Brat

*Chapter 55*

As Frederick and I sauntered on our way back to the manor, I creased my forehead upon seeing Sharon who waiting outside the gate.

What on earth was she doing here?

"Is Father here?" I asked, not giving her a chance to greet me.

"Greetings, Lady Novalie." She curtsied before me. "Beta Nigelle is not here."

I immediately changed my expression into a stoic one upon hearing that. "Allow me to guess that he is offering his sincerest apology?" I asked bitterly.

She apologetically nodded. "He ordered me to come here to—"

I dismissed her. "I've already heard that last year and even from the time I was born. It is nothing new exactly." I shrugged after cutting her off. "Let's go, Frederick."

"Yes, my goddess." I felt him following behind me.

"Beta Nigelle really wants to come here to greet you, Lady Novalie." I just shook my head and didn't want to hear anything from her. I didn't want to hear anything if it was related to Father even though I said that I was slowly establishing our relationship. "He cannot attend because... he is kind of busy right now."

I clenched my hand. "The same reason I always hear." I scoffed bitterly.

"Lady Novalie... Please understand—"

"I will pay Wall Burgundy pack a visit one of these days," I chimed in before I slightly turned my head at Sharon. "Tell that to Father. Kindly tell Alpha Denzil as well." I got impatient when Sharon didn't say anything. "Move now, Sharon," I ordered coldly.

Sharon jumped to her feet and nodded. "As you wish, Lady Novalie." She curtsied. "I shall take my leave and relay your message to Alpha Denzil and Beta Nigelle."

I watched her leave out of my sight. I returned to my chamber thinking that I didn't happen to meet Reginald as he was out of the pack to settle the construction materials with Francis.

"My goddess, do you want some tea?"

I glanced at him after collapsing my body to the bed. He was standing near the edge of the bed and had this worried expression smearing on his face.

"Darling, I am not in the mood to have our play session tonight..." I sighed and looked at the canopy curtains with a stoic expression.

Frederick knelt before me and held my hand. "It's alright, my goddess. I understand."

I felt my breath being shaken as tears were about to form but I fluttered my eyes to stop them. I tightened my hand to Frederick's hand, gathering some strength about this situation I was in.

I was just happy earlier but then, Father ruined everything. This was one of the reasons why I didn't deserve this kind of happiness because I knew that sooner or later, the mood would change drastically.

"This isn't the best time to be emotional," I uttered, talking to myself. "I must get used to this since Father always remembers my birthday so late. He never cares for me after all..." I smiled bitterly. "Why must I expect anything from him? It's a good thing that Alpha Denzil is there... at least I experienced having a father." I looked at Frederick. "Is it that bad to wish that Alpha Denzil is my father? He always treats me like his daughter... Even Luna Helen. She cherishes me like her daughter, too."

Alpha Denzil and Luna Helen were the ones who always took care of me whenever I looked for Father. I would always come over to their manor whenever I wanted to so I could speak with them.

They never got to have an offspring because Alpha Denzil was sterile so it was understandable that they would love to take me as their daughter.

"Your father is still your father, my goddess. No matter if the world turns upside down."

I frowned. That wasn't comforting at all. "Light up the lamp," I ordered.

"Yes, my goddess." I got disappointed when Frederick released my hand. I just closed my eyes and contemplated.

Just like I said earlier, I must not be emotional right now. I must set aside my feelings right now. What I must do is focus on the goal of divorcing my marriage with Reginald.

I peeled my eyes open and squinted my eyes to the canopy curtains again.

"I must become a marchioness soon..." I murmured, inhaling and exhaling to gather some strength.

Then I decided to get up and saw Frederick who was already kneeling to the floor. "Are you in the mood now, my goddess?" he asked.

"If you are asking for a play session, I will have to postpone it. I am tired today." I tapped my thighs. "Come here, darling."

Frederick's face brightened up. He crawled towards me and immediately placed his head on my thighs. I started caressing his hair as I was feeling at ease having his presence.

"Wish me luck, darling. I am hoping I can convince my father," I said after a moment of silence.

