Cordially Invited

*Chapter 35*
I laughed when I was in the hallway while I was using the cheque book to fan myself. But my smile dissipated as soon as I saw Frederick at the end of the hallway, leaning against the wall and holding a small wooden box. My heart leaped seeing his dark expression when our eyes met.
"Luna."
I spun around to see Heimon approaching me. "What?" I asked rigidly when he halted in front of me and bowed before me.
"A courier has arrived. You have letters meant for you," he said and bestowed the two letters in a white envelope and the other one was in a black envelope.
I opened the white one. My face turned sour seeing that it was a tea party from Viscountess Rizza Smith of Dreck that should happen next week. "Damn it... Tea party again..." I turned to Heimon. "Did you tell this to Reginald?"
He shook his head. "I haven't, Luna. Should I deliver the letter for Alpha Reginald?"
I halted for a moment and thought of bringing this to Reginald. I grabbed something from him and I had a feeling that he wouldn't agree to accept this invitation to attend the tea party in my stead. I need the cheque book.
I am certain that Reginald would use it as the key not to attend the tea party. He did me a favor by having this freaking cheque book in my hand.
Or I could compel him to go again?
I glanced at Heimon. "No need. I will go this time." Then I lowered my gaze when my curiosity darted at the black envelope, seeing my name addressed here.
*The Right Hon.
The Viscountess Westervelt of Erast
14 Woodlea Broadway, Mooneve, Colima*
I flipped the envelope to see the familiar sealing wax. "Art Institute of Selenium?" I questioned, arching my eyebrow.
What was their business with me?
I opened the envelope to read the context of the letter.
*Dear Lady Westervelt,
We are glad to cordially invite you to an exhibition and art auction which will be held in Onyx Manor, Argenta at the Art Institute of Selenium. The theme is a masquerade party. The exhibition will take place from 23rd-28th February xxxx.
This exhibition and auction will feature eroticism by various artists. As you are one of our anonymous sponsors, we are happy to have your artwork displayed in our gallery again. This project is aimed at fundraising for the organization to foster and nurture the more talented artists in the Sowinski Kingdom.
Yours Sincerely,
Charles Newman
Gallery Administrator
Art Institute of Selenium*
"Hmm... Interesting... It has been a while..." I nodded my head and looked at Heimon who was waiting for my order. "You may now be dismissed. Also, bring some tea to my chamber."
Heimon bowed his head. "As you wish, Luna."
I nodded and turned around. My heart jumped out of my rib cage when I came to meet Frederick. I sighed in distress. "You always appear out of nowhere, Frederick." I passed by him and ignored his alluring scent that sent shivers in delight to my whole body.
"I have brought the one you wished for me to take from Sir Timothy, my goddess," he said, following me behind.
"Good," I answered shortly as we headed to the east hall of the second floor.
"My goddess—"
"You do not need to undress," I chimed in, already knowing what he was about to say. I glanced at him. "Come in and put it right there." I pointed to the vanity mirror with my cosmetics settled there.
I went straight to the other chamber that was attached to mine after we arrived at my chamber. I placed the letters on the table, walking straight there.
The attached other chamber was a chamber full of my erotic artworks. Some of them weren't related to eroticism.
There was another chamber as well that was connected to my chamber, too. The other one was for extreme playtime which I hadn't brought Frederick there. Perhaps when the time comes, I would invite him to play with us there.
Stroking my chin, I roamed my eyes around as to which of my artworks must I put up for auction. Some of my paintings, which were my favorite ones, were hanging on the wall. While other canvas paintings of mine were settled down, not being hanged.
"Perhaps, I can bring five again?" I asked myself, unsure before I returned to my chamber but I came to see Frederick already roamed around here. I almost cussed but halted myself because I already smelled his scent.
I was acting a little dumb, pretending not to notice his presence. His scent was so strong I couldn't just ignore it. Sometimes, I didn't notice it when I was too preoccupied about something.
I decided to approach him as he was feasting his eyes in one of my erotic paintings hanging on the wall. It was a man who was blindfolded and was being tied up in a saltire cross, feeling helpless and naked. But his sculpted body was familiar which made me squirm. I grinned and held to his arm when he gasped from the realization of the painting.
"Is that—"
"It is one of my favorites," I chimed in. "I am looking forward to the actual play where you are tied up in this kind of position."
In my frustration moments when I was annoyed at his actions, I painted that canvas that was about him being in that position. It was hilarious that it suddenly became one of my favorites as soon as I finished it.
"Do you like it?" I turned to the painting. "I will put that up for auction," I added.
"Don't you want to keep it, my goddess?"
"No." I glanced at him. Then I reached for his short stubble to caress it. "I want those people to see that men should not be ashamed to be submissive. Not always women shall be the submissive ones, darling. Society must accept that." I ran my fingers down to his chest before I looked up to meet his eyes glowing in desire. "And you, my darling, shall set an example."
