Execution Day

*Chapter 87*

I woke up the next day, scurrying downstairs. I saw Father who was already in the dining hall. "Father! Has Frederick arrived?" I asked, panicking.

He was quietly sipping on his tea and looked at me, confused. "What do you mean? Your knight?" I nodded. He creased his forehead and shook his head. "No."

"But... I heard his voice..." I said in a dejected tone before my shoulders slumped.

"You must be mistaken," Father said.

I looked at Father who was just casually reading a newspaper while I felt my knees wobble, not minding that I was in my... nightgown? "Who changed my dress to my nightgown?" I asked suspiciously.

Father sighed and looked at me. "Novalie, I commanded your servant to knock on your door to summon you for supper. But I was informed that you fell asleep. I told your servant to change your dress to your nightgown," he explained nonchalantly.

"If that is so, who put the incense in my chamber? You?"

"Who else would it be? Your knight who never returned?" He arched his eyebrow. I opened my mouth to say another word but Father butted in. "He never returned, Novalie. I already said that." There was a conviction in his tone before he sighed and stood up to hold me on my shoulders. "You cannot keep on being obsessed with him, Novalie. We have matters to focus on. You are the owner of the Argerich Consulting, the Beta of the Wall Burgundy pack, and the matriarch of the House of Argerich. Can't you focus more on that?"

I was rendered speechless at Father's words. He was right... I kept thinking of Frederick these past few days as soon as the trial was over. I started looking for him.

I lowered my gaze, feeling ashamed. "I just... cannot seem to get him off my mind," I said as I heaved out a sigh.

"I understand that you are worried about him. But..."

"I understand, Father." I nodded and coerced a smile. "I have matters to think of right now. I should have been mindful that I am shouldering heavy responsibilities right now." I kept forgetting that fact, I wanted to add.

Father nodded and tapped my head. "The execution for Reginald shall happen two days later," he said when he ushered me to sit down.

"Have they decided what kind of execution the royal lycan family and the royal court wanted to execute?"

"They have. Check this." He handed me the newspaper.

I read the context and gasped. "Bathe with wolfsbane?" My jaw dropped before I looked at Father. He only nodded as an answer to the question written on my face. I reread the context again before a smile crept up to my lips. "Can I suggest that I shall torture him first before they shall allow that to happen?" I giggled.

"You really have no compassion for him?"

I arched my eyebrow. "Why would I? I'd been miserable in our marriage. You know that, Father," I said in a bitterly cold tone. "You brought me into this hell with him, right?" My lips curled up into a smirk gazing at my father whose face darkened.

"I only did what I think is best. I am certain that is what you shall do to your daughter as well."

I sneered. "No, Father. If ever I have a daughter, I shall let my daughter find her mate and marry him, not being forced into a marriage." I stood up and glanced at the servants who were waiting for my orders. "Remove the incense burner from my chamber and tell the chef to cook me my morning meal. I am in no mood to dine here."

Just as I was about to leave the dining hall, Father spoke. "This is also your mother's will. You know your role, Novalie."

I halted upon hearing his words. I even clenched my hands, and couldn't utter a word. What he said... I knew that. I never forgot my role.

"I never wish to be in this role," I said before I decided to walk away, feeling how heavy my heart ached.

On the day of Reginald's execution, I wore a red dress that would certainly catch anyone's attention. I wanted Reginald to focus his eyes on me as he received his public execution.

I arrived at the capital plaza having people's eyes on me along with my father. I went to the royal lycan family's tent. Only the Alpha King and the Alpha Princes were present here on the execution day of Reginald.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," I greeted Alpha King Azarius. "Your Royal Highness," I said to Crown Prince Alucard. "And Your Highnesses." I glanced at Alistair, Alejandro, and... Atticus, who was still wearing that freaking mask of his, curtsying before them.

His Majesty nodded. "Come sit with us and we shall be the spectator about your ex-husband's execution," he said, smiling.

Even though I still felt bitterness towards their attitude that time I was put on trial, I couldn't blame them for acting like that because treason was a royal crime that they couldn't just forsake so easily. They did not need to apologize if they were planning to do that.

They only did what they thought was right. So, it was right to be hostile.

