“You are stubborn but you should know that it will not pay off,” remarked Alpha Dagen after several minutes of silence had passed between us.
“I am sorry I could not be of help in identifying your prowler,” I ensured my voice hinted that I was done with this interview. I would rather be with Madam Margaret than be confronted about Tyler.
“You’ve been of great help actually,” said Alpha Dagen.
“Then I am happy I have been of help, may I leave now?” I asked politely.
“I meant it when I said I shall pay you a visit every night from now on,” said Alpha Dagen. I could see he was watching me to gauge my reaction to this but I kept a straight face.
“Your Majesty,” it was Lady Nydia who had walked in.
She scowled at me. She was not pleased to see Alpha Dagen talking to me.
“Nydia,” Alpha Dagen acknowledged her presence curtly. It made me wonder if they were having some sort of disagreement.
“I have said I will do a better job of overseeing Regina; you do not have to trouble yourself with checking up on her constantly,” said Nydia with a wry smile.
“And you did not mention the prowler to me,” said Nydia, placing what I believe should be a reassuring hand on Alpha Dagen’s arm.
“I did not want to get you worried. However, for the time being, I believe it is best you reside in the garden palace,” said Alpha Dagen.
“Your Majesty!” cried Nydia. I did not understand where the garden palace was but from the look of horror on Nydia’s face I could tell it was not a good place.
“It is for the best. I would like to catch this prowler,” Alpha Dagen’s eyes were on me when he said this, “and there are social events I would like you to attend on my behalf. I want it to be ingrained in people’s consciousness that you are my desired Luna and would be once Regina has served her purpose.”
“That is thoughtful of you, your Majesty, however, I still need to help Regina prepare for the conception of your heir,” said Lady Nydia.
“Is that not why you have sent for Margaret? Margaret will take care of it,” replied Alpha Dagen leaving no room for question in his voice.
“But your Majesty…”
“Do you question my decision, Nydia?” he asked, staring hard into Lady Nydia’s eyes.
“Of course not.”
“Then you should prepare to leave tomorrow, Lord Reuben is hosting a ball to celebrate his engagement to Lady Francesca. He has asked for my presence but I need to be present at a meeting with the Council of Elders. So, I have told him that I will send my other half to attend the event for my sake. It is why I have moved you to the garden palace. It will be easier to commute for social functions, you will be closer to the town,” came Alpha Dagen’s firm response.
“I understand, Alpha. I was just worried that I may have to change Margaret since you made a complaint about her removing meat from Regina’s diet. I had got the impression that she was not as good as I believed her to be,” said Nydia.
“I have looked into Margaret’s qualifications. She is right for the job but she will need a little guidance from me. You need not worry about me. By the time you return to the palace, Regina will be with child,” this statement from Alpha Dagen made Nydia uncomfortable but I couldn't care less. I was relieved that she would no longer be here.
“Alright then. I believe I have nothing to worry about then,” Lady Nydia smiled sweetly at Alpha Dagen as she said this but she made sure to shoot me a poisonous glare afterwards.
“I shall return to Madam Margaret,” I said as I did not think Alpha Dagen had anything more to say to me.
I returned to Madam Margaret and it was evident that her attitude towards me had changed significantly. She dropped the rude airs she had earlier when she was addressing me before. Perhaps, Alpha Dagen had lectured her on her behavior.
“Lady Regina, I take back what I said about the meat. I have reconsidered and I believe a pregnant woman needs meat to help her growing child,” she said in a polite tone. I only rolled my eyes at her statement.
“I am not pregnant,” I felt like I needed to remind her that I was not pregnant rather I was preparing for conception.
“It is still good to consume meat so that you have the strength to bear the Alpha’s weight,” she said, coughing a little when she said the last part of her sentence.
“What else?” I inquired.
“You need not worry about your meals; I will work closely with the cook to ensure that your meals are prepared in pristine conditions and that you get the right nutrients. You need only eat everything you are served,” I could detect the undercurrent of something sinister. She had not been instructed by Lady Nydia to include poison in my meal, had she? I looked at her suspiciously. Since I had learnt about the poisoned whip I was suspicious about everything.
“Anything else?” I asked, impatient to leave her presence.
“We need to work on your posture,” she announced and I had my eyebrows raised. What did my posture have to do with conception?
“It is important during pregnancy to have a good posture. I am confident that you will conceive soon. It is my duty to ensure that when that happens you do not lose the baby,” she explained.
“And my posture is important?” I asked to clarify.
“It is paramount. There are other things too like your choice of clothes,” she said.
“Choice of clothes?” I quipped.
“For a woman who is planning to conceive, your clothes are too restrictive. You need to wear freer clothes.”