Chapter 27
Federico sat at his grand desk, the large mahogany surface piled with documents and scrolls, his mind restless. Gabe and Jake stood by the doorway, holding a small stack of letters and files.
“Sir, there are some new mails for you to check out,” Gabe said, stepping forward to place the documents on the desk.
“Thanks,” Federico muttered, barely looking up as he sifted through the pile. His thoughts were still lingering on the awkward breakfast and Maya’s pointed questions about his marriage. He could feel the tension building, but he was a master at suppressing emotions. He turned his focus to the task at hand, flipping through the letters one by one.
As he shuffled the papers, one document caught his attention-a letter, thick and sealed, sitting beneath the pile. The seal wasn’t from his kingdom; it bore the emblem of the Dynamite Pack. Federico frowned, knowing instantly it came from Azalea’s homeland.
“Interesting,” he muttered under his breath.
Jake looked over. “Something wrong, boss?”
“Nothing yet. Just a letter from Azalea’s kingdom.” Federico picked up the letter and inspected it closely. The seal was intact, and the handwriting appeared rushed but deliberate. The Dynamite Pack hadn’t reached out to him since the marriage was formalized. So, why now?
He tore the seal open, unfolding the thick parchment. His eyes scanned the page, narrowing as he read through it. Each word made his heart pound harder in his chest, his jaw tightening. The further he read, the more his anger boiled. His fist clenched around the edge of the letter, crumpling part of it.
It wasn’t Azalea who was meant to marry him.
It was Ophelia.
The letter clearly outlined the original agreement between the royal families, stating that Ophelia had been the intended bride. But somehow, through deceit or manipulation, it had been Azaleawho was sent in her place. His blood simmered, rage quickly rising within him. He felt like a fool-a pawn in a game he didn’t even know he was playing.
Federico slammed the letter down on his desk, his heart racing with fury. His mind replayed every interaction he’d had with Azalea, wondering how long she had known about this-how long she had deceived him.
“Gabe!” he barked, his voice thunderous.
Gabe and Jake exchanged glances, clearly startled by his outburst. “Yes, sir?”
“Send for my wife. I need to speak with her now.”
Both men were taken aback. Federico never referred to Azalea as his ‘wife’ unless it was in formal settings. This was different-there was a cold, dangerous edge to his voice that neither had heard before.
“Of course, sir,” Gabe said quickly. He gestured for Jake to follow him as they left the room.
—
Meanwhile, in Azalea’s bedroom, she had just changed into her nightdress. Vick had been helping her for the past hour, and now that the day’s stresses had worn her down, all she wanted was to close her eyes and fall into a peaceful sleep. The heaviness in her limbs made the soft bed feel like a refuge.
Vick adjusted the pillows and smiled warmly. “You’ll feel better after a good rest, my lady.”
Azalea gave a weak nod, her mind still unsettled from the day’s events. The distant, unreadable gaze Federico had given her at breakfast, the way Maya seemed to fit perfectly by his side-those thoughts clung to her mind like dark clouds. Even though she knew she had been married to him for reasons far beyond her control, part of her longed for his approval, his care-anything other than his indifference.
Just as she started to drift into sleep, a sudden knock came at the door. Azalea’s eyes fluttered open, confusion settling in. Vick glanced at her before moving toward the door.
When Vick opened it, Gabe stood there with a grim expression on his face. “Good evening, Vick. Is Lady Azalea still awake?”
Vick nodded. “Yes, but she’s about to rest. Is something wrong?”
Gabe bowed his head slightly and looked past Vick, directly at Azalea. “Lady Azalea, Federico requests your presence in his office. It seems urgent.”
Azalea frowned, pushing herself up in bed, her heart picking up speed. “Federico wants to see me?” she asked, bewildered.
“Yes, my lady. He… didn’t say much, but it sounded important.”
Azalea’s stomach twisted with unease. Why would Federico call for her this late? He barely spoke to her unless it was necessary. A deep sense of foreboding washed over her as she got out of bed. She wrapped her robe around her and looked at Vick for support.
“I wonder what this could be about,” Azalea murmured, her voice quiet but tense.
Vick gave her a reassuring smile. “I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about, my lady.”
But Azalea wasn’t so sure. There was something ominous about the way Gabe had spoken, and her instincts told her that whatever this meeting was, it wouldn’t end well.
With reluctant steps, she followed Gabe out of the room, her mind racing with thoughts. Federico was rarely this direct, and it made her feel even more uneasy. As they walked through the long hallways toward his office, she couldn’t help but think of the letter she had sent home weeks ago. Could it be that something had gone wrong with the alliance?
What if Federico had discovered something-something that could shatter whatever fragile peace still existed between them?
When they reached the door of his office, Gabe paused and turned to her. “Good luck, my lady,” he said softly, offering her a brief, sympathetic glance.
Azalea swallowed hard, nodding before she stepped inside.
—
Federico sat behind his desk, the crumpled letter still in his hand. His expression was hard, his eyes cold as they locked onto hers the moment she entered the room. His jaw clenched tightly, and he didn’t greet her as she stepped further into the office.
“Federico?” Azalea asked hesitantly, her hands tightening around the robe. “You… wanted to see me?”
“Close the door,” he said quietly, his voice low and simmering with anger.
Azalea did as she was told, feeling her pulse quicken. She stood a few feet away from his desk, trying to read his expression, but his gaze was like ice. Something was very, very wrong.
Federico tossed the letter onto the desk in front of her. “Read it,” he said curtly.
Azalea blinked, confused, but stepped forward. She picked up the letter and began to read, her eyes widening as the words sank in. Her hands trembled slightly as she read the line that said Ophelia was supposed to marry Federico, not her.
Her throat tightened. “I… I didn’t know about this,” she stammered, looking up at him with wide eyes.
“Didn’t you?” Federico’s voice was cold, unfeeling. “Or have you been playing me this whole time? Did you know your sister was supposed to be my wife?”
Azalea shook her head quickly, panic rising in her chest. “No, I swear, Federico. I had no idea! This-this must be some kind of mistake.”
Federico rose from his chair, stepping around the desk until he was standing directly in front of her. His towering presence made her feel small and vulnerable. “A mistake? The letter came directly from your kingdom,” he spat. “How do I know you weren’t involved in this little switch?”
Azalea took a step back, her heart pounding. “Federico, I swear to you, I didn’t know. I was sent here, just like you… I didn’t choose any of this!”
Federico’s eyes narrowed, his hands curling into fists. “Then you better start explaining, Azalea, because right now, all I see is a woman who has lied to me from the very beginning.”
“Fine, I’m the oldest daughter but somehow my younger sister betrayed me and got my mate for herself.” As she spilled the word mate out, something within her opened.
Federico began to feel himself being attracted to her. Immedia
tell he knew what that meant. She’s his mate!
Their eyes connected for a while before she froze.