Chapter 189.
Chapter Sixity–Eight: Queenie Lessons Part Two
Kiara’s POV:
As the sun began to make its descent, casting long shadows across the castle’s grandeur, I found myself shuffling towards the last hurdle of the day – Diplomatic Relations. My mind was a whirlpool, brimming with a tumult of new knowledge, and my body ached from the unfamiliar strain.
The lessons had been as vast and varied as the very world we inhabited. The etiquette classes were a gauntlet of pleasantries and protocol, the golden thread that held the court’s fabric together.
Language sessions had been a linguistic labyrinth, a tapestry of accents, dialects, and grammatical rules that my tongue stumbled over.
Every moment of respite was fleeting, barely enough to catch my breath or appease my hunger. The academic marathon left me
physically drained, mentally fatigued, and with an unexpected pang of loneliness throbbing in my chest.
I missed my mates – their warmth, their reassuring presence, their soft
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laughter, and even their playful squabbles. Despite the flurry of activities, their absence was a void that echoed loudly. Their comforting words over our mind link were like a balm to my weary heart, yet the desire to be physically with them left a gnawing emptiness within me.
The weight of the day’s disappointments still hung heavy in the air. The language class hadn’t gone as well as I’d hoped, my tongue. fumbling over the alien sounds and strange dialects. The taste of failure was bitter, a stark reminder that I still had much to learn.
With a sigh, I attempted to shove aside the cloud of doubt, stepping into the realm of diplomacy. As I walked into the room, I was met with the icy gaze of an impeccably dressed woman. Poised and regal, her elegance was a chilling reminder of the world I was stepping into. Her calculating eyes scanned me from head to toe, a condescending smile playing on her lips.
The blatant assessment stirred a surge of unease in me, making me question my place in this grand setup. But then, I reminded myself – I was their Luna Queen. Their leader. Their mate. I wasn’t an outsider. I belonged here.
Chin up and back straight, I met her gaze unflinchingly, returning her condescending smile with a polite nod. This was merely a test, a stepping stone toward my goal, and I wouldn’t allow it to deter me.
Every passing moment was a challenge, a lesson in itself. And each new sunrise would bring its own set of trials and triumphs. But for now, I had a class to conquer. Resolute, I took my seat, poised for the delicate dance of diplomacy that awaited me. I had come this far, and I
was not about to back down. For all the challenges that lay ahead, I knew one thing for certain I was ready to face them head–on.
–
The tutor, a tall woman with a sharp jawline and a twinkle of intelligence in her cool grey eyes, introduced herself as Madam Faye. Her voice was firm yet melodic, a clear testament to years of sophisticated speech.
“Welcome, Luna Kiara,” Madam Faye began, her eyes never leaving mine. “I believe introductions are in order. Why don’t you tell me about yourself?”
Under Madam Faye’s penetrating gaze, I sat straighter, pulling together the threads of confidence that I had been weaving throughout the day. I cleared my throat, making sure to meet her cool grey eyes squarely.
“Well, my name is Kiara,” I started, determined to leave a strong first impression, “My journey till now has been a testament to my constant yearning for knowledge. I had the privilege of being a scholarship holder at the esteemed Academic Guild of Lycanthropes back home in my pack, where I delved into the depths of Linguistics and Mythology. My years of rigorous training have moulded me into a Level One Warrior, and I have taken part in various high–risk missions with the Alpha squad.”
Even though her face remained inscrutable, I plowed on,
“On the academic side. I have also served as the head of the Scholars. Committee, contributing to the preservation and understanding of our historical artifact, the Wolfstone. I now find myself here, as the chosen. Luna Queen to our Alpha Kings, Kayden and Jayden, and I wish to
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serve our kingdom to the best of my abilities.”
Silence hummed between us for a moment, as if she was assessing the information, categorizing and analyzing every word. Without breaking her gaze, she prompted me to go on,
“Now, Luna Kiara, could you share your insights on the matter of diplomatic relations and pack politics?”
Feeling a surge of energy, I leaned in slightly,
“Diplomacy, as I understand it, is a complex dance of negotiation, building relationships, and strategic communication. It’s about arriving. at a mutual understanding, often despite the differences, for the larger benefit of both parties.”
“Pack politics,” I continued, allowing myself to go deeper, “is where diplomacy gets a unique dimension. In our world, every political decision directly influences the lives of the pack members. It’s not about power, not in the absolute sense. It’s about using power wisely to maintain harmony within the pack, protect our packmates, and foster alliances with others.”
Her gaze softened marginally, and then, to my utter surprise, she
smiled.
“Impressive, Luna Kiara. It seems you’ve been diligent in your studies. Now, let’s see how you can apply this theoretical knowledge to real–life
scenarios.”
Her words, though unexpected, filled me with a sense of accomplishment. She was indeed a challenging teacher, but her smile and those few words of praise reassured me. I was on the right path, under the guidance of a knowledgeable mentor, ready to tackle whatever this journey of being Luna Queen would throw my way.
Once our pleasantries were exchanged, Madam Faye dove right into the heart of the matter. She had a no–nonsense air about her, her piercing gaze leaving no room for error or hesitation.
“Luna Kiara, as a queen, it is your duty to understand the political landscape of our realm,” she began, her voice firm, leaving no room for argument. “Can you explain the underlying causes of the friction between the Wolf Kingdom and the Lycan Kingdom?”
“Yes, Madam Faye,” I replied, my heart pounding in my chest. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts.
“The core of their conflict lies in territorial disputes. The Wolf Kingdom accuses the Lycan Kingdom of breaching the agreed borders. It’s an age–old issue that has been passed down from generation to generation, escalating over the years with instances of mistrust and confrontations.”
A fleeting nod of approval crossed Madam Faye’s face before she continued,
“And what do you know about the alliance between the Vampires and Rogue Shifters?”
“That’s a rumour at this point, though an unsettling one,” I said, remembering the whispers I had heard. “The implications are grave if it’s true. Vampires and Rogue Shifters allying together could disrupt the balance of our realm and pose a significant threat to the Wolf and Lycan kingdoms.”
“Well said, Luna Kiara,” Madame Faye complimented, the faint hint of a smile playing on her lips. “Now, let’s delve deeper into possible solutions and strategies that we can employ to mitigate these issues.”
The dialogue went on for hours, each question more thought–provoking than the last. With each query, Madam Faye pushed me to delve deeper, to analyze each situation from various angles, and consider the potential repercussions. The intensity of our conversation never waned, instead fuelling my thirst for knowledge,
Just as the sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange, Madam Faye finally leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smile gracing her features.
“I must admit, Luna Kiara, you have surpassed my expectations. I can see a queen in you who is compassionate, intelligent, and
understanding. Our kingdom will thrive under your leadership,” she said, her voice filled with sincerity.
Her words meant more to me than she could know. They filled me with renewed determination and resolve. I thanked her and was about to leave when she said,
“One last thing, Luna Kiara. Remember, in this world of ours, the face shown is often an illusion. Even the closest friend can cast the longest
shadow.”
The cryptic riddle sent a shiver down my spine, her words echoing in my mind as I stepped out of the room, only to collide with a familiar pair of sturdy chests. Looking up, I found myself staring into the grinning faces of JJ and Rex, their playful banter instantly driving away the chill of Madam Faye’s ominous words.
