The Crown's Entrapment

Darius was massaging his nape as he hastily walked out of the library. He was sweating hard, and he was practically running to get something to drink and somehow quench his thirst. He just knew that if he didn't leave right then and there, he would've ended up taking Xen without even so much as a blink.

That was way too close…

[Tsk… So what if you take her right on the spot? It's a private room, and no one would dare to barge in knowing you're inside,] Zeus scolded him with a scoff. [Ah, I can't even believe how slow you are. She even took the initiative to kiss you for the first time, and what did you do? Run like a coward?]

Darius chuckled, laughing at himself when he finally realized what he had done. He was currently inside the pantry, drinking almost half a gallon of water in an effort to cool himself off. Around him, the servants all looked at him in bewilderment. And in true kingly fashion, Darius simply signaled them to continue on with their work.

"This won't do, I need a cold bath," he whispered to himself just before he instructed a servant to tell his personal servant Dale to prepare him a cold bath.

[Crazy arse!] Zeus retorted.

Darius laughed even more at his current predicament. He was even tearing up, not because of laughter, but because of the overwhelming feelings surging within him.

[We're almost there, Zeus. Just a bit more patience…] Darius reassured his wolf. [I can already feel her emotions. It's not purely lust, and that matters. I want her to surrender not because of lust towards me, but because she already has deep feelings for me.]

[Enough with you being romantic,] Zeus scorned. [That's not for me at all.]

[Right, you're the animal inside me who only feeds on my carnal desires,] Darius teased, with Zeus only answering him with an impatient grunt.

Shaking his head, Darius was on his way for his cold bath when Chancellor Talon telepathically talked to him.

[Sire, everyone you asked for has now gathered in the Great Hall,] the chancellor relayed. [They're currently waiting for your arrival.]

[Alright, I'm on my way now,] Darius replied before letting out a sigh.

Foregoing the cold bath for now, Darius ended up walking to the Great Hall and facing everyone he asked for, including Clara, which was arguably one of the reasons this meeting even took place. Taking his seat, he signaled Chancellor Talon to read out his decree.

"Commander Clara, please come forth," Chancellor Talon called out.

Clara, who was currently lined up with the other Commanders and officials, walked in front of the Chancellor and kneel before him, her king.

"Please listen to His Majesty's formal decree," the chancellor began.

"I, as your king, has temporarily removed Commander Clara from her post as the Head Commander of Cordon's Moonlight Archers. Commander Clara, as the Alpha of Midnight Pack, will join the Trial by Combat. Thus, it would be unfair if she continues to stay in her post."

He continued, "As commander, it would grant her full power and authority to use the resources assigned to her as one of the Head Commanders of Moonlight Royal Knights. As such, she is temporarily relieved of her duties. She will be given a chance to come back to her post and position only once my mate has been formally appointed as my Queen, and only if she would then swear the same loyalty for my Queen as she does to myself."

As the edict was being drawled out, Darius sensed the confusion brewing among some of his men. However, none dared to question his decision.

Having finished reading, Chancellor then handed out the edict to Clara, to which the latter responded, "I, Clara, Alpha of the Moonlight Pack, solemnly receive and accept His Majesty's order. Thank you for your benevolence."

Clara then raised her head to look at him. With a slight smirk, she telepathically conveyed to him, [I'll definitely come back and strive hard to win the Trial by Combat, Your Majesty. I'll fulfill my promise to you since we were kids: I'll stand by your side as Your Queen no matter what.]

[Please stop this already, Clara. I don't want to lose a good friend and a sister,] Darius mentally begged. [Please don't do this. I beg you.]

Instead of a reply, Clara shut him off from her link. She then bowed her head one last time before walking back to her previous position.

Letting out a deep sigh, Darius swallowed his disappointment before signaling the Chancellor to continue.

"Alpha Adah of the Stardust Pack, please step forward," Chancellor Talon called out. He then read out his decree of appointment to Alpha Adah as the newly appointed Commander of the Moonlight Archers.

[What's going on, Sire? This is so sudden?] Bartos couldn't help but telepathically inquire to his liege.

[It's something personal, one that I'm not comfortable with disclosing  to anyone right now,] Darius neutrally replied.

[At this point, I need to let Clara go. This is by far the most I can do for her despite the current situation. I can only hope that she would soon return back to us with clearer head and a likeminded goal. For now, make sure you guide Adah properly on her new post, although I've heard that she's already doing superb work in assisting Clara with the task of leading the Moonlight Archers.]

[I understand, Your Majesty,] Bartos replied with a sigh.

Although His Majesty didn't directly disclose what happened, Bartos could already grasp the severity of the situation. It was no secret to them how Clara looked at their king in a different light. Too bad Gideon wasn't around since he was out busy with a few men setting up the training camp that His Majesty and Princess Xenia will use for their trip starting tomorrow.

Meanwhile, everyone inside the Great Hall had their own speculations as to what happened. However, there was only one man who had his eyes fixated on Clara… Gilas.

He heaved out a deep sigh. He already saw this coming, knowing how impulsive and stubborn Clara could be. She even took the bait he gave her and spread those rumors around without so much as thinking of the consequences.

'Are you going to hold my hand now, I wonder…' he inwardly pondered. Clara's eyes darted towards him, and Gilas slightly bowed, showing no emotion on his face as he held a blank expression.

[Are you happy now? Don't be, because no matter what happens, I will never hold hands with you and your father,] Clara telepathically relayed, making Gilas smirk at her defiance.

[We'll see, Clara. Just know that my arms are wide open for you as always. You just need to come to me…]

**************************

EN: I'm rooting for Clara

AN: I know, you're too obvious whenever you edit scenes with her in it. Lmao I wonder what my readers thought of Clara. She's a character to look forward to though.

PS. Keep voting on Golden Tickets and Power stones guys. I will release 5 chapters instead of 2 every time we reach 100s on Golden Tickets and 1000s on Powerstones. Another Extra Bonus Chapter/s too for every Super Gift the book will have. *wink*