After bathing, I help Theo with his clothes. Once he's done, I also wear my clothes. I choose the light blue one, simple and inconspicuous. This time, he is kind enough to wait for me before we enter the banquet hall. The men and women are so well dressed, in different styles, that I feel like I am the most under-dressed at this party. Even Klevon is looking fine with a nice suit.
A servant girl ushers us to the table in front. She is blushing furiously as she steals glances at Theo. But who would not be, Theo had just overdone himself. He is a picture of a young, handsome, powerful King. On the other hand, most of the Kings and dignitaries of other countries are mostly old men.
Well, that is, except the red-headed young King of Orttenburg. Half of his shoulder-length hair is tied at the back and his fringe falls gracefully over his forehead. This is the reason why, Theo and King Seth Raiya of Orttenburg, are called rivals. They are both muscular, good-looking, and powerful. Most importantly, they are oozing charisma, infecting the people close to them.
King Seth has his eyes fixed on us. On his right are Prince Shu and another man who is as huge as Klevon–or probably bigger. Although, this man has a scowling face and a shaved head. I am still staring at him when his eyes pass over me. I bow at the man, before returning my eyes to King Seth.
"Welcome, King Eugene Theo Pitchford," King Seth greets. Then the huge, shaved head man whispers something to him, and the young King's eyes transfer to me. "So, this is your personal guard. You never wanted to have one before."
"Lately, for around two years, attempts on my life are becoming frequent."
"Oh, starting the time you reduced the Weiller family."
"Yes, so I thought it's about time I have a guard," Theo says, ignoring the tone of the young king. "That is why Kaiya is here to protect me. She's done so a couple of times already," he glances at me and adds, "In more ways than one."
"She looks like a slight little girl. Did she compensate for it with her brain?"
"Yes, Kaiya is smart."
"Oh!" King Seth exclaims. His eyes bore into me as he leans a little forward. "Is she good on other things as well?" Now, I am not liking his tone. "I presume this young woman is the reason why you requested the room closest to the library."
"I hope we are not imposing."
"Not at all. I'd like to meet someone who shares the same interest. How about you sit with me, Miss Kaiya?"
I feel Theo bristles, so I have no choice but to look into the young King's eyes. He is regarding me with interest and his eyes have a look of amusement.
"She is my personal guard, King Seth. Do you mean to say that you are also inviting me to sit with you?" Theo interjects.
"That's what I am saying."
I lower my eyes again. This is what Harbin always warned me about. Never look royalty into their eyes, because that might appear as if I am challenging them. Theo is just an exception since he is my mate.
"And besides," the young King continues. "My younger sister, Princess Kissa, is excited to meet you. She is excited to become your first concubine."
I flinch. A new concubine? And an Orttenburg princess at that? I close my fist and focus on it so I won't cry.
"You are fixing the hierarchy of your concubines, right?" King Seth asks.
"I am. Once I return. So, it's good if I will be able to take a look at how you do the concubinage in your Kingdom."
Another pain pricks my chest. He's already thinking about it. Is the end of our relationship just an excuse for this other plan of his?
"If that is the case, then you can ask my brothers for that."
"You don't have concubines yet?"
"I'm too busy to have one. Besides, if one comes along, I will know it." He pauses. "Are you sure that this personal guard of yours is not one of your concubines?"
"I am pretty certain."
"And if you give or sell her to me instead? Or I can trade you a lot of other young women. Someone very well-versed in the art of pleasure. I want a concubine who can fight and protect me." Theo glares at him and King Seth smirks. "I guess that means I can't have her then."
"She is not a slave, King Seth," he answers. I can feel his anger and I want to reach out to him to calm him down, but I know that I can't. "She is my personal guard."
"I only jest, King Theo. I am asking because my youngest sister is a strange one. You might find her… a lot more salacious than all your other women."
"I will take a note of that."
"Now, that's done. Come here and sit with us."


***************************
The party continues, and I am feeling faint. I sit beside the shaved man, whose name I know now as Darius. But the faintness is not because of the alcohol or because it is too late in the evening. Not even because I am tired already.
It's all because of Theo's new concubine, Princess Kissa of Orttenburg. It is so obvious that she adores and lusts after Theo, most especially his muscular arms that I have seen she'd touched multiple times already. And worst, she keeps on pressing her huge tits on his arms. And Theo is doing nothing but smile at her.
So, I gaze longingly at the cup of alcohol in front of me. I know that I cannot partake in it though, in fear that I will do something later that I will regret the next day. I smirk. Well, I wouldn't be able to make that mistake, if the other side is no longer willing, right?
And so, I reach for the glass of alcohol. I am about to lift it, when Darius, the huge, shaved man, grabs my wrist.
"I won't recommend drinking that Miss Kaiya," he warns. His voice is so deep and there is an accompanying growl on it. That low growl is familiar though as if I've heard it before. "You might have forgotten, but…" he leans closer to my ears and whispers, "Alcohol does not sit well with werewolves, especially she-wolves."
My eyes widen, and I spring up from my seat. He knows! I glare at him and then I notice the silence in the hall. The kings are looking at me, including all the princes, princesses, guests, and servants in the same hall.
I bow at them and say, "I apologize. I think I am too drunk." Then I sit right back in my chair.
"I didn't mean to startle you," Darius drawls on. "Is it a secret in Pitchford?"
I nod. "How did you know?" I whisper back.
"How do I know? Hmmm," he looks at me and rubs his chin. "Because I know you before you got trapped in the Weiller hunting park," he answers.
The dishes clatter on my plate again. The guests glance at me, but I no longer care. My mouth hangs open as I look at Darius. "You know me?" I whisper. "Even before the hunting park?"
"Yes. But you have forgotten about it too, right? I can tell you about it later. At two in the morning, when everyone is too intoxicated to care about us, I will meet you at the library."
"Darius," King Seth interrupts. "Stop scaring our guest."
"Yes, my King. I apologize for that," Darius says and makes a little bow to King Seth. Then to me, he says, "I will take my leave then."