Karenina wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. She felt so touched by the queen's words.
"Thank you…" she said with a hoarse voice.
Queen Marianne smiled and reached out to her. "Come here, child. Don't cry. You are a good woman. I hope to see you marry my son and live a happy life together and give me many chubby grandchildren."
Karenina touched the queen's hand and held it solemnly. She really liked Queen Marianne and felt lucky to have her as her mother-in-law. She had lost her mother when she was a child and always missed a mother figure in her life.
Who would have thought that the queen herself would take her under her wings?
"I promise…" Karenina wiped her nose and cheeks from her tears. "I promise to devote myself to His Majesty. I will make him happy."
"I know you will," Queen Marianne smiled broadly. "Good girl."
***
Nicholas Hannenbergh was now the king of the nation, and though everyone at the party was intermingling with one another, he saw a certain group that didn't even take a single sip of wine.
They seemed out of place in the party as much as him.
If one was able to pay attention, there were a lot of hooded figures at several locations in the banquet place. He identified them as the Royal Lycan Hunters and all of them were stationed everywhere.
In the event of the great catastrophe that attacked the city of Livstad and Riga, these were the sworn protectors of their capital and kingdom. A lot of them did their jobs despite no thanks ever being received.
Before any dukes or lords approached him to pay him lip service, Nicholas immediately walked toward one of the hooded figures. It was a strange thing to see that, during a party, all of them had their weapons strapped on.
However, the king didn't say a word. It was better to be over prepared than underprepared and overwhelmed by the enemy. Nicholas learned that now.
"Do you know where the Head of the Lycan Hunters are?" Nicholas asked. It was hard to distinguish who was who underneath their shadowy hoods.
"He is on the fourth balcony, Your Majesty," the voice of a female answered him.
Nicholas blinked in surprise. He didn't expect any females to be part of this elite squad of hunters. Now he realized there were a lot of things that he didn't know from the ordained group that existed alongside the royal family.
He finally came to the balcony as instructed, but when he opened the door and walked out, he found it empty.
There was no one around. Or at least, Nicholas thought of it until he glanced up and saw a figure on top of the palace's roof. The Royal Lycan Hunter leaped down and immediately greeted him.
"What can we do to be of service to you, Your Majesty?" the man asked.
Nicholas looked at the hooded figure and said, "I have noticed that not one of your men has partaken in the festivities or celebrations. Our injured soldiers were all rewarded handsomely for serving and protecting Riga, but what of your organization?"
"We are people who have lived our lives to fight our enemy, Your Majesty." the Royal Lycan Hunter said. "There is no need for any rewards, whatsoever. We only live to serve the kingdom and protect its people."
Nicholas pressed his lips. "And what of those who had died? How many of your men perished during the battle? Have their families been informed and compensated for their deaths?"
The kingdom of Riga and its nobilities were all celebrating right now, but Nicholas couldn't forget how his coronation was borne out of the blood and death of many. If there was one thing that he wanted to do, it was to honor them.
Nicholas was numb from being forced into this role. He did not want to get married to Lady Karenina and he felt like he lost his chance at love when Sophia Romanov disappeared. However, Nicholas didn't want to turn a blind eye to his people.
Despite his own burdens that weighed on his mind, Nicholas was still the King of Riga and he needed to separate his personal problems from his responsibilities to his people.
The Royal Lycan Hunter finally spoke in a tone with some emotion. "Since Your Majesty only took the throne recently, it seems that you are not aware of the circumstances of those who are filled into this position."
Nicholas frowned. "Speak what is on your mind?"
"All members of the Royal Lycan Hunters are orphans of the past war, Your Majesty." The Head Lycan Hunter explained. "We have no families to return to and so, there is nobody to inform."
"...I apologize," Nicholas said. His heart went out to those people. They must have such sad and lonely life without families, and had to witness losing their loved ones because of the war. Yet, they all dedicate their life to this kingdom.
He felt such deep sympathy for them.
"It is not your fault, Your Majesty." The Royal Lycan Hunter bowed his head. "This servant apologizes for their lack of social etiquette and grace. It is my first time speaking with you in this setting… Your Majesty."
Nicholas smiled a little and glanced at the hooded figure.
"There's not much need to be precise and cutting in words when your weapons are all that needs to be accurate. I have seen how fierce your men in battle are. One of you is akin to a dozen soldiers from what I've seen."
The Royal Lycan Hunter cleared his throat. "You give us too much praise, Your Majesty. If there is anything that has made our men more inspired… it is when you charge into the battle yourself."
Nicholas grimaced. "It was an unwise and foolish decision on my part."
"If I did not see your garments fit for the coronation, Your Majesty, I would have assumed you were a battle veteran," the Royal Lycan Hunter explained. "Your awareness in battle was second to none."
"I am not aware that your people could jest." Nicholas chuckled. He remembered that day clearly, and he thought his blood was pumping at that time. That was one of the rare occasions where he felt alive and untethered to anything.
That kind of freedom scared him. Nicholas thought he could simply keep running and throw everything away.
He felt free like some kind of animal released from prison and yet he needed to remind himself that he was king.
"Your Majesty, I was serious," the man said.
"Has anyone ever told your men that wearing that hood is quite intimidating?" Nicholas pointed out. "It feels like I'm talking with reapers of death."
"That is the purpose of it, Your Majesty," the man replied seriously. "To spread fear into the eyes of the lycans at their very last moments. Instill a fear that would make the lycans believe that it is their final hour."
"A good tactic." Nicholas laughed. "However, it does seem odd to talk to someone who keeps their face hidden."
"Ah, forgive me, Your Majesty." The Royal Lycan Hunter finally pulled off his hood and revealed a man with simple features.
He had short jet black hair with sharp brown eyes and three hideous scars on his left cheeks. There were more scars if one was to trace his skin from his neck down.
He bowed down to Nicholas and said, "Noel Gastrell at your service."
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