Inside the pce, Queen Lucia sat regally on an ornate chaise. Two servants stood nearby, each wielding arge fan to keep the Queenfortable. It was in this opulent setting that Queen Lucia summoned Iris to her presence.


    “Your Majesty, Iris is here,” a maidservant informed the Queen, who looked toward the entrance.


    Iris entered with her gaze low and bowed to the Queen in respect.


    Lucia left her seat on the chaise and walked up to Iris. She lifted her chin and looked at her face. “So, you are the woman who has been staying close to my son,” she stated.


    Iris kept her gaze down, not daring to look into the Queen’s eyes.


    “Where were you two the previous night?” Lucia inquired as he let go of her chin and a servant stepped up to wipe the Queen’s hand from a handkerchief.


    “The rain was heavy when the Crown Prince decided that we should take shelter in the rest house,” Iris replied truthfully. She was well aware of the fact that werewolves would catch lies just by hearing the heartbeat of the person before them.


    “And you were with him!? The entire night, in the same room,” Lucia inquired. Though Iris had her eyes low, she could feel the piercing gaze of the Queen at her. Iris didn’t wish to lie, but if she spoke, she might get punished.


    “Answer me,” Lucia raised her voice at her.


    “I was,” Iris answered with a trembling voice.


    “Stay away from my son. You need to know what your value is. Adolphus is the Crown Prince, the next Alpha King of the people. Involving himself with a servant doesn’t suit him. I’ll punish you to death if I find out you get close to my son. You aren’t allowed to see him at night or I’ll punish you in the open,” Lucia proimed. Her words were clear with warning.


    “I willply with Her Majesty’s words,” Iris said.


    “Leave my sight,” Lucia told her.


    Iris bowed respectfully once again and then left the chamber quickly.


    “Is Niki’s daughter Juvia arrived in the pce?” Lucia then asked her personal attendant, Veronica.


    “Not yet, Your Majesty. She will be here by this afternoon,” Veronica informed the Queen, who hummed.


    “Adolphus needs to marry soon,” Lucia muttered, “or else, such lowly ss women would try to seduce him.” Her remark was sharp which would have definitely hurt Iris, but luckily she already left the chamber.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    ~~~~


    Adolphus couldn’t help but frown upon learning about Juvia’s visit to the pce, wondering what his mother was scheming. Unbeknownst to him, earlier that morning, Iris had also been summoned by the Queen.


    “Your Grace,” Anthony, one of his advisors, spoke up, “His Majesty the King requests your presence at his manor.”


    Adolphus, feeling a sense of unease and curiosity, nodded to acknowledge the message and prepared to meet with his father, the King, to discover the reason behind these unexpected developments.


    Adolphus entered the main hall of the manor and was taken aback by the unexpected sight. Juvia was present, apanied by her father, and his mother, Queen Lucia, appeared to be in high spirits.


    “The Crown Prince has arrived,” Lucia announced with a delighted tone, her eyes fixed on her son. Adolphus exchanged a curious nce with Juvia, trying to discern the reason behind this unusual gathering and his mother’s evident happiness.


    Adolphus greeted both the King and the Queen while Niki and his daughter stood up in his respect. Adolphus took the seat after King Xavier asked him to. Even Niki and Juvia took their respective seats.


    “Adolphus, because of the curse you can’t find your mate. Your mother and I have decided that you shall marry Niki’s daughter, Juvia. She is perfect to be the Crown Princess and the next Queen,” Xavier pronounced with a smile.


    His statement brought a smile to both Niki’s and his daughter’s lips. Juvia had always liked Adolphus and she was excited to get married to him.


    “I refuse,” Adolphus said.


    All of them were stunned to hear his response.


    King Xavier decided to handle the situation and continued, “The Crown Prince cannot refuse. None of us know when his curse be uplifted. So, he must marry the choice of the woman, which we have decided for him,” he rified to his son.


    “Father, I like a woman and I would like to marry her. Indeed, Miss Juvia is a woman with high values, but I don’t find myself suitable for her,” Adolphus calmly exined to his parents.


    “Whom do you like?” Xavier asked as his brows drew close while Lucia already knew the answer. She couldn’t believe Iris seeded in controlling her sonpletely.


    “You have to marry the woman I choose for you, Crown Prince,” Lucia affirmed, thus not letting her son speak. “I have chosen Juvia as your wife, so you need to go forward with that,” she proimed.


    “Forgive me, Mother. However, I already have someone, who I think is my mate,” Adolphus made a shocking revtion to everyone.


    Now, even Lucia was interested to know who could be that woman. Iris was a human, so there was no way she could be her son’s mate.


    “Who is it?” Juvia asked this time.


    “Iris Vinsant,” Adolphus replied. “She is the woman I’ll marry and I feel attracted to her,” he stated.


    “That ve whom you brought as a servant!” Lucia was infuriated to hear her son’s choice.


    “She’s a noble’s daughter,” Adolphus corrected her.


    “She is a human,” Xavier intervened. “How dare you develop feelings for a human? Who is Iris? What’s going behind my back?” he suddenly got angry.


    Adolphus didn’t expect that the matter would escte to this extent. He gazed at Niki and requested him to leave with his daughter. He also felt that it was necessary to leave and took his leave along with his daughter.


    “Iris cannot marry you. We won’t allow it ever,” Xavier announced his decision to Adolphus.


    “I’ll hear what my heart says,” Adolphus pronounced with a stern tone.