Chapter 36: Unsaid Kael

KAEL

Victim: Roman Russo

Age: Twenty

Assault Weapon: A weirdly crested dagger

Suspect: Not found

The crest on the dagger is totally the same. It is not a coincidence. It is the same that was on the dagger that was find on both Nino and Olivia.

It’s been seven hours since the incident which means it’s way past dawn, and Lilac is fast asleep thanks to the tea Carla had given her after so many attempts. It was agonizing watching the terror on her face as she took in the crime scene. At that moment, I wanted to hold her and shield her away from happenings like this because things like this will surely happen again. I know it will. The thought is enough to make me grit my teeth and I try to push the guilt down. In a week, she has witnessed two murder slash near death scenes and of people she knew. Is this the welcome Lycania planned for my bride? She does not deserve this which is why I need to speak to Father.

I arrive at the palace, I had left Lilac at Carla’s place because she would be more safe with the witch now that she does not have a guard anymore. The thought alone leaves a bitter taste in my mouth and a surge of rage threatens to burst from inside me as I walk up the stairs to Father’s office.

King Alvarez seats at his table and he raises his eye from his work at my entrance. "There you are, I was going to call for you by daybreak."

"I’m assuming this has to do with the crimes that seems to be turning into an undeniably suspicious occurrence?" Despite the urgency in my tone, a smile spread across Father’s lips and I stand, stunned at his reaction.

"I am wondering when you finally decided to start caring about the affairs of Lycania, since the demise of your mother," he says in reply to me.

"I don’t care but when the said affairs is putting my f-" I snap my mouth shut immediately because I had almost mentioned the word Fated and Father must not know about that yet because I know he will certainly use it against me just like his son, after all they are cut from the same cloth. I take in a deep breath, trying to control my temper. "My wife was at both scenes" I say, my voice quiet as I look at him to see if he had noticed my slip up. His expression is calm but I can clearly detect the slight hint of amusement in his eyes. He is enjoying this. The fucking old geezer.

Father sighs deeply before placing the papers he was reading on top of his desk and looking up at me. "You should not bother yourself on trivial matters such as these, especially since there was no real no danger involved with yourself or your wife." I let out a sharp laugh as I lean over the table and look at him in disbelief.

"Surely, you did not hear what I just said. Lilac was at both scenes, if that is not dangerous enough for you. I wonder what danger means to you!"

"She was not hurt, whoever the perpetrator is, he was not concerned about your wife." There is an emphasis on his word, ’wife’ which is suspicious as hell, but I throw it aside. He would not know about Lilac being my Fated. There is no way he would know, unless Talon has gone back on his deal which I strongly doubt he would do so soon.

I sigh. "Is that why you told Caulder to put me off the case?"

"You do not need to be getting yourself in stuffs like this case, it is dangerous."

"And when have you ever cared if I am in danger or not, Father?"

"You are right, I don’t care, but it will be a bad image for Lycania if you get yourself tangled in a mess like this, it is enough for everyone to know you as the moon-mad and unstable Prince and we are already in enough mess with the beach murder, did you know those two were related to my Legal advisor? My Vassal??" Father’s Vassal, Elder Priclei. How did I not know about that key information?

"Caulder did not tell me that."

"Because I told him not to."

Anger. I clench my fist keeping it at bay. It will do me no good to turn this place over when I have an even better plan in motion. I meet my Father’s eyes and then smile. "It is fine, I’m glad that you really do not want my wife and I in any danger of any sort. I really do appreciate," I tell him. _Lies._

Father’s gaze darkens with confusion but he does not voice it out but he smiles back at me. His smile holding just the same secrecy as mine. "I’m glad you understand me. Now that the mating season is coming up, we would be needing your public appearance. The first ball to usher in the season will be held in a week. The invitation card will be sent to your doorstep."

I keep my smile on my face. "Of course Father."

_Lilac_

_A letter from the palace, how convenient._ It was inviting me to the annual mating ball to be held in the palace this night. I groan inwardly. Seems like King Alvarez is doing well to fulfill his promises of me attending Formal events with his son like he had told me on our first meet.

