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King Romulus' POV

For the last several days, Romulus had been utterly miserable. Not only have there been no leads of the Queen's whereabouts, but there hasn't been a single Rogue sighting since her disappearance from the Red Moon pack.

Alpha Stephen has been defiant at every turn, and that meant that the pack mates were just as upset, if not discouraged to help the traveling Enforcers just wanted to check in—All under his own orders.

Yet they were met with what they described as hatred, both wolf and human.

In the current moment, Romulus had traded in his traveling gear for something more fitting to his title. And goddess, he wished for a reason to escape the festivities set before him, as if he needed another reminder that he was getting older without the keen traditions left unchecked.

As of yet, he still doesn't have a female to give the Kingdom as Luna.

Without that, he's unable to offer pups.

Not to mention that he has yet to settle the impending threat of the Rogue King. That was just the ongoing issues on his mind, and he would rather gouge out his eyes with a rusty spoon than continue these formalities. And thus, ended up on the golden throne that once belonged to the only person that he could truly say was good.

"My King, you are meant to be socializing, dancing with the females to secure alliances with their families." Wilhelm chided and Romulus hid his grin just behind his hand as he continued to stroke his chin. "I humored the idea of a party, Advisor, but I didn't say anything about taking part in the festivities." He returned, causing the human to duck his head, realizing that he spoke out of turn.

"Perhaps just a dance then, the females are quite beautiful. She-wolves and humans alike." Now that had caused the king to still, Romulus' cheek tighten at the first grit of his teeth in the same moment he curled his fist.

"What a pity they aren't the one female I want."

"Sir, the Enforcers are working effortlessly to find the Healer. But even then, what would her title mean for your reign?" A snort followed the question as Romulus licked his teeth.

"It sounds to me that you are worried about your position as my advisor, I've heard nothing but good remarks from either Ray and Clive. Which reminds me, when all is settled, they will come forward and join the court. As will Healer Rhea." Now that the conversation had switched from the Queen, a secret that Romulus wasn't too sure he was comfortable with sharing outside a collected group of those closest to him.
But then Wilhelm had thought he was safe from taking a twist, but the smile on the King's face had grown outright.

"What position did you have in mind that they could join the court, sir?"

"Advisors or Councilmen, I haven't decided yet."

"B-but sir! I need no help, I am capable of providing s-solutions. What benefit would there be with more minds colliding?"
"Just that, I need another type of voice in my ear. One that isn't afraid of leaving the Palace walls. Besides, Clive is still young. I would enjoy seeing him getting a proper education." Wilhelm swallowed his next breath as though the entirety of his world is crashing down.

"That is...Of course, if you decide to continue to speak about a need for a female or interact with them. Perhaps then I can keep you on board."

"O-of course sir, I mean no disrespect. Just reminding you of what the council—"

"I know what the council has said, but they are the very votes that are stalling the hunt for the healer and what might very well be the territory that the Rogues are hiding in. Had you emphasized the fact that the rescued survivors spoke about mining silver, none of them seemed to care. Perhaps I should have them organize the rest. Let myself indulge in their daughters instead." A wolfie-like grin had started to grow on the King's face that Wilehm could only respond by falling back a step.

"Sir?"

"Kidding, for now. Enjoy your achievements, Wilhelm, you held the fort while I worked out in the field."
"Sir, it's your birthday."

"Yes, so everyone keeps reminding me. One year without much to show for it." Wilhelm chuckled and waved it by. "Plenty can be found before your next birthday, the Healer for instance. Once you've killed the Rogues, they'll no longer be a threat to the Tirean kingdom." Romulus had remained silent, wondering how Wilhelm could possibly hold so much animosity for one of his own kind, but then again, the devotion was heartwarming.

Granted, he frowned once he realized that Wilhelm was under the assumption that Rhea is a distraction, and in terms of everything, a threat to his position. If only he knew the truth, that she was a threat being the placeholder for being able to defy the odds and escape the fire that essentially killed her.

Is that what Wilhelm is advertising?
Is that why the council isn't as eager as he assumed?

