Chapter 7 NEW LIFE.

CHAPTER 7: NEW LIFE.

Sitting in front of a dressing mirror, Raya looks at her image. Dressed differently from how she used to be in Ravenhill, she looked different. She felt different.

Hearing a knock on the door, she got up and answered it. As the door swung open, a more mature woman than the maids who attended to her bowed.

"My Lady. It is such an honor to meet you. My name is Kieran, Arm of the Luna," she said introducing herself. Raya furrowed her brow a bit as she looked at him.

"In simple terms, I am your Chamberlain, my Lady. I oversee the affairs of the Luna," Kieran explained, seeing that Raya did not understand the last part of her previous statement.

"Oh! It's a pleasure to meet you," Raya bowed slightly.

"Please don't ever do that again, my Lady. I'd like to keep my head intact," Kieran chuckled nervously. "I'm sorry for not being around to receive you. I wasn't expecting anyone."

Raya smiled mildly, saying nothing. Of course, she herself wasn't expecting to be in such a position.

"I owe Lord Ravna an apology for making him fulfill my designated duty. I'm sure I'll be getting some scolding," Kieran further said, sighing.

"I'm rambling, aren't I, my Lady? I'll shut up now," Kieran said, feeling ashamed.

"It's okay," Raya smiled. At least there was someone in the Iron Den that seemed pretty normal.

"Oh! I almost forgot. His Majesty awaits you at the dining hall for lunch. If you'd please follow me," Kieran requested.

"Sure," Raya responded. Being followed by the maids, she was led through various huge hallways with very tall ceilings. It felt like a maze to her.

Raya observed that the Iron Den wasn't as brightly lit as the palace in Ravenhill. But it had its unique dark theme that made it feel ominous. It was a testament to the dreadfulness of the Ironclaw Pack.

They finally arrived at the dining hall. It was as large as the great hall in Ravenhill's palace. The Alpha King was seated while the table was being set.

Kieran and the maids halted not far from the entrance, bowing their heads as Raya continued forward. She walked to the other end of the twenty-foot-long table and sat down. Well, that didn't sit quite right with her.

"Kieran?" King Barakar called.

"Yes, Your Majesty," she answered, and walked over to where Raya sat. She knew why the King called her.

"My Lady. I'm sorry, but could you please move a little bit closer to His Majesty?"

"Of course," Raya nodded, getting up hastily, and was led to sit on the right-hand side of the King. She was too shy to look at him.

Before the kitchen staff left, they helped to cut the boar that was grilled whole, serving it on plates for the King and Raya. The flickering candles in the dimly lit dining hall set on golden menorahs made the atmosphere around the table romantic.

"Sorry for the awkward situation you were subjected to. The table is usually set with the seats far apart as I've always eaten alone."

"No. It's all right, Your Majesty. I understand. It was just a minor mistake," Raya replied, smiling mildly.

"Let's eat," he said, then picked up the cutlery and began eating. Raya followed suit. For a while, they were both quiet, eating the delicious meal that was prepared.

Although Raya ate with composure and grace. She ate quite a lot. The King took note of it.

"Are you settling in nicely?" he asked.

"Huh? Could you please come again, Your Majesty?" Raya requested, forcing down the food stuffed in her mouth.

"Do you find it convenient so far?" he rephrased.

"Yes. Yes, everything's okay, Your Majesty. Thank you."

"That means you're okay with the cold, huh?" he asked.

"Well..." Raya's voice trailed off, chuckling. "That will take a little bit of getting used to. Ravenhill isn't this cold during winter."

"I see," he nodded, sipping some wine. "Winterhill has always had this non-stop winter. It has been so from the time my father was a boy, and his father, and his grandfather, going way back to time immemorial. Nobody knows why it has been so."

"Hmm," Raya muttered, astounded by what she just learned.

"I uh- I don't think I have properly thanked you, Your Majesty, for everything. You saved me from the rogues, and you've- Because of you, my wolf finally roared awake. So, for all that, I truly am grateful, Your Majesty," Raya mustered the courage to say.

"It was bound to happen," King Barakar responded, and continued eating.

'Right! Fate,' she said to herself, somewhat disappointed, and continued eating as well.

Not finishing what he had on his plate, King Barakar set down his cutlery and wiped his mouth, then he got up.

"Enjoy the rest of your meal. I need to attend to some things."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Raya got up and bowed. The King was about to say something to Raya, but refrained from doing so, then he walked out of the dining hall.

Raya sat back down and enjoyed the meal all by herself. The moment she was done, the kitchen staff trooped out from wherever they were that Raya couldn't see, and they cleared the table.

Kieran and the maids approached Raya as she left the table and bowed to her.

"Back to your quarters, I presume, my Lady?" Kieran asked. She nodded in affirmation and was led there.

"Permit me to say this, my Lady, but it is honestly strange to find the Alpha King this chatty. He never talks casually to anyone else aside from Ravna," Kieran said.

"I guess things really have changed around here," she said, concluding, wearing a satisfied look.

Raya said nothing all the while they headed back to Luna's quarters. When she arrived in her chambers, she realized that the room was filled with all sorts of ornaments.

The dressing table had a variety of perfumes that she had never used before. She also found boxes of jewelry on the dressing table. They were made of pure gold, of the finest quality she had ever seen.

She smiled as she looked at them. It finally sank into her head that this was going to be her new reality - her new life.