It’s been just a week after Roman’s attack and even though he was badly injured, he is still alive, thankfully. I wanted to see him at the hospital, but the King won’t have any of it according to the guards at the entrance of Roman’s room during the three times Kael had taken me there. I had taken a break in school regardless, I will be going back after the ball, so says King Alvarez. Although I still have not gotten over the horror of seeing Roman in a pool of his own blood, I could still cope. He is not dead, that’s the thought that has actually kept me going. Roman had been a friend in the week I had known him and I certainly want him to come back. I heave in a sigh.

A ball. A gala. Regardless of whatever it is called, it is a formal event and I hate it. I hate formal events. Fake smiles, stupid dances and wine drinking. I always hated going to galas with Father and most times after the formal greetings and stuff, I always went to the rest room or the balcony to read while Nina and Milo drowned in the attention.

There is a knock on my door, snapping me out of my thoughts and even without asking who is there, I know Kael is behind the door. Over the past few days, I have grown more and more cautious of my husband. I could not tell if he was what everyone thought he was or what Talon says he was, I also could not fathom the reaction and sizzling feelings my body gave whenever he was close by. Nevertheless, I was cautious of him, keeping my distance at almost every step. Since Sam was no longer around, I did a lot of food ordering and stuck them in the fridge so when I wanted to eat, I would microwave it and go eat in my room. It was safer that way... Or not. The only time I had to see him was when he drove me to the hospital where Roman was at, and I kept our conversation at a minimum.

The knock comes again and I let out a sharp breath before pushing the door open. "Good morning Princess." Kael chimes and then steps in without even waiting for my answer. And he is smiling. Smiling like I had not just spent the past one week ignoring him. Silence hangs in the air as I inspect him. He is as impossibly handsome as always, his long wavy hair is packed into a man bun and a only a few strands are left to wander over his face. His broad shoulders fills out his T-shirt perfectly

"You should make that an hobby." He walks further in, his movement graceful and then settles on the reading chair.

"What?"

"Checking me out. You should make that an hobby since you seem to enjoy doing it."

Heat bunches up my cheeks furiously. "I was not checking you out." _I was totally checking him out._

He smirks. "I don’t mind though."

"Asshole." I mumble.

Kael ignores my insult. "Did you see the invitation letter?"

He is surely talking about the invite to the ball, so I nod. "I did, I don’t know how it got in here though."

He shrugs. "I dropped it when you went to get your breakfast since you’ve made it an habit to avoid me which I still don’t know how possible it is given how small this house is."

He noticed. "I could have cornered you if I wanted," he continues.

He could have, I realize stupidly. He is a fucking Lycan for goodness sake and a door would certainly not keep him out. "But you didn’t." I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I didn’t. But it’s over now, I have had enough of your back and forth, Lilac."

"My back and forth? You are one talk, after you did just the same to me in the two months I have been here."

"I was being foolish, will you forgive me and let me start afresh with you?" I am shocked at his statement. As he says these words, he gets up from his seated position and walks up to me.

"Forgiveness is not easily given." One more step.

"Tell me. Tell me what to do to earn it." He is close now that I can feel his labored breath on my skin.

My own breath itches at his closeness, his fingers finds my neck and he slowly traces his hands against the nape of my neck. "What will you have me do, Princess?"

My brain is in a mushy mess right now, and I can’t think straight. My body is pressed to Kael and the feeling that his closeness ignites in me is so fucking raw and rather dangerous. "Princess-" he calls again.

I bite my lip, trying to calm my racing heart before answering him. "That’s for you to find out." I wink at him, smirking at my bold statement and gently wiggle my way out of his grip, putting just enough distance between us. I feel the loss of contact like a whiplash and my body almost pulls me back to his arms, but I keep my space. Good to know his close proximity did not totally take away my sense of reasoning.

A shocked expression pulls across Kael’s face. "You did not just say that."

I shrug. "I did, obviously."

"You amaze me, Princess."

_I am here again. I still cannot make out where I am, but the place looks like a basement this time, old and antique. There is a rocking chair just few feet away from the door and a woman sits on it, rocking her baby. It is the same woman from the last time nd the baby. She is saying something, but I cannot hear her words. Her lips quiver as she speaks, and just then the door opens. She jumps in fright as he enters. He steps in, a large cloak covering his face, the crested dagger is on his hands just like before, then he speaks. "You have to die, Lily."_

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