Chapter 70

[ 1,000 words ]

Arabella Toussaint:

I couldn’t stop smiling throughout the dinner. Just one more week. And all of this would be over. I’d be a free soul.

One week from now, I could be far away from this palace. Far away from the bitchy queen. And far, far away from the man sitting across from me.

The mark on my neck would be gone, and I wouldn’t have to keep looking over my shoulder, wondering if the Lycan’s king’s men were hunting me.

I just hoped I was not trusting the wrong person.

“You seem happy.”

“Hm?” I blinked and looked up to find Lucien watching me. Thankfully, tonight we were having dinner alone, away from his family.

“I’ve been trying to figure out why you’re smiling to yourself.”

I quickly lowered my head and stuffed a bigger piece of chicken into my mouth. He was a Lycan, and denying him too quickly could make him suspicious.

“Actually… I am,” I picked up my glass and glued it to my lips to buy a few more seconds, “For some reason, I feel light… maybe it has something to do with the spells Lilith has been using on me.”

“So, it’s Lilith?” his lips curved into a lazy smile, “I was hoping I had something to do with it,” he sounded almost disappointed.

I pretended not to hear the last part. Instead, I pointed my fork at the chicken, “This sauce is amazing.”

“I knew you’d like it,” Still smiling, he picked up the salad bowl and held it towards me, “Here.”

“Oh… thanks.”

I kept feeling his gaze as I took a spoonful and added it to my plate.

Does he already know? Has Jasmine told him to get into his good books and win back the title of the head warrior?

“Just one week!” He said, and my fork paused midair.

“W…what?” I tried to smile.

“It’s just one more week of these shitty meetings, and it will finally be over. I’ve been running around for weeks. Honestly, I can’t wait for it to end.”

My fingers tightened around my fork. I made a mental note to talk to Jasmine. My escape had to be planned for a time when he would be busy with meetings. We couldn’t risk doing it when he was free.

“I was thinking,” He looked at me while chewing his food, “Once everything settles down, I’ll finally have time for us.”

For us?

His words made something twist inside my chest. I forced a small smile and lowered my gaze to my plate.

“That sounds nice,” I forced some excitement into my voice and got busy eating food.

Goddess. Why was he making me feel like he truly cared?

For a moment… just for a fleeting moment, I wanted to stay back and get spoiled by him. To know what it felt like to be cared for … to pretend this life could actually be mine.

Would he always hold me in his arms while we slept?

I quickly pushed the thought away because the thought hurt more than it should have.

I wasn’t planning to stay there long enough to find out. And why would I when he belonged to some other woman?

***

After breakfast, I quietly made my way outside. King Lucien had already left by the time I woke up. The palace gardens were connected by stone paths leading to different parts of the palace.

I had to stay alert because my bodyguard was following me from a distance.

My eyes kept searching the buildings ahead. Jasmine had asked me to look for a faded red building near the training grounds. I didn’t dare ask anyone for directions. They might wonder why a slave was looking for the warrior’s quarters. It would only draw unnecessary attention.

Don’t look nervous. Don’t rush. Just walk.

After turning another corner, I found it. A two-story building stood a short distance away. This had to be it. While looking around casually, I walked toward it.

The sounds of swords clashing and warriors shouting drifted from the training grounds nearby. I kept my head down.

“Jacob!” I suddenly turned to look at my bodyguard with a bright smile, “Can I go to the bathroom to pee? Do you want to follow me inside?”

His face turned red as he looked at the ground and shook his head, “No, Lady Arabella. Please go. I’ll wait for you here.”

I stepped into the building and walked further in the corridor until my eyes landed on two wooden signs.

MEN

WOMEN

I quietly headed toward the women’s restroom. There were a few female warriors who were leaving one after the other. Nobody paid attention to me.

Instead of moving ahead, I waited near the sink, pretending to fix the neckline of my dress. When the room finally emptied, only then did I walk further inside.

The last bathroom stall was slightly ajar. Jasmine stepped out from the corner, already waiting for me.

I couldn’t help thinking how ridiculous this looked. Out of all the places, we were meeting in a bathroom stall.

Ha-ha.

But she wasn’t wrong. No one would think twice about two women talking in a restroom. This was the only place where my bodyguard couldn’t enter.

Jasmine glanced toward the restroom stall door before signaling me to come closer, “Come on,” she whispered.

I stepped ahead, trying not to laugh, “Seems like I’m here to make out with my girlfriend in the restroom.”

Jasmine pressed her lips together, clearly trying not to laugh, “Shh. Don’t do that. This is serious!” She scolded me in a whisper, “You’re impossible, Arabella.”

She looked over her shoulder one last time to make sure we were alone before lowering her voice.

“You have to listen very carefully, Arabella. I’m only going to explain this once.”

I suddenly got serious and nodded at her, giving her my full attention.

“First…” She said, reaching into her pocket, “… let’s go over the plan one more time.”

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