No Longer Need

*Chapter 70*

Later that night, I went to the cabin along with Frederick. I was feeling at ease that Frederick was being more obedient than before.

He never dared to abscond even though he had the chance to do so when I commanded him to dispatch a letter to that certain area. It was such a relief that he was knowing me as the master of his life that only I would control how he would live.

However, even if I said that he was behaving lately, I still couldn't help wondering what if I did not remove him from the slave faction. What could have happened if I didn't see that freaking dress on his quarters that time?

Would Frederick and I be fine? Would I still flirt with him just as I did?

I sighed for the nth time before I glanced at Frederick who was staring intently at me. He immediately lowered his gaze as soon as I caught him looking at me. He suddenly opened the door of the warehouse for me.

"My... lady..."

I felt my wolf urging me to at least give some appreciation for Frederick but I chose to ignore him as I entered the warehouse. With my cold aura emitting from me, the slaves looked frightened at me.

Heimon approached me and bowed before me. "I have briefed them as to why they are being summoned here."

"Did you tell them that they are going to die tonight?" I asked in my frigid tone causing the slaves to flinch. I could even feel that they were trembling in fear right now.

Heimon looked surprised at my question but then, he deeply bowed his head. "I have not, Luna. My apologies for not telling them about this matter."

I looked at them with dullness written in my eyes. "None of them are useful to me now once I become Marchioness Argerich. But..." I glanced at Frederick who became attentive when my eyes darted on him. "Darling, come here."

Frederick settled beside me. I held his arm and had him step forward. "What must I do, my lady?" he asked politely but with a cautious tone.

"You have gotten along with them before I removed you from being my slave," I said as I started sauntering to scrutinize these slaves I had fooled around with. "I need you to pick which of these thirty-seven slaves must go now."

With my words, the slaves earned a gasp. Frederick didn't look faltered at my command. His eyes that softened every time he gazed at me quickly changed when his olive orbs darted coldly at them.

Frederick opened his mouth and started mentioning the names of the male slaves which I already forgot their names. "Bryce. Cole. Eero. Darren. Rickman." He turned to me and bowed his head. "The mentioned names must stay here. The rest are going to be discarded, Your Ladyship."

I glanced at Heimon. "You heard him. Do what he says and kill the remaining ones. Those people stepped forward and returned to the cabin. Immediately," I commanded sternly.

"Y-Yes, my goddess."

I spun around to leave. "Help them to clean up, Frederick. I will be waiting outside," I said, not looking at those slaves who were begging me to spare them.

"As you wish, my lady..."

I went to where Nightsky was tied up. I approached my majestic horse and caressed his snout. I saw his ears move when he kept hearing loud screams of agony from the warehouse.

"Ssh..." I hushed him down by caressing his neck. "Just think of it as music to your ears, Nightsky. It will be fine," I said softly as I looked up at the starry sky right now. "Yes, Mother. I am a murderer now. I have been like this a long time ago." I talked as if I was talking to my mother even though I had never met her ever since I was a little.

"Lady Novalie."

I turned my head to see Frederick who was bathing in blood along with the sword he was holding. He came to kneel in front of me.

"I did what you commanded. We eliminated those slaves who conspired with your husband."

I smiled. "Good."

Those five people Frederick chose to remain by my side as they did not agree to conspire with Reginald's plan. While I was away at the Argenta, one of my watchers bestowed me the news that more of my male slaves managed to join at Reginald by offering a handsome payment in exchange for tormenting me as their master.

It was one of the reasons why I told Frederick to observe his former fellow male slaves back then. I had been planning to eliminate them to torment Reginald's plan.

I leaned forward to carefully wipe the blood that smeared on his face. I heard his soft gasp after that. "With this, this might help now to plague his plan. He has to think of creating a backup plan," I said while I used my nightgown to wipe Frederick's cheek.

"My goddess."

I arched my eyebrow when he dared to address me again. He didn't apologize but he only just looked at me, waiting for my response. "What?" I surrendered, not scolding him for addressing me; that was something not allowed for him to say.

However, it rather felt right that Frederick was addressing me that instead of the new one I told him to always address me. It felt like I am more like a goddess to him than the other male slaves I had slept with.

