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Chapter 6: I'm no Princess

CAGED TO THE MOON KING

CHAPTER 6

Heaven

As Prince Sebastian led me through the gates of what he called 'hell,' I found myself in disbelief. This place was more akin to a castle, with towering gates that swung open upon our approach and guards who bowed in the presence of their Prince. The aura was primal, and I sensed that Sebastian was more than just a prince and an Alpha.

I shrank back, feeling the weight of numerous red eyes fixed upon my skin, and I buried my face in Sebastian's neck. I dared not straighten up, for my exposed cleavage would surely draw sneers.

The castle's architecture was grand, with towering spires and tiny windows, each adorned with ropes of various colors. We traversed a vast room, its floors a mosaic of marble tiles, and golden pillars stood sentinel at each corner. Maids, I presumed, bowed at the sight of him, their faces flickering with surprise upon noticing me clinging to his back.

Prince Sebastian moved with a regal indifference to those around him, his strides proud yet measured, and a pang of guilt struck me. He was blind, and here I was on his back, acting as if I were the one who could not see. I should have been the one to guide him, but the truth was, I preferred the safety of his back. This place was too vast and unfamiliar.

At a right turn, he led us down a secluded passage. I glanced back to find his men gone, perhaps this path was reserved for the prince alone.

"It's okay, you can put me down now since we're alone," I said, my voice tinged with guilt for burdening him, but he chose to ignore my plea.

"Please, put me down. I must be tiring you, and it's unfair for me to cling to you when I should be the one offering support," I insisted.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips. "You should learn to keep quiet, Princess, or I might let you down amidst hungry wolves," his deep voice sent a shiver through me.

Hungry wolves? The thought made me apologize quickly and hold onto him even tighter, like a lifeline.

Despite my concerns for him, I couldn't deny the comfort I felt in his arms.

He halted before a grand door and flicked a switch on the wall, prompting it to open automatically.

The room that unfolded before us took my breath away.

Good mercy!

Why was such beauty bestowed upon a room for a blind prince who couldn't even see the colors?

The large king-sized bed sat majestically in the center, adorned with white velvets that cascaded from a ceiling fixture, neatly plaited to the bed's edge, with blue stones embedded within. The sheets were the purest white, sprinkled with royal blue petals, and a plush blanket lay on top. The Italian carpet beneath our feet boasted a royal blue hue, emblazoned with a golden dragon at its heart. The walls, painted with floral designs in varying shades of blue, brought a sense of elation to me.

"Your room is aesthetically stunning!" I couldn't help but exclaim as I slid down from his back to take in the wondrous sight.

With a snap of his fingers, Sebastian summoned the doors to open, and three maids entered, bowing and offering their greetings.

I halted abruptly, suddenly self-conscious and curious about this unexpected arrival.

"Give her a bath, a massage, and a change of clothes. She needs to look presentable for tomorrow's ceremony," Prince Sebastian instructed them, and they all nodded before approaching me.

I yearned to protest, to inquire about the nature of the ceremony, but the sharp glares from the women silenced me. They gestured toward a doorway, and I followed, finding myself in a magnificent bathhouse, its sweet fragrance tempting me to taste the waters that resembled a luxurious pool.

They mixed liquid soaps and ointments into the steaming water while another began to strip my clothes. I stood awkwardly, their stares making me feel like an intruder in their pristine palace.

"What kind of ceremony is being held tomorrow?" I couldn't contain my curiosity, wondering if I was to meet my end in this opulent place.

One of them hesitated, then spoke, "It's a celebration for Prince Sebastian's new bride. He opted out of a full moon wedding, choosing this instead."

I gasped. A celebration for Sebastian's bride? I would have to face all those expectant faces tomorrow.

"Can't it be postponed or canceled? Is it really mandatory?" I asked, my voice trembling, hoping for a reprieve.

"I doubt that. Prince Sebastian is the crown prince of the moon. Assuming his father's role means adhering to every protocol, especially since you'll be queen. It's not something that can be forfeited," she explained, but the others shot her disapproving looks.

"How much more will you divulge to a complete stranger about the Prince, Celesta?" the eldest among them asked with a hint of spite.

I rolled my eyes, sensing the pack's awareness of their prince bringing home a 'weak' bride.

"She's one of us now, and there's nothing anyone can do about it," Celesta retorted, and I focused on her. Her touch was gentle as she massaged my back and applied the liquid to my skin. With her short red hair and striking features, she seemed to be in her thirties.

Their argument made one thing clear: I was not welcome here, and all their efforts were for Sebastian's sake. I was tempted to ask why a blind prince held such sway over this formidable pack and castle, but I held back, not wanting to be labeled an intruder or a gold digger.

The massage lulled me, my eyelids heavy with impending sleep. They dressed me in a princess-like gown, adorned with glittering precious stones. My only issue with the dress was its revealing nature, displaying my cleavage more than I was comfortable with, but I remained silent.

Back in the Athens pack, I couldn't even afford a comfortable bath, let alone be adorned in such luxurious attire.

The prince's blindness should have eased my concerns about him sneaking peeks at me. He was seated at the far end of the room, sipping his wine, his gaze fixed on nothing in particular. His attire had changed—not to something casual, but to a more princely ensemble. Clad in black, he resembled a sightless archangel poised for his next decree.

His beauty, even with his stoic demeanor, struck me. How could someone be so flawless despite his blindness? Sharing a room with such a person was a troubling prospect for me.

Before I could address him, he snapped his fingers twice, summoning two maids who wheeled in a large cart brimming with rich, nutritious food. My mouth watered at the sight, and my stomach rumbled in anticipation.

They arranged a grand table before me, laid out the feast with precision, and then departed with a bow, all without uttering a single word.

"Can we forgo the ceremony protocols? I might just collapse at the event," I ventured, picking up a fork to spear a piece of meat. Prince Sebastian, however, continued to ignore me. I rolled my eyes, by now accustomed to his dismissive, arrogant ways.

"Prince Sebastian, I'm not accustomed to this world, and I'm certainly not prepared to face those formidable figures tomorrow. Please consider skipping this bride celebration," I pleaded, my frustration mounting.

"It can't be skipped," he said abruptly, causing me to frown.

"Why not?" I asked, seeking some understanding.

He sighed, a sound heavy with frustration, yet his gaze never left the wall. "Because I forwent the traditional full moon wedding ritual, I doubt you'd take pleasure in being scrutinized by my wolf under such circumstances."

I gasped, taken aback by his consideration, yet puzzled by the insistence on a full moon ceremony given the vulnerability of my own wolf. The thought of countless wolves' eyes upon me sent a shiver of fear through me.

"Right. I just wish none of this was happening. A simple introduction would be preferable to a grand celebration for someone as insignificant as me."

"It's your fate. My father is extremely eager to meet you, and my brothers are itching to test you," he said, a grim humor in his voice.

"What?" The word slipped from me in shock.

"Eat, Princess. You talk too much," he chided gently.

"Just call me Heaven, please. I'm no princess," I corrected him, a hint of defiance in my tone.

His eyes seemed to darken, and for a fleeting moment, they flickered in my direction, his voice taking on a warning edge.

"You are now my princess and the future queen of the Moon Pack."

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