“I-I don’t understand.” I released his hold from mine. “Claude, we are getting married. I thought you were going to help me to lead the brigade,” I said, sounding disappointed.
All I thought was he could help me lead the brigade. I thought he had ideas to make me lead them, instead of General Cairo. He had inflated my hopes earlier and now, it deflated dramatically.
“That’s the point,” Claude stated and smiled which made me more confused.
“I don’t understand.” I shook my head, having no idea what he was trying to pinpoint right now.
Claude opened his palm and gestured to it, telling me that I should clasp my hand with him. I just creased my forehead, not moving and giving him the satisfaction to hold my hand again.
“Rachelle, if you want me to tell you my plan, you must hold my hand.”
“Why?”
There was a sheepish grin plastered on his lips. “I want to hold it because it makes me calm and at ease.” He slowly grabbed my hand and intertwined his hand to mine that made my heart pound. “Don’t you feel the same when our hands are touching?” he asked huskily.
“Are you trying to seduce me?” I arched my eyebrow, trying to yank my hand back but Claude won’t budge.
He laughed shortly. “If yes, do you want to be seduced by me?” He gave me a meaningful stare. It was as if he was making me remember what he did last night.
I felt my cheeks heat and immediately yanked my hand back. “Shut up!” I declared. “If you are not going to tell me, then fine. Suit yourself!”
I was about to leave but Claude stopped me. “Wait.” I heard his chuckle when I shot him a glare. “Actually, I have a plan after we get married and you become the Luna Queen of Waevalon Kingdom.” I arched my eyebrow. “To lead the brigade.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
I settled beside him. “You have my attention. Go on,” I urged, anticipating what he was going to say next.
Claude’s expression changed to earnest and solemn. “Not here. This is something we must not talk about in public,” he said coldly. He slightly gestured his head, telling me that some of the palace guards were here.
I nodded my head. “I understand. Where should we talk then?” I asked as I stood up.
Claude also stood up and pointed at the forest. “I wish to use my wolf form but I know you don’t want to use yours. You can ride with me.” I was taken aback when he said that. He still remembered that I didn’t want to use my wolf form?
I pursed my lips and nodded. “Okay.”
He jumped from the corridor and landed on his four paws the moment he landed on the ground. His landing caused a slight disturbance, grabbing the attention of the soldiers that were training heavily. They looked in our way as I sighed, shaking my head.
I jumped out from the corridor and landed on the ground perfectly. I chuckled and waved my hand at the soldiers, looking at us with their uncanny expressions.
“Don’t mind us,” I said, laughing awkwardly.
I turned my head when I heard Claude’s wolf snort. His red eyes were piercing on me. He looked annoyed. I chuckled and fondled his head. I turned at his white fur and the end of the strands of his fur was colored with striking blue, releasing some golden dust which was the same goes with mine. The color of the end of the strands of my white fur was red, also releasing some golden dust whenever I run or walk.
“Do your sisters have the same fur as you and I have?” I asked him as I caressed his snout.
Claude shook his head. But he told me that they don’t have the same striking blue color at the end of the strands of their fur and golden dust. Just some ordinary white color of the fur.
“I see.” I mounted at his back. Mounting at his back made me thrown back to Dark Soul Pack. “Let’s go then, Your Majesty,” I said and gently kicked his side with my heels.
I saw Claude’s wolf nodded and started to sprint away. I held onto his fur as he started running faster and evading the trees he passed by. I narrowed my eyes as the breeze of air slapped my face before Claude halted when we arrived at the lake.
I turned my head which behind us was a group of forest trees. I was trying to feel my surroundings if someone was here, making a morning shift to guard the part here.
“No one’s here,” Claude said as soon as he shifted back to his human form and sat on the grass.
“I know. I just want to make sure we will have a private conversation.” I sat beside him. “Tell me your plan now, Claude,” I stated as I was feeling anxious. “After we get married and I am crowned as Luna Queen, what’s next?”
Claude’s eyes darted at the lake before he turned at me with his earnest expression. But he remained silent which made me start to feel irritated.
I clenched my hands. “Do you seriously have a plan or you are just fooling around with me?” I couldn’t help expressing my annoyance towards him.
I heard his sigh before he averted his gaze from me. He was looking at the lake again before he decided to speak. “I have been working on announcing my decree to defy my father’s decree against you, Rachelle.”
“What?” I parroted, wide-eyed. He was working on his decree? He would announce one? “W-What are you going to implement a decree that is related to me?” I asked, still shocked.
Claude looked intently into my eyes. “You can lead the brigade again as long as the marriage happens and you have been crowned as the Luna Queen of my kingdom, the Waevalon Kingdom. That is my decree that I will announce right after your coronation.”
My jaw dropped, eyes widened in shock. I couldn’t help myself covering my mouth with my hands because his words surprised me.
Claude raised his hand and caressed my hair. “That is how I will go against his decree. And no one must know about this. This is just between you and me. Do you understand me now, Rachelle?” His caress on my hair sent tingles down my spine.
I nodded my head, feeling teary-eyed. I took a sigh and felt relieved. “Yes, I understand it now, Claude.” I drew out a dazzling smile. I was joyful inside and I felt like I wanted to jump in joy right now.
“I’m glad you like my plan.” He slowly lowered his hand from touching my hair as he pursed a forced smile.
I creased my forehead seeing his dejected expression. “Is something the matter?” I asked, concerned.
Claude sighed. “I am worried that at that time you are in the war while I am here running our kingdom…” he paused.
“What about it?” I placed my hand on top of his. I was worried because he looked downhearted for some reason. I wondered what he was going to say.
Claude sighed again before he turned his head at me. “If you’re in the war and happen to bear my pup, I am afraid that you have to go back here in the Waevalon Kingdom. The first heir/heiress must be protected. So,” he paused and took my hand.
“What?” I asked, almost whispering as I hastily removed his hand from mine. I mindlessly touched my stomach even though nothing happened between us. If I get pregnant with our child, I would have to go back to the Waevalon Kingdom? It means I would have no chance that I would kill him… I gasped, looking at Claude, horrified. “Claude, no-”
“I know,” Claude uttered with coldness. “I already have thoughts about that. I know you wanted to lead the brigade, Rachelle.” He cupped my cheek and made me look at his hazel eyes. “On our wedding night, nothing’s going to happen between us, Rachelle. We might not be able to complete our mate bond…” he said, dispirited as he smiled sadly.