Insolence

*Chapter 74*

"Luna, here is the new tailored cicada gown."

I looked at the closed door of my chamber before I straightened my back when I was about to tie Frederick to the saltire cross. "Stay here, darling." I tapped his cheek which earned him a soft groan before I went to open it and my face brightened up seeing Heimon holding a rectangular box.

I opened the door widely and urged him to come in. Heimon's eyes widened a little when he saw that Frederick was naked right now.

"I-I thought you are not going to play with Sir Frederick anymore, Luna," he said when Frederick walked towards me and hugged me from behind.

"People change, Heimon." I turned at Frederick to capture his lips. He immediately snaked his arm on my waist before he pulled away.

"My goddess realized that I am really his favorite concubine," Frederick said arrogantly.

I just shook my head and ignored him. But I couldn't deny the fact that it made me and my wolf squirm. I just didn't need to admit that to Frederick knowing that he could use my words to tease me and make me annoyed.

I smiled upon seeing the ceremonial dress I was going to wear this weekend. It was an off-shoulder long sleeve red dress that suited my taste.

"At last..." I inhaled sharply, feeling happy about the ceremony. "I must try this one." I glanced at Frederick. "Darling, help me get dressed."

He nodded. "Yes, my goddess."

Heimon turned around to respect that I was going to get naked and dressed up. For Frederick, I didn't mind it since he has already gotten used to helping me with dressing up. While helping me dress up, I could see the fascination in his eyes every time his eyes were caressing my body before he would look into my eyes.

Adoration.

That was the emotion he would show me every time our eyes would meet that would always make my heart jump out of my ribcage and would make my wolf go wild. Who would even get mesmerized by his olive eyes that always looked at me like I was a real goddess?

But it would be better if he had a blindfold in his eyes that suited him more.

"The dress suits you, my goddess."

I turned to the mirror and smiled upon seeing that what Frederick said was right. "Indeed..." I said dreamily as I caressed my flanks down to my hips.

I suddenly felt like I was already the head of the House of Argerich. This was insane... yet... exciting.

Then I heard a sniff coming from someone. When I looked at it, it was Heimon, crying a little. "Luna, I am deeply saddened that you will not be here soon." He fished out his handkerchief and wiped his eyes.

He was indeed shedding tears... in happiness.

I chuckled and faced him. "Jonathan will take care of you, Heimon," I said.

Finally, Reginald already sent a letter to the royal academy that Jonathan has to return to the Lone Crow pack because his presence was needed here. He would be in train now so he would succeed in being the next Alpha of the Lone Crow pack and be Viscount of Erast.

Reginald also took care of changing his surname from Westervelt to Argerich now. Once he became an Argerich, he was entitled to use the wealth of the House of Argerich.

As soon as the welcoming ceremony was over, we would have to move to the Wall Burgundy pack. Reginald proposed before that since I couldn't grant him a pup anymore because of my condition, he wanted to be the next Beta of the Wall Burgundy pack.

Father approved it, having no consultation with me if I agree with it or not.

However, Alpha Denzil did not approve of it which was why Father and Alpha Denzil argued about it. And right now, I was in front of them as the discussion wasn't finished.

"I do not favor this, Nigelle. Reginald Westervelt is an outsider and is not truly Argerich," Alpha Denzil said. His expression changed into an earnest one.

"Alpha," Father paused. I could see that he was controlling his emotion not to lash out at our Alpha since that was disrespectful. "The moment Reginald married my daughter, he is part of the Argerich now no matter what you say. That is the only condition he wanted so he could finally change his surname from Westervelt to Argerich. I wouldn't have approved it if he insisted that he wanted to retain his surname."

Alpha Denzil combed his hair, looking frustrated. "He is not even a good Alpha back to the Lone Crow pack, Nigelle. How do you expect that he would do better here as my Beta? He is such an airhead!" he exclaimed, half-annoyed.

I simply drank my tea while watching them arguing. I was certain that Reginald was hearing this because he was just outside because Alpha Denzil kicked him out for talking back to him.

"Their pack members consider your daughter as the one who helped them in a dire situation and also the one they considered that she is the real Alpha of the Lone Crown pack, Reginald," Alpha Denzil said and Father turned his head at me. "Your daughter has a greater accomplishment than your son-in-law who cannot even prove his worth and keep on neglecting his duties as an Alpha and the lord of the land. How can you not see that and keep acting like a blind one?"

I stayed silent and looked at my pocket watch. I came here to the Wall Burgundy pack to finalize this discussion yet it seemed that they wouldn't come to an agreement on having Reginald be the next Beta.

I stared back at my father when he looked at me with an intense gaze. I remained stoic while simply drinking my tea. "My succession ceremony shall be happening two days from now, Father. If possible, this discussion shall be settled soon as I did not want this to become a hindrance once I become the head of the House of Argerich." I clasped my hands together and placed my elbows on the table. Then I rested my chin on my clasped hands.

I wanted to pressure him on how Father would convince Alpha Denzil of letting Reginald be the next Beta. I wanted to see his resolution or else, I would take matters into my hands.

Father squinted his eyes, not liking my words before he turned at Alpha Denzil who was waiting for his next words. "I will have him train to become the next Beta and how he must behave. For now, Novalie shall be the one handling the Beta position until my son-in-law becomes a fitted one."

That almost made me roll my eyes. Why was he so persistent in favoring Reginald when he had done no accomplishment but only become Viscount of Erast and Alpha of the Lone Crow pack? He couldn't even make an abundance result from the investment of his fellow nobles in the business he tried to establish but it went to bankruptcy because Reginald wasn't a good negotiator.

Alpha Denzil massaged his temple. "Are you going to approve this, Novalie? If you wish me not to accept it, just tell me."

I exhaled sharply and bowed my head at Alpha Denzil. "It is fine, Alpha. Let Father do what he wants. No matter what we say, he would always favor his son-in-law over his daughter. Perhaps, my father could have wished that he should have a son instead of—"

"Insolent!"

"Nigelle!"

"You keep slandering me and always conclude, Novalie! How dare you!"

My hand raised to touch my cheek which hurts a little. I sighed and turned at Father with a sweet smile.

I stood up and curtsied before him. "I apologize for offending you and showing you such disgraceful behavior, Father," I said with a matter of coldness in my tone.

Father clenched his teeth. I could already tell that he still wanted to lash out at me. But it was a good thing that Alpha Denzil chimed in.

"Halt now. I will approve your suggestion, Nigelle. If Reginald seems unworthy of his Beta training, then Novalie shall take it over whether you like it or not." Alpha Denzil glanced at me. "Novalie, you must take your leave. We shall see you at your ceremony this weekend."

I bowed my head. "Yes, Alpha."

I left and saw Reginald who was pacing back and forth. Our eyes met before he decided to yank my arm with so much force.

"How did it go, woman?" he asked harshly.

I shrugged. "Ask Father." I jerked his hand from me but it tightened his hold.

"Say it to me!" he demanded and dug his nails into my porcelain skin.

I didn't show any ounce of pain. Instead, I raised my leg to hit his precious thing but I gasped when he blocked it using his hand and immediately used his leg to make me fall to the ground.

With that, Reginald took that as a chance to choke me with all his might as I struggled under his hold.

"Bas... tard..." I said with difficulty in breathing.

He smirked. "You think the same trick will make you put me down, Novalie. How petty," he said arrogantly.

But I only scoffed. "Of course. Did you think that... I am not expecting this?" I coughed.

"What?" he parroted, bewildered.

I smiled meaningfully at Reginald as soon as I heard the opening of the door coming from Alpha Denzil's study room.

"What on earth are you doing to my daughter, Reginald?!"