Frederick took my hand and kissed my wrist. My wolf was squirming at his actions. I knew that I was already expecting this because that was his usual behavior but my wolf and I couldn't help but be surprised as always.

Even my heart was joining from leaping out of my ribcage whenever he did this.

"I am certain that this time, everything will go according to your plan, my goddess. No doubt about that." Then he looked at me with adoration smeared on his eyes. "I will serve you until the day you see me that you no longer need my service. Your happiness shall be my happiness."

I stared at him. Ah, yes. I am close to the goal of divorcing my marriage with Reginald. As soon as I became Marchioness Argerich, that should be the moment I had been waiting for so that I could divorce my marriage.

I already prepared the divorce papers a long time ago. The only thing I needed now was Reginald's signature. Then we would settle this with the supreme court.

Though we could go to the local court, if Reginald was going to make a scandalous scene about our divorce, then we would have to put this case to the supreme court of the Sowinski Kingdom.

"Let's not talk in that kind of tone, darling. Remember that we must not underestimate Reginald. You know that he outsmarted me by making a deal to my father to conceive his pup in exchange for me being the next one to handle the marquis title," I said with a smirk as I caressed his hair.

"But you outsmarted him, my goddess." He inhaled sharply. "You made him think that he was winning yet... you did it again to outsmart that man."

I stepped back as I looked up at the sky again. "Ah, yes... Being an infertile woman... I am considered a defective woman," I said in an almost dejected tone. "I had known for a very long time that I am infertile ever since I married Reginald." I got to know it from Timothy when I told him the symptoms that I already have a gynaecological condition. "Even so, I still took fertility control because I knew... this day would come that Reginald shall become a laughing stock." There was a creepy smile plastered on my lips.

However, I felt shallow in my heart upon thinking of being infertile.

I mindlessly placed my hand on top of my stomach. I knew that I must rejoice that I wouldn't be able to bear any man's pup but there was a small hope from me that being an infertile one should be a dream only.

That this might be a nightmare only.

But I was wrong.

"I wonder what it feels to hold your pup with your blood running through its flesh..." I mumbled as I sighed, feeling a little melancholy.

I had been ignoring this hollow feeling. I had been ignoring how it would create a big impact on me that I was an infertile one.

It was important that I set aside this feeling because if I entertained it, it would be my doom as well. I wouldn't be able to come this far.

I didn't turn around when I felt a heavy fabric that was draped over my shoulders. "I do not mind if you are infertile or not, my goddess." My heart suddenly felt constricted as I glanced at Frederick who was smiling. His expression even softened when he looked up at the sky. "I mean... if ever that we are in a different timeline and we are in equal status and I happened not to be your knight and we accept each other as fated mates... I wouldn't be bothered not having a pup. As long as I am with you, I am feeling at ease." He looked at me. "Having a pup is just a bonus. I am not after a pup. You are the only one I would like to be with since the beginning."

His words surprised me. It suddenly made me feel overwhelmed by his words. I had never heard something from a man that he wasn't bothered about not having a pup. And... it came from my mate who I haven't accepted yet.

Suddenly, I felt my visions getting blurry only to realize that I was shedding tears. I immediately looked away and harshly wiped them away.

I castigated myself as to why I suddenly cried like that. What could have been the reason? Was it because of his words? Did I find comfort in it?

Did I find it reassuring?

I flinched when a hand coerced me to look at him. I blinked when I felt myself being overwhelmed with emotions again.

Tears started to fall from my eyes again. "I..." I was lost for words. I didn't know how to defend myself right now.

I could come up with different excuses about this and be defensive about it but right now, I just wanted to feel vulnerable in front of Frederick.

His fingers gently wiped the tears from my cheeks as Frederick's expression softened. "My goddess, I realized long before that you are a very strong woman. Infertile or not. For me, you are amazing that you always left me breathless." I closed my eyes when he kissed my eyes and my forehead. "If ever you have come to the point that you feel useless and weak, I will be here to shield you to hide your vulnerability. I am not going to allow other people to see your weakness. I am Frederick, your knight. I shall protect you at all cost."

His soothing voice and his words made my heart about to explode. "Do you... mean that?" Frederick nodded.

"I shall be your ally until the day you do not wish for me to serve you." Although he was dejected at those words he uttered, he hid it and smiled. "Also, I will be here for you, Novalie. Remember that."