I walk along the hallway. I chose the most fitting dress for the introduction party. A simple long dress with the shape of flowers on the bodice and leaves along the edges. It's light purple, and it is a body-fitting dress. I keep my hair loose but I make sure it is neat and pinned carefully.
The door suddenly opens on my left, and Klevon comes out while fixing his holster. He raises his head and then he stops on his tracks. He stares openly at me with his mouth hanging open.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"You are beautiful," he says breathlessly.
My frown deepens. "Stop flirting, moron."
"I'm just saying the truth," he insists. Gathering himself, he asks, "Where are you going?"
"The party where Theo will introduce the successful harem women."
He looks incredulously at me, and then he guffaws. He is even holding his stomach while he laughs. "Are you f*ucking serious?! Are you a masochist?"
I glare at him. "I want to know who my rivals are."
He roars in laughter again. He places his arms around my shoulders and offers, "Why not come with me instead? We can take these clothes off and enjoy the night? You can choose where to enjoy it, in my room, or in the gardens. Your room is out of the question."
I pinch the back of his hand, and he steps away from me. "Stop these salacious jokes, Klevon. You know I will never be your woman."
"I am not joking though. One day you will be out of your mind and agree to my proposition."
"That will never happen," I say. I lift my skirt and add, "So, if you will excuse me, I have a party to attend."
"Then, good luck to your heart. I am certain that it will break again tonight," he calls after me.
I ignore his taunt and walk the remaining distance towards the main hall. Then, I feel him behind me. "Why are you following me?"
"I will attend the party."
"You are not dressed for it."
"Doesn't matter. I can stay at the back. And I am sure, despite this pretty dress, you will also be sitting at the back."
"Curse you."
He grins. "Also, I want to be there when your heart breaks. Who knows? You might join me in my bed tonight, while your king is in someone else's bed."
I growl at him. "Wow! That's some werewolf grit."
I turn my back from him and continue walking. He is annoying and frustrating. When I reach the place, the guards bow at me before opening the doors.
Klevon follows after me like a massive loyal dog. As he assumed, there are no more seats except at the end, close to the doors. I sit on it and Klevon sits beside me. I look at his grinning face.
"What now?" I ask.
"Nothing," he says and shifts his attention from me to the food.
I look around the hall instead. Theo is a few meters away from me. It's moments like these that I feel so far from him. But at least, I have him in my bed, that's the only time I feel close to him.
Then my eyes shift to the women around him. Five. Two women are on either side of him, probably these are the women who bore him a son. The three women below the dais might be the ones who bore him daughters. I'm envious of them. I wish I can also give him a child.
One of the generals gets up and announces that finally, he won't be jealous of the King doing his duty to the nation, that is, fucking beautiful highborn women. Brandon gets up from his seat and takes him away. And another general asks for forgiveness and says that the other general is already too drunk to know what he's saying.
Hope wells from my heart. Does that mean that he doesn't need to impregnate more women? Shall I have him all for myself?
Klevon snorts beside me. "Don't hope so much and get disappointed later." He drinks from a glass of beer and adds, "He still needs to fuck those five women. They need to give him more than one child."
I purse my lips. "Asshole," I curse at him, under my breath.
"Am I the asshole? Or is it your king?" he asks.
I turn towards him. "He is also your king."
He shrugs his shoulders. "Don't glare at me like that, Kaiya. You are hurting my fragile heart," he jests.
"Give me that," I say.
"What?" he asks. He follows my line of sight. "Ah! You want some alcoholic drinks?"
I nod.
He smiles. "Don't bother with these, Kaiya. Just watch our King. You are here for him, right? And to take a look at your rivals?"
I pout. I shift my attention back to Theo and regret it almost instantly. The same woman I see in the garden reaches for his hand. He looks at her and smiles. Then, she whispers something to his ears and his smile widens. I swallow and exhale, trying to dull the pain in my heart.
"That's Coe Wren," Klevon supplies. "A minor lady from the Penrose Kingdom. A small but very lovely place."
He takes another drink and adds, "The blonde lady on the King's right is Brylie Stockett. Another minor lady from Stine."
"The same Kingdom as Brandon?"
"Same kingdom. But for the lady, Brandon is an enigma. I even think she has a crush on him."
"And the other women?"
"From the right, those are minor ladies from Berka, Djambek and Orttenburg. Mara Gere, Panya Lubis and Eshe Orttenburg."
"Orttenburg?"
"Yes, an Orttenburg. She's the youngest daughter, but she was involved in a scandal. Something about seducing the crown prince. So, she is sent here instead."
I frown.
"Don't worry, they have different mothers. And there is a rumor that she's not even the son of the current King of Orttenburg."
My frown deepens, so he reaches to my forehead and massages it. "You are looking older than your age," he grins.
"Don't kid me. I am a werewolf. I am sure I live longer years than you."
"Right. Nevertheless, they will become his concubine." He gets up and changing the topic, he says, "I will get you some food."
Before I could complain, he's already out of sight. I sigh as I look back at Theo and his women. The other women start to talk to him. They are encircling him. But it is the Coe woman who keeps on touching him.
Annoyed, I look at the pitcher of drinks on the table. I don't remember ever drinking alcohol before I arrive at the hunting park. But maybe, it's the same as what Nowra said to me. Intoxication. Dizziness. Just what I need. Or maybe… I can just leave this place.
I stand up from my seat. I give a final look at Theo. Too much for promising me that he will show his love. I did not expect him to actually do it, but at least, I am wishing he will see me amongst the people. I am hoping he will give me a smile. I even dressed up for it.
I swallow the stinging pain in my chest. He looks like he finally belongs to a happy family. Somewhere that I will never belong. I will be the same woman, hiding in the shadows, and well cared for, until he ceases to love me.