Chapter 80: Alarming Theory

Chapter 80: Alarming Theory
"Azai, you're being summoned," a comrade called out, snapping me from my thoughts.
As I turned, my pulse quickened, catching sight of Thaddeus standing just behind him. Whispers and stolen glances spread like wildfire among my fellow female comrades, their barely contained murmurs buzzing in the air as they took in his striking features.
Suppressing the urge to roll my eyes, I moved past them, my expression tight as my gaze briefly met Thaddeus'. Every step I took beside him felt heavy, the air between us charged with unspoken words.
'You looked at them like you were ready to claw their eyes out, sunshine,' Thaddeus teased through the mind link, his voice brushing lightly against my thoughts.
My glare was immediate, but it only earned me a sheepish grin from him, his amusement evident despite the sharp look I gave in return.
'Be certain you still have that smile of yours later, Thaddeus.' I scoffed.
He chuckled before he cleared his throat as we walked past the guests at the party. Before we left the party, I looked around where Alpha King Claudian and Luna Queen Rachelle at. I saw them hanging out with our monarchs, which I somehow felt relieved.
Still in disbelief, I knew that I couldn't be wrong earlier. The Luna Queen of the Waevalon Kingdom—the regal figure who now commanded such respect—was unmistakably the same woman I'd met just days ago.
The name, the face, even with her changed attire, there was no denying it.
It was her.
A flurry of questions swirled in my mind, each one louder than the last. Why had she come to the royal knight camp incognito? What purpose drove her to blend in among us, unnoticed by the others? What was her true mission?
"Kasumi, are you alright?" Thaddeus's voice pulled me back from my wandering thoughts.
I blinked twice, grounding myself as my eyes landed on his hand gripping the doorknob in front of us. "Uh... yeah," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. I motioned toward the door, attempting to mask my unease. "Shall we?"
He studied me for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly, before he turned the knob and pushed the door open. Inside, the sight of Theodore and Cretheus waiting greeted me, sending an unbidden flutter through my chest that I fought to ignore.
"I miss you, moonshine," Theodore said as he enveloped me in his arms as soon as Thaddeus locked the door. 
I melted in his arms as I hugged him so tightly, sniffing his scent. "I miss you, too, commander..." I couldn't help getting teary-eyed. I wanted to show him how much I missed him, even though days had passed.
Theodore gently caressed my back. I felt his kiss on my head, making me look at him. "How are you these days? We haven't been able to talk much with Thaddeus, moonshine." He cupped my cheeks. "Did Kenji do something with you just as you assumed?" he asked earnestly.
I shook my head. "Not yet," I replied as he captured my lips, making my breath hitch. I gladly kissed him back, savoring our sweet, passionate kiss.
But Thaddeus frowned and approached us just to steal me away from Theodore.
"Hey!" Theodore growled.
Thaddeus scoffed at his twin brother and purred by embracing me. "I so missed you, sunshine." He sighed in relief. "I'm glad that I was able to ask for a private room for all of us," he added, burying his face in the crook of my neck.
Warmth spread through me as I leaned into Thaddeus's gesture, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. "I missed you too, my lord," I murmured, my voice carrying a gentle purr. "And... thank you for arranging this."
The faint strains of music from the party drifted into the room, the melody shifting into something tender and melodic, perfectly highlighting the intimate moment between us.
"Anything for you, sunshine," Thaddeus replied, his voice low and filled with affection. His hands cradled my cheeks, his touch both steady and tender, before he dipped his head and captured my lips with his.
He was about to deepen our kiss when we both heard people clearing their throats, making me open my eyes and see that Theodore and Cretheus were glaring at us, frowning at what they were seeing.
The tension in the room shifted, a faint undercurrent of jealousy radiating from the others. Smiling softly, I pressed another lingering kiss to Thaddeus' lips before pulling away. His playful pout drew a quiet laugh from me, and I leaned in to plant a quick, teasing peck on his lips.
