Transmigrated: The Lycan King's Pet
Chapter 169 Presented?

Chapter 169: Chapter 169 Presented?

Rhydian’s gaze moved around the ballroom, then settled on me again. "You’re not wrong. But it’s not just you, everyone in this room is pretending to be something."

I gave a small shrug. "Then they’re doing a better job at it than I am."

"At least you’re not pretending," he said. "That’s what makes you different."

I didn’t know how to respond to that, so I just looked away, focusing on the movement of our steps.

"You know," he added quietly, "the stars look clearer from the eastern towers. And the view is stunning... especially tonight."

My eyes flicked up to meet his eyes. His presence made me feel safe, like as long as I’m with him... everything was alright. "Are you inviting me to sneak out of my own party?"

"Am I?" he said, a hint of a smile pulling at his lips. "That would be reckless. I’m simply offering you the idea."

I snorted under my breath. "That sounds a lot like an invitation... You are pulling my legs aren’t you?"

"When? Your legs are moving just fine." He winked at me.

I glared daggers at him, earning a chuckle from him. His shoulders shook slightly, and the sound of his laughter was more appeasing to my ears than the music playing.

We spun slowly, moving past a group of older nobles who paused to glance our way. Rhydian didn’t seem to notice or maybe he just didn’t care.

"Tell me something," I said, my voice low. "Why were you really out there in the garden?"

He didn’t answer immediately.

"I don’t like crowded places," he said. "They drain me of my energy. I prefer silence."

For some reason, I believed him... I mean there was no reason to.

Before I could say more, the music changed again, and the final notes faded into soft applause.

I stepped back slightly. "Thank you for the dance."

He bowed, the way only someone well-raised would. "It was a pleasure, Princess."

And just as I was about to leave the floor, I heard a deep voice echo from the platform above.

"May I have your attention," the Fae King said, rising to his feet.

The music stopped completely, and everyone turned toward him.

His cold eyes scanned the room, but his voice remained calm. "Tonight marks the beginning of a new season. And with the Queen’s absence, certain traditions must be restored."

I stayed still, a strange heaviness building in my stomach.

"I have decided," he continued, "that Princess Aeris will be presented formally to the other noble courts at the next high gathering."

Whispers filled the room.

Presented?

"To be considered," the King added, "for a suitable union... one that strengthens the alliance of the realm."

My lips parted slightly, but no words came out, I wasn’t just being watched anymore. But now, I was being offered away like a tribute... I was being offered?

The silence that followed was the loudest thing I’d heard all evening.

The King’s words hung over the ballroom like a thin layer of ice.

It took a while before the whispers began buzzing in the hall, ripples of gossip that grew too quickly to contain.

I stood frozen in place.

’Presented? Considered for a union? Me?’

Like I was a fragile flower he had plucked and placed at the center of a table, waiting to see which guest would take it home.

I didn’t look up at him... I couldn’t, without glaring at him. My eyes fixed on the polished floor beneath my shoes, as if some answer might be carved into the marble.

There was not even a prior warning, no private conversations before the ball, not even a glance my way before he made that announcement.

That was the worst part of it. Not just that he’d made the decision... but that he’d done it so easily in public.

I felt Rhydian’s presence beside me had changed. His voice stayed soft, just above the noise. "He didn’t mention this to you before?"

I shook my head.

His jaw tightened. "Then my apologies."

I didn’t answer... I couldn’t. The tightness in my chest had moved up to my throat. If I spoke now, it might come out wrong.

People had started turning toward me now. A few nods of approval from older nobles, forced smiles from fae ladies who now viewed me as a walking alliance. I saw someone elbow their friend as they pointed in my direction.

I wasn’t just being watched anymore... Now, I was being evaluated.

I turned slightly away, pretending to study the far end of the ballroom. I needed to breathe... even just a little without the curious eyes. My fingers clutched at the edge of Rhydian’s coat that still hung over my shoulder.

He leaned in a little closer. "If you want to leave, I can get you out of here."

"Not yet," I said, keeping my voice level. "Leaving now would make it worse."

He didn’t argue. And then... I felt an unmistakable pull at the back of my neck. Like my skin remembered something my mind was trying to forget.

My eyes scanned the room before they finally landed on him.

’Damon.’

He stood half-hidden behind a column with arms folded over his chest, his eyes locked on me like he had seen everything.

But... something was wrong with his eyes. I swore it was black when we had danced earlier... but now they were silvery grey. How is that possible?

And unlike the others, he didn’t look at me with pity or pride.

He looked furious, like he was ready to tear the hall apart.

We stared at each other across the room for a second too long.

Then he pushed off the wall and began walking toward me.

My pulse quickened. I couldn’t move from my spot.

Two other men tried to stop him, but he shoved past them.

Each step he took felt like a silent warning, steady and sharp, like he was holding something back.

I unknowingly gripped Rhydian’s coat dropped over my shoulders tighter.