Chapter 2 The King’s City

The city Moonspire awakened before the sun.

The capital of the Ashborne Kingdom stretched across rolling hills, its white stone buildings glowing silver beneath the fading moonlight. Long before merchants opened their shops and nobles stirred from their beds, the city was already alive.

Bakers prepared fresh bread.Blacksmiths lit their forges.Farmers arrived through the gates with wagons full of produce.Guards changed shifts along the city walls.

It was like the city of Moonspire never truly slept, it felt more like a living organism breathing and growing.

And Liilly Silverheart loved every part of it.

She moved through the bustling streets with practiced ease, greeting familiar faces along the way.

“Morning, Miss Lilly!” An elderly baker waved from his storefront.

“Morning, Mr. Henrick.”she replied and smiled.

The old man pointed toward a tray of pastries, something he has done so many times. “Take one.”he said.

“I can’t.” Lilly shook her head and replied.

“You always say that.” He feigned hurt clutching his chest where his heart is.

“And you always offer.” Lilly shook her head and smiled.

He laughed. “One day I’ll wear you down.”

Lilly shook her head and continued walking. People knew her throughout the city.Not because she was important. Not because she was wealthy.But because she had spent years helping wherever she could. Even when most of them gossiped about how she had not yet received wolf like other maidens her age.

But still she expressed warmth to the people she had grown up around, She volunteered at festivals. Helped organize charity drives. Delivered supplies during harsh winters.

The palace soon rose before her. Massive white towers pierced the sky. Golden banners fluttered in the morning breeze.

Every time she looked at it, a small spark of wonder still ignited inside her. This had been her second home since childhood.

Her father was one of the four commanders of the Royal Guard. He may have been of the lowest rank, not of noble blood but was highly respected. She had practically grown up within these walls. The guards at the gate immediately smiled when they saw her approaching.

“Miss Silverheart.”

“Good morning.”they all tipped their chins. The older guard nodded toward the palace. “The coronation preparations are becoming madness.”he said .

“I noticed.”she laughed and said.

Every hallway seemed busier than normal lately. Workers rushed back and forth carrying flowers, banners, furniture, and decorations.Servants scrubbed floors until they shone.Nobles arrived daily from distant territories.

The entire kingdom was preparing for Alpha prince Kael’s coronation.Soon he would become Alpha king. And everything would change. The thought warmed her chest.

But she quickly pushed it aside. She couldn’t spend every day dreaming about Kael. Not when there was work to do. Her duties that morning involved helping organize supplies for the upcoming Moon Festival celebrations. She worked in the royal library, It wasn’t glamorous work. But she enjoyed it.

She spent most of the morning reviewing inventory lists, helping servants move decorations, and making sure deliveries arrived where they were needed.

By midday, her feet ached. Still, she remained smiling. Helping out wherever she could. “You enjoy this far too much.” A voice said. Lilly glanced up. One of the palace servants stood nearby watching her.

She laughed and said “Enjoy what?”

“Working.”they replied while rolling their eyes.

“Somebody has to.” Lilly replied matter of factly.

The servant rolled his eyes again. “You’re strange.”

“That’s not news.”she shrugged handing him a box, He chuckled before taking the wooden box from her and returning to work.

Lilly looked around the busy courtyard. The Children to some of the workers carried flowers. Workers decorated columns. Musicians practiced for upcoming celebrations.Everything felt festive and exciting.

The kingdom was thriving. And she loved it.Loved the future she believed awaited her.A future beside Kael.The thought made her smile despite herself.

Unfortunately, someone else noticed.

A young stable hand lounging near the fountain smirked. He couldn’t have been much older than her.Tall.Broad-shouldered.Skin bronzed by the sun over his years of working outside.

His name was Tomas.

And unfortunately, he had mistaken Lilly ’s kindness for interest more than once.

“You’re smiling again.”

Lilly sighed internally,resisting the urge to roll her eyes. She pretended to not have heard him and She continued sorting supplies.

Tomas approached anyway. “You always smile like that when men are around?”

She ignored him. Unfortunately, that only encouraged him. “I’ve been trying to talk to you for months.” He said drawing ever near.

Still nothing, Lilly continuing with her work. Tomas stepped closer. “You know, eventually you should give someone a chance.”

Lilly finally looked up. “Good afternoon, Tomas.”

“There she is.” He grinned and said.

“What do you need?”She said trying to sound as polite as she could be but her impatient tone gave itself away.

His grin widened.“Maybe you.”he teased.

Lilly immediately returned to her work.“No.”she bluntly answered.

“You didn’t even think about it.” Tomas laughed getting closer that his shadow fell upon her.

