Execute the Bet

*Chapter 94*

"That's it. The budget for the sword competition this year is already settled. The meeting is adjourned," His Majesty stated.

We all stood up from his words. I reread the budget statement for this year before I decided to stand up to leave.

"Macedonia, gather me the list of all the merchants that had been coming here to our kingdom for the last quarter."

"I will work on it, Azarius."

I heard Alpha King Azarius and Countess Stallone's conversation before I left the conference hall. But before I could walk away, I was being called by Countess Stallone.

"Yes?" I asked. I was not certain if my voice was timid or not.

"Azarius is summoning you. He needs to speak with you," she said before she bowed her head and walked in the other direction.

Sighing, I checked my pocket watch and saw that I still had time before I returned to the pack. I quietly returned to the conference hall and locked the door.

"You have summoned me, Your Majesty?" I said when I saw him reading some documents. \

"Have you known about what Dowager Marquis Argerich did to Atticus?" he asked, not looking at me. "Last week," he indicated, glancing at me with an arching eyebrow.

"Please forgive his hasty action. On behalf of him, I would like to apologize, Your Majesty," I said politely.

"And you do know what you did to my brother, correct?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I am fully aware," I answered in a polite yet formal manner. I looked down to the floor before I spoke again. "Do I have to receive punishment for rejecting His Highness?" I asked as my tone turned frigid and stern.

Just the thought of Prince Atticus... It was already making my blood boil for some reason. I could still feel the pain of the rejection I did to him. Even my wolf did not want to talk to me anymore because of the action I did to protect myself from him.

One thing that bewildered me was how did he become my mate? Why didn't I get to know that before? Also, I have met Prince Atticus the first time around back in Argenta yet why couldn't I smell his scent?

Was my intuition right? Was he wearing incantation jewelry to hide his scent from me?

Which reminds me... Well played, Prince Atticus. He got to pretend that he got away and dressed up in his knight uniform before. Now, I know the reason why no matter if I changed Frederick's perfume at that time, Prince Atticus would also wear the same.

Damn it... How could I be so blind by this realization?

"It is a disgrace that you rejected him on the day of his birthday," he said in a frigid tone. "We have delegations that came from Estasia Eglaria Kingdom, Waevalon Kingdom, and the Yuanzhong Kingdom, Marchioness Argerich. I was the one who faced the humiliation you had done."

I clenched my hands. He wanted to pin all the blame on me. "If your brother did not make me a fool which is the same goes for you and your other brothers, I wouldn't have to resort to rejecting Prince Atticus, Your Majesty. If you wish to punish me, then do it so. If you want to banish me from the Sowinski Kingdom, I can accept that," I said, not wavering at his intimidating aura right now even though I wanted to curl up like a kitten because of how frightening His Majesty was right now.

"Or I shall kill you instead?" He smiled arrogantly.

I remained a stoic expression. "If you say so then, Your Majesty." I wanted to tell him that he would regret it if he would touch me because he did not know who I really was. He might have to change his mind about deciding that.

We stared against each other, fighting glances. But I was the one who lowered my gaze because I couldn't handle how I was so intimidated by him. He had the Alpha aura so I could easily back down right now.

"Good. You know who you are frightened of." I could hear the arrogance in his tone. "Raise your head," he commanded. I did what he told me. Alpha King Azarius clasped his hands and placed his elbows on the table, looking at me with a smug smile. "I won in the bet. You managed to get along with him. Right?" he asked.

I wanted to bark at him but I couldn't. Even though my wolf was not showing any signs that she wanted to speak with me, I could tell how she and I were trembling in fear just by seeing Alpha King Azarius.

"You wanted to make me become one of his retainers despite the fact that I rejected him?"

He nodded. "Indeed. You shall become his personal secretary just as we agreed, Marchioness Argerich."

As cunning as ever, Your Majesty... I wanted to say that but I did not want to increase his ego. It was a shame that we used to have an established relationship but right now, with what happened, I don't think I ever wanted to get along with them anymore. I only wanted to remain professional as much as possible.

"What if Prince Atticus would hurt me? How can you assure me that he is not going to do anything with me? I am certain he wants to make me suffer under his hands because I rejected him, Your Majesty."

"I don't think he would do that." He smiled meaningfully. "I hope you can still handle another position... being a business owner, the matriarch of your household, Beta of your pack, one of the members of the royal cabinet, and lastly, the personal secretary of Atticus." His expression changed into an amused one.

"And being one of the swords of the royal lycan family, I want to add," I said with a cocky tone.

He cackled. "Indeed. I almost forgot the role of the House of Argerich."

