<div> Chapter 36: The Queen’s Blessing Ceremony
 Ruby knocked once on the heavy oak door of the private study, then pushed it open without waiting for an answer. Inside, the room was silent, filled only with the scent of fresh coffee, that citrus trace that always clung to Derek and the soft clicking of keys. Derek was already dressed for the day, looking sharp and imposing in a tailored charcoal suit that made him look every bit the powerful King he was. He didn’t look up from his laptop as she entered.
 Ruby smoothed her hair and plastered a bright, professional smile on her face. She walked to the center of the room, her heart doing a little dance of hope. "You sent for me, Your Grace?"
 Derek continued typing for a few seconds before he spoke. His voice was flat and devoid of any form of emotion. "The Queen’s Blessing Ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow. Is everything in order?"
 Ruby tilted her head, smile still in place. "Yes, of course. Everything is prepared—the venue, the elders, the blessing oils. The pack elders confirmed attendance this morning."
 "And the Queen?" Derek finally stopped typing, though he still didn’t look at her. "Have you informed her? Has she been briefed on her role?"
 Ruby blinked, letting her brows lift in perfect innocence. "Informed her? Oh..." She pressed two fingers to her lips as if the thought had only just occurred to her. "It completely slipped my mind. With all the preparations, I must have overlooked it. I’m so sorry."
 He finally lifted his gaze. Those amber eyes met hers, flat and unreadable. He leaned back in his leather chair. The silence in the room stretched until Ruby felt like she was being dissected under a microscope.
 "It is your duty to guide the Queen," Derek said, his voice dropping an octave. It wasn’t a shout, but the weight behind it was heavier than any scream. "She has no knowledge of our traditions. You were supposed to make sure she understands what is expected of her tomorrow. She is a werewolf in a Lycan court. If she fails tomorrow, it reflects on the throne. It reflects on me."
 Ruby felt a sting of resentment. Me, me, me, she thought bitterly. Always about the throne. Never about how I feel. She bowed her head, playing the role of the loyal assistant. "I am so sorry. It was a grave oversight. I will make sure to get all the information to her immediately and guide her through the steps."
 Derek watched her for a moment longer before nodding. He went back to his screen. "Good. While you’re here—pack welfare. The lower town water supply. Any updates from the engineers?"
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 </div> Ruby straightened, grateful for the shift to neutral ground. She rattled off the latest report: pipes replaced, pressure stabilised, no complaints in the last forty-eight hours. Derek listened, asked two sharp follow-up questions, then waved a hand.
 "That will be all."
 Ruby’s stomach dropped. That was it? No lingering look, no question about her report about his queen? She thought he somehow found something and believed her? Derek was cold, but he was still her friend, and before the "runt" arrived, he had some level of warmth towards her.
 For a fleeting, terrifying moment, Sasha’s words echoed in her head: Does that mean he has feelings for her? Is the King actually jealous?
 She pushed the thought down. It couldn’t be true. It was impossible. She turned to leave, her hand already reaching for the brass door handle, when his voice stopped her.
 "And Ruby?"
 She spun around, her heart leaping with a sudden spark of hope. "Yes?"
 Derek was staring at her now. There was no warmth, only a chilling, frozen coldness in his amber eyes that made her blood turn to ice.
 "What happened at the training ground this morning," he began, his gaze narrowing. "It must not happen again."
 Ruby’s breath hitched. She tried to maintain her mask of innocence, widening her eyes. "I don’t understand, Your Grace? The spar? I... I didn’t mean to humiliate her. I truly didn’t know she had no formal training. I thought, being an Alpha’s daughter, she would at least know the basics."
 Derek didn’t blink. He didn’t look like he believed a single word coming out of her mouth. He stood up, leaning his hands on the desk and looming over it.
 "Sparring is a place for improvement, not a place to flex power over the weak," he said, his voice like a serrated blade. "Next time you wish to test your strength, find a Lycan warrior. Do not make the Queen a public spectacle again. It makes the pack look divided. It makes you look petty."
 The word petty hit Ruby like a slap to the face. Her cheeks flushed a deep, angry red.
 "You’re dismissed," Derek said, turning his back to her to look out the window at the sprawling grounds of Dravengard’s palace.
 Ruby walked out without another word, closing the door softly behind her. Her anger was a living thing now, clawing at her chest. He had defended her. Again. He had called her "The Queen" twice. He had seen through her lies. She hated it so much when that title was used for someone else, especially that runt from Moonfang. She needed to act fast.
 Later that evening, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon when Kira climbed the terrace stairs, her backpack heavy on her shoulders. Her mind was full of lectures and the lingering ache in her body from the morning’s "spar." All she wanted was a hot shower and to avoid the King for at least twelve hours.
 She was halfway up when she saw Ruby waiting at the top, arms folded, expression calm and pleasant. Kira tried to walk past her without a word. She didn’t have the energy for Ruby’s venom tonight.
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 </div> "I’ve been waiting for you," Ruby said, her voice smooth and almost friendly.
 Kira stopped, letting out a tired sigh. She turned to face Ruby, her expression flat. "What do you want, Miss Ruby? I’m really not in the mood."
 Ruby didn’t snap back. Instead, she held out a thin, sleek electronic tablet. "Tomorrow is the Queen’s Blessing Ceremony. It’s a tradition as old as the pack itself. You’ll need to know what to expect."
 Kira frowned, staring at the tablet for a long second, then reached out and took it. "The Queen’s Blessing? Derek didn’t mention this."
 "The King is a busy man," Ruby said, her smile not reaching her eyes. "He expects me to handle this. Everything is in here—the order of events, your role, the blessings you’ll give, the traditional responses. I’ve marked the important parts. I’ll send you the exact time in the morning."
 Kira looked down at the screen. It was filled with pages of dense text and some complicated diagrams of the temple layout. It looked like an exam she hadn’t studied for.
 "Is that all?" Kira asked, her voice cold.
 "For now," Ruby replied.
 Kira didn’t say thank you. She didn’t offer a polite nod. She simply turned and walked away, her spine straight and her chin held high, despite the way her muscles screamed in protest. She didn’t look back to see Ruby still standing there.
 As Kira disappeared into the house, a slow, sinister smile finally curved Ruby’s lips. It was a dark, ugly expression.</div>
 

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Chapter 36: The Queen’s Blessing Ceremony

Chapter 36: The Queen’s Blessing Ceremony Ruby knocked once on the heavy oak door of the private study, then pushed it open without waiting for an answer. Inside, the room was silent, filled only with the scent of fresh coffee, that citrus trace that always clung to Derek and the soft clicking of keys. Derek was already dressed for the day, looking sharp and imposing in a tailored charcoal suit that made him look every bit the powerful King he was. He didn’t look up from his laptop as she...

Defying the Lycan King

Chapter 36: The Queen’s Blessing Ceremony

Defying the Lycan King - Chapter 36: The Queen’s Blessing Ceremony