The Vampire's werewolf mate

Chapter 13

Hearts in Conflict

Lyra's POV

The warmth of the morning sun brushed against my face, slowly pulling me from sleep.

I blinked a few times before remembering where I was.

The terrace.

I had fallen asleep on the lounge chair after... last night.

I sighed and sat up, rubbing my eyes.

My body actually felt well-rested.

I stood and stretched before glancing through the glass doors into the bedroom.

Aria was still fast asleep, hugging a pillow tightly.

A small smile escaped my lips.

I rolled onto my back for a moment, staring at the clear blue sky.

The atmosphere here was... peaceful.

Different from home.

I stayed there for another minute before finally getting up and walking back into the room.

"Aria."

No response.

I nudged her shoulder gently.

"Wake up."

She groaned dramatically and buried her face deeper into the pillow.

"No..."

I laughed.

"Yes."

After a few more attempts—and one stolen pillow—she finally sat up, rubbing her eyes.

"What is wrong with you?"

"You woke me up so early."

I folded my arms.

"It's not even that early."

She looked at me properly.

Then her expression changed.

"Lyra..."

"What happened to your eyes?"

I looked away.

"...Nothing."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Don't lie to me."

I sighed.

"There was... an incident."

That immediately woke her up.

"What incident?"

I hesitated before telling her everything.

Meeting Lucien in the hallway.

Him teasing me.

Thinking he was actually going to kiss me.

Running away.

Sleeping on the terrace.

By the time I finished...

Aria burst into laughter.

"Oh my Moon Goddess!"

"He likes you."

I stared at her.

"What?"

"I said he likes you."

"He doesn't."

"He does."

"He embarrassed me."

"And then felt guilty."

"He laughed."

"The Lucien Draven laughed."

She pointed at me dramatically.

"Do you know how unbelievable that sounds?"

I thought about it.

She wasn't entirely wrong.

I had never seen him smile like that before.

Still...

"I'm still mad at him."

Aria grinned.

"Sure you are."

I grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it at her.

She caught it before throwing it right back.

It hit me square in the face.

"Hey!"

Soon we were both laughing like children.

---

A little while later, we got dressed.

I chose a flowing yellow gown that I absolutely loved.

Since it was only breakfast, I left my silver hair loose, cascading over my shoulders.

Aria smiled approvingly.

"You look beautiful."

"Thank you."

Together, we headed toward the royal dining hall.

The moment we entered...

I immediately regretted coming.

Both royal families were already seated.

Wonderful.

Aria and I bowed respectfully to my father, King Viktor, Queen Evelina, and the others before taking our seats.

Marcus sat beside Aria, leaving me on the end of the table.

Only then did I realize...

Lucien was sitting directly opposite me.

I looked up.

He was already looking at me.

Not cold.

Not warm.

Just...

Watching me.

I quickly looked back down at my plate.

A few moments later, servants entered carrying trays filled with breakfast.

The room remained unusually quiet.

Only the sounds of cutlery echoed through the hall.

Aria whispered something to Marcus, making both of them laugh.

I smiled at their antics before feeling it again.

That gaze.

I slowly looked up.

Lucien was still watching me.

Why?

I quickly looked away again.

Thankfully, dessert arrived.

A maid placed a slice of rich chocolate cake in front of me.

My eyes lit up immediately.

Aria laughed beside me.

"I knew that would make you happy."

I ignored her and happily took my first bite.

Then another.

And another.

I didn't care whether I looked princess-like anymore.

It was chocolate cake.

Eventually, breakfast came to an end.

I stood up quickly.

"I'll see you later, Aria."

She waved me off without looking up.

She was too busy eating.

I laughed quietly before leaving the hall.

---

I had barely stepped into my room when I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Hey, Princess."

I froze.

Oh no.

Not again.

I slowly turned around.

There he was.

Lucien.

Standing casually by the door.

My heart immediately betrayed me.

Why does his voice always make me weak?

I cleared my throat.

"What are you doing here?"

He walked inside.

I quickly raised both hands.

"Stop."

He stopped.

"You know..."

"This is a lady's room."

"You could've at least knocked."

He glanced toward the door.

"It was already open."

I rolled my eyes.

"What do you want?"

For the first time since I'd met him...

He looked... serious.

"I came to apologize."

I blinked.

"You... what?"

"I'm sorry."

"I shouldn't have teased you last night."

"I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

For a moment...

I simply stared at him.

Prince Lucien Draven...

Actually apologized.

He shifted awkwardly.

"...Say something."

I couldn't help smiling a little.

"I forgive you."

The tension in his shoulders eased.

Then, without warning, he stepped closer.

"W-what are you doing?"

He didn't answer.

Instead, he gently brushed his thumb across the corner of my lips.

I froze.

He looked at his thumb.

Chocolate.

"You really don't eat like a princess."

I looked at the chocolate on his thumb before bursting into laughter.

"So that's what this was about?"

A small chuckle escaped him.

Without thinking, I reached out and rubbed the chocolate onto his cheek.

"There."

"Now we're even."

He blinked.

Then...

He laughed.

An actual laugh.

I laughed too.

For those few moments...

There were no vampires.

No werewolves.

No war.

Just...

Us.

Then reality struck me.

His wedding.

My smile slowly faded.

I stepped back.

"I think..."

"...you should go now."

Lucien's smile disappeared too.

For a moment, it looked like he wanted to say something.

Instead, he simply nodded.

"...Alright."

He turned and walked toward the door.

Just before leaving, he looked back.

"Bye, Princess."

I watched him leave.

Once the door closed, I let out a shaky breath and buried my face in my pillow.

"This is bad..."

"He's getting married."

"I can't let myself fall any deeper."

But deep down...

I knew it was already too late.