Eero’s perspective
The next day after I got the music box from Cielo, I went to learn horse-riding with Caspian.
“You are getting better at riding your horse, Luna.” Caspian offered me his hand before I jumped off the white horse that Claudius had gifted to me.
I pulled the leather gloves off my hand and handed it to an omega on my way inside the pack house.
“I should be. I’ve been doing this for months.” I stopped walking and turned to Caspian, “I just don’t get it why I have to learn horse-riding. When am I going to use this skill, huh?"
It was Alpha Claudius that demanded I master the horse-riding skill, but I dared not to whine about it in front of him.
A black sedan pulled over not far from where Caspian and I were standing.
“Did you see that? We have cars here! We live in the modern world! Who would choose horses for their rides?” I was really upset with Claudius’ decision.
“Luna, why don't you go ask Alpha about that?” Caspian asked back, which made me pout my lips.
“Should I give you new reins as my gift for your mating ceremony tomorrow night?” He asked with a grin.
“Don't you even dare! You know how much I hate horses and reins,” I continued to rant.
“Just what I thought,” Soleil said, suddenly popping behind us. She held my arm, pulling me away from Caspian.
“You won’t be free from all your Luna duties until tomorrow,” she began.
In the corner of my eyes, I saw Caspian leaving the two of us alone. Soleil became my right hand now, handling my schedules and all the pack affairs that I should be involved with.
“I got something for you. It's in your room.” She giggled before dragging me inside the pack house.
Petals and scented candles were lit up in my room, and on top of my bed were face sheet masks, a lot of them.
“Not that your face badly needed it, but you can totally use some hydration. Alpha Claudius won't break his promise that he won't be coming here tonight, right?” Soleil asked as she opened the pack of face masks.
“You know this house belongs to the Alpha, right?” I joked.
“Luna Eero! You two promised me! Do you really want the Moon Goddess to cursed your marriage with the Alpha?
“Okay, chill. Even if he comes, I’m not going to see him. Is that okay? Are we good?”
“Fine.” Soleil nodded reluctantly. “I know you’re not a big fan of the belief that the bride and the groom aren't allowed to see each other on the night before the mating ceremony, but you and the Alpha would lose nothing if you follow...”
Soleil's phone rang before she finished. It was a call from the organizer of the ceremony, so she went to answer it on the balcony.
My eyes landed on the music box from Cielo when waiting for the mask thing got done.
The cello and the intense beats of the drums put a smile on my lips.
“When will you ever get sick of hearing that music?” I jolted from bed upon hearing Claudius’ voice.
“You shouldn't be here. We promised Soleil that we'll follow the belief that she is imposing on us.” I looked towards the balcony nervously, for fear that Soleil saw him.
“No. You did, but I didn't.” The Alpha was unreasonable.
“But we already talked about it,” I countered.
“Still, I didn't promise her anything.” Claudius took the music box from me. He closed its lid, and the music stopped.
“Are you not thrilled hearing that music? Does it not tingle a sense of power in you?” I asked curiously. Because for me, I always felt connected to that music, like I had a one-century-old connection to it.
“I prefer the choir playing in the great hall when I’m on my way to my throne,” he said, and then jumped to another topic. “Did you finish your horse-back riding session today?”
“I did… Why?”
“It's a part of preparation for the day that we sail back to Regulus,” he said.
“I heard great stories about Regulus. With all the innovations that's happening around the world… don't you think Regulus have cars as well? Or buses and trains?” I eyed him curiously.
“Regulus is no way near the world where we grew up. The barriers around prevent humans from finding the realm and the three kingdoms—”
“Luna Eero!” Soleil called my name in panic and I froze still.
Claudius was cut off from what he was saying. He leaned forward and pecked on my lips before walking out of the room as if we were not caught by Soleil.
“It's still not night. You said that we are not allowed to see each other the night before the mating ceremony.” I pointed at the window of the room. “It's only afternoon.”
“You know that it's not literally just night, Luna. It includes day.” A familiar figure walked in with a tray of treats when Soleil was busily with her litany.
Serra bowed her head to pay her respect before leaving the tray on the table not far from where I am.
“I still think that it's best if we lock her back in the dungeon, especially during your mating ceremony. I’m afraid that she will sabotage the ceremony.” Soleil was nervous at sight of Serra.
“No, she won't. Serra knew that if she does something evil, it will cost her life.” I walked towards the tray of sweets and grabbed my favorite macaroon, but the scent of the strawberry churned my stomach.
I looked away from Soleil and covered my mouth as I nearly threw up.
“Will you take this away from me? I-I don't like its smell,” I said to Soleil.
“Sure.”
After taking away the tray from me, Soleil spent the next few hours with me, busy getting prepared for the ceremony.