"Behave yourself," I said with a playful wink, my voice light yet knowing. Turning to Cretheus, who stood with an air of practiced unresponsiveness, I caught the subtle flicker of envy in his eyes, betraying the facade he worked so hard to maintain.
I couldn't help the smile appearing on my lips, but at the same time, his expression last night caught me off guard. 
"Do you believe me now, Cretheus?" I asked softly, stepping closer to him. His distant gaze unsettled me as I lowered myself onto the seat beside him. My voice wavered slightly, my concern evident. "About everything I told you?" I searched his expression, worry tightening in my chest. Whatever had unfolded had left him withdrawn, and it was hard to ignore the weight he now carried.
Thaddeus and Theodore exchanged glances, their expressions tense as they waited for Cretheus to break the silence. When he didn't, Thaddeus let out a frustrated huff.
"He probably thinks we're losing it," he muttered, crossing his arms.
Theodore stretched lazily, letting out a yawn before fixing his sharp gaze on Cretheus. "That's only because you didn't see what our mate did at the Adamantine Volcano," he said coolly, his tone carrying a subtle edge. Then, leaning forward slightly, he locked eyes with his uncle. "Uncle, I trust you're working hard to have Kasumi reassigned as your mentor. My brother and I haven't been able to shake the unease ever since she shared her alarming theory through the mind link."
Gone was the mischievousness in his tone and was replaced with an earnest one.
"Treat this as an emergency matter, uncle. We do not know the capability of the four clans who want our mate." This time, it was Thaddeus who spoke. His voice was calm, having the same tone as Theodore's.
I could understand the wariness in their tone. I didn't want to discuss this with them, but I knew that they needed to know. I didn't want them to be left behind about this, thanking Cretheus that he had given me an idea that I could pin on Kenji that he wanted me.
Cretheus ran a hand through his hair, exhaling deeply. "I haven't had the chance to talk to Kenji yet," he admitted, his voice laced with weariness. "The chaos at the camp and our packed schedules have kept me occupied. We've been in meetings with His Majesty all day, and I didn't spot Kenji at tonight's party either."
Speaking of Kenji... 
"I didn't see him either," I said, caressing my chin. I even closed my eyes to remember everyone in the party as if searching for Kenji through it until Rachelle's image came to my mind, and I even flinched and peeled my eyes open. "Damn it..." I mumbled, sighing. 
"What is it, Kasumi?" 
I blinked in surprise, my gaze darting to them as they spoke in unison. The unexpected synchronization sent a jolt through me, making my heart leap in shock.
"Um..." I hesitated, my words catching in my throat as I debated whether to dismiss their concern or share the truth. Their expectant gazes made it clear that brushing it off wouldn't ease their worry. Taking a breath, I finally said, "It's about Luna Queen Rachelle..."
Their brows furrowed in unison, confusion etched on their faces as they waited for me to continue. My eyes flicked to the grandfather clock, noting how much time had passed since we started this conversation.
"I don't understand why she's in disguise or what her purpose is," I admitted, turning my attention back to them. "If you get the chance to speak with His Majesty, can you ask him about it?"
"Certainly."
A smile tugged at my lips as their synchronized response caught me off guard. "For now, let's observe the four clans and Kenji." They nodded. "Let's head back to the party before they think maliciously why the four of us were not at the party."
"I don't mind." Theodore shrugged.
I playfully rolled my eyes. "Don't be silly, commander." I winked at him, causing him to smile sheepishly.
"Keep yourself safe, moonshine." Theodore looked worried. "If something happens, mind link us and we will come for you as soon as possible."
I nodded as a response. "I will."
Just as we were preparing to leave, Thaddeus' voice stopped me in my tracks. "Sunshine, let me know when you're planning a vacation. There's something important we need to talk about," he said, his tone laced with intrigue.
I tilted my head, curiosity sparking in my eyes as all of us turned our attention to him. "What is it?" I asked.
A faint smile curved on his lips as he revealed, "Severin has told me that he is the father of Madeline's pup."