Chapter 19 Caught in the act
Chapter19: Scarlett
I barely caught a wink of sleep that night. My eyes were wide awake. My mind was very active since that evening, I kissed Luciano on the lips.
It was still too chaotic for me to get a hold of. I couldn’t even understand where I got the courage to do such things… I didn’t know if to feel disgusted with myself or excited.
I threw the covers over my head and closed my eyes.
I must have been stupid, succumbing to my emotions like that. This was very wrong. If we got caught or Asher was to find out about it, it would be the greatest scandal in the realm.
I could only imagine the headlines flashing. “Newly wedded Luna caught in an affair with Alpha's Beta.”
But that was if we got caught. Yet even if this didn’t happen, I was placing our lives in danger.
I suddenly became hot as the reality of my situation kicked in. I threw off the covers and kicked my legs furiously. If I could turn back time, I would have stopped my stupid self from kissing Luciano.
What was I thinking?
Everything suddenly went quiet in my head as I calmly tried to come up with an answer.
How could I have refused someone so kind and nice to me?
I’ve known Luciano for a long time, and he has been nice to me from day one. How could I reject him?
‘But you don’t love him!’ My wolf hissed and I frowned at the word.
What was love anyway?
My situation wasn't any better. I was suffering and Luciano was the only one offering comfort to me. What else could I do— sit back and let the goddess perform a miracle that might never happen?
If I was being sincere, Luciano was the only thing I could get close to a miracle.
His touch at the dinner, and his supportiveness... It had always been there. He made me happy, not like Asher, who was threatening to take everything away and saw me as an object, a tool to realize his ambitions.
Frustrated, I gave up on sleep and sat up. My eyes moved to the window, and I sighed as I watched dawn slowly begin to fade into sunlight.
At that moment, my decision was made.
It wasn't wrong for me to fall for Luciano. He was helping me; we were stopping Asher, and if we developed feelings for each other, that couldn’t be called wrong.
As the first ray of light went through the slight opening in the blinds, I jumped out of the bed and stretched.
The first thing I did, was to take out the contraceptives. It was hidden in my drawer, and I quickly threw two pills into my mouth. It tasted bland, but I couldn't care less about the taste as I downed it without water.
I poured myself a glass of water and drew up the blinds. For the first time, I was happy waking up in this place.
The maids were already working in the gardens below, which meant that Bee was already awake. There was an issue Bee wasn't trying to tell me last night, and I sensed it had nothing to do with the kitchen.
He was probably shy because of Luciano. I freshened up and took my bath before going downstairs to the kitchen.
As I went down the long stairs, I wondered why Asher didn't care to install elevators here. Or was he just too invested in his revenge plans that he didn’t care?
My dress swished as I passed the second floor, and I heard feet climbing up the stairs. It was then I came face to face with Luciano.
He was taken aback by my presence, and it took a couple of seconds before he snapped out of it. An awkward silence settled between us as we just smiled at ourselves and avoided eye contact.
I spotted the flowers in his arms and my brows raised. “Where are you going with that?” I managed to ask.
Luciano regained his composure. “Oh, this? I was—” He lowered his voice. “I was going to your room... Small castle, right?”
I laughed at the pun he dropped, and he smiled. There again, was that look in his eyes when he kissed me yesterday. I dissolved under his stare, pushing back my wolf.
“Here.” He handed me the flowers and continued upward. He planted a quick kiss on my forehead and disappeared before I could react.
I looked around and nobody had seen that, fortunately. How bold of him! My heart was still beating fast.
Cheating wives sure had the balls to continue with this for a long time. I felt like I had lost five years in just that exchange, even if I wasn’t technically cheating— yet.
I shook my head and continued to the kitchen.
When I got there, the kitchen was almost empty, with only Bee present. He was sorting out the cabinet and when he saw me, he left everything he was doing and came to me.
“My Lady, good morning. I see that you had a good rest last night and a fantastic morning.” His eyes fell on the flowers and his cheerful expression slowly disappeared.
I held his arm and pulled him aside. “You looked quite distressed yesterday. Can you tell me what's wrong?”
He glanced at the flowers. “I see. Lord Luciano gave you these flowers?”
His first question was oddly on point, and I blinked several times. “Yeah— I don't understand Bee. Is there a problem?” I asked. I gently placed the bouquet on the table.
Bee closed his eyes and spoke very low. “I might look like a child but I'm not stupid. I'm sorry I might come out rude, but what you are doing isn't right… and you know what I'm talking about.”
I took a step back as alarm ran through my body. My arm went to my chest, and I tried to calm my racing heart.
“What do you mean, Bee?”
Bee clenched his jaws. “You are being around Lord Luciano too much. Everyone sees both of you. You will be in trouble if this keeps up. What if the king hears of it?” His brows went up.
A deep frown appeared on my face, and I remained silent as I tried to think of the best way to put it to him…
Bee sighed. “I won't say more than that. But we both know what you are doing...” His hands gently held my arm, and his eyes fixed on mine. “You are pure, your actions reflect in your eyes… Lord Luciano isn’t the right person for you.”
My wolf jumped, excited that someone else took her side. This caused my brain to recoil in irritation, and I pulled away from Bee.
“I have the right to do what I want… I want to be happy. Is that too much to ask—” My words froze as I felt a strange sort of pain in my chest.
Bee's expression didn't change. “No matter how you sugarcoat this, it's very bad. I'm only telling you this before it gets out of hand because I—I care about you.”
My irritation only increased. I folded my arms and glared at him. “If you don't want me to be happy, then I don't think you are my friend…”
His green eyes fixed on me for what felt like minutes. It was almost as if he was contemplating his next move. Then when I thought he was going to apologize, he shook his head and walked out of the kitchen.
My bitter frown didn't disappear as I watched him leave.
Great! He just managed to spoil my mood today. Here I was, worried about him, and he trampled over them and left!
A group of maids suddenly appeared at the door and as their eyes fell on me, they rushed towards me in excitement. “My Queen! What brings you here today!”
They took me by surprise, and I forced a smile on my face. “I was just passing—”
“Sweet goddess!” A maid shrieked and pointed at my flowers, on the table. “Are they yours, my queen?”
Her excitement got to me, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yeah, it is.”
“This is impressive! Matilda look! It's fresh from the Royal Florist!”
My eyes moved to the bouquet in question and my smile grew wider. I hadn't gotten a good look at it, but now I saw that it was really impressive as they had put it.
“Whoever gave you this bouquet is very brave my Queen! Who is it?” They sang and I laughed.
“You know I can’t tell you…”
“Let's help you with a glass vase. It will thaw quickly if left like this...” Another maid offered.
And just like that, the flowers Luciano offered me were placed in a vase. It even looked better than before.
“My Queen, these flowers will be good in your room. Especially at your bed—”
The kitchen door suddenly flew open, ending our conversation midway as Asher's aura filled us.
My heart skipped a beat, and my wolf twisted within me.
My eyes slowly raised, and I saw him. He stood at the door and glared at the flowers before moving his burning gaze to the maids.
The maids in question quickly bowed their heads and cowered behind me. I wasn't any better because my blood had dried up when I saw this man. Fear, panic… and desire blended dangerously through me.
No matter how many times I lied to myself, I could never get used to Asher's rage or my emotions for him.
My voice trembled as I spoke. “You are back early—”
“Who gave you those flowers?!” Asher pointed at the vase.