To Settle

Chapter 87

"I see that the five of you are improving your studies," I praised the Ironwood siblings, who had proven their worth that they could be helpful for my triplets. "I hope you will continue this phase along with your siblings, Cedric."

Cedric smiled and gently bowed his head along with his siblings: Gavriel, Lysander, Percival, and Elysia. "We are happy for your praise, Madam Faustina. I wish to show our gratitude by being filial to our duties."

His words brought satisfaction to me. "Alright, you may return to your quarters and rest. Thank you for today." As they nodded and left, it relieved me that they were easy to handle at their age.

I also made sure that they were living comfortably. I knew that even though they lost their parents, I was trying to supervise them properly. I also had my head butler to handle them.

"Expert, do I still have a schedule today?" I asked, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"Attending the tea party of Marchioness Archer is your last schedule after your lunch with His Royal Highness, Your Serene Grace."

My hands stretched as if they were trying to reach the ceiling. "And I will be the hot seat as soon as I arrive there..." I muttered, slouching my shoulders, silently contemplating if I would attend that tea party.

"I can tell them you are not attending, Your Serene Grace."

I just shook my head. "No need. I shall attend." I decided to stand up. "I shall take my leave. I still need to see Alucard in the royal palace." I checked my pocket watch and saw he would be certain to take his lunch.

It was usually the other way around where Alucard came here to eat with me, but I decided to make my move and do what he did. I prepared the meal we needed to eat and wanted to speak with him.

I wanted to surprise him just as he made an unexpected action that left me speechless.

Going to the royal palace by myself always made me nervous. Before, I always felt this confidence just by going there, but ever since Alucard and I rekindled our mate bond, I became wary of being there.

It was not because of Azarius but because of Apollo, the previous Alpha King and father of Alucard. There was not even a day where he showed how he disliked me, and sometimes, I caught Alucard and him making a staring contest as if both of them had bad blood against each other.

I had been questioning what was happening between them and why they were acting this way, but I kept my mouth shut.

Walking through the hallways of the royal palace as soon as I arrived, I couldn't help but notice the expensive paintings hanging on the wall. They were not just paintings, but they were paintings of the Alpha Kings from the moment this kingdom was established up to the present. There were also paintings of the generations of the royal lycan family.

I was engrossed in the paintings for a moment and almost forgot that I was here for my pudding when, in a distance, I heard a soft chuckle from a familiar woman. I straightened my back since that laughter came from Mother Luna Queen Adeline.

As I lifted my gaze, I saw her along with Alucard and... I paused and creased my forehead when I saw Charity with them. That was when I quickly hid behind the large vase that seemed to be the same height as a human.

"You never change, Charity. You never fail to make me laugh." Those were Adeline's words, reaching my ears.

I came to a halt and watched them in the distance as I saw Adeline and Charity getting along like they were close friends. My eyes settled on Alucard, who was just smiling and didn't seem like he was trying to chime in. His eyes looked gloomy as well.

That was when Charity glanced at him with concern. "Are you alright, Alucard? You have been quiet there," she asked softly and touched his arm.

For some reason, I felt a sharp knife piercing in my heart upon seeing that action. A new feeling was growing inside me that I had never felt for a long time.

I opened my mouth to call their attention, but Alucard spoke. "I am alright, Lady Charity. And I need to go now to see my mate, Mother." I caught him stepping back slightly to make Charity let go of his arm. "Mother?"

Looking at Alucard, I couldn't even see the guilt that he just dismissed Charity without a doubt. And his gaze... It was fixated on his mother only. He was not even batting an eye on Charity, not even once.

"Oh..." Adeline cleared her throat, nodding. "Oh, yes, dear. You can go now. Charity and I will eat our lunch. Isn't that right, Charity?"

I watched Charity closely. Seeing her again reminded me of when Alucard hosted a party for us. I knew she meant something, and I could tell the bitterness of the past. I wouldn't lie that I was affected by it.

It felt like I had taken Alucard away from her, even though she wasn't his mate. If the roles were reversed, and I were in her position with Alucard bonded to me while the other woman wasn't, I would feel hurt.

"Um... Yes, indeed..." There was a look of hesitation on Charity, making my blood boil for some reason. "But I am worried for Alucard. Would you like to join us instead?"

As soon as I caught Charity holding his arm again, I knew by then that I wanted to strangle her right now. And I could see Alucard's face starting to go south, and I knew by then that everything would turn upside down. That was when I appeared, walking confidently while remaining calm as my wolf tried whispering things to me.

"Greetings, Mother Luna Queen Adeline, Lady Charity."

Alucard's depressing state suddenly became a surprise as soon as his eyes darted in my direction.

"Dollface..."

My insides were raging in excitement when he uttered the endearment to me. It meant that I caught him off guard. A silent urge to kiss him senselessly was palpable right now, but I knew I needed to calm my nerves.

"Oh, Faustina! You're here!" Adeline exclaimed, clasping her hands together. I curtsied before her, and we hugged each other. Her face was glowing when she saw me as she turned at Alucard, who was already behind her. "My, my... Looks like I know now why my son is gloomy today. He just really wants to see his mate." She winked at me, looking at me teasingly.

That made me flustered, not believing that she would tease me in front of Charity, who I caught on, pursing her lips into a thin line.

I ignored it and gazed up at Alucard, who stepped forward. "What are you doing here, Faustina? Wouldn't I go to your shop?"

There was a look of confusion written on his handsome face, but a hint of giddiness mixed in it. I knew by then that even if he were not saying anything, Alucard wouldn't dare to ignore me.

"I just want to visit you, and I missed my pudding." I could hear the loud palpitation of his heart from my words as I added more. "I prepared some meal for the two of us. Shall we eat?" I asked while looking at Charity, who was also looking at me.