Chapter Thirty Five: Beautiful Than Ever

Ralph's Point Of View 

After so much persuasion not to tell his mate and changing into something clean, we both walked out of my room and said.

"If you do not wish me to tell your mate that you are looking towards cheating on her, then you have to do me a favor"

He looked at me with a knowing face and said, "Oh no, Ralph, my answer is no, and you can't tell me anything; you dare not." He was already fuming towards me. 

"And what should I not be told, my dear Liam?".

The familiar voice brought both of us back to reality:

"Uhhmm, nothing, dear; we were just playing around." Liam stammered to his wife.

"Are you sure, Lism?" You know you can tell me anything." But We know that is a trap.

"He is saying the truth," even though I was some minutes ago trying to blackmail him.

"Alright, if you both say so," she said as she pecked her man with her heavy baby bump and walked on with a maid right behind her.

"That was a close one," we both sighed as we continued our journey to father's room. As soon as we got there, his guard announced our presence. 

"Your royal highness, your son, and his beta request to grace you with their presence; "after some minutes the response came; let them in ". We both walked in after the request was granted.

" Father, I would like to speak to you about something, and I do not wish to have you argue with me over this issue".

Father was at this time preparing for an occasion. "What are you preparing for?"

I asked in total confusion as I looked at my beta, who looked at me like I was from another planet, "I thought you knew.".

"I know what exactly? Because as it stands now, I know nothing." I sat down on a chair as my father looked from my beta to me.

"The two of you are no good to each other. How can you forget today is the day we will be sending away one of the maidens?".

"I apologize, your highness. I thought he knew since I had already explained everything to him, knowing fully well that it would take so much to get him to listen to you." My beat was, at this point, very angry. I had no choice, but you apologized to him. 

"Okay, I am sorry I forgot, and you didn't bother to remind me. So it's not totally my fault, but that is not why I am here, father. I am here for a different reason, father. I do not want to continue with all this arrangement anymore. I want peace of mind."

My father looked at me for a while, then stood up and walked out. I was stunned by his behavior. He is a man that I know will not leave a matter unattended to. This is not the one that I have chosen to end. 

"What do you think just happened here right now?" My beta stood up and said,

"We have to attend the ceremony; the whole kingdom is waiting for your presence, but first, let's eat breakfast.".

He walked to the door before me as I reluctantly followed suit. Breakfast went well, but Jackia and Layla had to have their little women fight before we graced our presence before the people of our great Kingdom.

It was such an amazing experience to see that the whole kingdom still believes in a tradition you feel should not exist anymore. What benefit does this have to do with the growth of this kingdom? 

It won't stop the blood mages from attacking, nor will it increase our warriors in numbers.

"I welcome you all here today. I can see how much we all love our traditions and customs. It's a beautiful day, isn't it ?" Father roared so loudly that the whole kingdom screamed at the top of their voices. 

"Yes, we all do,"" he further continued. First, we would allow the maidens to come out to introduce themselves to you officially, and as you all know, one person will be going out today, all voted on by the council.".

There was total silence immediately after the father announced the turn of the event:

"Before that, let's give the maidens the audience to speak.".

The maidens all came out, but the only person dressed more elegantly was Layla, as she looked way happier than anyone else. Probably my father must have given her some sort of hope and made her think that she might not be the one to leave the competition.

After all the introductions were off, Father came out to announce who the person was:

"Since that has been done, and to top it all, the maidens have been on their best behavior throughout."

Not all of them, if I am to speak, "but not until last night one of them portrayed a horrible act that we see not to fit the attributes of a grate Luna. It is so unfortunate it is coming from someone my heart has melted for since the beginning of the competition.".

With the behavior of the ladies, I didn't expect Jackia to be all shaken by this. Wasn't she repulsed by the act itself? But she looked so beautiful —more beautiful than I have ever seen her. 

"You've never looked at her that way before to notice how beautiful she is right now, My Wolf injected into my thoughts. I totally forgot I had someone who could automatically listen in on whatever I was thinking. 

"The person that the moon goddess has shown me to cut off today, even though I wish not to, is none other than Layla."

The maidens shouted

"What's?? This can't happen. I have been on my best behavior, your highness.

I do not see the reason why I should be removed. The person that should be removed should be this dirty-looking Jackia. Didn't you all see what she and her wolf almost did to us last night?"