The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power Chapter 262: Prelude to the Wedding

Cindy's POV:

The carriage jolted and rolled, and the cabin went silent.

For some reason, my mood dropped.

My mind drifted to the moment I got that oversized gold bracelet, and to Oliver's leaving figure.

"Jewel." I stared at the heavy bracelet on my wrist, my voice sounding dull. "Do you think I'm terrible at being a person?"

"Huh?" Jewel froze. "Ms. Spencer, what are you talking about? You're a duchess now, the future Princess Consort, the brightest star in the whole kingdom!"

"But..." I rested my head against the window, watching the snow streak past. "Back at the academy, I had friends I would die for. We promised we'd conquer the world together. But now ... my mentor is punishing me so harshly that he won't even show up for my wedding. None of my classmates came either. I gained status and glory, but it feels like I lost what mattered most."

Those simple days, filled only with pure friendship, were gone forever.

Seeing how low I was, Jewel suddenly leaned over and opened the box holding the bracelet.

She pointed at the bold words "Good Luck" and said, "Ms. Spencer, look. Mr. Silva might not be here, but he left you his most heartfelt blessing.

"This bracelet looks kind of ugly, but it's solid gold! Gold doesn't rust or fade—just like Mr. Silva's care for you."

I looked at the thick, clumsy bracelet and laughed.

"You're right." I ran my fingers over it. "Oliver didn't just give me this. He left me all those paintings, too. If I sold them, they'd be worth tens of thousands of gold coins. That's my private fund."

"Exactly!" Jewel's eyes sparkled. She rubbed her hands together like a little money-loving gremlin. "That's practical! With money, we can do anything! I've saved my wages for years. I'll buy you a gold necklace for your wedding!"

Her excitement eased the tight knot in my chest.

"You silly girl, who wants your money?" I flicked her forehead with a grin. "Save it for your own wedding. I'll get you something even bigger and make your day unforgettable."

"I'm never getting married! I'm sticking with you forever!"

Laughter filled the carriage.

The road ahead was still full of snow and wind, and some regrets couldn't be undone.

But at least I still had money, family, and that idiot who'd stand against the whole world for me.

That was enough.

...

Three days later, in the Silverpeak Pack's territory.

My position was unusual. I was both the Alpha of the Silverpeak Pack and a duchess personally confirmed by King Ryken. By tradition, I had to return to my lands first, then lead my people to meet Adam's. From there, we would head together to the Grand Cathedral to receive blessings and exchange vows.

Inside Silverpeak Castle—the newly built stone fortress—the atmosphere was thick with tension.

With the sacred bonding ceremony and grand wedding approaching, the entire castle was in nonstop motion.

Massive banners bearing the Silverpeak Pack crest flew beside the royal Golden Wolf standard atop the towers.

Heavy decorations woven from ivy, holly, and white roses hung through the hallways and the banquet hall. The air was filled with the smell of roasted meat, sweet mead, and expensive spices burned on purpose to cover the overpowering scent of unfamiliar wolf pheromones.

With the wedding so close, we were short-staffed everywhere.

"Not enough. Still not enough." Tom, dressed in a brand-new tailcoat, wiped sweat from his brow as he checked his list. "The choir and court musicians still need a final rehearsal. The wine cellars are stocked, but the kitchen doesn't have enough hands to deal with whole roasted cattle and boars. We still have to make honey pastries and prepare copper coins with the pack crest for the people in the square. We'll never finish packing in time!"

Watching my old butler work himself half to death, guilt pricked at me.

"Tom, take it easy," I said gently. "If it's too much, cut back on some of the fancy rituals. Adam is a warrior. He doesn't like those fancy things."

"Absolutely not, Your Grace!" Tom snapped back, his mustache trembling. "This is your sacred union with the prince! It's when the Silverpeak Pack shows the kingdom our pride and strength! Every emblem and every dish represents our honor. We can't half-do anything!"

Right then, loud voices and hoofbeats thundered in from the castle gates.

"We're here! Backup has arrived!"

Roger's booming voice rang out all the way from the drawbridge.