Hades' Cursed Luna novel Chapter 35

Hades~

The door of the limo was opened, and I stepped out. I reached my hand out to the princess, and she placed a tentative hand in mine. I could feel her trembling. She stepped out as the camera lights flashed all around us.

Before, the Lunar Gala was far more private, with guests parking inside and entering directly, but now it had been turned into a more public affair, where paparazzi and spectators came to witness. I wasn’t too averse to it—I didn’t really care that much. But with the way the princess was trembling, I could tell it was not the same for her. Unfortunately, there was no running from it. She had to show her face to the public at some point, and this was a perfect opportunity. I was killing two birds with one stone: her first public appearance and giving her a change of scene.

Maybe with this, she wouldn’t think too much about sticking a fork in her neck. I made her hook her arm in mine, leaning slightly to whisper, "Smile and wave, princess."

She did as I asked, her gestures a bit awkward and unpracticed. Still, I was sure she was stunning enough to distract the tabloids a bit. It had been through careful planning that I had her reveal just the perfect amount of skin.

I had chosen right. The dress fit her well, and she had the perfect body to fill it out to perfection. Even more than I would have liked to admit. _{freēwēbηovel.c૦m}

I kept my gaze forward as we walked down the carpet, barely acknowledging the flashing lights and murmuring crowd. But I could feel their eyes—every one of them—fixated on us. On her. The princess’s tension was almost palpable, radiating through her arm as she clung tightly to mine. She was trying, though. Her forced smile and awkward wave amused me more than I let on. She was out of her depth, but she was playing her part.

The air was cool, but the atmosphere buzzed with heat. Conversations, whispers, and the click of cameras filled the space. I steered us forward, deliberately slower, giving her a moment to adjust. If she was going to walk among Lycans and their politics, she would have to learn fast. And this— the eyes on her, the scrutiny, the judgment—was just the beginning.

As we reached the entrance, the doormen bowed low, opening the large ornate doors to reveal the grandeur of the Gala. Moonlight spilled into the hall, reflecting off the crystal chandeliers that hung from the ceiling. The Lunar Gala was as much a political battlefield as it was a celebration, and the room already hummed with the energy of influential Lycans, their eyes assessing, dissecting, and planning.

I leaned closer to her, my voice low so only she could hear. "Remember what I said," I warned, my fingers tightening briefly around hers. "They don’t care for titles. Lycans aren’t impressed by your lineage. They’re looking for weakness. Don’t give them any."

Her breathing hitched slightly at my words, but she didn’t respond. Good. She needed to stay on her toes.

The room quieted slightly as we stepped in, and all eyes turned in our direction. I could feel the weight of their gazes—some curious, others predatory.

We stopped as they all bowed. "Welcome, Your Majesty," they greeted, paying their respects to the princess. It was to be expected. Lycans usually had no respect for werewolves. I nodded in acknowledgment.

I released her arm, only to lightly graze her lower back, guiding her forward as we moved deeper into the hall.

She stayed close, her every step measured, though I could tell she was struggling to keep her composure. It was as though she was used to a different kind of attention—sheltered, private. This was something else entirely.

It was ironic that a princess, used to addressing her people like a tyrant, was quivering in the presence of others like her.