Chapter 16"He wouldn't stop, would he?" That's what I uttered as Elijah stood before me while I sat in front of my desk. Again. Elijah had been coming here to the Velvety Stones so many times. He would make sure that I was here in the jewelry shop to pester me. It was said that it was under the orders of Alucard."I apologize, Your Serene Grace. His Royal Highness disregarded your suggestion to explore other jewelry shops capable of crafting customized pieces. He was adamant about the Velvety Stones fulfilling his request."I clasped my hands together, feeling my blood boiling right now. "Should we choose not to comply, will he resort to wreaking havoc?" I asked, feigning mock seriousness. "Or perhaps, he'll present himself before me and kneel in supplication? Who knows, I might reconsider if he does." I added, playfully teasing, though my tone suggested a hint of amusement at the absurdity of the idea.Elijah looked troubled by my suggestion. His eyes were showing how uneasy he was
Chapter 17I raised an eyebrow, trying to hide my surprise at seeing Alucard here. But how could he show himself before me? "Elijah suggested, did he?" I replied with a touch of amusement in my voice. How dare Alucard show himself before me when I was just kidding. "Well, how thoughtful of him."Alucard's smile didn't waver, and his gaze held mine steadily. "Indeed," he replied, his tone laced with a hint of playfulness. "I couldn't possibly resist the opportunity to meet with you, Grand Duchess Bellwood. After all, it's not every day that I get to enjoy such delightful company."I couldn't help but almost roll my eyes at his flattery. Alucard had always been a smooth talker, skilled at weaving words to his advantage. "What do you really want, Crown Prince Alucard?" I asked, cutting through the pleasantries. "I highly doubt you came here just for a casual visit." Although I already knew why he came here.I was just jesting at what I told Elijah, yet this jerk was now in front of me. I
Chapter 18"Mommy, may I take care of this tiny kitten?" Luciana inquired amidst our enjoyment at the Dandelion Festival that evening. Her attention was captured by a kitten, having black and white fur, that approached her and seemed to like her.I blinked before going to see the kitten she had in her arms. "May I see this little one?" I squatted so our faces would be even. Luciana handed me the kitten with care, and I examined it to determine its gender. "A male, I see..." I nodded in agreement, estimating that it might be around two months old. "Have you decided on a name for her, Lulu?" I asked, saying her nickname."I will name him Mochi, Mommy." Luciana giggled when I suggested that I should be the one handling the kitten before it decided to run away from her grasp. "Eh? Mochi? Lame!" Lumiere scoffed. "Figaro is better! Lulu makes a lame name," he teased in a sing-song voice."Eww! I like Mochi! Go get your own kitten!" Luciana glared at her brother, but Lumiere stuck his tongu
Chapter 19He stood there, his presence commanding and powerful as ever. Dressed in attire that bespoke his regal status, he looked every bit the formidable figure I remembered. Damn it... What the hell was he doing here? Was he here the whole time? In that very carriage?"Greetings, grand duchess," he greeted, his lips curving into a smile that held a hint of warmth, but his eyes were unreadable."You..." I said, this time with a stronger resolve, rising from my knees. "What are you doing here?" An instinct, I stepped forward to hide them with my heart pounding so fast.His gaze shifted to my children, his expression softening as he observed them with a mix of curiosity and something else that I couldn't quite decipher. "I am the one who fetched them to the Cloveshire Citadel and brought them back here in the Bellwood estate." The way he admitted it had brought chills down my spine. And did I hear that properly? He was the one who..."Mommy." I felt a gentle tug in my dress only to
Chapter 20Inside the manor, the walls seemed to close around me as I paced back and forth, my emotions churning like a tempestuous sea. The audacity of Alucard's words echoed in my mind, each sentence carving a deeper wound in my already battered heart.My children's laughter wafted from the adjacent room, a stark contrast to the turmoil that raged within me. I wanted to shield them from the chaos, to protect them from the tangled mess that had entwined our lives.The memories of our shared past surged forward, memories of laughter, camaraderie, and a love that had once bloomed so pure. It was those very memories that he seemed to be using against me now as if he had the key to unlock my heart's hidden chambers."No, I won't let him do this," I muttered to myself, clenching my fists in determination. The years I had spent rebuilding my life, piecing together my shattered world, couldn't be unraveled by his claims. I had fought tooth and nail to give my children a life away from the s
Chapter 21 "Uncle Romir! Grandpapu!" My triplets exclaimed as they ran towards them as soon as they arrived in front of the Bellwood estate. Edison did not hesitate to kneel and opened his arms. "Come to grandpapu!" His eyes were getting teary-eyed when they giggled and hugged him. I smiled before turning at Jaromir with Evelina. "Jaromir... Evelina..." I hugged them both and expressed how much I missed them. Before I left the Moon Oriental pack, it was then I learned Lady Evelina, the one I met at the banquet party six years ago, was Jaromir's mate, she rejected him, but they managed to reconcile with each other when Jaromir knew that Evelina, who was supposed to be engaged with someone, had called off her engagement. "I missed you both..." They both chuckled and hugged me back. "We missed you, too, Faustina." "Don't forget your nephews, sister-in-law," Evelina said before she gently tapped my back to make me look at Reiner and Heinfrey. I almost squealed upon seeing Reiner, fo
Chapter 22Alucard's presence alone was enough to stir a whirlwind of emotions within me. Hatred, hurt, longing—all tangled together in a complex web that threatened to ensnare me once more. His forest-green eyes, so familiar yet now so distant, bore into mine, their intensity causing my heart to race.Alpha King Azarius, on the other hand, exuded an air of regal authority that demanded respect. His demeanor was composed, his gaze assessing as it swept over me. It was evident that he was a ruler accustomed to command and obedience.For a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath, the tension palpable. I fought to steady myself, to regain control over the maelstrom of feelings that threatened to consume me. With a measured breath, I composed myself and stepped forward, my chin lifted in a show of confidence."Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness," I greeted with a polite curtsy, my tone respectful yet reserved. "What a surprise to find you both here."Alpha King Azarius inclined his head
Chapter 23I tried to struggle against his hold, but Alucard was so strong that he even pinned my hands on each side of me. His closed eyes spoke of his intense focus, his intention clear as his lips sought an entry into my mouth. In a desperate bid for freedom, I sank my teeth into his lower lip, hoping to force him to release me. Yet, his determination prevailed, and as his ardor intensified, I found myself reluctantly closing my eyes, the heat of the moment overwhelming my defenses. I was trapped, caught in the whirlwind of his insistent and consuming kiss.That was when I dropped my guard, returning the equal fervor of his kiss. When Alucard thought that he already coaxed me, he placed my arms to cling to his neck, earning a moan from me as my fingers were clutching the strands of his hair when our kiss deepened. I could feel the longing he was pouring into our kiss with a mix of dominating each other, neither of us was backing down. His hands had started to wander around my body