As for Alucard, he had to put up an act so our plans wouldn't just be exposed so easily. The day he stood up to be a witness that he and I were cooperating together was also the day we never talked again.

Or perhaps, we didn't get a chance to speak again.

"Certainly, Your Majesty."

"Why don't you sit beside Atticus, Marchioness Argerich?" Alucard asked, grinning.

I creased my forehead and frowned when I glanced in Atticus' way. "There are only available seats beside His Majesty," I reasoned out, not wanting to fall from Alucard's scheme.

I knew what he was trying to do. He was trying to set me up so I could sit next to their youngest brother. I never intended to speak with that man who kept wearing his mask and even used a voice changing device.

Absurd... What he was trying to do was absurd.

"Is that even a problem?" Alejandro asked. I secretly clenched my teeth when I caught his forest green eyes sparkling with amusement. "Why don't we transfer the other seat and place it next to Atticus? That solves the problem, right?"

"I second the motion," Alistair said and clapped his hands like he found everything amusing. "Then Dowager Marquis Argerich shall sit next to Brother Azarius while you," he paused and exchanged glances between me and Atticus.

"Are you kidding me?" I said, couldn't help being annoyed at what they were doing right now.

"This is a perfect opportunity for you two to get along, don't you think?"

I stiffened when it was Alpha King Azarius who just spoke. I slowly glanced in his direction and saw him having a neutral smile. His elbow was resting on the armchair while he was stroking his chin.

"Your Majesty..." I said through gritted teeth, shaking my head.

Don't tell me... he was trying to put the bet here?

"Indeed, Marchioness Argerich." My eyes widened. He talked like he knew the question he had on my mind. "Guards, grab the chair and set it beside where Atticus is sitting," he ordered the royal guards.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the royal guards and did what His Majesty ordered.

I gripped my skirt when I saw my designated seat beside Prince Atticus. As my seat was really settled very close to his seat.

Our eyes even met while I was seeing him sitting comfortably in his seat. His leg was folded. He was also resting his ankle on his other thigh, looking at me as if he was belittling me with that gaze.

"Marchioness Argerich, go now and take your seat," His Majesty said with an amusing smile. He looked astonished as I was struggling if I would sit next to Atticus or not.

Damn it... They were playing with me and partnered me again with their bastard brother. I hated this part where they were cornering me. The worst part was Alpha King Azarius was also joining his brothers' stupidity.

"Novalie," Father called. His tone sounded worried. He knew that our Alpha King and the lycan princes were setting me up.

I coerced a smile. "It is alright, Father. I shall sit next to Prince Atticus." With no other choice, I walked in his direction while I felt the annoying gazes coming from Prince Atticus' brothers. I halted in front of him and curtsied before him. "Your Highness, if it wouldn't be an inconvenience to you, can I sit next to you?" I asked with my oh-so-sweet tone.

I tried. I really tried to sweeten my voice so I couldn't put up with the humiliation. I didn't want to give his brothers the satisfaction that I wouldn't get along with Atticus. I had enough of them playing with me. I just wanted this to be over.

Prince Atticus nodded and tapped the seat beside him. "Come then," he said huskily.

I suddenly wanted to punch him when I sensed how delighted he was seeing that I lost my control right now. I forced a smile and nodded before I urged myself to sit next to him.

As I sat next to him, I got a whiff of his perfume. I creased my forehead because I realized he changed his perfume to something identical to Frederick's perfume. I glanced at him, slightly perplexed.

I knew that wasn't the perfume he used back in Argenta. It was a different and strong scent. The new perfume he had right now though was strong yet it has a sweet scent.

It was the smell of freesia.

"Is there something wrong?" Prince Atticus asked.

I heaved out a sigh and averted my gaze away from him. "Nothing. You smelled familiar to me..." I said, suddenly missing Frederick.

"Is it because of my perfume?"

"Yes." Then I glanced at him again. "I just found something bizarre, Your Highness."

"What is it?" He tilted his head.

I squinted my eyes at him and stared at his eyes. "That scent you are wearing... I knew that it was a limited edition. That perfume is only available to only one person. How can you have that perfume right now?" I asked suspiciously.

I saw his eyes sparkling as he drew closer which suddenly made me feel suffocated with his presence. "That is a good question, Marchioness Argerich," he said in a mirthful tone.