I did not react when he said that. It was obvious that he was trying to provoke me because he thought that I was insulting him.

He heaved out a sigh. "Well, you may begin working with him tomorrow. I am looking forward to the reconciliation." He smiled widely. "Anyhow, Atticus' work is going on an expedition. So, I am hoping you will get along with him." His forest green eyes looked astonished that he managed to trap me. "This shall be your schedule from now on," he said and slid the clipboard in my direction.

I squinted my eyes at him, getting annoyed at this setup. I ever read my supposed new schedule. I had no choice since I agreed to this bet. "Alright, Your Majesty," I said before I curtsied. "I shall take my leave."

I decided to leave now and did not want to stay here anymore. I felt like the more I stayed here, the more His Majesty would provoke me.

"Good luck!" He waved his hand before his face brightened up upon seeing Countess Stallone entering the conference hall holding some new documents. "Macedonia! I have an interesting story to tell!" he said excitedly.

"Alright, alright. Calm down."

I frowned because his attitude changed. He looked childish whenever His Majesty would get to be alone with Countess Stallone.

I was sauntering the hallway when I came to read my schedule. I creased my forehead because all of my schedules from being a Beta and being a business owner were also here.

"He really prepared for this day, huh..." I sighed, feeling annoyed.

Now that I realized it, I had already lost the bet from the very start. I was being played by them and I fell for it.

I couldn't believe that I fell for this scheme. This was so absurd.

I glanced up when I saw a familiar body built not so far away from my standpoint. My stomach somersaulted when I came to see the darkened expression of... Prince Atticus.

I shivered when he continued walking in my direction. His gaze never left mine.

It has been a week since I last saw him. The last time I saw him was at his birthday banquet where we both created a ruckus to the point I rejected him because of what I found out.

I met his gaze when he halted in front of me, having a cold glare. "You have the nerve to even show yourself here at the palace." His tone smeared with hatred.

I smiled bitterly. "I am still part of the royal parliament, Your Highness. Of course, I have the nerve to show myself here. I am the matriarch of the House of Argerich after all," I retorted.

Prince Atticus smirked. Somehow, with that scoff, he reminded me back to those days when I used to see his playful side as Frederick. I castigated myself when he eyed me up and down and saw the clipboard I was holding. "Ah, yes... Of course. You will be my personal secretary starting tomorrow." He stepped forward and leaned to my ear. "I am looking forward to bestowing you with a hellish work, Lady Novalie."

My breath thickened at his dark promise while I got to smell his perfume. I creased my forehead. "Do you hate me, right?" He glanced at my eyes. "Why are you still wearing that perfume I bestowed you?"

You smelled so alluring as well. I wanted to say that but I secretly pinched myself on how absurd I thought that despite that I rejected him already.

Prince Atticus did not answer. I rolled my eyes and decided to distance myself from him. I also needed to leave.

"Do you still remember what I said back then if you reject me, Novalie?" he asked after I passed by him.

I sighed. "I don't remember. Humor me," I said, not looking back at him. But I was feeling my surroundings.

I was only bluffing that I don't remember what he said. I knew that he threatened me so many times about rejecting our mate bond. I became alert because I had a feeling that things would end up in a disaster.

I heard his chuckle. It was dark and making the hairs on my back stand up. "Ah... You never change, Novalie." I clenched my hands when he placed his hands over my shoulders and sniffed me. "You said before that I can execute everything if I am a lycan. Well," he paused. I inhaled sharply when his lips were on the crook of my neck. "I am a lycan, Novalie. Does this mean you are allowing me to overpower you now?"

At that moment, I ducked and swung my hand in his direction. He managed to block it with his hand but I did not halt there and kicked him using my knee. But he did not release his hold on me even though it pained him which annoyed me.

"Release me this instant," I warned him as I ready myself to fish out the dagger.

He smirked. "Remember this, Novalie. You shall pay heed to what I said before. I would take it seriously if I were you," he stated before he released my hand.

I wiped my hand off my skirt, acting as if I was grossed at him holding my hand. I even scoffed after that. "It is not as if I can easily be defeated," I retorted.

"Oh?" He tilted his head, looking at me, half-amused. "Do remember that we haven't done dueling before so you have not tested my skills, Novalie."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "I watched you and how you trained so I know what you are capable of. Don't be so comical. It doesn't suit you anymore." I turned my back and walked away.

"I have prepared my villa house. I will lock you there soon, *my goddess*!"

I shuddered when he shouted those words through the hallway. I did not even dare to look back because I couldn't handle how it shook my whole being right now.

"Damn it..." I mumbled under my breath.

I knew I shouldn't be frightened but why were my knees wobbling for some reason?