Old Acquaintance

Chapter 85

As soon as we learned of Simone's arrival, Luciana, Lumiere, and Liutrich ran out of the mansion to greet him, who had just exited the carriage.

"Prince Simone! Prince Simone!"

The beaming voices of my pups echoed throughout the garden as Simone's lips the moment he saw my triplets. "My, my. You three have grown up!" he exclaimed and knelt before spreading his arms to welcome them.

My triplets giggled and hugged him so tight. "We missed you, Prince Simone!"

I couldn't help smiling when Simone hugged them. "I missed the three of you. It's been a while!" he said before turning to the coachman. "And, of course, I have brought presents to all of you." Then, he turned to me.

That was the time I curtsied. "Greetings, Your Highness, Grand Prince Simone!"

Simone shook his head. "Oh, spare with formalities, Faustina." He grinned and opened his arms. "How are you?"

I looked at his open arms and just smiled, not daring to take a step to be hugged by him. I caught his face contorted in confusion when I didn't move an inch.

He was about to open his mouth, but someone chimed in. "Fancy meeting you again, Grand Prince Simone." I held my breath when I felt Alucard's presence beside me, draping his arm on my back.

I almost closed my eyes when I sensed the animosity in Alucard's tone before looking up at him to see him staring intently at Simone. This made me want to take Alucard away from Simone since I could tell that my mate didn't like Simone after discovering that Simone had arrived.

"Of course," Simone uttered with a smile. "It's my pleasure to meet you again, Crown Prince Alucard." Then, he exchanged his gaze between Alucard and me before he cleared his throat as there was a smile plastering on his lips. "It seems that you are doing great, Faustina."

It was a huge relief that Simone knew how to read the room. "You, too, Simone. Thanks for dropping by and visiting my triplets." But we both knew that we had a history, which was why Alucard didn't want him.

And I understood my pudding. Even I felt alarmed with him and Charity, but he made me assure that nothing was going on between them.

"Anything for them." His expression softened when he glanced at my triplets. Simone had a soft spot for them and always showered them with affection even from the time we were in the Waevalon Kingdom.

"Come in. Mother is adamant to meet you again." I gestured my hand before a few of my butlers attended to the presents he brought just for my pups.

"Oh, yes. I haven't seen Leanne!" he said enthusiastically as we ushered him to the drawing room and were entertained by my triplets.

I left the drawing room to tell the maidservants to prepare some refreshments and looked for Alucard, who hadn't followed us behind earlier. When I looked for him, I saw him in the garden entrance with his darkened expression and hands clenched. His side view was facing in my direction before I saw him kicking the grass.

"Damn it!" he cussed loudly, making me flinch.

"Pudding...?"

Alucard's back straightened up, didn't dare to spin around. Staying a few meters away, I could tell he was struggling with something. Sighing, I approached him and clung to his arm.

"Pudding..." I called him softly, caressing his sleeves as I saw the same expression he had. "Simone is just visiting. He is not staying here." I assured him.

His jaw clenched before he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "They are excited to see him... It's the same expression they show whenever they see me..."

I creased my forehead in bewilderment, not understanding what he was saying. "What do you mean?" I went in front of him. "What are you talking about, Alucard?" I cupped his face and coerced him to look at me to see his annoyed expression.

He frowned more before looking at me. "I'm jealous that our pups act like that to Simone. And he almost dared to hug you! What if I was not there? Are you going to let him?"

I blinked, taking a step back, not expecting that he would outburst like that. His frustration was so palpable that it affected me as I shook my head. "No. You see me that I didn't step forward there, pudding," I explained calmly.

His jealousy was emitting right now, and he didn't bother to block his feelings. My wolf and I were agitated at how Alucard had acted since yesterday.

This was going to be the first time that I would see Alucard act this way. And I realized that I hadn't known much about him since we mated in the past.

How much I suppose to handle this?

"He almost hugged you! Didn't you see it?"

Even though he looked so frustrated, I still found my pudding adorable. Softening, I reached for his face and made him look at me. "I didn't dare to hug him. We're already over, pudding. I am already yours, remember?" His creased forehead didn't flatten. I gently pulled down his head so his forehead would rest on mine. "Our pups are always like that to everyone, pudding. Remember that they are more affectionate to you even though they know Simone. You are their father. You have the advantage. You are the biological father and the one who is making amends, hmm?"

I was closing my eyes when I said that. I wanted to emphasize to him that he didn't need to feel alarm because, after all, Luciana, Lumiere, and Liutrich were his children.

Then, I looked up at Alucard, who was now avoiding his gaze. "Just go back, Faustina. You need to entertain him... And I... have something to do."

My stomach somersaulted when he stepped back, making me panic. "Alucard, come on..." I halted him by his hand when he was about to walk away. "Pudding, please..." I held his hand tighter, not wanting to let it go.

He just sighed and tried to let go of my hand, but it was futile. "Faustina, I need to finish the preparation for my departure. Don't make me late for my appointment." This time, his voice turned cold and distant.

That was when I let him do what he wanted, starting to feel my blood boiling. "Fine... Do whatever you want." Shaking my head, I turned my back, not wanting to speak this further, and left him alone.