Chapter 4: The King Who Refused
1174 Words
Chapter 4: King Who Refused
The convoy left Silverwood behind. For the first hour, no one spoke.
The highway stretched through forests, rivers, and quiet towns, cutting across the territories of smaller packs that watched the royal escort pass with cautious respect. Every now and then, Isabel caught sight of distant pack houses, each marked by its own crest and guarded gates.
She rested her head against the window and watched the familiar mountains slowly disappear. By the time she looked back, Silverwood was gone.
The silence became impossible to ignore.
She glanced toward the front of the vehicle, where Cassian sat beside the driver, calm as ever.
“May I ask something?”
Cassian looked at her through the rear-view mirror.
“Of course.”
“Have you worked with the King for a long time?”
“Yes.”
She hesitated. “So… is he really like the stories?”
“What stories?” he asked
“That he’s dangerous...that he never smiles.”
“That everyone is afraid of him.”
Cassian was silent for a moment.
“People often confuse fear with respect.”
She frowned. “That doesn’t answer my question.”
“No,” he admitted. “It doesn’t.”
Kael chuckled quietly from the passenger seat.
“He does that a lot.”
Isabel sighed dramatically.
“So neither of you is actually going to tell me what kind of man I’m marrying?”
Cassian smiled faintly.
“I believe it’s only fair that you judge form your own opinion.”
She crossed her arms. “I was afraid you’d say that.”
The conversation drifted into silence again.
As evening approached, the skyline finally appeared on the horizon.
Ashford.
Glass skyscrapers reflected the fading sunlight, while historic stone buildings stood between modern towers like reminders of a much older kingdom. Traffic flowed through the wide streets, digital billboards illuminated the city, and above everything else rose the Royal Palace.
It overlooked the capital from a hill at the city’s center, ancient in design but beautifully preserved.
Isabel couldn’t take her eyes off it. “It’s incredible.”
The convoy passed through the palace gates and came to a smooth stop.
Several attendants were already waiting.
A distinguished man in an immaculate black suit stepped forward and opened the rear door, he bowed respectfully.
“Lady Isabel.”
“Welcome to the Royal Palace of Blackthorne.”
Inside, the palace was breathtaking.
Modern elegance blended seamlessly with centuries-old architecture. Crystal chandeliers hung beneath vaulted ceilings, marble floors reflected the warm evening lights, and enormous windows overlooked gardens that stretched across the palace grounds.
Yet despite its beauty… the palace felt strangely quiet.
Cassian escorted Isabel through the East Wing.
“This will be your residence.” he stated
The room was spacious, elegant, and far larger than anything she had occupied in Silverwood.
“Thank you.” she replied
“If you need anything, the palace staff will assist you.”
After a moment of hesitation, she looked at him.
“when do i get to see his Majesty, is he difficult to meet?”
Cassian smiled faintly.
“The King has many responsibilities.”
“So that’s a yes.” she raised her brows
He chuckled softly.
Before he could answer again, another figure approached.
A young man wearing the Silverwood crest stopped beside Isabel. A sword rested at his hip.
“Kai.” Isabel called
He bowed respectfully. “My lady.”
Relief softened her expression.
“I was beginning to think Father had forgotten me already.”
“The Alpha instructed me to remain at your side.”
“My duty is to protect you.”
Cassian looked toward Kai.
“Your accommodations have already been prepared.”
“Thank you.”
Kai turned back to Isabel. “If you need anything…I’m at your service.”
His familiar presence eased some of the anxiety tightening inside her chest.
Meanwhile…
On the opposite side of the palace, morning sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the King’s private chambers.
Lucas sat silently in a leather armchair, one sleeve of his black shirt rolled to his elbow.
Fresh scratches covered his forearm.
Across from him, the Royal Healer carefully wrapped another bandage around his wrist.
“You should rest, Your Majesty.”
Lucas didn’t answer. The healer sighed.
“You keep reopening the wounds.”
“They’ll heal.” lucas replied
“They won’t if you refuse to slow down.”
Lucas finally looked up. “I have a kingdom to run.”
A knock echoed through the room.
“Enter.”
A palace messenger stepped inside and bowed.
“Your Majesty…”
“The delegation from Silverwood arrived safely.”
Lucas remained expressionless.
“Lady Isabel has been shown to the East Wing.”
Silence.
The room became so quiet that the ticking of the antique clock could be heard.
Finally… Lucas spoke.
“Send her back.”
The messenger blinked. “…Your Majesty?”
“Arrange an escort.”
“She is to return to Silverwood immediately.”
The messenger hesitated. “But… Your Majesty…”
“The Council approved the marriage.”
Lucas slowly raised his head, his piercing blue eyes locking onto the young messenger.
“I gave you an order.”
The messenger swallowed. “…Yes, Your Majesty.”
He hurried out of the room. The Royal Healer looked toward Lucas.
“You know the Council will never allow that.”
Lucas stared at the fresh bandages around his hands.
“They should.”
At that exact moment, unaware of the order that had just been given, Isabel wandered through one of the palace corridors.
Portraits of former Kings lined the walls. She paused before one of them.
“The Kings of Blackthorne…” A quiet voice answered from behind.
“They’ve ruled this kingdom for centuries.”
She turned,a palace maid smiled politely before continuing on her way.
“Wait.” The maid stopped immediately.
“What’s your name?” Isabel asked
“Ivy, my lady.”
“Beautiful...I’m Isabel.” She replied
“See you around, Ivy.” Isabel resumed walking.
At the far end of the corridor, a tall figure rounded the corner.
Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, he walked with calm authority.
Several palace staff immediately lowered their heads as he passed.
Isabel instinctively stepped aside. The man never looked up, within seconds, he disappeared around the corner.
She watched him leave. "Who was that?”
One of the attendants looked surprised.
“You don’t know?”
She shook her head.
“That was His Majesty…”
“…King Lucas.”
Isabel stared at the empty corridor.
So close, and yet she hadn’t even seen his face.
Far ahead, Lucas continued walking without once looking back.
Neither of them realized that fate had already brought them within a few steps of each other.
And neither of them knew that the King had just ordered her to leave his palace before they had even truly met.
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