Restore The Name and The Honor
1661 Words
~Lyra~
As we made our way to the dining hall in the main mansion, Eli continued to feed me tidbits of information about King Aldric’s two mistresses—Lady Evelyn and Lady Ana.
Lady Ana was once crowned the beauty queen of the Lycan Kingdom, renowned for her striking allure and an enviable figure that captivated many. In contrast, Lady Evelyn had started as the King’s she-wolf assistant, a woman of sharp intellect and impeccable skill in managing affairs. Over the years, she had quietly taken on most of the Queen’s responsibilities, earning the admiration of many.
Whispers in the palace suggested that Lady Evelyn was the favored candidate for the future Lycan Queen, her competence making her the most suitable choice. Yet, others believed Lady Ana had the upper hand, for she had given birth to the King’s most beloved son—Prince Liam, who had recently returned after studying abroad in Europe.
Even with just these few insights, it was clear how intricate and treacherous the royal family's dynamics were.
And with Kael—the temperamental and unpredictable "God of Death"—woven into the mix, calling this place a battlefield wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Still, with my sight restored, so too had my long-dormant fighting spirit.
I wasn’t afraid. I knew exactly how to navigate this path.
“We’ve arrived at the dining hall,” Eli murmured.
The long mahogany table stretched across the room, polished to a gleaming finish that reflected the flickering glow of the golden chandeliers above.
On the table, there were steak, roasted vegetables glistening with butter, and an array of decadent side dishes, each meticulously plated to perfection. Silver goblets filled with crimson wine stood at every seat, its rich aroma mingling with the scent of freshly baked bread.
At the head of the table sat the King himself, flanked by two she-wolves—one on either side.
To his right was Lady Ana, whom I had already met. On his left sat another woman, her gaze fixed on me with an unwavering smile. That must be Lady Evelyn.
“How shameless! Forcing the Prince into a marriage just because you’re pregnant!”
I turned toward the source—a young lycan with golden-brown eyes burning with barely restrained fury. Even without an introduction, his resemblance to Lady Ana was unmistakable.
Prince Liam.
“Liam! Mind your manners,” Lady Ana scolded in a hushed but urgent tone, reaching for his arm in an attempt to calm him.
I paid no mind to those words. Instead, I simply smiled turned toward Eli. “Eli, would you be so kind as to guide me to my seat? I’m feeling rather hungry.”
A gentle voice called out, lilting with warmth. “Princess Lyra, come sit beside me.”
It was Lady Evelyn.
I settled into the seat as she offered me a smile, “Don’t be upset. Prince Liam is simply a bit too… straightforward.”
I responded with a polite nod.
“It must be difficult,” she continued, her tone laced with carefully measured sympathy. “Adjusting to royal life with your condition… How have you been managing?”
Once, when I was truly blind, I might have been fooled by the softness in her voice, the careful cadence of her words. But I wasn’t that girl anymore. Now I can see and I saw her smile curled with mockery—no different from Lady Ana’s or Prince Liam’s.
"All good." I offered a light, effortless smile, as I let my fingers hesitate—just briefly—tracing the table in a careful search for the fork, just as a blind girl would.
"Mommy—she's blind like you said." A girl setting next to Lady Evelyn said. She must be Princess Celeste. Her voice carrying a note of triumph as she turned to Evelyn.
Evelyn's lips curved into a gentle smile. "Yes, my dear. And how do we treat blind wolves?"
"With patience and kindness," Celeste answered, as if reciting a lesson long ingrained.
With that, the dining hall finally fell into silence.
Eli leaned in, her voice low as she whispered in my ear, “Princess, shall I cut the steak for you?”
I nodded. “Sounds good.”
…
A breakfast filled with fake kindness and ironic remarks finally came to an end. As Eli led me back to Kael’s mansion, I remembered that I had arranged to visit Rylan and Gideon at the downtown hospital today.
“Eli, I want to stop by the hospital to see some friends. Can you take me there?”
“Sure, Princess Lyra.”
After nearly half an hour, we arrived at the downtown hospital, the biggest one in the nation so far.
Eli helped me out, and as we walked past a corridor, a cautious voice drifted from a nearby room. "Kael, using weapon requires controlled strength, or you'll end up hurting yourself..."
