Crown Prince's Arrival

*Chapter 19*

I greeted my fellow nobles as soon as I got to know that they were already here. I watched their wry smiles growing on their lips while they were conversing with me.

I already knew that they didn't like me because of my... reputation.

Who wouldn't ever forget me?

I am Novalie Argerich, wife of Viscount Reginald Westervelt, Luna of the Lone Crow pack, and the harlot who had less than male slaves bringing it to the pack and the one who visited the Maiden's Lair to spend most of her time with the male prostitutes. I am the noble lady who gradually tarnished the name of Westervelt and Argerich which even my father couldn't stop me from being like this.

Speaking of father...

I hissed silently as soon as I spotted him arriving Sharon and Sean, the Scott twin siblings from the Wall Burgundy pack and Father's assistants.

I exhaled sharply and turned my back. There was no way I am going to greet my father. "Hide yourself," I told Frederick as I used my fan to point that he must go to another place not far away from me. "Do not even think of escaping from me." I squinted my eyes. "And remember my signal when to approach me. Are we clear?"

Frederick nodded, bowing his head before me. "Yes, my goddess. Also, I will not dare to escape under my goddess's hands. I will not allow other men trying to approach you." His menacing aura was showing again.

I rolled my eyes. Here he was being so melodramatic again. "Fine, fine. Go and hide. Find a spot where I can see you."

There was a victory smile played on his lips before he took my hand and planted a sensual kiss at the back of my palm. I ignored the waves of shivers that flowed through my skin before he slowly stepped backward with a smile on his lips.

I shook my head before I rolled my eyes to see my father greeting his old peers chuckling at them. I smiled bitterly and hid my smile by unfolding the fan I was holding right now.

"Marquis Argerich is growing more handsome. What do you think, everyone?"

I creased my forehead and turned my head where I saw Lady Emma Cass, the same age as my father, speaking with the other noble ladies who were on the same age as hers.

"Is he not planning to marry another woman? Perhaps, a widow like me?" It was Viscountess Layla Jayce whose mate died because of a heart attack.

"I heard that he is very loyal to his mate. I wonder if his mate is from the noble society."

"Perhaps, an Omega?"

"Slave from a slave shop?"

They all snickered at that.

I secretly gritted my teeth and narrowed my eyes at them. They dared to insult my mother? Do they have any idea who my mother is? Perhaps, if they got to know her, they would receive punishment.

Even though I haven't met her, I knew who she was and where she was. However, I never met her and Father never tried to make a portrait of her.

Half-annoyed, I took the champagne from—I frowned seeing Frederick who was already beside me and holding a champagne tulip glass.

"Frederick—"

"You tapped your fan to your hand three times. It is the signal you thought me so I have come forth immediately," he butt in.

I furrowed my eyebrows and looked at my other hand that was gripping the head of the folded fan. "Shit..." I murmured, exhaling sharply.

"I even brought you a champagne because I have a feeling you want something to drink."

I looked at Frederick who just shrugged his shoulders. I thought he was just bluffing but he was right that I even made a signal that I didn't notice. I glanced at those noble ladies who were still mocking my mother which made my blood boil more. They must have forgotten that I was here as his daughter and they dared to spout nonsensical words.

I gripped my fan before I returned my gaze at Frederick who was waiting for my orders. "Drink that for me and stay here. I need to approach those—"

"His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Alucard has arrived!"

My facial expression from annoyed one turned into a stoic one upon hearing that announcement. I turned my head to the entrance of the manor seeing that a member of the royal lycan family has arrived at the party. His name was...

Alucard Forest de Carteret.

He is the second Lycan prince of Icespring, the second child of Mother Luna Queen Adeline and Grand Alpha King Apollo, the second to the oldest siblings after Alpha King Azarius, and lastly... he was crowned as the second in line to the throne, having a Crown Prince position.

Just as what my watcher told me, His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Alucard showed himself on behalf of Alpha King Azarius who was so busy settling all the state affairs of the Sowinski Kingdom.

