That Day

*Chapter 100*

"It is so tight, I cannot breathe," I whined to the maidservants who were helping me to get dressed.

"Just a moment, Lady Novalie. We will be finished with your corset," one of the maidservants said.

I groaned, having a hard time breathing. I couldn't believe that I had been practicing to get used to wearing this. I felt like I wouldn't get used to doing this even if I had been practicing this for a year.

The maidservants finished helping me get dressed before they showered me with compliments. I felt overwhelmed as I saw myself wearing a maroon gown that matched the engagement ring I was wearing right now.

"Where is Father?" I asked when I got downstairs, expecting that he would wait for me but he was not here yet... again.

The butler came forward and bowed his head. "Beta said that he has some matters to attend to. He won't be that long, Lady Novalie."

"I see..." Work again... "I understand." I cheered myself up and waited in the drawing room.

I tried to distract myself and smiled because tonight was the night that I got to attend my engagement party. Alpha King Azarius and Crown Prince Alucard were the ones who arranged Prince Atticus and I's engagement party.

I turned my head when the door swung open. Father arrived looking cold right now as his eyes darted on me.

"We must go," he said and gestured his head that I should follow him.

"Yes, Father..." I followed him, feeling dejected that I did not get to ask what I looked like right now. "Merida, come with me," I said to my nanny.

Merida smiled and nodded. "You will be the star of the night, my lady. Think of the girls who are envious right now that you are engaged to Prince Atticus," she said as we were sauntering our way to the carriage.

I brightened up and nodded. "I hope I can show His Highness my sword skills. I wish to spar with him," I said.

"He will be astonished at how excellent you are, my lady," Merida said softly.

I smiled sheepishly before my smile disappeared when I glanced at my father who was waiting for me to arrive at the carriage.

"M-My apologies for my tardiness, Father," I uttered, feeling embarrassed as I accepted his hand to help me mount on the carriage.

He didn't say anything which made me feel bad right now. I could tell that he looked impatient.

I stayed silent the whole ride while Merida tried to lighten me up. I only smiled and held her hand, silently wishing that she could be with me forever.

But... she already informed me that as soon as I reach my coming of age, she would retire and want to be with her family.

We arrived at the palace two hours before the engagement party started. Father and I went to the banquet hall where Alpha King Azarius and Crown Prince Alucard were checking the decorations and the dishes to be served to the guests.

"You have arrived!" His Majesty said, beaming.

I smiled brightly and curtsied before him. "Greetings, Your Majesty," I paused and looked at Crown Prince Alucard. "Your Royal Highness."

His Royal Highness chuckled. "Well, why don't we drop the formalities, eh? You can start calling us Brother Azarius and Brother Alucard." He wiggled his eyebrows and tapped His Majesty's shoulder. "We are your brothers-in-law soon, Novalie. It won't be that long before you and Atticus shall get married."

"A-Alright, B-Brother Alucard..." I said shyly.

I felt like in an instant, I got to have siblings.

"We'll have Alistair and Alejandro escort you to the drawing room," Alpha King Azarius said with a smile. Then he frowned and stayed for a moment. It looked like he was mind linking them.

The door swung open and revealed the Twin Garnets who had the same facial features, except for the moles they had. I immediately greeted them along with Father.

"Oh, will you look at that? Our sister-in-law is growing more beautiful every time we see her." It was Prince Alistair who had just spoken. It was easy to notice him because of the mole he had on his right eye.

"Agreed," Prince Alejandro said, smiling from ear to ear. He could be distinguished as having a mole in his left eye. "I heard Atticus is looking forward to this day," he teased.

I could feel myself flushing. I didn't get used to the part where they would tease me.

The Twin Garnets were known as cupids of the kingdom. They were well known for telling who should be a perfect match for you.

"Your Majesty."

We both turned our heads when Lady Macedonia arrived and curtsied to greet us.

"Macedonia!" Alpha King Azarius beamed. "You're here at last!"

Lady Macedonia frowned a little at him before she showed him the clipboard she had with her. "You told me to focus on my succession ceremony yet you summoned me here for something that is not urgent, Azarius. You can easily deal with it by yourself."

I almost gasped when she said about the succession ceremony. I remembered that she would inherit the count title in her own right soon. She would become Countess Macedonia Stallone while she had become Alpha King Azarius's retainer and personal assistant.

She was also the first childhood playmate of His Majesty. They were best of friends.

"Is it?" He feigned ignorance before he chuckled and signed something on it. "Clear your schedule for the whole evening. I shall be your escort for my sister-in-law's engagement party," he said, smiling.

Lady Macedonia looked at me with a sweet smile. "Congratulations in advance, Lady Novalie."

I smiled shyly. "T-Thank you, Lady Macedonia."

"Alistair, Alejandro, escort Novalie to the drawing room so she can freshen up," His Majesty said and glanced at Father. "A word with you, Marquis Argerich?"

