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    Gavriel nodded without hesitation. “Yes. I’ll leave nothing to change. I need your assistance to coordinate the preparations- summon the council, ensure the ceremonial grounds are ready, and confirm the elders and witnesses are present. Everything has to run smoothly.”


    Zander let out a low whistle, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “You re really going all in, aren’t you? nning a formal coronation and a full wedding in one day. Ambitious… or reckless.”


    “Neither,” Gavriel said sharply. “It’s necessary. Today, she ims her title. Today, we end all doubts.”


    Zander chuckled, shaking his head. “Very well. Consider me your right hand for this. I’ll handle the logistics, summon the elders, and ensure all preparations are executed. You focus on keeping your… future queenfortable.”


    Gavriel smirked. “Good. Then let’s move quickly. Time is precious, and I won’t allow a single dy.”


    Zander nodded and reached for hismunication scroll. “I’ll begin coordinating immediately. But… you know, Gavriel, for someone called the Alpha King, you seem unusually anxious about a single woman.”


    Gavriel’s jaw tightened, but he allowed a faint smile. “She’s not just any woman. She’s Althea. And I won’t let her, or anyone else, see her hurt again.”


    Zander’s grin widened. “Ah… so that exins the haste. I can see now why you’re suddenly worried about traditions and ceremonies. Don’t worry, Alpha King. We’ll make sure today goes off without a hitch. Now, let’s get moving.”


    Then, with a decisive nod, he turned to follow Zander, already running through the mental checklist of what needed to be done to make today perfect.


    Every detail mattered. Every step counted. And for Gavriel, nothing else couldpare to seeing Althea stand fully recognized, officially acknowledged, and finally safe in the life that was rightfully hers.


    Gavriel’s gaze lingered briefly toward the bedchamber where Althea was. Althea wanted everything done today, and Gavriel was more than willing to make that happen.


    A part of him, one he did not voice aloud, feared that if too much time passed, she might change her mind.


    *****


    Meanwhile, Althea stood by the window for a long moment before turning to Melva.


    Preparations echoed faintly through the halls. Footsteps. Murmured instructions. The pce felt alive in a way she was still not


    used to.


    “I want to go out for a while,” she said quietly. “Just to walk. Clear my head. You know me best, so like we always do, you decide what I should wearter, Melva.”


    Melva studied her face, searching for signs of strain, then nodded. Alright, mydy. I’ll choose something simple for you.”


    She nodded with a smile, and then headed to the doors. When she finally stepped outside, the morning air greeted her skin gently.


    She sighed faintly, a quiet sense of gratitude settling in her chest. the very least, she no longer had to endure Luna Meena’s mistreatment, nor the cruelty of the other mistresses and half-siblings who had treated her like a ything.


    Luna Meena was gone. The rest had already been dealt with by the pha King.


    “I just hope things will go smoothly once Ie back,” she murred.


    Even as she said it, she knew that hope might be fragile. She was aout to step into a far greater role, one filled with responsibility and expectation. The weight of it pressed gently but persistently on her shoulders.


    Queen of their kingdom.


    The thought still felt unreal. Until now, everything seemed like a deam that lingered too close to reality, one she feared might


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    shatter the moment she reached out to touch it.


    She walked through the inner gardens first. Althea slowed without realizing it. Her gaze drifted to the people they passed- servants, guards, courtiers-who greeted her politely.


    At times, her breath hitched. Then her shoulders tensed when a group of menughed too loudly. At other moments, she released a quiet sigh, her chest easing as if something unseen had passed by.


    When her legs began to feel weak, Althea gestured toward a stone bench beneath a flowering tree. She sat, folding her hands in herp, then leaned back and closed her eyes. She focused on her breathing. In. Out. Slow. Measured.


    “It’s the same,” she thought quietly. “Before, reading thoughts was frightening too.”


    Her lips pressed together.


    “Back then, at least it made sense. I knew what I was hearing. I knew how to protect myself.”


    A faint frown formed between her brows. “Although it had its advantages… it felt safer than this. Seeing things like this…”


    She sighed again, deeper this time.


    A soft clearing of a throat broke the stillness.


    Althea opened her eyes and turned her head. An old man stood a few steps away, leaning lightly on a staff. His presence was calm, unassuming, yet steady, like a quiet river.


    “Mydy,” he said gently, bowing his head. “My name is Elior. May I sit with you for a


    moment?”


    Something about his voice eased her chest. She nodded. “Yes. Please.”


    He sat beside her, leaving a respectful distance, his gaze forward rather than on her.


    “You look burdened,” he said after a moment. “Not with fear alone. But with change.”


    Althea gave a small, honest smile. “I feel like I woke up in a world recognize, yet don’t fully understand anymore.”


    Elior nodded slowly. “That is how it begins.”


    She nced at him. “Begins?”


    He folded his hands over his staff. “God Almighty once blessed some humans with extraordinary abilities and gifts. But those gifts were corrupted by the devil, the king of darkness. He created counterfeits of those powers, twisting what was meant for good.”


    Elior’s voice remained calm as he continued, “So there came a time when God took those powers away. Yet not all gifts were


    lost.”


    Althea listened quietly, strangely drawn to every word.


    “Darkness was notpletely destroyed,” Elior went on. “And that is by design. Choice is what gives meaning to any gift. Light has no value without the option of shadow.”


    Althea lowered her gaze, her fingers tightening slightly in herp I’m a bit scared,” she admitted softly. She did not know why, but she trusted the man beside her. There was something about him that telt steady, anchored, as if he stood on unshakable ground.


    Elior smiled at her, warmth filling his eyes. “Do not be afraid. As l; as you have faith in the God Almighty, the true Creator of heaven and earth, He will be with you. His strength will be yours, through Him, you will be able to stand against darkness.”


    He turned slightly toward her, his voice low but steady, “You have others can see. You can look past the veil and witness beings from


    been given new gitts now. Visions and sight beyond what


    eaven, those who serve under Hismand.”


    “Angels,” Althea murmured softly. “But I also see creatures that a frightening ”


    Liam Prescott