I stepped backward before I turned my back to pick the best erotic paintings I will put up for auction. Then I remembered something.
"By the way, darling. You can pick one painting for me which you think deserves to be put up for auction." I shrugged, not minding him when he started roaming around.
I want to pick the best paintings so I could have the funds and send them to the charity or orphanage. There was nothing for me to do with them if I kept them because I am already wealthy enough to buy more than three castles in the Sowinski Kingdom.
I might as well donate them so that they would be useful.
"My goddess, I want to choose this. It's heartwarming."
I furrowed my eyebrows. Heartwarming? What? "Heartwarming?" I turned my head to see that he was holding the painting I never wanted to see.
It was the disgusting painting of Frederick and me being in each other's arms! Damn it!
"How the hell did you find that?!" My insides were boiling as I approached him and was about to snatch the canvas art away from him but Frederick smoothly raised it above my head where I couldn't reach it. "What the hell are you playing about, Frederick?!" I said, annoyed when he didn't allow me to take that disgusting painting from him.
"It seems that you are imagining me holding you, my goddess. You can command me to do this for you." There was a sly smile on his lips as he stepped back, distancing himself away from me when he saw how annoyed I was.
"Put that down, Frederick!"
"I choose this to be put up for auction, my goddess. You ordered me to pick one." He grinned and looked at the painting. "I am certain that people are going to envy this painting. They need to realize having a mate is a wonderful feeling. If I am rich enough, I will bid on your painting..." he paused. "*Noblete*," he said meaningfully.
I squinted my eyes, seeing his bratty attitude right now. He even mentioned my pseudonym as an erotic artist.
*Noblete.*
People who were familiar with my brush stroke and my signature paintings would know the artist's name is Noblete. I never used my name initials. So, no one knew that Novalie Argerich was a painter.
"You really know how to provoke me, aren't you?" I said, masking my voice with a threatening tone.
Frederick fluttered his eyes before he returned his gaze back to the painting. I watched how his expression softened which made my heart and my wolf jump in joy. This suddenly annoyed me...
I didn't know why but I found him attractive... I knew I shouldn't look at him like that but why I was adoring his expression.
It looked so genuine like he was loving that disgusting painting I made.
"Please put this up for auction, my goddess." He turned at me, pleading.
I snapped back and rolled my eyes. "No," I said firmly and turned my back so I didn't have to see his painful expression. I picked the other canvas and spun around to see his melancholy expression when his eyes fixed on the painting.
My heart suddenly felt constricted for some reason. I hissed and sighed.
"Fine, fine! I will put it up for auction." I shot him a glare when his face brightened up. "But I will cover my face there. There is no way I am going to show my face in that painting."
I was expecting Frederick would be downcasted about it but he smiled and nodded. "Yes, my goddess. As you wish."
"Huh..." I rolled my eyes again before I went out to write a letter to express my gratitude that I was invited.
As one of the anonymous sponsors of the notorious art gallery of the Sowinski Kingdom, I was already expecting that they would ask for my presence especially since they were also impressed with my artworks. I was really looking forward to their event again.
When I was finished, I went to the balcony, ignoring the snow that filled my balcony. Then I placed my hand at my nape, massaging it twice.
With my action, two watchers came forth. They knelt on one knee to greet me.
"Your orders, our siren?" they said uniformly and in unison.
I bestowed the letter to one of them. "Take this to the mail depot." Then I turned to the other one after the first one left. "Dispatch another four of your fellow watchers. The five of you will have a next assignment."
He bowed his head and took the folded parchment from my hand. He checked the contents before I spoke again.
"I need you to gather information about those people listed there and know their relations to Reginald. Hire an informant or any means you have to gather information. All of you have two weeks to bestow me the good information I needed," I said frigidly. "Good information means good reward from me. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my siren." He bowed his head again. "We shall fulfill our duty to serve you well, my siren."
"Good. Stand up and leave." He did what I told him before he disappeared at my sight. "Is there anything you want to say?" I asked, not looking at Frederick behind me.
"Where do your watchers stay, my goddess?"
I spun around to look at him. "Why? Do you wish to know then you will escape from me?" I smirked and tapped his cheek when I approached him.
Frederick took my hand and brought it to his lips, sending chills down my spine. "I do not wish to leave my goddess. I will die if I am not able to be with my mate. I have waited—"
I halted him by covering his mouth with my hand. "You blabbermouth... That mouth of yours is full of flowery words." I rolled my eyes and released his mouth.
He chuckled. "Because that is the truth, my goddess. I have waited long enough before I can finally have you..." he said meaningfully which made me arch my eyebrow.
I smiled bitterly. "Ah... Do not assume that you have me already, darling. Do remember that I haven't uttered words that I accepted you." I shook my head, turning to the railings to lean my elbows there.
