Alpha's Rejected Mate Returns as Queen
Chapter 705: The Black Wolf and the Courtyard

Chapter 705: The Black Wolf and the Courtyard

Yarin's POV:

I felt like I was dreaming, yet everything I saw seemed so real. I could faintly smell the

delicate fragrance of lotus flowers in the air. Even though I was surrounded by water, I didn't feel the dampness; instead, a gentle cool breeze dispelled my drowsiness.

"The Sea of Lotus..."

Gazing at the boundless expanse of lotus flowers before me, I was left speechless.

Looking around, there was no one else but me. My mom wasn't here. Since I arrived successfully, she shouldn't have failed, right? Perhaps we landed in different locations?

I searched around, calling out loudly a few times, but no one appeared.

"What are you looking for?"

Suddenly, a voice startled me. I turned around alertly, but there was no one there, only a giant black wolf standing not far behind me.

"Are you lost?" the black wolf asked again. "Don't be afraid, child. The goddess sent me to guide you."

"The goddess?"

"Yes, were you looking for your mother just now? Don't worry, she went back first. The goddess wants to meet you alone."

Even though it was our first meeting, I found it easy to trust this black wolf. I hardly had any doubts, and my lazy sense of vigilance told me, "It's a good being, so follow it."

The black wolf turned and walked a few steps, then looked back at me. "Hurry up and follow me; don't get lost again. This flower sea is magical; without guidance, you'll never find your way out."

The black wolf was large with long limbs, walking swiftly. I had to jog to keep up with it.

"May I ask who you are?" I whispered.

"Me? Perhaps you know me if you've heard the legend about the marriage."

The legend about the marriage?

Thinking carefully about the mythical stories I had heard since childhood, one love legend became clearer.

Oh, so it was that black wolf!

"I remember now. You are the child raised by the forest, and later, the goddess fashioned a body for you with her spear, so you could be with the Valkyrie, right?"

The black wolf smiled happily. "Yes, young one, thanks to the goddess's kindness."

I couldn't help but be curious. "I'm Yarin. May I know your name?"

"Spil, child. You can call me that."

"Spil?"

"Yes, I was raised by nature and had no name originally. When the goddess bestowed her spear to create my body, I became Spil."

A gust of wind blew, accompanied by the rustling sound of flower petals. The giant black wolf transformed into a tall and handsome man. He quickened his pace, and I hastened to keep up. Soon, we reached the edge of the sea of lotus.

It was an endless and vast plain. Not far away, there were forests and scattered shrubs. The grass was lush, and colorful birds were flying around.

A bit further, I could see an ancient and exquisite fence and stone wall, with colorful ribbons fluttering gently in the breeze. Among them, the sweet melodies of birds and faint harp music blended together.

That was the Moon Goddess's courtyard

A long-tailed brown sparrow fluttered down and landed on my shoulder, looking at me curiously. It pecked my ear gently and then flew away.

"Don't stand there, the goddess is waiting for you in the courtyard. Go ahead," Spil said. He didn't intend to follow me, so I asked, "Aren't you coming with me?"

"No, the goddess only asked me to guide you. Now, my duty is done," he said, transforming back into the imposing beast, nudging my back with his head, signaling me to go forward. "Go on, don't be afraid. The goddess likes you; she will help you."

Following his nudge, I took two steps forward, turned back to look, and saw the black wolf gazing at me encouragingly, nodding. Then he turned around and disappeared into the forest. Now, I was alone. I could feel many curious and benevolent gazes upon me, probably from the small animals hiding in the trees and bushes.

Did all the people who come here receive the curiosity of these small animals? Were the priestesses the ones who receive the goddess's teachings in this courtyard? So had all the previous priestesses seen the sacred appearance of the goddess? But from the words of the ceremony, it seemed not so.

With a curious heart like that of a small animal, I walked to the distant gate and gently knocked on the door knocker.

The door opened silently, but there seemed to be no one coming to greet me.

Along the way, I hadn't seen a single soul. The Valkyries, attendants, and servants who served the goddess were all nowhere to be found. Although the sound of faint harp music accompanied me, I couldn't find the person playing it.

The courtyard was adorned with colorful flowers and fluttering ribbons, and the pavilions and buildings were decorated with exquisite patterns and dazzling gemstones. Delicate wooden cages hung at the corners and eaves, exuding a fragrance like the evening dew.

It truly was an incredibly magnificent courtyard, unlike any other in the world.

But where did all the people go? The courtyard seemed like a dollhouse on a little girl's table -beautiful but lacking life.