He looked up at me. His eyes were looking at me dreamily like he was cherishing me. "I know you will do well, my goddess. I am always praying for your happiness."

"You're so sweet." I ignored how my heart reacted to his words. I hated to admit it but I felt warm when he said that he was praying for my happiness. Sighing, I smiled softly. "Let's take a bath and have our supper. I wish to retire now. Your play session with me can be continued next time."

He nodded and leaned to my touch. "Yes, my goddess," he said softly with a smile.

Just as I told Sharon, I had decided to pay Wall Burgundy pack a visit. I had brought Frederick with me because...

"You cared for me." Frederick wriggled his eyebrows as soon as he rode to the carriage.

I smiled sweetly at him. "One more word from you and I swear, I shall kick you out of the carriage, darling." The nerve of this man... I was close to strangling him every time I would take him with me whenever I ran some errands whether it was about pack affairs or not.

He playfully shrugged his shoulders. "I doubt that my goddess can ever do that." He even smirked at me. Frederick cocked his head from side to side as he winked at me. "You are frightened that something might happen to me if I shall be alone with that scumbag. If something happens to me again, Sir Heimon will inform me how you panic and will decide to lash out on anyone," he said confidently. "Admit it now, my goddess. This slave of yours... You care too much for me because I am your mate."

I didn't say anything but I sure as hell wanted to explode with a series of expletives. Frederick blinked and looked at me. He must have realized my silence right now. With that, he rolled his lips inside his mouth as I heard him gulping.

I arched my eyebrow and reclined to my seat. "Go on, darling. Continue," I urged him, challenging him to continue teasing me but he remained silent, not wanting to say anything. "Is there something you want to add to provoke me more, darling?" I asked dangerously.

Frederick chuckled nervously as his hands were fidgeting right now. I could tell that he was nervous seeing that I was taking things too seriously right now.

Also, the fact that I was in a solemn attitude meant that I was unhappy with his behavior so he must tame himself or else... I chuckled mentally.

Frederick was actually looking for the punishment. He was behaving like this because he wanted to be punished. My bratty slave was thirsty for his goddess' punishment since I didn't get a chance to bestow him on my birthday.

"Come on. I am urging you to say more, darling. It is not like I am mad or what, right?"

Frederick didn't say anything. He surely didn't want to say another word because one more word from him means—

"You are becoming too soft on me, my goddess. I thought you could dominate me but I was wrong after all," he said out loud.

With his words he said, I chuckled darkly. I saw how Frederick became uncomfortable as I smiled sweetly.

This man... I have become too soft on him? Was he dead serious right now?

"Are you certain about that, darling?" His back straightened when he saw my dark expression. "Can you say that one more time?" I urged him, waiting if he would even dare to spout at me.

I must have misheard it. But I knew what I heard. I just wanted to challenge Frederick if he would dare to say that to me again even though he felt that he was in danger right now for insulting me...

That I had gone too soft on him.

Frederick stared at me before he smiled wryly and opened his mouth. "You have gone too soft, my goddess," he uttered.

I exhaled sharply as my lips curled up into a furtive smile. I crossed my legs, looking at him as I clicked my tongue. "I have gone too soft, huh? Interesting..." I kept nodding my head as I stroked my chin.

"Y-Yes," Frederick talked back. "Y-You have been uttering excuses so you cannot punish me because you have gone too soft."

"Oh?" I fluttered my eyes, looking at him like he was an interesting specimen right now. I wanted to dissect him right now. "You sure are a brave one, my pathetic slave. Be sure if you keep acting like a brat to your goddess, you would understand the consequence of your actions."

My hands had been itching to punish this man. What he said earlier provoked me... That was insulting on my part.

"What are you going to do with me then, my goddess?" he asked, challenging. Frederick even scoffed—a nervous scoff. "You cannot even implement your punishment these days."

That pricked something in my head. It felt like something triggered me when I grabbed his collar to draw him closer to me. "You shall regret how you insult me, Frederick. This time, I am not going to spare you," I threatened.

Frederick gulped. His eyes shone in fear but there were other emotions mixed in them...

Anticipation and desire for my punishment.