4. The Weight of a Crown

|| Lilac's POV ||

The world seemed to slow as I stood there, frozen in place, my mind a whirlwind of emotions I could barely contain. The grand hall was alive with celebration, the air thick with the scent of blooming flowers and the rich aroma of roasted meats. The chandeliers above cast a golden glow over the room, their light reflecting off the polished marble floors and the jewels adorning the guests. It was a scene of opulence and joy, a moment that should have been the pinnacle of my young life. But to me, it felt like a gilded cage, its bars closing in around me with every passing second.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to say no. I wanted to turn on my heel and run as far away from this place as my legs could carry me. But I couldn’t. The weight of tradition, of duty, pressed down on me like a stone, crushing any hope of escape. The Reventhorns were not a family to be trifled with. Their power was absolute, their pride unyielding. A beta female like me could never refuse them, not without facing consequences that would ripple through my entire family. I could feel the heavy gaze of Alpha King Darius Reventhorns on me, his piercing eyes filled with a quiet intensity that made my skin crawl. Even Luna Queen Cassandra, with her warm smile and regal poise, seemed uneasy as I hesitated, my feet rooted to the spot.

“Forgive me, my queen,” my mother’s voice broke through the silence, soft and apologetic. I turned to see her bowing slightly, her hands clasped in front of her.

“She is a bit overwhelmed, it seems.” Her smile was strained, her eyes darting to me with a mixture of pride and concern. I wanted to tell her the truth, to explain that this was not overwhelming but a deep, seething resistance bubbling beneath the surface. But I couldn’t. Not here. Not now.

“It is normal indeed,” Luna Cassandra replied, her voice smooth and reassuring.

“Lilac is only eighteen, and we are bestowing a great responsibility upon her shoulders.” Her words were kind, but they did little to ease the turmoil within me.

In my past life, this woman had been a pillar of strength, a figure I had admired and respected. But I knew the truth now. She had done everything for her son, Kael, even when it meant siding with him as he brought Coco into our lives. She had called it normal, a necessary part of life for an Alpha. “My son is an Alpha and he needs his mate to keep his sanity intact,” she had said, her voice gentle but firm. “And since she is his soulmate, their child will have a stronger bond.” Her words had cut me deeper than any blade, a betrayal I had never fully recovered from.

“Go ahead, dear,” my mother whispered, her hand squeezing my arm gently. Her touch was meant to comfort, but it only added to the weight pressing down on me. I took a shaky step forward, my heart pounding in my chest. The crowd watched me with bated breath, their eyes filled with expectation and curiosity. I felt like a lamb being led to slaughter, my fate sealed with every step I took.

“But… we are not soul mates,” I finally managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. The words hung in the air, a fragile thread of defiance that seemed to silence the entire room. I could feel the tension rise, the unease of the crowd palpable. In my past life, I had accepted this arrangement without question, too naive to see the cracks in the foundation. But now, I couldn’t let it go unchallenged.

Luna Cassandra’s smile didn’t waver, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes, surprise, perhaps, or even a hint of irritation.

“I know,” she said, her tone still warm but with an edge of finality.

“But Kael has reached twenty-three, and you are eighteen. Neither of you has found your mates yet. Above all, finding mates is rare, so we must rely on chosen ones.” Her words were logical, practical, but they did nothing to ease the storm raging within me.

“What if one of us finds our mate?” I asked, my voice trembling but firm. The crowd fell silent, the weight of my question settling over them like a heavy fog. I could see the shock on their faces, the way their eyes darted between me and Kael. In my past life, I had never dared to ask this question. I had accepted my role, my fate, without question. But now, I couldn’t let it go. I would never accept Kael as my mate, not after everything he had done. Not after the betrayal, the heartbreak, the pain.

Before Luna Cassandra could respond, Kael stepped forward, his presence commanding and undeniable. His golden eyes locked onto mine, filled with a warmth that felt so genuine it made my stomach churn.

“I will still love you and cherish you,” he said, his voice strong and unwavering. It echoed through the hall, a vow meant to reassure not just me but the entire crowd. “Only you will be my Luna. I vow to the Moon Goddess that you will be the only one for me.”

His words were beautiful, poetic even, but they rang hollow in my ears. I knew this was a performance, a carefully crafted show meant to win the favor of the nobles and secure his place as the future Alpha King. He needed their support, their votes, and I was just a pawn in his game. My family’s influence, our standing as the Royal Beta lineage, made me a valuable piece in his strategy. And he knew how to play the part perfectly.

He reached for my hand, his touch gentle but firm. I fought the urge to pull away, to recoil from the disgust that surged within me. His lips brushed against my knuckles, a gesture meant to be romantic but one that only deepened my revulsion. I hated him. I hated him for everything he had done, for the pain he had caused, for the way he had destroyed my life. And yet, here I was, forced to play along, to smile and nod as if this were the greatest honor of my life.

“I will always cherish you,” he said, his voice soft but carrying the weight of a promise. “From today onwards, you will be my precious Princess.”

The crowd erupted into applause, their cheers and whistles filling the air. But to me, it felt like a funeral march, the sound of my freedom being buried beneath the weight of duty and expectation. I forced a smile, my lips trembling as I met Kael’s gaze. His eyes were filled with a warmth that felt so real, so genuine, that for a moment, I almost believed him. But I knew better. I knew the truth.

This was not love. This was not a fairy tale. This was a game, and I was just a pawn. But if Kael thought I would play along quietly, he was wrong. This time, I would be the one in control. This time, I would rewrite the rules. And when the time came, I would make him regret ever crossing me.