"Fuck..." He growled, and a sharp gasp sparked as the poor server who was attempting to fill the King's goblet with more wine had nearly spilled it all to the ground. "Relax, female. I don't bite—Yet."

It elected another soft intake of air that Romulus shook his head in pure amusement. Leaving him to rise from his destined throne and take the given steps down. "What is your name?"

"I-Irene, y-your h-highness." She spoke, offering a shakey bow that earned her a lovely hum. "Irene, how long have you been working the palace?"
"T-this is my sixth month, sir."
"In those sixth months, have I been cruel to you or any part of my staff?"
"N-no, sir."
"Then why, are you so skittish in my presence, little female?"
"Th-this is the first time I am serving you, my King. I didn't want to disappoint." Yet the fear was still wafting through his nose even after he brought up any past mishaps. And thus, he nodded.

"Spilled wine will not disappoint me, Irene...But there is something that I would like of you, if you are not too busy."

"Anything, my King...What do you need?" The eagerness couldn't have been more innocent, and he had found that charming. But Romulus was never one to toy with the staff.
Not like his father, at the very least.
Instead, he rubbed his chin once more and nicked his head.

"I will be needing a few ladies in waiting for a certain female, I have hope that she shall be coming to the palace in a few months."

"Your mate, sir? A Luna?"

"I am hopeful for the future, but not that hopeful. I like your character. I find the match perfect for what I am imagining." The sheer amount of happiness that sparked into Irene's face had caused him to smile lightly, yes, he could see Amory adoring this little female.

"I take it you know who to talk to to train into being a female in waiting?"

"Yes sir! I will talk to Madam Maxine after the celebrations. Happy birthday, my King." With a final nod, Romulus had taken the now full glass of wine and thanked her. However, the ache in his chest had started to subside at the fact that he had taken into account his plans.

Wilhelm didn't need to know the finer details, but he would certainly need to continue to do this sort of brainstorming if he didn't want the pain to return. And thus, he spent the better part of his own birthday celebration in preparing for Queen Amory's return to her former home.

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In returning back to the stationary inn that the King claimed, both Clive and Ray had been in good spirits. Though were sort of thankful for not following Romulus to the kingdom until the real reason had sparked into the conversation.

"Sir—You had a party and didn't invite the better half?" Clive teased, motioning to both himself and Ray standing beside him. And Romulus chuckled as he signed off another order for the Enforcers to mend through.
"Hm, would've been much more exciting to have you two there. The court seems to suck the life out of anything that breaths, let alone thinks." It hadn't occurred to the king, but both survivors had turned to look toward one another in a sense of remembrance.

So when the room had started to grow cold, Romulus responded to the rising hair at the back of his neck.

"Something wrong?" Ray ducked his head, worried on mentioning Rhea so early in the day, but Clive let out the sweetest smile.
"Rhea would say the same thing, sir. That court is filled with awful families." Now that had Romulus nodding in agreement.

"Most of which are trying to push their daughters into my chambers—It's much easier to breathe outside the Kingdom's walls." It felt strange for the two to stand before the King, a male wolf—But to hear the very same words that Rhea would say on occasion when they were in need of an uplifting story.

Granted, things were starting to progress. With the help of the Elven kingdom, there was a progress report of what was being transported into their realm than in his own. It was a lead, and the King seemed to be eager—especially considering his betroth was half-human and half-elven.

That still didn't settle Romulus' ticking foot at the fact that the elf had been a possible marriage option for Amory.

It wasn't until the following night that Romulus had attempted to scout forward, covering his tracks with his trusty Delta at his tail—However, just over the creek, the King had been stricken with a phantom pain that might as well have impaled him from its true origin.

The pain was too excruciating, too loud, and until to be ignored. So much so that he hadn't been able to take another step without surcoming to the darkness.

But that was the beauty of being King—He couldn't show a lick of weakness, otherwise, the rumors would spread.

So he limped back to the inn at the slowest pace he ever managed and crashed into his bed without a thought of what this could mean.

Of what type of sign this might offer.

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Date: 05/18/23

Time: 11:58

Words: 1756