Chapter 41: Divine Mates, Part I

I sat in one corner of the ballroom, quietly sipping my drink as I watched mates after mates dance.

It was the last night of the Divine Mates Festival.  And the first night of the week that Kieran would be away.

I wanted to come with him and ditch the festivities, but he insisted that I stay.  After all, he said, I have other mates who could warm my bed if I ever get lonely.

I don’t know if he was teasing by that, but his voice was reeking with jealousy.

Soft sighs escaped my mouth as I leaned on my chair, lost in thought.  Kieran, Augustus…

The incident earlier.

When I told him during the first night I came back to the Capital that I intended to make Augustus pay tenfold for the betrayal that he had done to me, I was true to that.

Now, I wasn’t so sure anymore.  Even the mere thought of Kieran killing him enveloped my heart earlier with this kind of fear I couldn’t shake off.

He belongs to my worst enemy.  And yet, here I am, in the middle of this room, hoping I could even catch a glimpse of him.

And as if Heavens heard me, I saw his familiar build standing across the room, with Gamma Dion and Beta Kaiden.

He wore his ceremonial uniform… and I could still remember how the fabric brushed against my palm as I ironed it for him.

What an annoying thought to have…

I heard Medea skipped tonight’s festivities.  After all, me having a Divine Link with her Vassal has been the talk of the town.  A small scandal…

Something to ruin her perfect image of being the strongest Queen contender.

A soft smile played on my lips as I sipped my drink once more.  Even if I didn’t intend to, my act of saving Augustus somehow ruined his Queen.

Is this triumph, or jealousy?

I don’t even know anymore.

I almost choked on my drink as I felt someone pat my shoulder.  I turned to see Malik and Aina, the werebeast couple from the second trial, now wearing better clothes.

“Master,” Aina greeted, her hand resting on her belly.  “Malik and I haven’t thanked you enough for saving us…”

She told me that both she and Malik descended from an aristocratic family of a Nomadic tribe down south that was well-known for their ability to purify silver and other divine metals.

While on their journey to seek medical treatment here in the Capital for their twins, who both had weaker life forces, they were ambushed.  The next thing they knew, they were already held under the arena, waiting to be used for the second trial, the precious stones and metals they carried with them no longer in sight.

Aina said that it was probably a rumor that anyone who could defeat them in battle would tame them and, in turn, have ownership over them.

She said they submit themselves to whomever they please, not the other way around.

I smiled.  “There’s no need for that, Aina.  After all, it’s my own who did you wrong.”

Malik wrapped a loving shoulder around Aina.  “Thanks to you, Master, we would be able to go back to our tribe.  Rest assured, we will return this favor.  I’ll find a way to repay you with all the help you’ve given us.”

My pockets could still feel the emptiness my last purchase created.  The couple werebeast, in exchange for five hundred thousand gold coins.

While Queen candidates receive substantial allowances, and I had been able to save enough money before I dropped out of the competition before, I never expected that I would need money this much.

Maybe I should ask Mother where she’s keeping her treasures next time.

My eyes dimmed as I watched Malik and Aina, lovingly doting on each other.  A family…

Something I had dreamt with Augustus before.  The reason why I saved up so much money before was for us to be able to start a family soon.

He was still relying on his inheritance back then, and the late Alpha Hunt hadn’t passed away.

I remember him saving every penny he earned for our dream home.  Then, for our future kids’ education.  I wanted to help, but he often refused me.

I’d be a hypocrite if I said that this heaviness in my chest was nothing but loneliness.  I knew I envied people.  I envy these mates.

I never experienced what a good family felt like, and it was as if the Fates had robbed me of starting one as well.

No Queen has lived past their prime.  In fact, our last Queen, Selina, died after surviving forty-five winters.

She never had a child.  Mother said she usually never agreed to Queens having their own children to avoid political issues, except for a few.  Her Vassal and mate, Caleb, disappeared soon after.

It was one of the reasons why I chose to drop out back then and marry Augustus.  I wanted a family, and I wanted it soon.

When my chest grew heavier that I almost couldn’t breathe, I stood up and decided to walk in the gardens to breathe fresh air.

The cold winds kissed my cheek, then roughly played with my braid, as I sat by a fountain, my head in a mess.

I brushed the hem of my light blue dress before letting out a deep sigh.  The sky was full of stars, and the moon shone brighter than before…

And yet, everything felt bland.  Painful, even.

“What are you doing here, Alpha?” I asked as soon as I felt a heavy presence approaching from behind.  “The festivities are inside.”

Augustus cleared his throat.  “I needed some fresh air.”

I softly hummed before stretching my legs.  Augustus remained rooted in his position, watching me with this gaze…

“I heard what you said to Kieran last night,” he broke the silence.  “Pity, huh?”

My inner cheek bled as I refused to say another word.  Goddess knows… I’d be damned if I run my mouth.

“I didn’t know you needed to pity me.” He scoffed.  “Have I fallen that low in your eyes?”

I cleared my throat as lumps formed in it.  “Then what do you want me to do? What do you want me to feel?”

I glared at him, my eyes burning.  “Augustus, you ran into my sister’s arms the moment I disappeared.  She won’t even heal you, she treats you like a hound, she can’t even form a bond with you, and yet… you remain.  You stay.  Isn’t that something pitiful?”

He didn’t answer for a while.  I stood up, preparing to leave, when… “There are reasons why I can’t leave, Hestia.”

I scoffed.  I know.  I’m just waiting for you to tell me.  “Then why don’t you explain it to me?”

His eyes shifted.  “I… I can’t…”  Augustus stared back at me.  “I can’t put you in harm’s way, Hestia…”

“But aren’t you harming me this way, either, Augustus?  Just tell me what’s going on…” My voice broke.  “Please don’t keep me in the dark…”

He stared back at me.  Then, Augustus’s eyes… died under the moonlight.