Queen Athena

11. Royal Title

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Athena Bloodhound

The Dining Hall

In The Blackwood Estate

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The night passed like a blur with my thoughts completely clouding my judgement. All night long all I could think about is how I could escape this pack and what I plan to do after I succeed.

If I succeed that is

The sun peeked thru the curtains that I closed before going to bed. I rubbed my tired eyes, knowing that there would be dark circles under them.

A knock startled me. I quickly composed myself and straightened out my night dress.

"Luna? can I come in?" Mrs. Garcia's voiced thru the door. I gave a small yes as my answer and she came in holding a dress and some flats on her hands.

She then hangs the dress on the vanity and the shoes next to it. "My Lady, the Queen requests that you wear this dress, she would like it if you accompany her for this morning's breakfast " Mrs. Garcia informed me of the Queen"s orders, I stood and examined the dress.

It was made with a very soft silk fabric, it was beautiful. But I'm sure I would be so cautious wearing it, it was white.

Mrs. Garcia looked around the room and gave me a smile."If you need help getting ready" she offers but I politely decline, shaking my head.

"Mrs. Garcia surely you are busy, besides I don't need a lady in waiting, I can get ready by myself" thanking her after but she shooks her head and gave me a scolding look.

"Now Luna Athena remember that you are a royal now, you might not like the change, but it is necessary. A future Queen needs a lady in waiting, someone who will assist you with your royal needs." she says while gathering the clothes that I worn the previous day.

"Like it or not, it is the Royal ways and the Queen would get cross with you if you refuse" she teases me with a wink. I laughed at her and nod my head.

"But still while she isn't here, I can take care of myself Mrs. Gloria" I insist but he yet again refuses, but with a smile still grazing her lips. "Very well your majesty" she said and left the room with a small wave.

I smiled, never had I ever had such a motherly figure like her. My mother wasn't the caring type, she enfored house rules like a cheif soldier. One misbehaviour from us, we would be punished. More Apollo than me of course. My brother coud be a little rebellious.

I quickly got dressed and finished up my routine, breakfast was about to be served and I couldn't be late for that.

I walked to where the Dining hall was located but only Prince Nathaniel was seated, patiently coloring one of the pages of his book. I looked around curiously, no sign of the Queen and even Xavier.

The young prince then looked at me once he noticed that someone other than him and the maids were in the room.

"Good Morning Luna Athena" he smiles showing me his perfect white teeth. "Good morning to you too Prince Nathaniel" I addressed him taking a seat next to him while he continued what he was doing.

Mrs. Garcia then entered the room from the kitchen, a large picnic basket in her hands. I looked at her questiongly

"Mrs. Garcia where is the other members of the Royal Family?" I asked

She approched us and placed the basket in front of Nathan who eagerly peeks inside " The Queen will be with you shortly but the King sadly couldn't make it for breakfast"

Anxiously waiting for the Queen to arrive I just watched the young prince color.

She then walked in gracefully, wearing a pastel yellow dress with a similar colored coat. "Good morning everyone" she greets us. I stood and bowed which the Prince did so too.

"Good Morning you highness" I greeted her as well which she pleasantly smiled.

She then sat again in the head of the table and the food was immediately served plates covered with a lid

A chef then entered the room holding a plate that he placed in front of the Queen, bowing as he does so. He then turned to me and bowed his head. "It is nice to meet you Luna Athena, my name is Ernest and I am the house chef" he introduces himself, I greeted him as well.

"Ernest has been with us ever since I gave birth to my Xavier, if you like something to be cooked he will make it for you" The Queen spoke up, and I nodded.

Ernest then clapped his hands. "I prepared the house specialty for our Luna." he then opens the lids of the plates in front of us. "Our famous blueberry maple bread pudding" he presents "with fresh maple extracted this early morning by our farmers."

"A lemon chicken salad and maple cinnamon rolls for dessert" he finishes. "Enjoy you majesties" he excuses himself, leaving the room with the other maids. We start eating.

"I do hope you like it Athena, it is one of the pride of the Blackwood Territory "The Queen mutters and I nod. Starting to eat, the table was silent aside from the clank of silverware on the glass plates.

"Now dear we must discuss your soon to be royal title, once I step down as the Queen you will be crowned as my successor"

Nodding I understood even before she told me.

"But it will take a few months time before that happens. Of course we had to have a proclamation ceremony, deeming you as the mate of the King and the next in line for Queen" taking a large gulp of water I listened to her. She then takes small bites of her food and swallowing it down first before continuing.

"And certainly I will help you each day, I will teach you everything that is to know about being a member of the Royal family"

"How the pack works and what you role is to be in the pack" She said mater of factly. All I could just do was nod and listen to her, it was just like when I was at my pack with my mother.

"Everything you need to know about being a Queen and your responsibilities" she adds. I could barely eat. The food was certainly delicious, but processing this information is making it hard to swallow the reality of the situation.

"And we will held a coronation where you will be crowned by myself as the Queen of all Werewolves, in front of every werewolf in this land we call home"

Griping the silverware tightly, wishing everything was over. I could hardly contain the shaking of my body while my heart beats against my chest.

I never wanted this

Soon the dreaded meal was over and the Queen left, excusing herself as she was summoned upon by Xavier for something.

While I stayed here, still seated where I was.

"We can go pick apples so you wouldn't be sad anymore?" The Prince spoke beside me. Surprised I looked at him in disbelief.

"Apples?" I asked confused. He nods eagerly.

"When I'm sad my big brother would always bring me to the orchard to pick apples. Then we would have Mrs. Garcia make her famous Apple pie" he explains. Shocked on what he told me. I guess the King did have a heart after all.

