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She was his Star, goddammit.
His.
So why did some of these stupid dogs keep trying to provoke him with the way they stared at his wife like she was their own goddess to worship? They were so damn obsessed with his wife, he wouldn't be surprised at all if it turned out these Lyccans were the same ones behind the extremely popular online shrines dedicated to Estrella.
Stupid, goddamn dogs.
Only the knowledge that any violence on his part could hurt the Faes' membership with L'Alliance kept Lysander in check. After ordering the twins to stick to their princess like glue, Lysander thought it best to avoid looking at the Lyccan side and concentrate instead in reintroducing himself to his people.
While many had welcomed him with tears in their eyes, they were also understandably cautious, and it was only after talking to him for several minutes and seeing that he wasn't the type to involuntarily change into a murderous beast that they finally relaxed and started talking.
They would ask him about Ammon, tentatively at first then eagerly, upon realizing that the Fae prince was no longer as aloof as he used to be. After this, banter would follow, with everyone jokingly saying that his return would finally put an end to money-grubbing tabloids repeatedly referring to Estrella as the abandoned princess.
Over and over, the run of his conversation with his people followed the same template, and always, it would end with the guests excitedly sharing their memories about a battle that took place some months after his disappearance.
While Lysander made sure to make the right noises and play the impressed consort every time they eagerly turned to him for his reaction, a part of him privately wondered just how exaggerated these stories were. He remembered Estrella to be timid, traumatized by the attack she suffered in her younger years. She had been good at developing battle tactics, but to actually apply them in real life? The Estrella he knew couldn't even stomach hurting a fly, and now they wanted him to believe that same Estrella had singlehandedly rescued Fae hostages from a gang of rogue vampires?
A trickle of guests had already left when midnight came and word reached Lysander about a Faerie requesting entry even though her name wasn't on the guest list. It was all rather suspicious, and everyone was instantly on guard.
"Did she give her name?" Lysander asked.
"No, Your Highness. But she says both you and the princess know her."
Lysander's face hardened. If this was a trap, it was downright amateurish but also outrageously bold. After relaying instructions to the twins, he strode towards where his wife was.
One moment, Estrella was chatting gaily with a couple of childhood friends. The next moment, one strong arm had curled around her waist, and she let out a startled yelp as Lysander swirled her away from the other guys and straight into the dance floor.
"Lysander!" But her voice was more breathless than chiding for this was the very first time they were dancing—-
I'm sorry, my Star. Lysander gave her another twirl. I didn't realize this was our first dance.
It's fine, she hurriedly assured him, not wanting Lysander to feel bad.
It's not. Especially since I am dancing with you for a particular reason.
Estrella's smile faded.
There's a Faerie outside your family's compound. She's unwilling to give her name, but she says she knows both of us—-
Lysander was puzzled when Estrella started smiling and shaking her head at the same time. Oh, Lys. Don't you know? It's her!
Her?
Fina! I've always been in communication with her, although the twins don't know about it. You know how she is.
Lysander couldn't believe what he was hearing. Fina...was the woman he had asked the twins to give his ring to. Fina...was here?
HAVING BEEN SIMILARLY apprised by his men about the uninvited guest at his doorstep, Domenico had Misty and his other sisters look after the remaining guests while he and his brothers quietly slipped away to keep an eye on Estrella and lend a hand if needed be.
They kept their distance as a show of courtesy, but not once did their gazes stray as the still-unidentified woman was allowed entry.
Domenico arched a brow when Estrella was the first one to welcome the stranger, her face glowing with pleasure as she threw her arms around the hooded figure.
The men with her, however, was not as effusive in their greeting. The Fournier brothers appeared guarded but not hostile while the Fae prince's tight-lipped smile only softened when the stranger turned to address him directly.
Estrella motioned for her older brothers to come forward a few moments later, and they strode forward, their thoughts masked behind courteous smiles. Alejandro and Alessandro, being twins themselves, had always gotten along with the Fournier brothers, and their smiles were cordial enough as they bowed to the Fae prince in greeting. Lysander's response was similarly amicable, and his attitude only distinctly cooled when he had to acknowledge Estrella's oldest brother.
