s the rule!”
I nodded gravely, suppressing a chuckle, my heart swelling with affection. “You’re absolutely right, little princess. It’s a secret, then, safe with you.”
After cutting the cake, it was time to open gifts.
Anna flitted from one gift box to another like a little bird, letting out delighted squeals with each one she opened.
There were exquisite dolls, gorgeous dresses, a delicate wooden carriage, and a set of riding gear…
but the gift that excited her the most was the last one, from me—a lifelike wolf plushie, nearly as big as she was, with soft fur and impeccable craftsmanship.
“It’s so beautiful!” Anna cried, wrapping her arms around it, her small frame barely encircling its bulk, her eyes shimmering with joy. “I’m naming it Silvarius! Like your wolf, right?”
I froze, my gaze snapping to Lilia, who looked equally stunned, her green eyes wide with disbelief. Had she told Anna my wolf’s name? Lilia shook her head slightly, her expression mirroring my own confusion, a silent denial that deepened the mystery.
“How did you know my wolf is called Silvarius?” I asked softly, my voice tinged with wonder, my heart pounding with the weight of the moment.
Anna tilted her head, her face the picture of innocence, her brows furrowing as if the question puzzled her. “I didn’t know! I just thought it should be Silvarius, cause its fur is all silvery, like moonlight on water. Is your wolf really called that?”
Lilia and I exchanged a glance, a silent acknowledgment of the impossible, a shiver of recognition passing between us.
Anna had never seen my wolf form, never heard its name spoken in her presence.
This wasn’t mere coincidence—it was the pull of blood, a bond that transcended knowledge, tying her to me in ways that defied logic, a connection as ancient as the moon itself.
“Yes,” I said, my voice thick with emotion, my throat tightening as I fought to keep my composure. “My wolf is indeed Silvarius. You guessed perfectly, Anna.”
Anna happily hugged the wolf plushie tightly, seemingly oblivious to her own whimsical guesses. But I noticed Lilia’s expression shift. Her gaze darted between Anna and me, a flicker of unease and hesitation in her eyes.
The party continued, and Anna requested a story about wolves.
I recounted ancient tales of the wolf clan, explaining how the first werewolf gained the ability to transform and the connection between moonlight and bloodlines.
Anna listened with rapt attention, asking questions from time to time, her curiosity reminding me of my younger self.
After the story, Anna and a few other noble children, specially invited for the occasion, went off to play games under the supervision of the maids. Finally, I had the chance to speak with Lilia alone.
“Thank you for the party,” she said quietly, her voice soft but layered with complexity, her green eyes meeting mine with a mix of gratitude and caution. “Anna’s thrilled—she’ll remember this forever.”
“It’s my honor,” I said sincerely, holding her gaze, willing her to see the truth in my words. “Seeing her happy, seeing her smile like that—it’s all I want, Lilia.”
She remained silent for a moment, as if carefully considering how to voice her concerns. “Perock, I must ask you a question.”
“Go ahead,” I said, bracing myself, sensing the weight of her question before it left her lips.
“Why are you so focused on Anna?” she asked, her words direct, cutting through the air like a blade, her gaze searching mine for any hint of deception. “I need to know the truth, Perock. What’s your intention?”
Her question stung, but I understood her concern. In her eyes, I might just be showing this affection toward Anna for the sake of my own life.