Father nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty." He glanced at me. "You can go now without me. I shall follow you there later."

I nodded. "Yes, Father," I said before I followed Prince Alistair and Prince Alejandro.

"Our youngest brother is getting married soon, Ali. For once, I thought Atticus is still a pup," Prince Alejandro said with a melodramatic tone.

Prince Alistair chuckled. "To think that we are playing a prank with him, Ale. Also, it is unexpected that he should be the first one to get married." He grinned and winked at me.

I suddenly wanted to hide from their teasing stares. It was uncomfortable that they were doing it right in front of me but somehow, I felt at ease being with them.

I was expecting that they would be hostile toward me since I wasn't Prince Atticus' mate and I was engaged to him at sixteen years of age.

But I was wrong.

Merida and I stayed in the drawing room while she helped me freshen up.

"I am nervous," I said to her as my hands were fidgeting right now when I heard that it was time for me to go.

"You will be fine, my lady. Just remember to be prim and proper always," Merida said.

I smiled and nodded. "I shall remember that."

I turned my head when Father arrived. "We must go now. They shall announce your arrival," he said.

I glanced at Merida and bid farewell to her. "I will be back. You can take a rest here, Merida."

"Yes, I will, my lady." She curtsied before me.

I clung to my father's arm as we sauntered our way to the banquet hall. I looked at him, wanting to ask something from him. But I did not know how to initiate it because I did not want to make my father angry.

I could have wished I was with Luna Helen and Alpha Denzil so I could say the things I had on my mind. They were the only ones who could understand me.

"Know your manners when you are introduced, Novalie."

I snapped back when Father spoke. I nodded. "Yes, Father. I will," I said politely.

I heaved out a soft sigh, feeling nervous when we were facing the door of the banquet hall. I was already looking forward to seeing Prince Atticus. I wonder what he looked like.

I could already foresee in my head that he had those forest green eyes and handsome face just like his older brothers. Perhaps he also had a mischievous attitude just like them or I might be wrong.

"Announce our arrival," Father said to the royal guard.

The royal guard bowed his head and opened the door. "Marquis Argerich and Lady Argerich have arrived!" he announced.

I held my breath as they opened the door for us. At that moment, I could feel like I did not want to stay here in the palace anymore because people were gazing at me. I felt anxious wanting to learn what they were thinking about me.

"Don't mind them."

"Huh?" I blinked and looked at Father who had just heaved out a sigh.

He turned at me. "Hold your head high and show them that you are marrying one of the lycan princes. One of the swords of the royal lycan family is finally making and strengthening ties with them."

His tone sounded nonchalant but I could tell that Father was trying to cheer me up. But I knew better that he did not want me to create an embarrassing impression so I wouldn't be ridiculed.

Even so, I felt delighted that Father uttered those words. "Thank you, Father." For once, Father knew how to calm me down.

I was hoping to build up our relationship as father and daughter. Perhaps, marrying Prince Atticus wouldn't be so bad if I would do this for my father. It could also mean that he would finally see me as his daughter and would pay heed to me even if he was only putting his daughter on the marriage market.

We went to the gallery to join the members of the royal lycan family. I even greeted Mother Luna Queen Adeline and Grand Alpha King Apollo.

"Welcome to the De Carteret family, Novalie! I am certain that you are looking forward to seeing Atticus," Mother Luna Queen Adeline said as she gently held my hands. She looked excited when her brown eyes were sparkling.

"Indeed, Your Majesty," I said shyly, smiling. I kept looking at my surroundings since they said that Prince Atticus liked to make a surprise entrance.

"Ah, no, no. You should already address us as Mother and Father. Right, Apollo?" She glanced at Grand Alpha King Apollo whose eyes softened when he laid his eyes on her.

He nodded. "Indeed." He smiled. Even his forest green eyes were sparkling and had mischievous in them. I could already tell that their children inherited that attitude from His Majesty, Grand Alpha King Apollo.

However, I was not certain about Prince Atticus since I hadn't met him so I was not certain if he also had a mischievous attitude just like them.

"Now, we have one of our sons getting married. And you are our first daughter-in-law, Novalie," Grand Alpha King Apollo said gently.

I only smiled. I was kind of shy right now because they were already looking forward to marrying their youngest son. I also looked forward to it and I already accepted my fate.

Father said that once I got married to Prince Atticus, I would become the Duchess of Redwinter. Although no one would inherit the Marquis of Timestone title, as long as I conceived two pups, the first pup could carry out his mission of becoming the next successor of Prince Atticus while the second pup would carry out his mission of becoming the next patriarch of House of Argerich.

"I said do not announce my arrival, do I?!"

We all stiffened when we heard a commotion outside of the banquet hall. My eyes widened when the door was roughly opened by someone. I was surprised when I came to see a man who was wearing a royal suit and a full-face black mask. He entered while he had Sir Caspian behind him.