“No.”she repeated looking straight into his dark brown eyes.

Tomas laughed.“You’re harsh.”

“And you’re distracting me.”she said getting back to work.Instead of leaving, he leaned against the table. “I earn ten silver pieces every month.”

Lilly blinked. “What?” Wondering how any of that was of concern to her.

“I have my own house.”he continued.

“Congratulations “, She stared blankly at him and said.“Congratulations.”

“I’m serious.” He said his gaze hardening.His expression had changed. The casual grin he’d worn moments earlier was gone, replaced by something much more intense.

“I can tell.” She answered carefully.

He crossed his arms. “I could support a family.”

Lilly had absolutely no idea where this conversation was going.“That’s wonderful.”She blinked once before offering a courteous smile

“I’d make a good husband.”Her patience was rapidly disappearing. “Tomas…”she began to speak.

He took a deliberate step closer.Not enough to touch her. Enough to invade the comfortable distance she’d been maintaining. “A woman could do a lot worse than me.”

Lilly placed her supplies down carefully.The movement wasn’t dramatic.It was deliberate.She wanted both hands free.

“Tomas.”she began.

“What?”he forced a laugh.

“I’m not interested.” She said muttering up all the politeness she could.

The smile disappeared from his face so quickly it was almost startling.His features hardened.The friendliness vanished as though someone had stripped away a mask.An uncomfortable knot formed deep inside Lilly’s stomach.

She suddenly became very aware that although people moved around the courtyard, no one was paying attention to them.

“I wasn’t asking for much.”he said.His voice had become quieter. She could sense the coldness in his tone.

“My answer is still no.”she said trying to creat some distance between them.

For several long seconds, neither of them spoke. The sounds of the palace continued around them. A horse snorted inside the stable. Someone laughed near the kitchens. A wagon rolled over loose gravel. Life continued as though nothing unusual was happening. But between them, the air had become painfully still.

Tomas stared at her.

His jaw slowly tightened.

“So…” he said at last. “A stable hand isn’t good enough?”he said his expression darkening.

“That isn’t what I said.”Lilly tried to explain.

“Then what are you saying!”, he demanded, his fists clenching at his side.

“I understand how you feel but I dong feel the same way,” she said.

Tomas’s jaw tightened.

Still around them, workers continued moving through the courtyard and seemed to notice the conversation or the increasing tension.

“You think you’re better than everyone.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Killy frowned and answered.

“Is it?”he questioned as the muscles in his neck flexed. “I’ve seen you.”his voice sharpened He stepped closer again. “You smile at everyone, teasing us with your flirtation.”

“Because I’m polite! It doesn’t mean anything, I smile at Todd,” Todd was the city’s idiot that stood in the city square talking to pegions.

His jaw clenched tighter with every answer. “You made me think I had a chance.”

“I never once suggested that.” Lilly replied, her patience finally began to fray. “No, Tomas. You’re deciding that ordinary kindness is a promise.”

His eyes flashed.“So you’re saying I imagined it?”

“I’m saying you misunderstood it.” She said firmly.

His nostrils flared. Something ugly flashed across his face. The kind of expression that immediately made her want to leave. Lilly gathered her papers. “I’m done with this conversation.” She said as she turned to walk away.

A hand suddenly closed around her wrist. Stopping her in place,Her breath caught in her throat. Every muscle in her body went rigid. Slowly, she looked down at the fingers wrapped tightly around her wrist.

His grip hurt, bruising her hand.

“Tomas…” Her voice came out much quieter than she’d intended. “Let go,”

His grip tightened. “I work hard.”

Several nearby servants began noticing the confrontation.

“You should let go.” She said, he voice shaking from the fear within her.

“I have a home.” Tomas said his voice increasing in tone.

“Let go please,” she begged.

“I could provide for you.” His voice rose again.

“You don’t get to look down on me when you’re nothing but a wordless mutt.”

Fear flickered through her, making her heart race. “Tomas.” Her voice hardened.“Release my hand.”

Instead of obeying, he jerked her closer.Several papers scattered across the ground. Gasps sounded nearby. “You’re acting like you’re too good for everyone.” Lilly shoved against his chest. “Stop.”

The movement only seemed to anger him further. His hand caught part of her blouse and the Fabric tore. A sharp ripping sound echoed through the courtyard. For one terrible second, everything went still. Lilly immediately stumbled backward.

Shock washed through her.

The neckline of her blouse had torn open.Not enough to seriously expose her, but enough to humiliate her.Enough to leave her scrambling to pull the fabric together.The courtyard fell silent.

Every eye turned toward them.

Tomas looked horrified.

As though he hadn’t expected things to go this far.

As though reality had finally caught up to his temper.