Chapter 5: The King’s Rules

Kira barely slept that night.

Although Derek had kept his word and spent the entire night working in his adjoining study, the unfamiliar palace and the weight of becoming queen refused to let her rest.

At sunrise, soft knocks sounded on her bedroom door.

'Your Majesty,' a maid called gently. 'Breakfast has been prepared.'

Kira dressed in a simple blue gown instead of the extravagant royal dresses waiting inside her wardrobe. She wasn't comfortable wearing jewels that didn't belong to her.

As she entered the royal dining hall, every servant immediately bowed.

'Good morning, Your Majesty.'

The title still felt strange.

Derek was already seated at the long dining table, reading reports while calmly drinking black coffee.

Without looking up, he gestured toward the empty chair across from him.

'Sit.'

Kira quietly obeyed.

For several minutes, neither of them spoke. The only sounds came from silverware touching porcelain plates.

Finally, Derek folded the report and looked at her.

'You'll begin learning palace protocols today.'

Kira nodded.

'There are five rules you must follow while living here.'

His tone wasn't harsh, only firm.

'First, never leave the palace grounds without informing me.'

'Second, never enter the western tower. It's restricted.'

'Third, if anyone questions your authority, report directly to me instead of confronting them yourself.'

'Fourth, don't trust everyone wearing a smile. Politics inside this palace are more dangerous than war.'

He paused before continuing.

'And fifth... if I ever order you to run, you run without asking questions.'

Kira frowned slightly.

'Why would I need to run?'

Derek's expression remained unreadable.

'Because there are people who don't want this marriage to succeed.'

Before Kira could ask another question, the dining hall doors opened.

A tall man with silver hair entered confidently, followed by two royal guards.

'Your Majesty,' he greeted Derek with a respectful bow before turning toward Kira.

'You must be our new queen.'

'Kira,' Derek said, 'this is Magnus Grey, my Beta and commander of the royal army.'

Magnus smiled warmly.

'Welcome to the palace. Don't worry. His Majesty only looks terrifying.'

Derek gave him a cold stare.

'Finish your report.'

'There he goes again,' Magnus sighed dramatically, making Kira hide a small smile.

It was the first friendly face she had seen since arriving.

After breakfast, Magnus escorted Kira through the enormous palace.

He introduced her to the royal library, the council chamber, the moon garden, and the training arena where elite Lycan warriors practiced every day.

Many soldiers paused their training to look at the new queen.

Some bowed respectfully.

Others whispered among themselves.

'They're judging me,' Kira said quietly.

'Of course they are,' Magnus replied honestly. 'Most believe you're too weak to stand beside the Lycan King.'

'Do you believe that too?'

Magnus looked at her for a long moment before smiling.

'No.'

'Why not?'

'Because Derek married you.'

'That doesn't answer my question.'

'It actually does.'

Magnus stopped walking.

'I've known Derek for twenty years. He doesn't make emotional decisions. If he chose you, then there's something about you that the rest of us haven't seen yet.'

Those words echoed in Kira's heart.

Perhaps Derek knew something.

Or perhaps he simply needed an heir.

She still couldn't tell.

As evening approached, Kira returned to her chambers feeling exhausted from learning palace etiquette.

She opened her bedroom door and immediately froze.

Someone had been inside.

Her wardrobe stood slightly open.

One drawer had been pulled halfway out.

Nothing appeared stolen.

But resting neatly on her pillow was a single black feather.

Kira slowly picked it up.

Tied around its stem was a tiny strip of parchment.

Only four words were written in dark ink.

'Leave while you can.'