The Werewolf King's Bride

(From Blue's Perspective)

After the disaster on our anniversary night, we were careful about drinking. I almost did not drink anymore and Dem also did not drink strong wine too much.

Luc left again to look for more dark mages. There were some mages assigned to protect Ruby and the magic tower now after the theft. The thief got caught at the banquet. He turned out to be the son of a fallen noble. He stole some rare herbs to make medicine for his sick old mother. I could not blame him because I would take any risk for my loved ones too.

Just as I could sympathize with him, I could not say he was not guilty either.

Luc was enraged because it took him years to find those herbs. He was quite unforgiving. Luc got angry at Dem sometimes, but that anger and the anger he showed towards the thief were very different. I had heard that the master of the magic tower was unforgiving and did not sympathize with someone if that person did something to enrage Luc.

After seeing him like that, I could understand why people said so.

Though it was the decision of the court to decide upon the thief's punishment, it was mainly in our hands. Luc could affect the justice system too. It was not supposed to be in the Imperial family's hands, yet if the Imperial family was powerful enough, they managed to have the justice system completely in their hands, just like we did.

It was all thanks to Dem being one of the most powerful kings ever.

Luc wanted to cut that man's hands off, but Ruby somehow managed to convince him to give a lighter punishment. In the end, the man was locked up in a cell for two months. I paid for that man's mother's treatment because I felt bad.

Our lives were going as usual despite all of that. The duke and Iris's relationship improved slightly as he started to talk more according to Iris. She said he now spent some time with her as well. Although the kids were always present and it seemed he paid more attention to the kids, she was still happy. At least, that was what she said. Her situation made me feel bad for her.

I knew that their relationship would never be normal. But still, in the back of my heart, I wished they could be happy together too.

Abel visited me once a week, sometimes twice. I did not have time to only chat with him all the time, so I took him to my office where he would drink hot chocolate and talk to me. I would reply to him while doing my work.

I did not know why he liked to spend time with me. I was at least seven years older than him after all. Now that I thought about it- the gap between Dem's and my age was similar to my and Abel's age gap.

Athena also sent me letters, but she could meet me as much as Abel did. First of all, she was too considerate and always thought it would disturb me if she visited me. Abel told me not to tell her about him visiting me. It seemed the duke and Iris did not tell her either.

Ava visited me a few times and also apologized for being rude the other day. I told her to apologize to Abel because she was rude to him, not me. She said she would do it someday. I did not know if she did yet; probably she did not. She always sent me letters beforehand asking if Abel was coming over. If I said no, then she would come to meet me.

I still had not found out about that mysterious man. I had some new suspicions, but I debated with myself about them and did not trust my own guts.

'I mean, just because I feel like that Dem might be somehow related to the murder of the King of Lacuna doesn't mean it's the truth. How can he be related to that? And why would he do that? It's not like he can't. I know how cruel my husband can be, but what's the reason?

It's not like he will kill him just because that guy tried to do something bad to me; well, in the end, he could not do anything after all.'

I did not believe myself at all and kept on investigating. I also assigned some dark mages to look for my father. They found some clues, but they did not help much. He did not try to communicate with me again. Sometimes, he talked to me through my dreams, but not when I was awake.

I followed Dem's advice and ignored whatever he said. Even if Dem did not tell me to, I would still not believe him.

My work was getting more and more laborious each day. It was very tiring. The amount of work I started doing at first was nothing compared to what I had to do now.

Mother's dead body was not found either. Dem firmly believed that she was alive. It seemed to be the case to me too. Dem also stopped calling her 'Mother' and called her the previous queen instead. It was sad, but I could understand him.

Just like that, time passed by. Our marital life improved and we got closer with each passing day. Luc could not find a dark mage who could activate my power completely. I told Luc to give up now and stay in the magic tower. Rather, Dem and I put the decision to have a child on hold.

After eight months after our first wedding anniversary, we had to separate for the first time in a long while.

"Monsters have increased and I have to check the borders," Dem said. "Ugh, I really hate to be the King."

"It's our job. Can I come wi…"

"No," he said firmly even before I could finish my question. "I told you, it will always be a no if you ask something like this."

"You are always like this…"

"That's irrefutable," he shrugged.

"How long will you have to leave for?"

"It will take more than one month. A lot more than one month actually," he said, calculating something in his head. "I think it will be at least two months."

"Two months?" I gasped. "That long?"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"… It's impossible to do something about it, like shorten the time or not go there at all. But I will try to finish the work as soon as possible and then return."

"No, no, take your time. I don't want you to get hurt while fighting the monsters because you were impatient," I said, quickly, holding his hands with both of my hands. "I will be fine. Let's meet again after two months. We can send letters to each other. Two months will go by in no time."

"Haa, it's really hard. I will miss you so much."

"Me too," I said, hugging him. "But what can we do? We have to endure this much. Anyway, what about the preparation? When do you have to leave?"

"We have to leave a week later. The resources are enough too."

"Really? Just make sure that you don't have to work with tight constraints," I said. "Should I check the list again to make sure?"

"Everything is fine."

"The weapons, food supply, knights…"

"Darling, I have checked everything. You don't have to worry too much."

"Is that so…? A week… We only have a week in hand. Let's go somewhere before you leave," I said. "Luc will be going with you?"

"No," he shook his head. "He is not needed. If he is, I can always call him."

"That's right. He has worked very hard going here and there," I said. "I think we should let him rest now."

"I won't lie- he actually has worked hard," Dem said. It probably was one of the few times when he said something empathizing with Luc. "It won't be bad to give him a break. At least, he should be in good health if we want to use him next. It's not like I am worried."

"Yeah, yeah," I chuckled.

"You don't trust me?" he asked, frowning.

"I do…"

"Not so sincere, is it?"

"I am being sincere! Anyway, where should we go? To the nearby mountain? Wanna go hiking?"

"Hiking? You will get tired."

"I am not that weak," I defended myself. "I am practicing swordsmanship every day. Let's try reaching the summit as it's not too tall."

"It's not too tall, but not short either. But if you want to, we can go there tomorrow," he said.

Although I smiled and said it was okay, I was actually very sad that he would leave for two months. I could not bring myself to express it too much in front of him as it might make him feel bad.

Perhaps it was time for me to cry in the bathroom alone.