Went to the Palace

Keir is not from the capital. He lived at the foot of the mountain and went to the palace to become a knight. He had participated in many wars of conquest so he now held the position of knight leader.

His hair was thick as ink. A black wolf with light eyes should be stiff and cold, especially since he had gone to many harsh wars. He was able to smile when talking. The scar line in his left eye that extended from his eyebrow to his cheekbone was nothing to his dimpled smile.

Lusi nudged Elestria's arm several times. She was too focused on watching Keir who was sitting on the other side. Dante's warning glare went unheeded.

"Els, I'm guessing your mate can outshine that young knight."

"No one knows the future, including Dante."

"He's jealous of many things."

On the Keir's workroom, the two women whispered.

Dante noticed his partner's flirtatious behavior. So, he brought up another topic. "Keir, my friend, Elestria wants to be a warrior. Can you give some advice?"

Keir turned to Elestria. "Glad to hear it. What drives you to become a warrior?"

The proud handsome face Elestria often encountered. The friendly handsome face was a first. Hence, Elestria was a little nervous. A little.

"I'm good at using physical strength. I think I can keep things safe with my strength."

Lusi added, "Actually, she just wants to work to make money so she can move to another region."

"Why do you want to move to another region?" Keir asked again.

"To find my mate."

Keir was silent. He felt it would be good if his mate was the Elestria who struggled to find him. But, what could be done without the will of the moon goddess?

Elestria was waiting for a good answer. Nevertheless, Keir elaborated, "The palace is opening recruitment, but not for ordinary soldiers. It needs experts for health."

Her sad face made Keir want to comfort her. He informed her, "Applications for servants are always open. No special skills are required."

"Thank you."

***

A weak answer ended the meeting. Back, Elestria was moody. After arriving at Alfafa Boutique, she erased it. She knew melancholy wouldn't help her find her mate.

Lusi explained the contents of the boutique and the people who worked there. As it turned out, Elestria wouldn't be working in the boutique but would be Lusi's assistant when visiting customers.

Elestria is required to be friendly. In addition, Lusi's goal of making her an assistant is so that she has more possibilities to find her partner.

On the same day, Lusi needed to visit the palace. The autumn feast was coming up so the royal family needed new clothes. This could happen every season as Emberfall always celebrates the changing of the seasons.

In the palace hallway, Lusi walked in front in her luxurious dress, while Elestria was behind carrying a briefcase in her simple dress. As soon as they reached a building, two soldiers stopped them and asked questions.

"We are from Alfafa Boutique. We have come at the behest of Her Majesty the Queen," Lusi informed.

Instead of paying attention to Lusi, they paid attention to Elestria. It was as if they were asking about her in plain clothes. So Lusi explained that Elestria was a new assistant.

They were invited to enter and wait in the waiting room. Lusi sat down and Elestria stood by her side. When the Queen appeared, they bowed together. They returned to their original positions as she sat down.

"It's nice to have you here, Lusi. I need a warm dress, but light."

Luna is a middle-aged woman with pale skin. The blue diamond necklace she wore matched the color of her irises. She always dresses in white to maintain her chaste figure. When she smiles, she doesn't exaggerate.

Luna wasn't a wolf. She was from the human world. She had the power to see the future. The more important a future is, the more energy she loses to see it.

Elestria was silent as the two women consulted each other. Secretly, she observed the palace decorations that were as grand as a golden mountain. No matter where you looked, it would shimmer.

During the silence after the consultation, Luna chirped, "Lusi, has your little friend met her mate yet?"

"She has not yet, Your Majesty." Lusi was confused even if she could answer.

Elestria was stunned. A human's gaze felt different from that of the wolves. She could not guess whether it was friendly or angry. So, she lowered her gaze. She was afraid of being read by Luna who could tell fortunes.

Luna stared at her for a moment again before telling Lusi to finish the dress six days before the feast.

***

Elestria became afraid that her thoughts would be read by Luna as well. So, she hurriedly left the palace as soon as the session ended. Lusi was personally summoned by the princess. Elestria had to wait for her back in the carriage.

The coachman hadn't arrived yet. He was at the stables making friends. Meanwhile, in front of the palace gate, Elestria sat in boredom.

Scarlett engaged her in conversation, "I think Luna is interested in our future."

"Because it's bad?"

"Don't be prejudiced. Maybe our future is important."

"That's good."

"What reaction is that?"

Elestria stood idly by. Uncomfortable, she supported her head while looking down. Her mind was uncomfortable too.

Her eyes were closed, almost asleep if the carriage didn't shake violently. The sound of someone's urgent breathing made her raise her eyes. A group of men in uniform were running towards her. 

The carriage was moving fast and crazy at the same time. Elestria was shaken to the point of hitting the wall of the train. She growled, then opened the window. When she looked out, a stranger was driving the carriage.

Scarlett shouted, "Thief!"

Elestria squinted, then climbed out.

The man in the burlap robe just watched the road in front of him. He sped up the carriage to pass through the city streets full of people and goods. He smiled greedily as he saw the exit gate.

Behind, the palace soldiers were chasing in wolf form. All of them were huge with a height of two metres. They were made up of black, brown, and white.

While the thief was distracted, Elestria jumped in to ambush him.