Socializing

*Chapter 65*

"Put all the luggage here," I said to Frederick as soon as Reginald and I went to the master bedroom.

"Yes..." Frederick said in a meek tone.

I felt Reginald snaking his arm from behind me as he watched Frederick putting all of our luggage in one corner. "I cannot wait to have you all for myself, dear wife," Reginald uttered in an audible tone enough to hear by Frederick.

I gritted my teeth and saw Frederick's back stiffen. I nudged Reginald's stomach to make him step back. He hissed and shook his head.

When Frederick was done, he faced me and bowed before me. "I shall take my leave, my goddess."

"Say your farewell to her husband, too," Reginald demanded and snorted.

Frederick raised his head and glared at Reginald causing him to step back frightened at Frederick's expression. I sighed, not wanting to prolong having Frederick here.

"Frederick," I called his name in my icy tone.

He snapped back and glanced at me with a melancholy expression before he bowed and left us. He didn't turn his head so he could look at me one more time. I could already tell that it hurts him.

And so I am.

"What's up with that stupid knight? Is he sulking that we are staying in one chamber?"

I shrugged. "He'll get over it," I said nonchalantly.

Deep inside, I wanted to strangle Reginald right now. But Father was here as well. Father would protect Reginald from me in case something happens to him. He would choose him over me.

It was why I never wanted to believe that Father really cared for me. He only cared for his reputation, of course.

Reginald summoned our servants to have our clothing to be placed in the walk-in closet. I went to the balcony to contemplate, wanting to think on how I must play with this course of action I was put to.

I already thought that this would be according to my plan. I underestimated Reginald.

It was my fault that I became arrogant as I always thought that I could outsmart him but I was deeply wrong for assuming things. I did not become careful about this part. I should have predicted this event.

However, there would always be an unexpected situation that would put me more to challenge.

Aside from that, my heart was aching ever since we arrived here at the Crescent Moon Oceanfront. Frederick and I didn't talk to each other again. Frederick too succumbed to the idea that I would properly consummate Reginald and I's marriage.

I never wanted this to happen. However, I need the title. I badly need it.

My body stiffened when a pair of arms wrapped from my behind.

"Do not feel so melancholy, Novalie. I tried my best to learn how I must make you happy in bed." The arrogance from his tone was enough for me to take the initiative to punch him in the face.

But I didn't move.

Usually, I would bark at him and hurt him already but I didn't do it this time around.

"I heard that you have been going to a brothel, Regy," I said and sighed sharply. "Say, it is really fun going to the Bachelor's Den, right? Just as I am going to the Maiden's Lair?" I asked with a grin. "Have you been practicing how to fuck properly?"

I suddenly felt disgusted when I felt his lips trailing up from my shoulders to my neck. "Let's see..." He hummed.

"Allow me to guess. You still don't know how to please a woman, do you?"

I heard him gritting his teeth. Even the way he held my waist was surely gripping it like he wanted to rip me apart. "Your mouth is full of profanities, Novalie. I really hate you."

"The feeling is mutual, Regy." I rolled my eyes.

I felt him step back after he removed his arms surrounding me. I didn't turn around to look at him.

"I'm going to the assembly hall. Dress up in something fancy and meet me there. We need to entertain our guests," Reginald said before he left.

I returned to the chamber after contemplating a little. I ordered my servants to help me change my dress.

"My muse, Sir Frederick is waiting outside."

My heart skipped a beat upon hearing his name. "Very well..." I glanced at my figure in the mirror one more time before I stormed outside of the chamber.

I hushed down my wolf as soon as we saw Frederick who had a stoic expression on his face right now. He bowed before me with such politeness but there was hostility in it.

"My goddess, I shall escort you," he said.

I nodded and didn't say anything. We were both quiet as we sauntered the hallway. No one dared to even speak just like we used to do. Until we arrived at the assembly hall, Frederick remained quiet.

I separated from him and went beside Reginald so we could socialize with our fellow nobles. For now, the agenda for today was to serve our guests some tea. They were allowed to take a stroll around the island if they wanted to.

Once the night struck, that should be the banquet they were looking forward to.

I went to the tables where women gathered to chitchat. "Are you enjoying the tea and snacks we prepared, my fellow nobles?" I asked, plastering my oh-so-sweet smile.

