The Crown's Entrapment

At Hindman Manor, Lock Heart Pack Territory

Bella yawned as she stretched her arms. Sluggishly staring out at her balcony, she looked at the light of the dawn. The sun still wasn't up yet, but she was way too excited to prepare herself.

[Are you that excited to see him?] Poona yawned.

"Indeed! He's back, and he's even the new Great Justiciar now," Bella excitedly replied, not bothering to answer in her head as she got up from bed. "That only means one thing... He's back for good!"

It was the sole reason she wanted to arrive early in the Capital City in one of her best outfits, of course. It was time for her to see him, and the fastest way for her to get there was to hitch a ride on her brother's back with her sister-in-law.

If she recalled correctly, the two had plans to leave early before sunrise today, so Bella quickly prepared herself before she rushed outside to catch up with them. Sure enough, both her brother and sister-in-law Jayra were already preparing to leave.

"Just in time," Jayra greeted her with a smile. Her brother was already in his wolf form, and Jayra climbed onto him first. Bella followed suit.

After a few hours of traveling, they finally reached the Castle Cordon. She and Jayra excitedly walked through the hallways, seeing Freya along the way along with Gideon and another woman, who like her, also had the same purple hair, only being a bit shorter than her long locks.

"She is?" Bella unconsciously asked while staring at the woman who also bore those lovely purple eyes. She found herself wondering if her hair was naturally dark purple, or if it was only dyed like hers was.

"Right, she's Lady Aurelia, Gideon's sister," Freya introduced.

The woman in question politely gave her a curt nod. Freya then also introduced her to Jayra before the conversation continued.

"I didn't know that Lord Gideon has a sister," Jayra commented.

Bella, on the other hand, heard of it, of course, but she hadn't had the opportunity to meet the woman yet. This Aurelia never attended any gatherings whatsoever, limiting the chances that they'd even meet at all.

She also heard that the woman was a workaholic too, that she preferred to stay inside Cordon's Infirmary for most of her time in the castle. Despite it all, she was also aware of how good this Lady Aurelia was in her work. She was the best physician in their kingdom, and she had made considerable contributions in regards to any investigations involving dead bodies.

"Is that a natural color?" Bella couldn't help but curiously ask, pointing at Aurelia's hair while doing so.

"Hahahaha! Of course it is," Gideon answered with a burst of laughter. She was born with that hair, Lady Bella, and I can attest to that."

"Oh my... Look at you all gathering in here. Did you all happen to have breakfast already?" the Queen Mother suddenly chimed in, having seen them arriving a while ago. "Oh, even if you've already done so, why not come with me and have some tea or coffee with His Majesty?"

With all of them marching inside the dining hall at the Queen Mother's behest, Bella gulped nervously despite her anticipation. She was sure that Calypso would also be there to dine with his cousin, and she was feeling too ecstatic and excited to keep still.

Behind her, Jayra elbowed her and whispered, "Are you excited, Sis? I'm sure you'll be seeing him inside shortly. I'm also curious to meet him."

Bella only gave her sister-in-law a bashful smile as she nodded in reply. Reaching the dining hall, the door swung open, and Bella held her breath as her eyes darted across the table. There she saw the king, but he wasn't with Calypso... He was with the Admiral, Osman...

Their eyes met, and she froze for reasons unknown even to herself.

[That's weird...] Poona noted.

She bore no expression on her face as she quickly turned her gaze away to greet their King along with the rest. Feeling the admiral's gaze upon her, she bit her inner cheek as she found herself sitting opposite his own seat.

"Where's Calypso?" Bartos asked the moment he entered.

"I'm here behind you, my friend!" Calypso enthusiastically greeted as he patted Bartos's shoulder. He then quickly grabbed a chair beside Osman and sat with his usual casual demeanor.

[Do you feel it? Smell it?] Bella quickly asked Poona as soon as she saw the man. She couldn't feel the so-called Mate Pull, so she had no choice but to consult her inner wolf.

[Nothing...] Poona plainly answered.

Bella ignored that unfortunate fact as she quickly sported her most seductive smile as she greeted Calypso. "Milord," she addressed him. "It's been a while. Welcome back."

"Oh my... Is that you, Lady Bella?" Calypso's eyes widened as he asked her. "What did you do to your black hair? I almost didn't recognize you!"

"You've been away far too long, Son. You've missed a lot. Ten years, to be exact," the Queen Mother chuckled. "Anyway, this is a good gathering, seeing everyone in here like old times. Won't you agree, Son?"

"Indeed... It's also nice that Lady Aurelia has grace us with her presence," the King noted with a hint of mirth. "It's very rare for Gideon's sister to go out and show herself like this. I really appreciate it, and I'm very lucky that you're willing to cooperate and help us in our search."

Aurelia gave the king a timid smile. "It's my honor and pleasure to be at your service, Your Majesty."

Bella had no idea what was going on and what that talk was all about, but it didn't escape her notice of how Calypso was constantly staring at Lady Aurelia's direction.

[What's with that look, Poona? Why do I feel like it isn't something good?] Bella inwardly wondered. [Shouldn't he be looking at me right now? I even dyed my hair and kept it in this color just so he could praise me. It's his ideal hair color in a woman, but he only questioned me as to what I did to my black hair...]

[That's because you're a fake, my dear,] Poona teased with a chuckle. [You have some competition with a woman born with natural purple hair, not to mention purple eyes that you don't have.]

Bella frowned as her eyes darted towards Aurelia, the woman looking unbothered and stoic as if she was in her own world. [What is this? I've waited ten years for this?!]

[No one ask you to wait, and I kept on reminding you of that fact!] Poona retorted back.

Bella shrugged at her wolf's words as she blankly stared at her empty plate while she heard her brother introduce her sister-in-law to Calypso as his wife.

After some time, Jayra elbowed her and said, "Sis, let's eat. Also, come with me to my private chamber later. I have something to show you."

"Alright..." Bella sighed as she raised her head, only to see Osman still staring at her.

"Would you like some coffee, milady?" the admiral offered with a smile.

[I feel nothing at Calypso... But we definitely feel something towards that man, don't we?] Poona pointed out.