Agreeing, he immediately puts his things away

While the maids were busy cleaning up Prince Nathaniel then guided me to the kitchen. We walked along the kitchen staff who bowed their heads when they noticed us. I followed him to a back door, hidden away underneath the stairwell.

It led to a long hallway with various landscape paintings hanging on the wall. A oak door was at the end of the hall, the Prince then opened it letting me outside first like the truck gentleman that he us

A beautiful garden greeted us. Ot was a sight to behold, lush green fields covered the entire expanse of the area, different kinds of flowers planted strategically, complementing each other in a way that all of it seems to blend in with each other.

I've already seen the garden from various pictures, but in person, it exceeded my expectations.

I breathed in the intoxicating smell of dew, and wood. The smell of freedom, one that I can't ever get.

I gazed at everything that was surrounding me, even though I was confined inside the palace walls, it's feels as though I was free as a bird.

I smiled and arched my back, facing the sun with my eyes closed, bathing in the warm embrace of the sun. I heard a chuckle of laughter beneath me. Prince Nathaniel was there, coping my exact movements.

He was giggling uncontrollably, he walked towards the foot path with me following behind.

The young prince reminded me of my brother. With him, it didn't feel as though I was held prisoner inside my own home. With Apollo it felt like I was free, like there weren't walls surrounding me.

The path led to a bridge, crossing over a field below. From the other side I could already see the apple orchard. Gardeners were already there, harvesting apples. The Prince excitedly ran to a man who was carrying a large basket full of apples with both of his arms.

"Henry" The little boy greeted him, The man, Henry turned his gaze to us and gave him a genuine smile. The prince then proceeded to hug him while Henry was still struggling with the basket he was holding.

"Hello your majesty, going to climb trees again?" Henry placed the basket beside him to properly greet us "Of course, and I have Luna with me" he said pointing directly at me. Henry smiled at us and bowed his head.

"Good Morning you highness, welcome to the Royal Orchard" Henry greeted and took off the straw hat that he was wearing. Henry was about the age of fifties, from the looks of his snow-dusted hair.

"We are going to pick apples so Mrs. Garcia can make her famous apple pies for Luna Athena" The prince explains

" But your grace, there was already a batch of apples sent this morning, you do-" Henry stopped his words once he looked at Prince Nathaniel's eager plea. Henry smiled sadly at him and nodded. "Of course your welcome to, your highness. There is a apple tree still unpicked just a few feet from here, I could help you if you want" he offered.

The young Prince gave him a thankful gaze and shook his head. "You could carry on with your duties Henry, We can handle it, right Luna Athena?" The prince asked me excitedly, I smiled and nodded.

"I'll take that as a yes" Henry laughed and grabbed two empty baskets, offering it to us.

"Here you are you majesties, enjoy your apple picking" Henry smiled and carried on with his chores while the two of us progress into the lush trees, it was the perfect season for them, some were already picked clean, but as we journey further into the pathway, I noticed, red juicy apples were already ripen, and ready to be picked.

"There" Prince Nathaniel picked a tree and ran to it, I chuckled under my breath and followed him. He was already at the base of the tree, trying all he can to climb up the tall tree, but was unsuccessful, but that didn't stopped him from trying.

"Prince Nathaniel, you need help?" O placed my basket on the ground and crouched down to help him. He shoots his head no. "I can do it" which slowly he does so.

In under a few more minutes he managed to hold unto one branch and took a seat on a thick one. He smiled down at me, "I told you I could do it" confident he said.

He picked apples while I waited for him to finish up at the base of the tree. Soon enough his basket was full of apples.

Climbing down he proudly shows his basket to me. "Wait here while I grab another basket" he says slowly backing up. "You don't have to you can use mine" I offered but he refused. Running back to the direction where I assume Henry was from.

I was about to follow him to make sure he was alright but there was a unfamiliar tingle on the back of my neck, I could feel someone was watching me.

I looked around but the sun was creating shadows from the trees, making it harder to spot if anyone was around.

I cautiously looked behind, a dark mist was covering a small portion of the trees, I took small steps towards it, knowing full well that this could lead to my death, but I wasn't afraid walking deeper into the forest and farther away from where the Prince picked apples from

The shadows of the trees makes it look threatening than it was supposed to be.

Something was wrong with my body, like my feet has a mind of their own.

As I walked further the forest looked darker, like the sun has slowly set and left it pitch black but I could still look ahead and know where I was going.

"Athena" I heard a whisper of breath, calling me to it. I looked around and stopped on my tracks, the mist led me to a small clearing of trees. I breathed in deeply, I was alone, but why did it feel like I was not?

Then I saw her, the woman that was close to killing me, a few feet away from me hidden into the trees, the nasty dog wasn't with her which I was glad for.

Only this time I wasn't afraid of her, she holds the answers that my parents and Clio doesnt want to answer. And the sign that I know that she does is because she wants to kills me.

It was obvious she wants to end me, but only she can answer me, even if it will cost me my life.

"Luna Athena?" The voice of the young Prince pulled me out of my thoughts and caught my attention by surprise. With just a blink it was bright and sunny, like everything didn't happen, and I didn't walk further into the forest.

I crouched down, shaking my head from my thoughts, maybe it was my imagination?

Prince Nathaniel worriedly looked me over. "Are you okay Luna?" He asks

I looked around, I was still in the same spot where I stood when I watched the prince pick apples from a tree

No point in letting a little boy worried about me.

After getting my basket and the prince's basket full of apples we started walking back, but I still looked behind us, what happened there wasn't normal.

Just like what happened when I met Clio.