Chapter 21
Freya
The breakfast had concluded, and subsequently, Ronaldo, the financial advisor, left an indelible mark on my thoughts. He departed as if his words had no impact, but in reality, what he disclosed weighed heavily on me. Discovering that Matteo had identified his mate long ago, and that I was actually his second chance mate, was quite profound. The possibility of it unsettled me, and I wondered if I should dwell on such matters.
Trust is a challenging thing to earn from anyone. Now, with the knowledge of Matteo’s initial mate, I’m beginning to contemplate whether this is the reason he hasn’t marked me yet. Considering his nearly century-long existence, he might have sensed his first mate. However, what perplexed me was the absence of any connection with her thereafter. If she were alive, he should have found her, and if she were deceased, he ought to have sensed it, shouldn’t he?
I desired to discuss this with him, but a sense told me he wasn’t inclined to broach the topic. Following breakfast, he escorted me back to our room, and the only person I engaged with was Camila. I refrained from leaving the bedroom, which seemed unusual. Instead of exploring the palace and acquainting myself with everyone as their princess and future queen, I found myself pondering the question: Why am I truly here?
“Is something on your mind, Princess?” Camila inquired, having observed my heavy sighs. Indeed, my concerns revolved around Matteo’s potential doubts or hesitations regarding our mate bond. While I couldn’t speak for him, my feelings towards him were undeniably intense.
“No, nothing at all,” I replied. Given that I hadn’t gotten to know Camila yet, I hesitated to divulge my emotions.
“If there’s anything bothering you, please feel free to share or ask, and I’ll do my best to provide truthful answers,” she assured me sincerely. While appreciating her genuine concern, I knew she couldn’t provide the answers I sought; those lay with Matteo, my mate.
“Don’t worry; I encountered no issues whatsoever,” I assured her.
“Prince Matteo will be returning a bit late; he had a meeting with his future beta and gamma. Every time they meet, they tend to lose track of time,” she informed me.
“Thank you. If you have other tasks, feel free to leave me here; I can manage on my own,” I suggested.
“No, I was assigned to keep an eye on you while you’re inside the palace. Prince Matteo insists that you shouldn’t be left alone. He’s concerned that something might happen to you or someone might harass you,” she replied.
“There’s nothing to worry about; I can take care of myself,” I assured her. “Is there somewhere I can spend my time other than in this room?” I inquired, feeling bored and eager to leave the bedroom.
Matteo hadn’t given me any instructions after bringing me back here, so I was uncertain if I was allowed to leave. Why would he confine me to our bedroom? Is my life genuinely in danger?
“If you’re interested in gardening, the back of the palace has many flowers. You could try planting if you’d like,” she suggested. Unfortunately, I had no knowledge of gardening.
“I see. How about cooking?” she proposed. “I’m sorry; I’m not familiar with that either. What do you suggest?” I asked.
“Training?” I suggested, and her eyes widened.
“How will you train with the Lycans? You don’t have a wolf, and you might get injured if you join them,” she expressed concern. “Don’t be offended, Princess. I mean well; I’m just concerned for you. I thought that without a wolf, training with the Lycans might be challenging. None of them know that you’re the princess and Prince Matteo’s mate yet,” she added.
I understood; it was a private matter between us and those close to him. He was evidently uncertain about our bond. To shield myself from Camilla witnessing any distress, I looked down. “Can we go for a walk? Staying here is rather dull, you know,” I suggested after regaining composure.
She smiled and nodded. I was relieved that Matteo hadn’t prohibited me from walking around. We left the bedroom and descended the grand staircase. The palace, in contrast to Matteo’s modern room, exuded a classic charm, reminiscent of Disney castles from movies.
As we strolled, it seemed everyone was scrutinizing me disdainfully, likely due to my lack of a scent. They may have assumed I was human and believed I had no right to be there. It was nearly lunchtime when we decided to return to our bedroom to prepare for it.
“We had just entered the palace and were heading toward the stairs when I caught wind of that familiar voice. “What are you doing here?” Eunice asked, her tone laced with anger. Camila shot me a concerned look, but I simply smiled at her before turning to face Eunice.
“What a coincidence; you’re here too,” I remarked.
“I am destined to become the future queen once Matteo selects me as his mate. So, there’s nothing improper or out of the ordinary about my presence here. However, you, a wolfless individual, have no entitlement to be here,” she retorted.
“That’s Prince Matteo to you. Stay in your place, and we won’t encounter any issues,” I replied, further fueling her anger. I felt an urge to laugh at her reaction; she looked oddly familiar. Just then, the royal financial advisor arrived.
“Eunice, dear, you’ve returned,” he greeted. It was then that I noticed the resemblance between them. Were they father and daughter?
“Dad, what is this person doing here?” she inquired.
“Matteo, bring her over,” he instructed, provoking a reaction from my wolf, Pi. “That’s Prince Matteo to you as well, old man,” I quipped, prompting a gasp from Camila. “How dare you call me an old man!” he exclaimed.
“How dare you raise your voice at me? I am your princess!!!” I shot back. Pi was so infuriated that she emitted her aura; I was certain they felt it as their eyes widened simultaneously. “You will address Matteo as Prince and not by his name, you disrespectful individual and elder!” Pi added assertively, causing confusion as the two bared their necks.
“Now that we’re on the same page,” I continued, glancing at Camila. “Let’s go; I need to freshen up,” I said, leading the way to the stairs. The presence of that person would undoubtedly make my life difficult, and she would likely torment me. Regrettably, I had no intention of backing down, especially not for Matteo.”
“We had just entered the palace and were making our way towards the stairs when I recognized a familiar voice. “What brings you here?” Eunice inquired, her tone tinged with anger. Camila exchanged a concerned glance with me, but I simply smiled at her before turning to face Eunice.
“How coincidental that you’re here too,” I remarked.
“I am destined to become the future queen once Matteo selects me as his mate. So, there’s nothing improper or unusual about my presence here. However, you, a wolfless individual, have no right to be here,” she retorted.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.
“That’s Prince Matteo to you. Stay in your place, and we won’t have any issues,” I replied, further stoking her anger. I had the urge to laugh at her reaction; she looked strangely familiar. Just then, the royal financial advisor arrived.
“Eunice, dear, you’ve returned,” he greeted. It was then that I noticed the resemblance between them. Were they father and daughter?
“Dad, what is this person doing here?” she inquired.
“Matteo, bring her over,” he instructed, provoking a reaction from my wolf, Pi. “That’s Prince Matteo to you as well, old man,” I quipped, eliciting a gasp from Camila. “How dare you call me an old man!” he exclaimed.
“How dare you raise your voice at me? I am your princess!!!” I shot back. Pi was so infuriated that she emitted her aura; I was certain they felt it as their eyes widened simultaneously. “You will address Matteo as Prince and not by his name, you disrespectful individual and elder!” Pi added assertively, causing confusion as the two bared their necks.
“Now that we’re on the same page,” I continued, glancing at Camila. “Let’s go; I need to freshen up,” I said, leading the way to the stairs. The presence of that person would undoubtedly complicate my life, and she would likely torment me. Unfortunately, I had no intention of backing down, especially not for Matteo.”