"Greetings, Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince Alucard," we all said in unison.

I even had to say those words as well. After all, the royal lycan family was the authoritative, extremely powerful family. Additionally, they were lycans.

Lycans and werewolves had differences in the aspect of power. Lycans were extremely the strongest amongst the werewolves having a humanoid wolf body, unlike werewolves who only transformed to their wolf form and couldn't have a humanoid body clad in wolf form.

But lycans could choose either they would shapeshift to their humanoid wolf form or just an ordinary wolf form.

This was why the lycans were considered the royal family because they were the strongest bloodline of the werewolves. This was the reason why we have Alpha King, the Alpha of the Alphas, and Luna Queen, the Luna of the Lunas.

Alpha King and Luna Queen positions were responsible to tend the national affairs of their vast pack which was a kingdom.

In that kingdom, there were some nobles who could become an Alpha or Beta of a pack. There were some people who had no noble status but they weren't granted some noble ranks.

Even the sons of the Alpha King and Luna Queen could become an Alpha and be called an Alpha Prince. However, for daughters... I haven't known any history that a lycan princess could be called an Alpha Princess.

Right now, being an Alpha Prince, they could create their own pack and be granted a vast estate to handle along with the Alpha King. They could also become the ambassador or delegates on behalf of the Alpha King.

Like what Crown Prince Alucard was doing right now. He was appointed as the emissary to attend Duke Rosenfield's party in Alpha King's stead.

Clad in his royal suit, Crown Prince Alucard smiled. "Such a pleasant evening to everyone," he said politely. "I am here on behalf of my first brother's request to attend on his behalf. Please enjoy yourselves and do not mind me," he said softly.

I heard some soft shrieks from my area when the second prince smiled charmingly one more time before he turned his head at the young duke who was his friend. I came to see His Royal Highness's knight and an assistant named Elijah who was following behind them.

The tension became mellow the moment the soft melody music was being played by the musicians and the Crown Prince was out of their sight.

I snorted. That was the impression at first. Sooner or later, more noble ladies who hadn't met their mates yet would come to approach him who happened not to meet his mate yet as well.

"What on earth are you doing hiding behind me, Frederick?" I looked behind me seeing Frederick who was lowering his head so he could hide from my back. I already felt him earlier when the Crown Prince arrived yet here he was trying to misbehave again.

Frederick looked at me, embarrassed. He smiled wryly and stood up. He even cleared his throat, still holding the flute glass in his other hand. "Um... Forgive me, my goddess."

I arched my eyebrow when he only said those words and didn't explain anymore. Well, it was better this way before I got to feel infuriated again. I focused on my surroundings again. I hissed in annoyance when I saw Father coming this way.

"Damn it... How did he find me through the crowds?" I muttered under my breath. I turned my head to scold Frederick again but he suddenly vanished before me which surprised me.

"Novalie."

I flinched upon hearing Father's deep voice. I frowned when I looked at him with an annoyed expression seeing his hazel eye color which was the same as mine. I smiled bitterly upon seeing my father and almost rolled my eyes. But I halted myself not to do that.

"It has been a long time, Father," I told with a professional tone, not minding that the Scott twins were also following Father

Father nodded. He also had an earnest expression to acknowledge my greetings. "Why did you not acknowledge that I shall be your escort, my daughter?" he asked when he was a few inches away from me.

I snorted. I suddenly regretted not having a drink in my hand. I could have wished there was a servant nearby who might happen to pass by here. Or perhaps, I should have taken the flute glass from Frederick's hands before he left.

I could have something to distract myself while conversing with Father right now.

"I already have one," I told, not smiling at my father. "Also, there is no need for you to be my escort. Who am I to always meddle with your schedule, am I not?" I asked bitterly.

"Of course, you are my daughter. You can come by to disturb me anytime you want." He held to his expensive crane to show off his power. "Alpha is also asking for your welfare," he added.

I smirked. "Disturb you anytime you want? Are you even sure?" I scoffed. "Why didn't I hear that back when I was a kid, Father?" I asked agonizingly.

