Dinner

Ariana didn't know how to feel. What had she done to deserve such punishment? Was it because she was mute and couldn't speak? Were they using that against her? Why—just why—were people so cruel?

Tomorrow, her fate would be sealed by the Alpha's punishment.

PLOP PLOP PLOP

The soft sound of orange juice pouring into a cup filled the quiet air as Ava, her twin, laughed softly. Her voice was light and teasing. She had trained for a long time to act like a noble, always claiming she was meant to marry a nobleman.

"Are you joking with me, Father?" she said, chuckling. "Did you just say that my dear sister actually used the F-word at the Council of Elders?"

She laughed again and stepped toward Ariana, picking up her cup and gently filling it with juice. Then she softly pinched Ariana's cheeks before moving to sit down. Her posture was so perfect and poised that if she wasn't wearing common clothes, one might think she came straight from the palace. That's how strict and almost obsessively perfect her posture was. Her black hair was tied in a loose bun, and she wore an oversized shirt paired with a flowing, baggy gown.

She began to pour water into her cup while Ariana quietly focused on her food.

Then Ava spoke up with a playful smile, "Oh, sis, you're really something special. No wonder I ended up with you as a sister."

Their father chuckled and added, "Oh, you're the best of the best. So kind—even when your sister acts a bit immature."

They continued speaking lightheartedly, but Ariana remained silent, still focused on her meal. She was used to her father praising Ava while comparing them both. She was so used to it that it no longer hurt like it once did.

"The dresses… did they arrive?" he asked softly.

"Yes, Father."

Then their father said, almost casually, "Ariana will be meeting the King."

The moment those words left his lips, Ava's hand jerked, and the drink she was holding spilled onto the table.

"I'm sorry, Father. I'm sorry!" she said quickly, standing up and rushing off to grab a towel.

"It's no problem," he replied calmly.

But panic laced her voice as she turned back to him. "Father, what do you mean Ariana will be meeting the King?"

He spoke softly, his tone now more serious. "You both will be going… but she will meet the King again. He will be deciding her punishment tomorrow."

As those words settled into the room, Ava's expression shifted. A soft smile played on her lips—almost a look of relief compared to what she had originally feared.

So the King knew her sister? Before her?

Now… it all made sense.

And then she spoke…

"But Father, why does the Alpha King have to give her the punishment? Why not the Council instead? What did she even do wrong?" Ava asked, her voice laced with false kindness.

But Ariana knew better. She could see through her sister's act—it was nothing like the sweet concern others might assume. It was laced with jealousy. Jealousy that the King would look at Ariana, judge her, and punish her himself. That couldn't happen. Not on Ava's watch.

Their father replied quietly, his tone heavy. "She disrespected sacred laws… not to mention the death of her husband. And now she carries an unborn child—a child that, with full certainty, cannot be his. They never even consummated the marriage. He died before that could happen."

Ava's eyes widened in dramatic shock, as if she didn't already know. "Oh my goodness! Cheating? That's very unforgivable. But if she had just told you, Father, we could have handled it. But I guess… it's too late now?"

Ariana's heart ached deeply as she tried to hold back the pain. No matter how she tried to hide it—it still hurt.

Then Ava softened her tone again. "But Father, we don't need to be too harsh on her. She's pregnant… remember that."

Her father gave a slow nod. "You're too kind."

He paused, then added, "There's no doubt in my heart that the Moon Goddess will bless you with the perfect mate."

Ava beamed, proudly responding, "Yes, Father. I'm hoping it'll be the Alpha King. I feel it in my chest—I really do."

Ariana's eyes lit up with amusement, barely containing the smirk that threatened to appear. Delusional, she thought. When will she finally snap out of her fantasies?

Ava finally moved closer, lifting her chin slightly as she held her sister's gaze.

"Sis, do you have something to say about that?" she asked, her tone light but edged with something deeper. "I could see it on your face—that sweet little reaction. Was there something funny I said?"

Ariana shook her head as she signed with her hands: Nothing is wrong, sister.

Ava smiled softly as she added, "But don't worry. I promise, once I marry the Alpha King, I'll bring you in. Maybe I can even beg him to do something about your situation… the burial, everything. And of course, to support Father. He's protected and helped us so much—he deserves the best."

Their father smiled, clearly touched. "That is so lovely of you. You're such a sweet daughter."

And then—almost like he knew this would cut deep—he added,

"Your mother would be so proud."

Just as those words left his lips, Ariana's heart skipped.

Her mother would have been here with them… if not for her.

It was all her fault. For being sick. For being cursed.

"You don't have to worry," he continued. "Your mate is already the Alpha King. The Moon Goddess is perfect—she knows what she's doing."

His tone shifted, laced with bitterness. "If not for that sister of yours… the one who slowed down your bond with the King—you would have been bonded to him when you turned eighteen. But no matter, no matter…"

He shook his head slightly, then added more calmly, "The Alpha King hasn't found his mate yet. Which only means the Moon Goddess knew exactly what she was doing… and she's still doing it."

Ava spoke softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"…Please, Father. Please don't say that about Ariana. She didn't mean for any of this to happen. And I trust she wasn't the one who caused her husband's death."

Their father's face darkened.

"What do you mean by that?" he said sharply. "Even if it was an accident—who's to say she didn't set him up? She was carrying another man's child, wasn't she? Maybe she didn't want to marry him in the first place."

Then Ava's voice came in quietly, almost too gently.

"Sister… do you remember the man you slept with?"

Ariana froze. Her fingers twitched, moving into a small, helpless gesture—She looked down, before finally signing, her fingers moving slowly:

What I do remember… is his eyes. Darkish gray.

Ava almost burst into laughter. "Dad, I think sis is hilarious. She thinks he had dark gray eyes. That's it? Really?"

Their father scoffed. "She doesn't remember, she was probably drunk when it happened."

But Ariana knew the truth.

No—she hadn't been drunk.

Not even close.

She had wanted it.

She had begged him for it.

And she could never forget those dark gray eyes… his touch, his voice.

Or the single word he kept repeating that night—husky, deep, unforgettable:

"Spread your legs wider, darling."