A Royal Mark

"What? Kidnapped?"

The High Alpha's head shot up in surprise. His Upsilon nodded.

"Yes, Your Majesty. It happened the other day. She was taken to the Kingsley manor where Lord Kingsley and Lady Sigertem schemed together to kidnap her. The Prince's Upsilons tracked them down in time. The two masterminds were punished and killed. Lord Sigertem arrived and denied knowledge of the entire plot, but he said he wanted to die with his wife to atone for their family's treachery."

"Treachery? Is Sirius claiming this Sigertem girl to be part of the royal family?"

"It seems so, Your Majesty," answered his Zeta. "Florence has also asked me to inform you of His Highness's intention to be officially betrothed to the young lady."

"…"

A slow smile appeared on his face. A grandchild is not too wild of a wish now.

"That's treason indeed."

He cannot let his daughter-in-law down now, not when hope has finally appeared for the future of the Alderidge clan.

"Send out my order. The Kingsley County is stripped of its territory and nobility for the crime of treason. The young lady of the Sigertem is now a member of the royal family and shall be respected."

"Your Highness, we've received reports that there was only one survivor in the Kingsley mansion. The other daughter of the Sigertems, Milani Sigertem. She's recovering now in the hospital. What shall we do with her?"

The King says firmly, "Exile."

The throne hall's tense atmosphere thickened. The King's Zeta and Upsilon met each other's eyes. This is what they get for messing with the royal family. This is nothing.

"Ah, Ronald," he called to his Zeta. "How is she?"

"…Who is 'she', Your Majesty?"

He turned to him, smiling broadly. "My daughter-in-law. Who else?"

"Uh, well, she's resting in the Prince's residence. It was reported that she was carried home by His Highness's Upsilons and was unconscious the entire time. She did not look too well."

"That's troublesome, Sirius can't attend to her because he's ill."

"About that…" The King raised a brow. "The Prince has recovered enough to attend to her, according to Florence, Your Majesty."

"Huh. Is that so…"

He leans back and falls deep in thought.

"Let him attend to her, then. But I want that girl to meet me once she's well. Tell Sirius to accompany her."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Ronald observed his King.

He's in a better mood now after hearing about the engagement, but he failed to hide his relief when he heard the Prince is getting better. He usually keeps these feelings to himself and prefers to give his son tough love. Such is the way of werewolves.

But that was also why they've grown apart as father and son.

If only they could be honest about their feelings.

Everything changed since the High Luna died, but the King's concern for the Prince is still the same. They're both just too broken to see it.

—

For the next few days, the news spread all over the kingdom and the regions.

The story was distorted more and more as it spread, and eventually, it became this…

The Prince has finally found a fiancée that didn't run away from him and they're surprisingly mates, but she was kidnapped only the next day after their engagement was decided. Her own family turned against her. Because she took care of the Prince, he became well enough to order his men to rescue her. The Prince's Upsilons saved her and her entire family got massacred. The King is outraged and stripped the masterminds of their nobility and exiled them.

This story was popularized as a new romantic tale bards would sing and exaggerate in taverns, that maidens would sigh and fantasize about as the romance they wanted. Lady Alice Sigertem was the topic of the towns for days.

But back at the Prince's mansion.

The subject of the talks is still unconscious.

A tall woman with red hair tied in a ponytail checked her temperature and changed her bandages. It had been four days. Her injury was fatal but it was a good thing Sirius came to her in time.

The woman sighed and fixed the blanket over Alice. She stood up and opened the door to leave before she met eyes with a monkey.

"I know you won't leave her side, so just don't forget to call any one of us once she's awake."

"Ki ki!"

She grunted in response. This monkey's a smart monkey. It was waiting in Alice's room when she was first taken here to rest and had never left her side since. This lady seems to have an affinity with animals, seeing her animal friends who protect her passionately.

After leaving the room, she headed for the Prince's study, where the twins were playing chess in front as usual.

"You two look like you do nothing around here."

Dante chuckled. "Please, this is our only rest. You know we're the ones going back and forth these days."

"Isn't that your job?" She rolls her eyes and knocks on the door.

"Tanaka, isn't it your job to cure Lady Alice?" Dante sassily retorted back. "Why isn't she awake yet?"

"Oh, please, airheads like you would never understand how medicine works."

Tanaka scoffs and comes inside. She bows her head in front of Sirius, her attitude turning a swift 180 degrees.

"Master, she's stable. It will take her a few more days to recover her broken rib and shoulder joints but she will wake up soon. Please rest assured."

"I got it."

She found her looking out the bay window.

Her master barely left the mansion in the past few days since the incident. He never stayed too far away from his fiancée's room and would do his workload from his study.

Every one of them knew why, but none dared to voice it out.

But there is one thing she has been dying to ask.

"Uh, Master…" Tanaka hesitated. "About the animals—"

"I will not entertain this matter without talking to her first."

He shut it down immediately.

And just like that, Sirius and the others could only wait for her to wake up so they can get their answers.

Just what is she?

—

The next day, Alice's finger flinched.

She groaned with her raspy voice, which startled the sleeping Kiki beside her. It yelped in surprise and went over to her face.

"Alice?" Kiki touched her cheeks and leaned in to make sure. "Awake! You're awake!"

"Ugh…" Alice could only groan. Her entire body ached, but her throat was so dry that it hurt just speaking. "…Water…"

"Huh? Oh, water! Water!" Kiki immediately got the glass of water on her bedside. She slightly sat up to drink, immediately hearing the rushed footsteps from outside.

Alice turned to Kiki in a panic. They'll see Kiki! Wait—How is Kiki here in the first place?

Realization dawned on her face as the door blasted open.

Dante and Vito were on either side of the door, looking at her with relieved faces.

"Lady Alice! You're awake!"

She was still confused, still recalling what happened, when a familiar man entered and walked up to her briskly.

She looked up at him with a frown.

There was a brief moment of silence where they just stared at each other.

Until his soft, quiet voice broke it. "How are you feeling?"

"I-I'm okay… What happened?"

She could only remember herself in the street. And then she was taken away. No, more happened after that. Alice held her head, trying to recall the events.

Her face paled when it all came rushing back to her like a whiplash of memories.

Sirius kneeled to her side of the bed, leveling their face.

"It's all over now. You're safe."

His gentle and comforting voice caught her attention. She noticed how his eyes changed as they looked at her. Softer, warmer… Kinder. 

It gives her butterflies in the stomach.

"You saved me, Your Highness… Thank you…"

He shook his head.

"No, your animals saved you. I was too late."

Alice flinched and avoided his gaze. Yes, she remembered that. How can she atone for this? For keeping a secret from the Alpha Prince?

"I-I'm sorry for not telling you—"

"You can tell me now. Are you ready to tell me?"

"…"

Am I? This is my biggest secret.

And revealing it could compromise my friends.

Am I ready to trust him?