Footsteps approached—asured, refined, unmistakably noble. And then, behind the trimd hedges, erged three figures:
Prince Reuben, elegant and reserved in a dark forest-green riding coat, his thoughtful eyes quickly assessing the chaos.
Prince Alderan, tall and broader, his dark hair catching the afternoon light, imdiately raised a brow at the sight of Mira inside the enclosure in nothing but her underthings.
And beside them, Princess Ceres, radiant and poised, stifling a startled laugh behind her gloved fingers.
For a beat, no one spoke. The only sounds were the distant chirping of birds and the faint, satisfied snuffling of the wolf pups.
Mira’s face turned the color of boiled beetroot.
"Your Highnesses—" she tried to curtsy but faltered. She rembered that she was only wearing a flimsy peticoat. Her voice cracked as she attempted to regain composure. "This... this..." she stopped as she did not know what to say.
"It looks like you’ve lost a duel with pups," Alderan said teasingly, his eyes trained on the two dark pups lying contentedly on the yellow fabric.
"They’re vicious," Mira snapped, pointing an accusing finger at Little Grey and Snow, who now snoozed blissfully on her torn skirt.
Reuben’s eyes flicked toward the fence. "And yet they seem quite at peace."
"I was retrieving a ball," Mira said through gritted teeth. This is Lara’s fault. Why did she have to keep these stupid pups?
"Of course," Ceres said sweetly, a dimple appearing as she smiled. "Very gracious. And... spirited."
From the sidelines, Mira’s friends had given up any attempt to appear sympathetic. Janna doubled over in laughter while Alia covered her face and shook her shoulders.
Mira glared at them. What kind of friends were they, laughing at the misery of others?
Reya finally stepped forward, passing a cloak to Mira. "Your Highnesses, —please excuse the... chaos. The pups are normally behaved. But they seem to dislike Lady Mira."
Mira’s fists clenched at her sides, and she muttered, "Reya, get them out of here. Or get out of here."
But just as Reya reached for the gate, another bark rang out—Little Grey leapt up, tail wagging, ready to resu play. Snow followed, eyes locked on Mira as if daring her to try leaving the enclosure.
Ceres tilted her head, watching them with interest. "They’re beautiful," she said. "Cute and alert. Who owns these pups? What breed are they?"
Lara’s voice rang out from the path behind them. "They are wolves and they are my pets."
Everyone turned.
Ceres’ eyes widened. Wolves?
Lara, who had just returned from the talsmith and was unaware of the unfolding drama, strode into the garden, her boots dusty, and a faint smile on her lips. But when she saw Mira—disheveled, humiliated, and surrounded by noble guests—her smile froze.
She blinked. "What happened?"
Reya whispered sothing quickly into her ear.
Lara sighed. "Little Grey and Snow must have rembered what happened three days ago. These animals are quite vengeful." She gave Mira an apologetic smile.
"Mira just wanted to retrieve the ball." Alia chid, trying to hold the giggles.
Lara stepped into the enclosure and gave a sharp command. The pups instantly snapped to attention and padded toward her, wagging their tails sheepishly. She retrieved the torn skirt, now crusted with dirt and pawprints, and handed it to Mira without a word.
Mira snatched it and turned away, cheeks afla. "You should get rid of these pups so this will never happen again."
The pups growled and bared their fangs. Mira shuddered and hurried out of the enclosure.
"Your Highnesses, pardon for not entertaining you. Please give a bit of ti." She dared not look up to et the prince and princess’ teasing smiles.
"Actually," Alderan said, smirking. "For what it’s worth, Lady Mira—you’ve made our afternoon infinitely more morable."
Reuben smiled slightly. "It’s always a pleasure to witness such... enthusiasm. You may go, Lady Mira."
Ceres glanced at Mira warmly, amused. "I can wait. I specifically went here for the eting of your dance club."
Mira left hurriedly as if a ghost was chasing her.
"Your Highnesses," Lara curtsied. Please take your seats and have so tea and pastries." Lara greeted the three royals politely and led them to the Gazebo in the middle of the pond.
Alia, Janna, and the rest of the Dance Club mbers were displeased. Why did Lara lead them there instead of where they were standing?
Servants hurried over carrying silver trays with exquisite tea sets and served each of the royals before they scurried away.
"On behalf of my sister, I apologize for what you have witnessed earlier. I hope that you will not take it against my sister." Lara spoke gently. Mira still represented the Norse Family. Her sha was also the sha of the family.
"It is okay. It was not a bother." Prince Reuben replied, his gaze lingered on Lara’s face.
"May I know the purpose of your visit? Is it to see Mira?"
"Ah, we are just accompanying our sister. She wants to join the Dance Club," Reuben replied, not giving his siblings a chance to reply.
Lara nodded in understanding. Then she gestured for Alia to co over.
"Please excuse for a while. I’ll ask the kitchen to prepare more snacks for your highnesses."
Lara left when Alia ca over, but Prince Reuben dismissed her.
"I think I’ll rember this visit for the rest of my life," Alderan said, hands clasped behind his back. "I’ll make sure to send Lady Mira a skirt stitched with wolf insignias."
Princess Ceres laughed. "Be kind, Alderan. She looked genuinely frightened."
"She should be," Alderan said, then grinned. "They are wolves, after all, even if they are just pups."
Reuben didn’t speak. His gaze was still fixed on the direction where Lara had disappeared.
"Did you see how the pups responded to her command? Quick, disciplined—trained beyond instinct. Those aren’t wild creatures anymore. Soone’s shaping them."
"Hmp. She stayed in the mountains for two years. She would have learned so tricks there." Ceres chid in. "It is not like it is sothing unusual."
Alderan’s grin faded slightly. "Don’t tell you are interested in her because she is wild and dangerous." He glanced at his brother, lazily sitting on the stone bench.
"Didn’t you see how beautiful she is and how gracefully and elegantly she danced?" Reuben said. His eyes narrowed as he watched the ladies practice their dancing.
"Ceres, didn’t you say you want to learn their dance? You should go over there and practice with them."
"I changed my mind. I’ll only join them if the teacher is Lara."
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