"Your Highness, please! Halt this madness!" Sir Caspian said, panicking as he tried to block the man's way.

"Get out of the way, Caspian!" the man's voice said angrily.

"What the hell are you doing, Atticus?!" Alpha King Azarius' voice boomed all over the hall.

My eyes widened when he said Atticus. I blinked and saw the man who was clenching his hands when his head was looking in my way. I didn't know why but I suddenly felt nervous seeing that violent attitude.

"Is that... Prince Atticus?" I couldn't help but ask when I turned my head at Mother Luna Queen Adeline who looked bewildered right now.

"Indeed..." she said, nodding. "Why is he wearing a mask?" She creased her forehead when she looked at her sons. "Alucard, Alistair, Alejandro, what is wrong with Atticus? Why at a certain time is he act carelessly at his engagement party with Lady Novalie?"

Crown Prince Alucard's eyes widened. And it was the same goes with the Twin Garnets. Their eyes widened as well.

"I-I don't know, Mother. I checked Atticus earlier and he looked fine before I left," Crown Prince Alucard said, panicking. "Ali, Ale, halt Atticus."

"On it, brother," they said in unison and jumped out from the gallery.

"Azarius, deal with this," Grand Alpha King Apollo said when he saw that Prince Atticus was starting to wreak havoc.

"I will, Father," Alpha King Azarius said as he jumped out from the gallery as well.

I suddenly felt frightened and approached Father who suddenly draped his arm over my shoulders. "Father, what is happening?" I asked, worried.

He looked earnest right now and was full-on alert. "I don't know, my daughter. Let's watch and observe..." I blinked when I saw him clenching his jaw.

"Halt this engagement party already!"

"What the hell are you talking about, Atticus?"

I turned my head to see that the Twin Garnets and Alpha King Azarius were speaking with Prince Atticus right now. The guests were here silently watching but I could hear whispers and murmurs.

Prince Atticus heaved out a sigh before he looked in my way. "I wish to halt this engagement I had with Lady Novalie. I do not wish to be married to her. That is what I want to announce here!"

My eyes widened. My hands started fidgeting when the people's whispers started to get louder. I could already feel my knees being wobbled when Prince Atticus stomped his foot.

"Lady Novalie is a fine, young woman but unfortunately, I do not like having a woman like that for me to be married. She is too innocent, naive, credulous, and gullible! She thinks I can get along with her." He scoffed. "I will never marry a woman like her!"

My shoulders slumped upon hearing Prince Atticus' words. Right at that moment, I could hear my heart slowly shattering.

I blinked when I noticed my visions were getting blurry. "Huh..." I touched my cheeks which were getting wet from something.

Only then, I realized that I was crying.

"I am calling off our engagement," Prince Atticus announced before he turned his back and left the hall.

I looked up and sniffed when I saw Alpha King Azarius' face darkened. His eyes were fixated on the door where Prince Atticus left.

"Alistair, Alejandro, seize Atticus and throw him to the dungeon! Now!" he ordered angrily.

"Yes, brother! We will!" With that, the Twin Garnets started to transform to their white wolf forms before they started dashing off and left the chaotic banquet hall.

My knees failed me as I collapsed after that.

"Novalie!" I felt Father's arms who caught me from collapsing as I started crying. I hugged him when Father scooped me.

"Father..." I buried my face in the crook of his neck as the words of Prince Atticus echoed in my mind. "I wish to leave..." I could feel the ridiculed stares from the people who witnessed how Prince Atticus called our engagement.

The fact that Prince Atticus was playing with my feelings in the first place made it worse. I felt like I wished to be dead right now.

He made me a fool... Prince Atticus made me a fool...

"Pardon me but my daughter and I have to leave. I cannot let her stay here, Your Majesties. I hope you shall deal with this. My daughter's reputation is at risk because of what Prince Atticus did!" I could hear Father's angry voice while I started sobbing.

"We will resolve this, Marquis Argerich..." Crown Prince Alucard said.

"No. I do not want to continue this. If ever I saw that motherfucker again, may Moon Goddess forgive me if I would kill your brother for hurting my daughter, Your Royal Highness," Father said coldly.

Crying, I slowly looked up at my father's words. I felt overwhelmed upon hearing what he said.

Even though my heart was shattered, my heart flipped because it was the first time that I got to hear those words from my father.

Father looked at me. His expression softened before he kissed my forehead. "Fret not, Novalie. I am going to kill him the next time he dares to approach you. I promise you that."

I sniffed and nodded when he walked away from the banquet hall. I looked at Father's behind to see the hallway of the royal palace. I slowly closed my eyes as I would forever remember the day my fragile heart had been broken by Prince Atticus.

This should be the day I would start hating him for making me a fool.

Too innocent, naive, credulous, and gullible...

If I change myself, would he still see me like that?