Chapter 475: 475

“I must apologize for my delayed congratulations on your newborn child,” Wulv said, his deep voice carrying a formal, almost solemn weight.

Yuki, ever composed, resisted the urge to roll her eyes. As if he hadn’t known the moment my son drew his first breath. The werewolf king was not one to be out of touch with such matters, yet he played this game of diplomacy with the practiced ease of a seasoned ruler.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she flicked her fan open with a graceful motion. “Oh? Your Grace must have a great many concerns occupying his mind. There is no need to trouble yourself over such trivial pleasantries,” she said, her voice laced with polite indifference.

Wulv responded with a scoff of feigned offense, his lips curling into a smirk. “Nonsense,” he said. “Such an occasion is anything but trivial. The birth of a prince is a momentous event, one deserving of proper recognition. I will have my people prepare a fitting gift.”

Yuki’s brow arched ever so slightly, though she concealed her intrigue behind the delicate veil of her fan. A gift? The werewolf king was not one to offer simple tokens. There was always intent behind his actions, and she wondered just what meaning he sought to weave into this gesture.

She let out a measured hum, lowering her fan just enough to reveal the faintest trace of a smile. “I am sure the young prince will be most pleased with Your Grace’s generosity,” she said smoothly, feigning reluctant acceptance.

The air between them remained poised on the edge of unspoken meaning—both monarchs aware that, in their world, gifts were never just gifts, and words were never just words.

Yuki’s fan paused mid-motion, her sharp eyes studying Wulv with quiet calculation. The casual way he spoke belied the significance of his words. A meeting between our heirs? It was not a simple request—it was a move, one she had to consider carefully.

She let the silence stretch just long enough to make Wulv wonder before responding, her voice as smooth as ever. “My son is still young,” she said, tapping her fan lightly against her palm. “Yet, if Your Grace wishes for them to meet, I see no harm in it.”

Wulv’s lips curled into something between a smirk and a knowing smile. “Good. I believe it will be beneficial for them both.”

Yuki did not respond immediately. Instead, she tilted her head ever so slightly, her fan concealing half of her face as she observed him. Beneficial, is it? The werewolf king was rarely so direct—there was a reason he wanted their children to meet, and she intended to find out exactly what it was.

“I trust Your Grace has no ulterior motives?” she asked, her tone light yet laced with something sharper.

Wulv let out a deep chuckle. “Ulterior motives? Me?” He placed a hand over his chest in mock offense. “I simply think it wise for the future rulers of our people to be acquainted. Perhaps even form a bond.”

Yuki’s gaze did not waver. A bond, indeed. Whether Wulv meant a mere political relationship, an alliance, or something more, she could not yet tell. But she would not let herself be outmaneuvered so easily.

Lowering her fan slightly, she offered him a small, unreadable smile. “Then I suppose we shall arrange something in due time.”

Their guards, still kneeling in mid-air, remained motionless, their expressions unreadable as they listened to their monarchs weave their words.

Wulv nodded, seemingly satisfied. “Very well. I look forward to it.”

As his image flickered slightly, a gust of wind howled through the sky, sending Yuki’s long robes billowing behind her. She remained still, her expression composed, though inwardly, she was already contemplating the implications of this meeting.

Just what are you planning, Wulv?

Her figure soon was gone, nothing was said between both guards as they fell back inot the shadow where they protect the two royalties.

Meanwhile the princess and prince were both in a weird standoff as none of them thought their actions today would lead to the other being face to face with another royalty, especially one from a powerful and prestigious kingdom.

A tense silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken thoughts. Neither had expected this encounter, nor the weight that came with it.

Leiko Björnson, Prince of the People of Björn, studied the woman before him with a mix of curiosity and mild frustration. Why does she not fear me? His presence alone should have shaken her, yet she stood there, poised and calm, as if meeting him was nothing out of the ordinary.

