"I’m sorry, come again?"
The man standing before Serena cleared his throat, rubbed his palms nervously down the sides of his tunic, and swallowed like his throat had suddenly gone dry. "Can I have your hand in marriage?"
Serena’s upper lip twitched as he did, in fact, repeat the question, this time with more boldness in his voice. The woman remained silent for a few seconds; the question had left her speechless.
Right after her speech, she had gone back to her seat, and then Elder Iris closed the ceremony. A curious feeling settled in Serena’s chest, why had Darius not closed the ceremony or even addressed his people at all?
Once all was said and done, the wolves in charge of the instruments picked them up again and began to play the trumpet and lute. The whole hall erupted in a flurry of conversation, people meeting and greeting, eyeing each other, reuniting, and, most importantly, a few trying to speak with the ambassador of Crimsonclaw.
This man standing right in front of her had been the strangest of them all. Serena saw Darius off to her side, conversing with someone else; he would not have heard the question.
Serena pressed her lips into a thin line and looked the man up and down. He was quite average-looking and a bit shorter than Serena. He had dull blue eyes and looked like he hadn’t shaved in a few weeks.
"No, it would not be possible," Serena said.
The man visibly deflated, his shoulders slumping as he cast his eyes to the floor like a child denied a treat. Then he sighed– loudly, obnoxiously and shook his head. "Why not?"
Serena’s lips parted in surprise. She could imagine this was his plan all along. Her eyes landed on the small line forming behind him, more people wished to speak with her.
"Why not? Well, I’m not interested in marriage."
The man’s eyes lit up and he blinked slowly, like a thought had fully formulated in his head. "I’m sure I can convince you in some way."
The man took a step forward, prompting Serena to take one back. Her hands clutched at her dress and she looked around her. No one was quite paying attention to or observing what was happening between the two of them.
Her brows knitted as she glared at the man, her space was being invaded- and then he had the nerve to smile at her. She straightened herself, held up a hand, and exhaled.
Remember whose child you are.
"Please stay where you are, brother," Serena said, laying on her exaggerated thick accent.
That did not deter him. She took a step forward, and then another, pointing at him with a smile that did not reach her eyes. She pointed at the man and shook her head firmly.
"Ah," the man opened his mouth to speak, then finally looked Serena in the eyes. "I made a mistake."
"You did," Serena said, her tone flat. "You’re holding up people. You may leave."
She didn’t break her stare until he turned and slunk off through the nearest door. Only then did she click her tongue against the roof of her mouth, a sharp note of disapproval.
The next figure to approach was a young girl, maybe thirteen or fourteen with black hair tied into neat braids. She stepped forward with her hands clasped carefully in front of her, chin tilted just a little too high, posture rigid with effort.
"Hello," Serena said softly, her gaze softening as she looked down at the girl.
At that moment, Serena realised the girl was trying to mimic her. A small smile spread across her lips.
"What is your name?" Serena asked.
"Clara, your excellency," the girl said.
"Clara... it is nice to meet you. I’m Serena."
The girl nodded and looked around before she dug into her pocket and held up a modest silver chain with no pendants on it. "This is for you," Clara said.
"Oh," said Serena, and then she smiled. She leaned to the girl’s level and stretched out her neck. "Put it on for me, Clara."
The girl smiled so widely that it nearly made Serena laugh. Clara unclasped the chain and put it around Serena’s neck. She fumbled with the clasp, but after a few seconds, she got it.
Serena rose back up and touched the necklace lightly, fingers brushing the cool metal. "Thank you. How does it look?"
"It’s really nice," Clara said quickly, and then hesitated, her brows knitting with worry. "I’m sorry I didn’t have pendants for it, so it looks bare."
Serena waved her hand in front of her and reassured her. "I love it still."
As she spoke, her eyes took in the girl fully now, her too-big sleeves frayed at the ends, the dirt caked beneath her fingernails, the patched hem of her tunic. Not like the neat little girl from earlier with satin bows in her hair.
Serena bit her lip and then asked, "Did you come with anyone?"
Clara shook her head and shrugged, as if it didn’t matter. "I live alone. My grandfather was the only family around, and my parents went missing when I was younger."
Poor child, Serena thought to herself. Being subjected to such harsh conditions at such a young age, yet she had decided to come all this way to give her jewelry.
"I see. You are very strong," Serena said.
"Thank you," Clara murmured, her ears turning red. "Do you think you could take me back with you to Crimsonclaw? I heard there’s snow everywhere and so much food and nicer necklaces." The source of this content ɪs novel{f}ire.net
Serena pressed her lips tightly. She herself had not even been to the cardinal pack everyone respected. How hard must it be for Clara, for her to hope that a stranger would save her? Better yet, it meant very few people visited Ironshade.
"My dear, I cannot take you back home-"
"Why?" Clara blurted, taking a step closer, her eyes wide and pleading.
"Your alpha would not allow it," Serena mustered. "And it would not be appropriate at all. But if you would like, I can pay you a visit after..." Serena then leaned toward Clara’s ear, "After all these suffocating people. Just send a letter to the castle."
Clara remained silent for a few seconds, then pushed her hair behind her ear and nodded. "I would like that. Thank you."
Serena returned the nod, expecting the girl to step away.
"Your Excellency..." she asked, tilting her head, voice smaller now. "Are you here to marry our alpha?"