The banquet transpired.
With almost all of the members of the Western Border, Edward and few of his trusted men, the grand celebration took place in the Capital. Tables were scattered around like it was an open restaurant.
Stalls were opened offering different fare to those who attendeded. The Central area became rowdy. Together with the open lights in every corner. It was almost as if the Capital was alive.
Axel's men had successfully threw a cozy party, that it pleased both Sophie and Axel.
The party was open. Accessible to everyone who would join and indulge the fun. You could see people with different ranks walking, drinking, eating, like it was a citynight in the Human world. Sophie could almost not believe it. Especially, when the Alpha wasn't fond of celebration. He was Axel Hugh Valicx. The son of darkness. His whole existence was made of intimidation and coldness.
"Did you really come up with this idea yourself?" Sophie asked, fascinated. "The Capital is crowded, Axel."
Though she was sure Axel could hold out well in a formal social gathering, like the afterparty of her coronatio. This banquet was no informal. It looked like a party where you wouldn't need to think about anything. The vibe was very pleasing. Friendly. Lively. A party that would most likely on the last of Axel list.
"I told you this morning, didn't I?"
They continued walking. Hands intertwined. Sophie kept looking around to see more of the bragging party. After them was Hansel, and Flora, whom Axel invited, not to accompany them but to join the party. But it was both of Flora and Hansel's stubborness to follow them.
So, they let them be.
As the they walked in the street, heading towards the center of the town, wolves who would walk pass by them would congratulate and smiled at them. Some were even unknown. Few were familiar… barely.
Sophie and Axel wondered almost the half of the Capital. Sophie tried different fares, cmpletely captivated by the party Axel threw for the whole pack. She ate whatever she thought was delicious. Sweets. Foreign foods. Drinks. She even asked Axel to watch the dancers and musician on the streets. Some are showcasing their talent, like they weren’t amidst of an important war at all. The whole place was vibrant that it kind of felt like a breather.
A short but amusing time to pause.
“Have you ever been to mortal world?” Sophie asked.
“I have. A lot of times before…” Axel glanced at her. “Did you notice the similarities?”
“I haven’t been to mortal world…” Sophie looked back to him, smiling. “But one of my friends back when I was still younger had told me stories about it. How some places looked alive..” She trailed off. “How some cities shine with lights.”
Although she had never seen it from her own eyes. Through her friend’s story, Sophie felt like she had. Back then, she would always imagine it with her sister, Shara, whom she’d share the story with. It became her comfort.
Not that she romanticized living with humans. She was just…fascinated.
As someone who haven’t been to a lot of place. Sophie was easy to entertain. She liked stories that consisted of travelling places. Meeting new people. She likes journey and adventures. It pretty much explained how she can’t be kept in a single place for long now that she had her freedom.
“Fascinating, I know.” Axel gave her sympathy. “Though I do not like humans. Their world is, I admit, enchanting.”
Sophie smiled. “I’m saying.”
Sophie pulled Axel’s as she led the way, indicating that they should move on to the next place. They stopped by, twice, before they went straight to the center where Edward, and the Elders were. There were more wolves in it.
Sophie and Axel received warm greetings from the High ranked. Some even gave them gifts. There was a long table in front of the Alpha’s statue. A space for the nobles, and guests from the Eastern Border. The elders were also there.
“Congratulations, Sophie. “Ernesto gave Sophie a light hug. “I knew you could do it.”
“Thank you, Ernesto.” Sophie tapped his back.
“Congratulations, Axel.”
Sophie pulled out from the hug. She turned to Axel and Edward who were shaking their hands. It was a sight to see. The Alpha of the Eastern and Western Border in one place. It was very re-assuring.
“Where is Rebecca, Edward?” asked Rodolfo. “Is she not coming?”
“She’s not feeling well.” Edward turned to the Council, before he held the bottle of sake on the table to fill the glass. “But worry not. Some other day, I will ask her to visit Sophie in the Palace.”
“Good evening, Your Grace--”
“Get out of the room, Elaina.” Rebecca deadpanned. “Did I not tell you not to come unless I say so?”
The servant bowed down her head in apology. “Forgive me, Your Grace. But the Alpha, Edward, asked me to check up on you every hour.”
“Did you not hear me?” Rebecca’s brows formed into a line. “Do. Not. Enter. My. Room. Without. My. Permission. Is that HARD to understand?”
Rebecca could not help but raised her brows. Right now, she was not on her good shape to entertain stupid servant. She needed time to think. She needed to be alone.
“I apologize. But please call on me whenever you need something--”
“Leave.”
Need something?
She had one in her mind. Only it wasn’t something the likes of Elaina could do.
Rebecca waited until Elaina could completely leave the room. She was on the middle of contacting Efraim before the servant came in so she was quite crimped when she suddenly barged in.
She needed to talk to Efraim.
How could Sophie gave Axel a child? They had been together for long. They have tried similar methods. They have done it a lot of times perhaps a lot more than Sophie and Axel did it. But she wasn’t able to carry his child.
What made Sophie different? Because she was younger? But she was sure she was capable of bearing a child, too!
Rebecca swallowed hard. The last time, Axel mentioned the Wesleyeian wolves knew the way. With Sophie’s pregnancy, he’ll be pre-occupied.
She shall move on her feet while he was.