Estelle’s POV 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

I turned around slowly, my heart still racing from the surprise. Zayne stood about ten feet away, his silver hair catching the moonlight. His expression was calm, almost neutral, but his electric blue eyes seemed to be studying me with quiet interest.

“Your Majesty.” I inclined my head slightly in greeting. “I didn’t hear you approach.”

“How are you finding your time at the royal palace?” His voice was warmer than I remembered from our previous encounters. The formal distance from dinner seemed to have melted away.

I blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the change in his demeanor. During our first meeting, he’d been polite but distant. Tonight at dinner, he’d been courteous but reserved. Now he seemed almost approachable.

Maybe it was because he was playing host. That had to be it.

“I enjoyed dinner very much,” I replied carefully. “The food was excellent, and the conversations were enlightening.”

Zayne nodded, taking a step closer. “And how do you like your rooms?”

I felt my expression falter slightly. The memory of that cramped, musty space flashed through my mind. The peeling wallpaper, narrow bed, and questionable stains on the carpet were difficult to forget, especially when paired with the unpleasant smell that was in the room.

“It’s fine,” I said, forcing a diplomatic smile.

Zayne raised an eyebrow. His gaze didn’t waver from my face. “Oh? I sure hope so. After all, I wouldn’t want my guests assuming that she-wolves are second-class citizens here in lycan territory.”

My stomach dropped. Even though I’d deleted the message almost immediately after sending it, he must have still seen it. I grimaced, feeling heat rise to my cheeks.

For just a moment, I thought I saw his lips quirk upward in amusement. But the expression disappeared so quickly I couldn’t be sure if I’d imagined it.

“The room is horrid,” I admitted, abandoning my diplomatic facade. “It looks more like servants’ quarters than accommodations for visiting delegates.”

Zayne remained silent, waiting for me to continue.

I truthfully told him about the rooming situation. The room was awful, and there was no reason to hide it from Zayne. He nodded understandingly, waiting for me to finish.

“The staff also told me that males and females are separated due to lycan customs,” I continued. “But I noticed several mated pairs heading to the same wing together tonight. They’re clearly sharing rooms. I don’t understand why there are single male wolves present in the same wing, while I’ve been placed in an entirely different section of the palace that feels forgotten by time.”

“I see.” Zayne’s voice remained even, but I detected a hint of displeasure beneath the surface. It did not seem directed at me, but at the situation itself. “That sounds like an oversight on my staff’s part. I must apologize.”

Relief flooded through me. He wasn’t dismissing my concerns or making excuses.

“I can offer you proper guest accommodations,” he said. “If you don’t mind following me.”

“That would be wonderful. Thank you.”

The night was getting a bit cold. Not to mention, having a new room would mean I had somewhere proper to clean up, and I wouldn’t have to sleep out here in the garden.

Considering I was fairly new to my role, I could imagine the sort of headlines and rumors that would spread if someone found me sleeping outdoors. They might even think that the Blackmoon Pack fell out of favor with the lycans.

While my comfort was important, so was the reputation of the Blackmoon Pack. Any rumor about me could be used against me. Benedict and Helena would be eagerly waiting for that to happen. I refused to give them any sort of advantage.

I fell into step beside him as we headed back toward the palace. His stride was confident and unhurried. We passed through the main corridors I’d become familiar with during my earlier wandering.

But instead of heading toward any of the wings I’d seen before, Zayne led me deeper into the palace. The hallways here were wider, the artwork more elaborate. I noticed significantly more guards stationed at regular intervals.

We walked in comfortable silence. My heels echoed softly against the marble floors. The guards we passed nodded respectfully to Zayne, their eyes briefly acknowledging my presence before looking away.

Finally, we stopped in front of an elegant door. The wood was dark and polished, with intricate carvings along the frame. It was a stark contrast to the plain door I’d been assigned earlier.

Zayne pushed the door open and gestured for me to enter first.

I stepped inside and barely contained a gasp of amazement. The room was spacious, much bigger than the master bedroom back in the Moonveil pack house. A large four-poster bed dominated one wall, draped in rich burgundy fabric. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of the gardens we’d just left. The room was also filled with elegant furniture without making it feel crowded.

“This is incredible,” I breathed, running my fingers along the smooth surface of an antique writing desk. “Thank you so much for arranging this.”

“You’re welcome.”

I continued exploring the room, admiring the attention to detail in every piece. Fresh flowers sat in a crystal vase on the nightstand. The bed linens looked impossibly soft and inviting.

Then I noticed another door across from the ensuite bathroom entrance. My curiosity got the better of me.

“What’s behind that door?” I asked, pointing to it.

Zayne followed my gaze. This time, I was certain I saw amusement flicker across his features, though he tried to suppress it.

“That leads to my bedroom.”