"At least, you explicitly stated that you want me."
I didn't say anything. It was obvious that this bastard was trying to provoke me. He knew how to spark annoyance so I just needed to stay silent and watch how this would proceed.
Explicitly stated? That was absurd... Damn it!
Perhaps, it was my wolf who accepted him, not me.
I stiffened when Frederick hugged me from behind and started raining kisses to my nape, sending chills down my spine. I didn't move and just stayed there on my ground when he leaned his elbows to the railings as well before he clasped my hands together with his.
"My goddess, my wolf is somehow irritated."
I arched my eyebrow and glanced at him over my shoulder. "Irritated by means?"
Frederick played with my hands covered with winter gloves. I hissed when I realized that he wasn't wearing any winter gloves. I glared at him when I straightened my back and spun around.
"Why did you remove your gloves?" I asked dangerously. "It's cold outside." I growled at him.
He shrugged. "I am used to it, my goddess. I am—"
"Let's get back inside." I tugged his hand but he won't budge. "Frederick..." I gritted my teeth, glaring at him.
"I can have my hands warm if my goddess will intertwine her hands with me." He wiggled his eyebrows, jesting.
I stared at him. Knowing Frederick... This brat would grow stubborn if I did not allow him what he wanted.
Frederick smiled when I removed my gloves. I shivered when my hands came in contact with him. "Your hands are freezing already!" I barked angrily when he intertwined our hands. He chuckled which made me squint my eyes. "You are really a stubborn mule, aren't you?"
He chuckled again and looked at me dreamily. "Only for my goddess."
I raised our hands and arched my eyebrow. "Since you are being stubborn, I am looking forward to your punishment." His eyes widened at my words causing me to smirk. "This time, darling... We will inflict more pain than before." I leaned to his chest and tiptoed to peck his lips. "Look forward to it." I winked.
Frederick licked his lips as he exhaled sharply. "Then this slave of yours shall receive my goddess's punishment," he replied.
"Good answer." I snorted.
I gasped when he made my back lean to the railings as he locked me to my waist with his lower body.
"Also another thing, my goddess... My wolf and I are quite annoyed with the smell of another man you have been with," he said meaningfully.
"Oh?" I bit my lower lip hearing his thoughts.
"Did you have fun with *him*?" His tone suddenly toned down.
I looked at his olive orbs, grinning. "Darling... Darling... You are really adorable when your jealousy succumbs you."
He frowned, not liking my words. But he buried his face in the crook of my neck. "I want my goddess to pay heed only to me. I am better with those men you had bedded with."
I scoffed, hearing like he was sulking. But I liked hearing his thoughts... how he felt jealous when I was with another man, not him.
I released my hand from clasping his as I reached for his head, caressing it. "You sulked too much, darling. Worry not. You are still one of my favorites."
He raised his head. His forehead is knitted. "One of your favorites? I am only your favorite!" He stomped his foot.
This man... "Acting like a brat, aren't we?" Frederick pouted and huffed. I chuckled at this man being hilarious as always. "Let's go inside. It's freezing out here."
He allowed himself to be tugged this time. However, there was still a huge frown sitting on his face.
I just let it as I grabbed a thick blanket to cover this man because I felt him shivering in the cold. He didn't say that he was being cold. He never intended to say it. So, I need to observe and notice that Frederick flustered in embarrassment when I wrapped him in the blanket.
"My goddess, Novalie."
"Hmm?"
I looked at him when he silenced. Only then I realized that Frederick was waiting for me to look at him because his eyes brightened up when our eyes met.
"Thank you for taking care of someone who is worthless like me."
My eyes widened in surprise. He thanked me without me ordering him to utter his gratitude? Why did I suddenly melt under his gaze? And why did he look so goddamnly attractive right now?
It made my wolf squirm like a worm.
I caressed his cheek with my knuckles when I managed to comprehend everything. "Well, you are my property, darling. You were worth a hundred million gold pieces after all. Hence, I treasure my luxurious items."
With that being said, Frederick opened his mouth to say something but he closed it and nodded. He smiled afterwards.
However, his smile didn't reach his eyes. His eyes expressed downheartedness.
But he sighed and leaned his cheek to my hand. "I wonder when you will see me as a person, not as a thing, my goddess."
That made my jaw drop a little as I chuckled. "That's... you're quite ambitious."
Frederick kissed my wrist, sending delicious shivers through my whole body. Then he looked at me. "Nevermind what I said, my goddess. I will be happy if you step on me and treat me like a speck of dust. I am already happy with it."
Odd... I thought he wanted me to see him as a person but his eyes were showing the contrary.
That moment, his eyes shone with happiness. And the way he was looking at me... It looked like he was happy that I am treating him like a thing, not as a person...
Like he would be willing to stake everything just to be trampled by me.
*Interesting...*