This was going to make my mouth jaded later. I just chanted that I must do this to socialize and build power so I could garner influences from the noble factions. I must rebuild my ruined reputation.

"Indeed, we are. Lady Argerich, I did not expect this vacation house would be grandeur," one of them said.

"The place is so serene. You can relax here if you want to."

I unfolded my fan and smiled. "My, my. You praised it so greatly. I am flattered that you are enjoying your stay here," I said in a beaming tone.

That was what I did to socialize with them. Having such flattering words to boost our egos and to flaunt how wealthy I was even if I said that this was my gift when I reached my coming-of-age. I stayed there for a while before I decided to visit the other assembly hall where my employees were having fun there.

"Greetings, Lady Novalie," they greeted as soon as I made an entrance.

Smiling, I nodded. "Are you all enjoying your stay?" I asked, approaching them who were having some tea and snacks.

"We feel like we are nobles."

"We feel like we do not deserve to be served by your servants, my lady."

Chuckling, I just shook my head. "We will be celebrating the wedding anniversary of my husband tonight. Can I expect that all of you are coming?"

With my question that earned them a silence, I already expected this outcome. Of course, they didn't like being associated with nobles knowing how they degraded people that weren't equal to our noble status.

"We are going to come, Lady Novalie."

I turned my head upon seeing Ouncy with a gentle smile on her lips. She approached me and curtsied before me.

"Ouncy," I said, nodding my head as a sign of acknowledging her presence.

"We are going to come, my lady. We will show our support for your wedding anniversary," she said. "Right, everyone?" She faced everyone and drew out a meaningful smile.

I massaged my neck as I was already expecting that Ouncy could convince them. If it was all about my welfare, Ouncy was going to handle that and would be able to convince everyone to come.

"It's fine, Ouncy," I said when I saw that my employees were about to nod. "Do not force them. The banquet with nobles is not enjoyable as you all think." I winked. "Enjoy your stay here, everyone," I said before I left and closed the assembly hall's two-way doors.

I walked to the hallway before I turned to my right so I could lean to the wall to take a rest. I even removed my heel shoes as I couldn't wear high heels.

"Damn it..." I murmured before I decided to go to the other stairs where no other people were making way while I was on my bare feet.

I was humming softly when I became alert before I spun around to point the heel of my shoe to...

"Frederick." I squinted my eyes when Frederick managed to halt me that was closed to hit his eye by holding my wrist. Sighing, I stepped back and he released my hand. "Why on earth are you following me?"

I wanted to smack myself for asking an obvious question. Of course, he was my knight! He was bound to follow me wherever I went. Also, I was pretending that I couldn't feel his presence and couldn't smell his scent.

You are freaking dumb, Novalie.

"Nevermind that." I released a huff before I decided to walk upstairs.

"Why... are you walking on your bare feet, my goddess?"

"Because I am tired from standing up and walking," I answered, cocking my head from side to side. I glanced at Frederick when he didn't answer. "Why? Is this your first time seeing a woman doing this?"

"Um..." He averted his gaze. "I already saw you before doing this."

I shrugged from his answer before I went to the rooftop along with him. I faced him and caught the melancholy expression on his face. "If you keep having that expression, you might as well do not show yourself in front of me anymore, darling," I said coldly.

I watched his eyes getting teary-eyed before he blinked and shook his head. "P-Please forgive me if I show discourtesy to my actions, my goddess."

I sat on the floor after settling the shoes beside me. "Come," I uttered and tapped my thighs. "Lay here."

Frederick nodded quietly before he laid to the floor and placed his head to my thighs. After that, he hugged my waist tightly like he didn't want to let me go.

"I'm hurting..." he murmured. His voice softly croaked.

I ignored what he said and reclined to the wall. I ignored how my heart was breaking when Frederick buried his face in my stomach.

There was no reason for me to ease what he was feeling. Everything had been set already. I was bound to get pregnant with Reginald's pup after all.

However, there was still a small wish inside me hoping that I wouldn't get pregnant after this vacation was over. I never wanted to get pregnant with Reginald's pup.

How must I escape this fate while achieving becoming the Marchioness in my own right?