Princess Lunara of the Werewolf Kingdom mirrored his gaze, her sharp eyes taking in every detail—the confident stance, the puffed chest, the slight tension in his fingers. She had met many royals in her lifetime, but Leiko carried himself differently. He radiated an energy that was both commanding and wild, yet behind it lurked something restless, something… unsatisfied.

Nova, the wolf at Lunara’s side, flicked his tail in mild amusement, his sharp ears twitching. “This is awkward,” he muttered, glancing between them before shaking his head and stretching out on the ground. If neither of you will speak, I’ll just take a nap.

Leiko’s golden eyes flickered toward Nova before returning to Lunara. “You carry yourself like a warrior,” he noted, breaking the silence at last. His voice was smooth but edged with something unreadable.

Lunara raised a delicate brow, tilting her head slightly. “And you carry yourself like someone who wishes to be feared.”

Leiko’s lips twitched. Was that amusement in her tone? He crossed his arms, exhaling through his nose. “Is that a problem?”

Lunara’s gaze didn’t waver. “Only if you think fear is the same as respect.”

A flash of something unreadable crossed Leiko’s face before he scoffed lightly. “And what do you prefer, Princess? Fear, or respect?”

Lunara smiled, slow and deliberate. “Both have their uses,” she admitted. “But I prefer loyalty.”

Leiko hummed, considering her words. Loyalty? That was an interesting answer. Fear was easy to instill, but loyalty… that was something earned.

Their conversation, though brief, had shifted the air between them. They were still strangers, still wary, but there was something else now—a quiet understanding, a recognition of strength in the other.

“Since we are both here,” Lunara said at last, stepping forward, “perhaps we should make proper use of this meeting. A conversation between two royals could be… enlightening.”

Leiko smirked. “Or dangerous.”

Lunara’s eyes glinted. “A little danger makes things interesting.”

At that, Leiko let out a genuine chuckle, the tension easing just a fraction. Perhaps this meeting was not such a waste after all.

Lunara turned as she began walking down the mountain with Leiko trailing a bit behind her “Do you greet everyone the way you did with me” Lunara asked the prince who chuckled nervously.

The princes suddenly smirked as he looked at the woman before him “I do greet people that way but only the special ones”

“Oh, so you think I am special?” The princess said with a slight teasing tone.

Hearing the question made Leiko think back on the princess’ previous appearance, how her beauty merged well with the mountain, and how it made his heart skip.

“Very special” He leaned in on the princess ear as he whispered that.

“Aren’t you a bit too young to be flirting?” the princess asked.

Leiko let out an exaggerated gasp, placing a hand over his heart as he walked beside her. “Flirting? Me? Princess, I am simply stating facts.”

Lunara chuckled, glancing at him with amusement. “Facts, huh? You must be quite popular with the ladies in your kingdom.”

Leiko grinned. “I like to think so. Though, to be fair, my people are… a bit different.”

Lunara arched a brow. “Different how?”

Leiko exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Let’s just say they don’t scare easily. No matter what I do, they’re always entertained. It’s frustrating sometimes.”

Lunara hummed in understanding. “Ah, so you want people to be afraid of you?”

Leiko shrugged, a small smirk playing on his lips. “Not necessarily afraid, but respect comes easier when people know what you’re capable of.” He turned his gaze to her. “And yet, you weren’t afraid of me either.”

Lunara scoffed. “Please. I’ve faced worse things than a smirking prince with a taste for theatrics.”

Leiko laughed at that, genuinely amused. “Fair enough.” He studied her as they walked, noticing how effortlessly she navigated the mountain terrain. There was a confidence in her stride, a sense of belonging.

“So, what about you?” he asked. “Do people fear you?”

Lunara’s lips curled slightly. “Some do, but I haven’t given anyone any reason to fear me”

Leiko nodded. “And what about me? Should I be afraid?”

Lunara gave him a sideways glance, her expression unreadable. “That depends.”

“On?”

“On whether you can keep up.”

Leiko’s smirk widened. “I do love a challenge.”

Lunara smirked back. “Good. Then you won’t mind a little competition.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep