Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 66: Women Of Noble Houses 3

**Theo's POV**

"Of course," she said, as if it were obvious. "You want to see if I can balance ambition with grace. Fine. Ask me anything."

I decided to humour her. "What's your favorite meal?"

Her confidence faltered for the first time, but only briefly. "Meal? Well, I don't... I don't eat for pleasure, Your Majesty. Food is fuel. Efficiency is key."

I couldn't help it but I laughed. "Vanessa, not everything has to be about efficiency. Sometimes, it's okay to just... enjoy life."

She looked at me and then smiled. "I suppose that's where you come in as my husband then. To teach me how to slow down."

The meal ended shortly after, and as she left, she turned to me one last time. "Think about it, Your Majesty. Together, we'd be unstoppable."

As the door closed behind her, I shook my head, still chuckling.

Unstoppable, maybe. But exhausting? Definitely.

I decided to walk out of the dining room but was immediately stopped by Peter and the guards. "Can I have a break for a few minutes?"

"A few minutes only."

*+*+*+*

It was time for my fourth date and I was already mentally exhausted. I wasn't allowed to take a break for as long as I wanted to because according to Peter I had a tight schedule for today.

I stepped into the dining room, already bracing myself for whatever fresh absurdity awaited me. The previous dates had been eventful, to put it mildly. At this point, I wasn't sure what to expect anymore.

The woman sitting at the table, however, seemed different. She wasn't eagerly trying to make an impression. In fact, she barely acknowledged my presence when I entered, her eyes fixed on the pattern of the tablecloth.

I cleared my throat, taking my seat. "Good afternoon, lady..."

"Clara," she said flatly, glancing up for only a second before returning her attention to the table.

Alright. This was new.

"Clara," I repeated. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise," she replied with the enthusiasm of someone agreeing to do the dishes.

For a long while, we just sat there in silence. I studied her, trying to know what was going on. She wasn't nervous, she wasn't overly confident, and she definitely wasn't trying to impress me.

"You don't seem particularly thrilled to be here," I said finally.

She gave a small, humorless laugh. "If I'm being honest, Your Majesty, I'm not. Not to be rude, but... I'm not interested in this."

I blinked. "Then why are you here? You could've ignored the invitation from my father."

Her lips twisted into a wry smile. "I wish it were that simple. My father doesn't approve of the man I love. Coming here was his way of trying to redirect my attention."

"Ah." I leaned back, nodding slowly. "Well, we have something in common, then. I don't want to be here either."

Her head snapped up at that, surprise flickering across her face as she smiled at me genuinely. "Really?"

I chuckled. "Really. This entire date with several ladies is my father's doing. He's determined to see me mated to someone with a noble lineage, someone who meets his expectations."

I could see the curiosity in her eyes as she stared at me. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," I shrugged. "Please go ahead."

"Fun fact about me, I live for the tea and drama," she smiled and I made a mental note to get her acquainted with my younger sister Layla. "So, who's the lucky lady you'd rather be with?"

I hesitated, but something about Clara's honesty made me feel like I could be honest, too. Even if she lived for gossip like she had admitted, something about her made me know she would not take my business elsewhere. "She's not from our pack."

"What pack then?" She asked and then her eyes lit up even more. "Ooh! Is it a rival pack? Is that why there's disapproval from your father?"

"No," I laughed heartily. "At least I don't know if she's from a rival pack or not but she escaped from an abusive home and was attacked by rogues so I rescued her with Peter and and our family took her in, and she's been living quietly ever since. My father, however, doesn't approve. He wants someone whose lineage he can trace back generations. A noble person preferably."

Clara sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Parents and their obsession with lineage. It's exhausting."

I laughed. "You have no idea. So, tell me about this man your father doesn't approve of. What's he like?"

A blush crept up her face. "His name is Damien. He's kind, hardworking, and the most thoughtful person I've ever met. He always remembers the little things, like how I take my tea depending on the day of the week or time... And there are a thousand other ways. He makes me feel... seen and listened to... We talk a lot and do have a lot in common..."

"He sounds like a good man. So, what's the problem? Why doesn't your father approve?"

Her smile faded, and she hesitated before answering. "He's a servant. My father believes I should marry someone 'worthy' of our family's status."

I winced. "Ah. Worse than my situation, then."

"How so?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"At least my father doesn't outright disapprove of the lady I love," I admitted. "He just... doesn't trust what he can't control like her background.”

Clara shook her head, "You'd think with all the power and influence they have, our fathers would focus on more important things than who we fall in love with or get mated to."

"Right? Is Damien your mate? Or you're just in love?"

"He is my mate. I haven't accepted him but I haven't rejected him yet. My father wants me to reject him."

"You could have accepted him..."

"That could hurt him. If I accept the bond and my father finds out, he'll find a way to separate us and that will mess the two of us mentally.”