---- Bye, Valeria! See youter! he shouted from the hallway, and I couldn''t help butugh, covering my mouth with my hand.


    Stop harassing my woman, you brat! You wont be seeing anyer! Aldric roared, making me melt with that: my woman.


    Having Dave around felt like living with an overgrown teenager.


    But he brought a bit of joy to these cold walls, and even Aldric forgave his antics.


    I didnt know what he wanted from me, butter, after settling in and airing out my small room, I saw him again.


    seb Thad been organizing my room when I found, well hidden in the closet, one of the shirts Quinn had given me to mend.


    Holding it in my hands now, I realized how naive I had been to ept something so risky.


    But I was a free womanI didnt owe exnations to anyone.


    So, I made several stitching adjustments for him.


    Thad to return it somehow.


    I didn''t want Aldric to get the wrong idea.


    Then again, that lycan king was a professional stalker...


    better to take it to Celines room.


    Knock, knock, knock.


    Someone knocked on my door, and when I opened it, I found Julietteing to greet me.


    She was carrying arge basket of cleanundry, giving me the perfect excuse to slip the shirt inside.


    Girl, [knew you''d make it big! she squealed, walking beside me down the hallway.


    Remember us poor mortals when you be Queen! Dont be ridiculous, Juliette.


    His Majesty and I...


    well, itsplicated, I replied, a bit embarrassed.


    Privacy in this damn world of beasts was impossible.


    Not even being a secret lover could stay secret.


    Complicated? Whatsplicated will be the baby bump youll have in a few months! Tell me, tell me, is His Majesty really that good in bed like they say? Juliette! Hahaha! You should see your face all red! It must be true hes a stallion! How many inches, huh? Spill the tea! ---- She was being impossible, teasing me, but around her, I always felt rxed.


    Valeria! Daves voice echoed behind us, and I turned around immediately.


    What the hell was that clumsy lycan up to now? Dont worry.


    His Majesty is in a meeting with Quinn, Beof, and Erik, he mentioned the other lycans, and I didnt know why he thought I''d be worried.


    Honestly, he should be the worried one.


    Okay...


    Ijust wanted to ask because I heard youre good at embroidery, and then I sawhey! This is the same stitching I noticed before! Quinn was so selfish he didnt tell me which maid did it! I tensed when he pulled the very shirt I had folded into Juliette''sundry basket, the one belonging to Guardian Quinn.


    Did you do this, or can you tell me which maid did? I had to fire thest oneshe was stealing from me! At least I only kicked her out.


    If it were Aldrics maid, she wouldve lost her head.


    ...


    well...


    uh...


    Shit.


    I froze for a moment, struggling for words.


    Ididnt want to admit I had done it myselfthis was already way too coincidental.


    I nced nervously at Juliette, but she was looking down, strangely silent and blushing.


    T did it, came a barely audible whisper.


    If [hadnt been standing right next to her, Iwouldnt have heard it.