Father sighed. He must have thought that I was being emotional again which was true and it was pretty annoying. "Novalie... Listen—"

"Oh! It's Count Silverton!" I butt in when I pretended to see one of the noblemen I had fooled around with. I turned at Father. "Oh, my apologies, Father. I need to catch up with Count Silverton right now. I have to go."

I was about to leave so I could get away and stop conversing with my father when he spoke again.

"Sharon told me you bought a male slave for a hundred million pieces," I smirked when I turned my head at Sharon who lowered her head having my hazel orbs pierced on me. "And the Federal Banks—"

"Have no fear, Father. All of my expenditures are coming from the funds of having my own business. Have you paid the Federal Banks to make you a duplicate bank statement to monitor my expenses again?" I turned at Sharon, arching my eyebrow. "Of course, someone has a blabbermouth here whenever I had my sexual escapades. Am I right, Sharon?"

"Novalie!" Father's low stern voice chastised me.

I unfolded my fan to hide the smirk smearing on my lips. "Father, do not turn so blind that your daughter is a famous harlot of the whole kingdom. Must I give thanks to you, perhaps?" I asked as I fluttered my eyes. "If you hadn't forced me to marry Reginald, perhaps I was still not a notorious—"

I closed my eyes when Father immediately raised his hand to slap me. But I didn't feel anything that landed on my cheek. I was already expecting that he would slap me because I kept blabbering to annoy and be furious at my attitude. I just wanted to express how much I hated him after he put me in this kind of environment.

So, he must not expect from me that I would respect him. Because of my father, I became so unhappy with my life I just wanted to die.

My surroundings became apathetic and lifeless even though I was being surrounded by my male slaves just to please me. Father was aware of that and tried to stop me so many times.

However, I could be stopped no matter if he threatened me.

But that changed everything when a man arrived in my life.

That man who was claimed by my wolf as our mate. That man who always wanted to obey and disobey me so I could pay heed to him. That was his reasoning.

Somehow, he was right. Ever since he had been doing that, my wolf and I had been paying attention to him. He was like a magnetic shoe and I was an iron that was being pulled towards him.

I already found it annoying. Even that one night, I painted an intimate moment with him... That man's name is... Erick—Frederick, must I say.

Because of that man, I felt like my grayscale life had been colored for the first time. It was... fun. It was fun to be with him even though he was disobeying me so many times.

I always found it alluring. Even though he was just staring intently at me, he could already make me wet and imagine things with him. It was kind of frustrating on my part as until now, I hadn't had his cock pounding inside me but it was alright for me to prolong this sexual frustration and allow to grow the sexual tension Frederick and I had.

Perhaps, in short, Frederick was my... savior?

"Marquis Argerich, aren't we being harsh to your daughter?"

I slowly opened my eyes hearing a familiar male voice. My eyes widened when I came to see His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Alucard who was holding my father's hand that was about to land on me.

"Y-Your Royal Highness..." Father said and bowed when His Royal Highness released his hand. "D-Do forgive me..."

"Are you alright, Viscountess Westervelt?"

I clutched my skirt and smiled bitterly upon hearing that surname again. Why couldn't they know the fact that I wasn't using Reginald's surname?! Are they seriously mocking me right now?

"I am... alright, Your Royal Highness." I inhaled sharply, wanting to hurt this prince named Alucard. It was already making my blood boil. "Thank you for asking."

Thank you my ass, Novalie. I almost rolled my eyes. This prince was already making our blood boil. Gouge out that forest green eyes of the crown prince right now. Do it!

Father cleared his throat. "I need to speak with my fellow nobles. I shall take my leave, Your Royal Highness." Then he glanced at me. "My dearest daughter, Novalie."

I didn't say anything. I was certain that Father wouldn't let this go. He would come back for sure once I was alone. If he did that, then I would love to converse with him and accuse him that I was being like this.

After all, it was his fault he tied me up for arranged marriage.

His Royal Highness turned at me and smiled tenderly. "I am glad I have arrived on time... *sister-in-law*."