Lycan King's Nemesis

**GWEN**

Instead of going to my room, I made my way to the study to attend to the file from before. Of course, I have a meeting with the former Queen to discuss it. I needed to be acquainted with all the names before her arrival.

As I flipped through the pages, a maid came in to deposit a tray of cookies and tea and even went on to open the curtains and let in the evening light. Then stoked the fire in the hearth. She picked away some objects no longer of importance used by the former Queen and opened the fridge to take off bottles that had overstayed.

"Your Highness, should I arrange the desk?" She asked when she came back from dropping the stuff she took out.

I glanced about my desk. The place was in disarray. Nonetheless, I couldn't let her do that not knowing which papers or files held water. So, I shook my head. I would do that after speaking with the former Queen. She would be the one to inform me of the files that are now irrelevant and need elimination.

"I will leave, then."

"Yes, thank you. On your way out, help me check if the former Queen is back and notify her of our meeting this evening."

"Yes, Your Highness." She bowed and left.

I was still examining the names when there was a slight knock at the door and the former Queen came in.

I stood up. "Welcome, Mother."

"I am sorry I kept you waiting, child." She sauntered in and sat in front of me. "I was so tired when I came in I had to rest a while."

"It's not a problem, Mother. It has not been long since I came in too."

"Oh... Then, that's better. I felt bad to have kept you waiting. Have you gone through the list?"

"Yes, Mother." I shifted uncomfortably in my seat not aware of how she was going to take my suggestion. This was the first time I was doing this. I didn't want it to appear like I was trying to alter their tradition. "Mo-mother?" "Yes?" She took a cookie and a cup of tea and sipped elegantly, her eyes on me. "Any issues with the list?"

"N-no. Not at all. I only wanted to offer some suggestions which I don't know how you are going to take them."

"Oh, go ahead. I am all ears. In fact, I hope you will come up with very classic and promising ideas concerning the occasion. I am almost fed up with doing the same things over and over again every year." My heart leaped. "Really?"

"Yeah... you see when I was married to Ashton's father, his mother, goddess rest her soul," she made the cue in her chest. "She was such a wonderful person and tutored me about everything on how to rule a Kingdom with my husband. I enjoyed being directed by her as I saw it as a sign of acceptance and love, albeit, I was not agreeable with some of her procedures. I wanted something new, refreshing, different from the usual."

"Oh..."

"But I couldn't do anything. I was younger than you when I came here. So, I couldn't do much or say more. I was a Queen only seen but hardly heard. And back then, as Ashton said, the welfare team handled most of these things. Until I grew older and my mother-in-law died. However, by then, it was too late. I was so used to the old things I couldn't think of anything new. And duties here and there overwhelmed me I had to conform easily when it came to planning for anything." She smiled, waving her well-manicured fingers at me. "Don't let me bore you with dry narrations. Go ahead, what do you suggest?"

"I-I was thinking since the same set of people had always been invited since time immemorial, and the events have carried on in a single predictable manner, we should employ brand new methods; Invite new people, try different delicacies, different dress codes, everything." Even as I delineated them, my expression couldn't help but light up.

I saw it in her eyes too that my idea sounded great to her long before she uttered, "I like it." And clapped her hands. "As a matter of fact, particularly the food and environment, I consent to the change. I would prefer we use the newly built hall at the East wing than the concave hall we often used in the past."

I was jotting down as she spoke, my heart beating as I prepared to tell her about the invitees. That was where the main problem lay.

"As for the food, I am fine with whatever change you feel the kitchen hands should utilize. Just make sure that the foods to be on display are foods that are healthy, bearing 'allergy resistance' at heart."

"Yes, Mother." After jotting it down, I peered up at her. Her head was up in introspection. I knew she was thinking about something.

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"That's all I can think of for now." She flicked her fingers and continued nibbling on the cookies.

Gradually, I dropped the pen in my hand and gathered my courage to ask. "C-Can we invite other creatures to the ball?"

She hesitated from picking the teacup, her hand dropping back on her lap. "When you say other creatures what do you mean? Because yes, we do invite other creatures if that's what you want to know. It's written there on the files; the other creatures to be invited."

"The fairies?"

"That's correct! Our doors are always opened to the fairies at our annual balls to show our blood binds to them."

"What about the others? The humans, the vampires, the werewolves, the-the werebears, the_"

"Our doors are not open to these other creatures I am afraid, Gwen." "Why?"

"Because that is how it is."

"You are the former Queen, if there is anyone who should have the knowledge of why then it should be you." I was growing bolder. I imagined this was the time to face it. If I didn't ask now that she was giving me the audience, then I might

never.

"I'm sorry, my child," she said with a deep breath. "We are the Lycans and the delicacy of our existence had made it sacrosanct for us to protect ourselves from these other creatures knowing how much of a threat they see us as." "And when is this going to continue?"

"Until Whenever..." She dropped the cookie in her hand and sat forward with her eyes intent on me. "I understand that as a werewolf you would want your people present and trust me I desire the same. Nonetheless, it won't be this year. We have to be prudent."

"I don't care about my people, Mother," I uttered sadly, tethering backwards. "I didn't appeal because of them at all. I simply want a situation where we live in peace with other creatures without them seeing us as prey and not seeing them as predators. Lycans are beautiful just like every other creature, they can't see that if we don't make them see it."

She was shaking her head. "I can't accept that. It's far too risky. This thing you are asking from me is something no member of this Kingdom can agree to. And for your own good, don't mention it to Ashton."

"I am the Queen. I only want what is best for my people. The very people we rule."

"And as the former Queen I daresay you are making a mistake. One that can cost you your position."

Is she trying to say I can be removed from my role? Can Ashton allow that? I didn't speak a word as we stared at each other without blinking. If you ask me when I grew these balls to look back at the fearsome former Queen I wouldn't even know the answer to that. All I knew was that I had a goal and knew she was in a position to help me achieve it.

At long last, seeing as I wasn't going to back down, she looked down with an audible sigh. "Oh, goddess, do whatever you like, child. I have told you my stand on it. If my son accepts, then it's your luck. Hopefully, you will be able to convince the elders and the people too."

What was it that the werewolves ever did to Lycans to make them hate us this way? Does this all revolve around the so-called heartbreak in the time past? Yes, the humans wanted them for experimental purposes, what of the other creatures? They can't tell me every creature wanted them for the same purpose. It's not possible. I won't be surprised if most of their fears were unfounded.

"Fine, Mother." I took my pen and made a note of something. "I will keep that in mind. Thank you for your input."

When I felt her hand come on top of mine, I halted what I was writing and studied her through my thick dark lashes. She had a perk of a smile on.

"I admire your ability to want to change the status quo. It shows I made the right choice for my son. Nonetheless, you have to act with your head at all times. Be shrewd, and never allow sentiment to cloud your judgment. That's all I have to say."

As she left, I sagged back against my chair in deep reflection of her words. She was older than me and far more experienced in this than I am. Still, I couldn't beat past that drive inside of me that believed we could do this if we put our minds to

it.

A harmonious existence with other creatures. Especially the humans.

It was attainable.

But how?

...