"Who is he really, Henry?" I asked after I told him again how I met Niccolo in my previous life. That he was the rogue Alpha. He was enveloped with silence after that. "Valerian did not say in his letter that Niccolo Andreu is part of his contingency plan. He only mentioned Demetrius..."I read Valerian's letter carefully. He did not include a name, Niccolo Andreu, to be the next Beta. But Niccolo told everyone he was part of Valerian's contingency plan.Henry cocke.d his head from side to side. "Well, I can answer that." He reclined on his seat. "If you are deemed the first in line to inherit a pack, the descendant has the right to decide who would be his next Beta. He can still choose the current Beta's son. However, since the Nocturnal Crest pack was annihilated, Demetrius designated someone to be his second-in-command to rebuild this pack." He shrugged. "Someone who put his trust and would be a good fit as Beta.""Is that so?" I asked, hesitant.He nodded. "That is how it works, a
"Be certain that her wedding gown shall be envious of by the other nobles," Rorilin told the notorious seamstress, Lorenza Jaime, who was taking my measurement. "I also want the other nobles to envy my son and Dominixe's wedding," she said dreamily. "Right, Harchier?"I stared at Rorilin, Warren's mother, with an almost disgusting expression I could ever express. My hands have been clenching so badly already ever since I was lured to come here to the apparel boutique by Papa.No.I was already threatened to come here to take my measurement since I was already engaged with Warren Porter five months ago.Yes, five months ago.It was the most petrifying news I had come to learn, even though I must expect this already.It never changed. My situation still ended up being engaged with that disgusting man. My previous life and my current life still faced the same dilemma that would torment me for my entire life."Indeed, Rorilin." Papa stood up and eyed me up and down, having an approval wri
I was shocked and immobilized by having Niccolo's face closer to me.How?How did I find myself being in his arms? Why did his arms feel like home?I snapped back when his hand reached me and gently wiped away my tears. "You are crying again..." he said in a distressed tone.Niccolo's words had brought me to tears again. "I-I thought you are V-Valerian..." I said through sobbing. "Your tunic... smelled like his scent..." Now that I realized it, it seemed like a perfume he had on it. Or it seemed like the hyacinth flowers were smeared on his clothes.That ached my heart more since I really expected that it was Valerian.But... how about my wolf? My wolf whispered that scent came from my mate—from Valerian. And it came from this tavern... I couldn't be wrong. I was not having hallucinations...People eating in the tavern looked in our way or, more likely, glared in Niccolo's direction when they knew a lady was crying. Niccolo felt that but did not panic and gently brought me outside."N
"I am your what?" I parroted, not wanting to believe that this was literally happening in my life. What in the Moon Goddess' sake was Henry planning? Why the hell would he decide on something like this? This was not even part of the plan he told me! What the hell was wrong with lycan crown prince? "Unfortunately, I do not repeat myself, Lady Dominixe." I snapped back and looked at Papa. "B-But I do not understand... Papa already betrothed me. R-Right, Papa?" I needed to halt this crown prince's madness. There was no way he would have me as his crown princess, let alone to be his future wife, since he already had his mate! 'What are you planning, Henry?' I asked through mind-link and simply glanced at him. But he was not even looking at me, making me frustrated. "Y-Yes. That is what I am saying. My daughter is engaged with the eldest son of—" "How often do I have to tell you that His Majesty, my father, has implemented a royal decree? Did you know announcing a decree is as strong
"If you need anything, please ring the bell, Lady Dominixe," Sir Lanfrid said after he showed me the chamber where I would sleep from today on."Can I see Henry?" I asked after I waited for all the palace servants to place my luggage in this very chamber of mine. Ever since I arrived here, all I wanted was to speak with him and his half-ass explanation about what he was planning."Unfortunately, His Royal Highness is handling some affairs in the inner court as per the order of His Majesty. He is handling the hunting competition event that shall be happening next week.""Oh..." I almost forgot that the event was near already. "Tell him that I wish to speak with him. It is very urgent," I insisted."Yes, my lady." He bowed before me.He was about to take his leave when I halted him and gripped his arm, smiling sweetly. "Tell Henry I am earnest and need to speak with him as soon as possible. There is no way he would leave me hanging here after announcing to the kingdom that he is marryin
The whole dining hall was surrounded by soft melodious music while we had supper. If no melody were played, everything would be awkward since neither of us was even talking. Or perhaps, it was because His Majesty was busy enjoying the music while he was chuckling when the courtesans were flirting with him. I suddenly felt sick, wanting to leave the dining hall immediately, but Henry and Eustacia seemed alright. The same goes for Demetrius and Niccolo.What surprised me was that these two had lived in the royal palace since they arrived at the mourning ceremony. Henry accommodated them until Demetrius managed to rebuild the Leveaux Duchy and recruit some rogues to be his members in the Nocturnal Crest pack."Since Demetrius has been taking some classes for succession lessons to enhance his leadership skills, he is also preparing for his succession ceremony that shall be happening before the hunting competition. The same goes for Niccolo as the next Beta of the Nocturnal Crest pack,"
Waiting in the training ground before the said time had bestowed me enough time to contemplate as soon as Henry bestowed the reports I needed last night.The reports were detailed as he promised. He never left out any single thing, so I couldn't make his decisions questionable."It will soon be over..." I muttered, looking up at the familiar dawn sky.I felt a presence behind me. I quickly turned around and threw the dagger in that direction."Oops!" My eyes widened upon seeing Demetrius, who fell to the ground—or, more likely, he did that to avoid the dagger that was about to hit in his direction."You're here..." I said and approached my carbon copy with Valerian's eyes.Demetrius accepted my hand with a beaming smile. "Because you are my mentor, Lady Dominixe. You have no idea how I looked forward to being trained by you again!"Looking at this young man... Why did he always look so thrilled to see me? It was kind of annoying, but it was hard for me not to soften."Get that wooden
When Demetrius learned what he did when he passed out, he was embarrassed and distant from me. I felt sorry for him, but I remained as solemn with him as possible, pretending that what he did was not affecting me.Henry had learned what had happened. He was chuckling while I threw the crumpled parchment in his direction. "That boy already had enough. Can you halt, you bastard lycan prince?" I couldn't help myself grimacing."Pardon me..." He wiped the tears that escaped from his eye. "I mean, I am not laughing at him. I am laughing at you."I smiled, a fake one. "Oh, I did not know I was good at spouting jokes," I said. "Good then. Hope you die from laughing." Henry chuckled one more time before he halted when we were interrupted by some knocks. "Your Royal Highnesses?"I frowned and returned from reading the Royal Ordinance Volume Five. It was part of my training to become a Crown Princess. I must memorize all the laws of the Yuanzhong Kingdom.My training was so painful that I had