Kael? As in Prince Kael?
I turned instinctively, trying to get a better look.
From my position, I couldn't see the man’s face—only his casually crossed legs. His black trousers were neatly pressed, and his outstretched hand had long, defined fingers.
The doctor was pouring the disinfectant over the wound on his arm, yet there was no suppressed breathing or a flinch coming from him.
It was as if the man felt nothing at all.
“What’s wrong, Princess?” Eli turned to me.
I hesitated for a moment before shaking my head.
Forget it. There were plenty of wolf named Kael.
“Nothing.”
…
“We’ve arrived,” Eli announced.
We stopped in front of a hospital room. Inside, Rylan lay in bed, wrapped in bandages like a mummy. By the window stood Gideon, my father’s Beta.
The moment I stepped inside, Gideon turned. Then, his legs buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, kneeling.
“Eli, wait outside,” I said, releasing her hand.
I stepped forward, ignoring Gideon as I approached Rylan’s bed.
Lying there, barely clinging to life, his face was swollen beyond recognition.
Looking at Rylan, memories surged forward—the beatings, the torment, the moment I thought he would finally be a friend, only to discover he had been trying to sell me off.
Disgust churned in my chest.
Rylan’s swollen eyes suddenly fluttered open. Terror flashed across his face as he struggled to make a sound. “Y-You…”
I chuckled softly. “Surprised to see me alive and well, Rylan?”
His expression twisted in fury and disbelief. “What the hell are you doing here?”
I tilted my head and laughed lightly. “I came to thank you, Rylan.”
Rylan’s face contorted.
“Thanks to you, I am now Princess Lyra—the wife of your beloved Prince Kael.”
“What?!”
“Oh yes. And you haven’t heard, have you? Kael turned out to be my fated mate. If not for your actions, I might never have met him, let along marrying him.”
Rylan’s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.
I smiled, tilting my cane. “So as long as I live, I will never forget your kindness.”
I stepped closer, reached for his IV needle, and twisted it.
"Ahhh—" Rylan passed out and I turned.
Gideon, still kneeling, knocked his head against the floor, his voice trembling. “I have wronged you. I have wronged Alpha Magnus and Luna Elara…”
I remained silent for a long minute before walking forward. “Gideon, I never blamed you. Without you, I would have died eight years ago.”
Eight years ago—as a newly blind she-wolf, abandoned by everyone. Only Gideon had stayed. He had treated me better than his own son, hiring caretakers, starving himself to provide for me.
Until he left for work. And Rylan took over.
Gideon never knew what had happened to me.
“This is my fault,” Gideon sobbed. “I never imagined my son could become such a monster. That he would do this to you… It’s all my fault.”
He refused to rise, still kneeling on the cold floor. “You were Evergreen’s treasure, yet I let you suffer. I swear, I will make this right. I will bring justice to you and to Alpha Magnus.”
I looked down at him, my voice cool. “And how will you do that? Kill your son? Your wife? Then take your own life?”
Gideon flinched.
I knew his loyalty too well—he was fully capable of such a thing.
“Back then… when my wife fell into a coma from giving birth,” he whispered hoarsely. “It was Luna Elara who saved her…” His voice cracked. “I can never repay what I owe you. And now, after all my son has done, I deserve nothing less than death.”
At the mention of my mother, my hands trembled slightly. My mother was a healer, a genius when it came to herb and medicine. She had saved many wolves, but failed at saving herself.
“I don’t want Rylan to die so easily. I want him to stand trial, to let the judge decide his fate.”
Gideon’s hands clenched into fists. “That won’t be enough, Lyra. It’s not enough…”
“Whether it’s enough or not, we’ll start there.” I exhaled softly before stating, “And now I am pregnant. I had bigger things to think about. ”
Gideon’s face lifted, stunned into silence.
“Evergreen would soon welcome a new life. There would be one more of us in this world." I continued. “That’s why I’ve decided to start over, to restore our pack’s name and honor. But I can’t do it alone. I need a foundation. I need help. Your help.”
Gideon stared at me. His breath caught in his throat. “Lyra… your eyes…”
- Writer
