From Now On, I’m My Own Princess

Chapter 4

When I went downstairs the next day, Lily was still holding earrings up to herself in the mirror.

Mom straightened the hem of her dress and urged her to get into the car.

The moment Dad saw me, his expression darkened.

"So you do know when to show up."

Mom quickly tugged his sleeve.

"Don't start. It would be rude to arrive late to the engagement party."

Only then did Dad swallow whatever else he had meant to say.

When we arrived, he stared up at the palace gates, then took out the invitation and checked the address again.

"Is this really the place?"

I'd only ever seen this palace in news reports about werewolf summits.

Dad had tried to attend a reception here the year before. Even after calling in several favors, he had failed to secure an invitation.

After the guards confirmed our names, the iron gates slowly opened.

Dad hurriedly put away the invitation and adjusted his tie once more.

An attendant led us down a long gallery. Beneath the vaulted ceiling of the entrance hall, portraits of generations of werewolf leaders lined the walls.

Farther inside, gilded doors stood open. White roses ran the length of the banquet table, and crystal glasses glowed softly beneath the lights.

Mom stopped in her tracks.

"Is there another event here today?"

"No, ma'am. The entire palace has been reserved for Alpha Blackwood's engagement party."

"The entire palace? Just for this?"

When the attendant confirmed it, Mom seized Lily's hand.

"Did you hear that? Aiden booked this entire palace for your engagement party!"

Lily's face flushed bright red. She kept peering through the open doors.

"Is the ceremony going to be held in there? Where will I stand?"

"Don't rush. Wait for them to tell you." Mom said it, but she never released Lily's hand.

Many guests had already arrived in the entrance hall. Dad recognized an older man by the window and hurried over.

"Sir, hello. I'm Richard Bennett. Last year, I had someone send you—"

The man nodded politely, then turned to the person beside him and asked when Aiden would arrive in the hall.

Dad retreated, still clutching the business card he hadn't managed to hand over.

The moment he sat beside the tea table, he leaned toward Lily.

"I couldn't even get a meeting with that man about last year's project. When Aiden gets here, have him take us over and introduce us."

Lily smiled and nodded. "I'm the future Luna—Aiden's wife. That will be easy."

"Good. Good." Dad smiled too, still reluctant to put away the card.

Mom's smile only faded when she turned to me.

Following her gaze, Dad looked over and pulled a bank card from his wallet.

"$50,000. Take it."

I didn't reach for it.

He glanced toward the entrance and pushed it closer.

"Keep your mouth shut today. Don't say anything you shouldn't."

Mom lowered her voice too.

"Your sister's big day is finally here. Don't you dare make a scene."

Lily smiled at me.

"Erin, once I marry Aiden, I'll have him find you a good job."

Mom immediately added, "See? Your sister still cares about you."

She was offering me a reward with something that had always belonged to me, yet they had the audacity to call it kindness.

Without waiting for me to answer, Mom turned and reminded Lily to be sweet when she met Aiden.

Lily had just agreed when an attendant brought over tea. She hurriedly asked, "When will Aiden be here?"

"Soon, miss."

She didn't even look at the tea. She was too busy straightening the ring.

The band was too loose. The moment she let go, the diamond slipped to one side again.

"Mom, should I wait for him at the door?"

"Sit still. He'll see you the moment he comes in."

Mom pushed her back into her seat, then leaned out to stare into the corridor herself.

"Don't make the girl nervous," Dad said.

At the first sound of footsteps, he rose before anyone else.

It was only an attendant coming to refill the wine.

Dad sat down again, one hand braced on the back of his chair, and checked his watch.

Lily bit her lip and shoved the ring tighter against the base of her finger.

Then a voice called from the doorway, "Alpha Blackwood."