The Werewolf King's Bride

(From Blue's Perspective)
Your journey continues with empire

"Blue might be one of the few people who actually respects me for my ability," Luc said and turned to Dem who was reading a book, sitting by me. "Can't you learn a bit from my sister?"

"Maybe you should learn not to boast too much," Dem said.

"That's it. Don't fight anymore. Stop it, Luc," Ruby said. "Just eat some cookies. They are your favorite."

It was funny how quickly Luc's attention was directed towards the red velvet cookies. He started eating them as if they were the best thing in the world. He was just a little kid. No wonder Ruby said she was going to have kids quite late since she needed her husband to grow up first, or she would have to raise not just one but two kids at once.

Calix was massaging my shoulders when I mentioned they were sore just once. And Perita was sleeping with her head on my lap.

Dem said I was like their mother.

"Athena asked me where we were going," Ruby said.

"What did you say?" I asked, running my fingers through Perita's golden hair. Her hair had gotten longer, but she had cut it down to her previous shape a few days ago.

"I said it is His Highness's place and far away. She did not ask much about it later on," she said.

"Our Athena is quite mature for her age. She knows when to stop talking," I said. "But, I actually wish she would act more her age, than mature. That would relieve me, you know, thinking she was not forced to act more mature than her age."

"She doesn't need to be forced. It has become more of a habit judging the kind of environment she had been in previously."

"Yeah… It was hard for her. And Abel too… though not tortured like her, he was deprived from basic needs. The needs of a child that was supposed to be fulfilled naturally, he had to beg for those, and even then, most of the times, he did not get them. Living on the streets with no food, clean clothes, shelter… I cannot imagine," I said.

"Yes, that poor boy… He used to stay so quiet and suspected everything," she said. "He never talked to me much. I believe he is not comfortable."

"He is just shy maybe," Luc said.

"Not shy. He is just introverted," I corrected.

"They are the same thing though," Calix added.

"They are not. They are completely different. Shy people may want to be with others and don't hate it, but are too afraid to do it, whereas, introvert people finds serenity in being alone. They are not afraid to talk to others, they just don't like it," I explained. "This is the case with Abel. He doesn't like to be others, but is not shy."

"Despite being introverted, he is quite close to Your Highness," Ruby said.

"It took a little time to open up, but he is now close to me," I said.

"Well, you understand kids more than anyone else, after all," Dem said. He was quiet for quite a while as he was absorbed in the book he was reading.

"No wonder Abel got close to none other than Your Highness," Ruby said.

"I try to understand them… I don't know, I kinda feel some kind of connection with kids," I said. "You can sit down now, Calix. I feel a lot better."

"Are you certain, Your Highness?" Calix asked, just to be sure.

"Of course. I feel better now. Sit down," I assured him.

Calix took a seat in the empty single couch.

"Your Highness will be a great mother," Ruby said. "You are patient and kind with kids. You will do well."

"I am not so sure… I will try my best, of course and Dem is with me," I said. "I just have never dealt with newborns before. That kind of…"

"You will do well," Luc said. "I am sure of it. You know, I don't talk nonsense."

"Of course," I chuckled. "I hope I will do well as a mother. And… you know, I wish Azure…"

"Don't mention his name!" Dem exclaimed angrily, slamming the book shut. "That son of a bitch…!"

"Sorry to disclose this, but he doesn't have a mother or a father," Luc said, munching on cookies.

Dem glared at him. "Dear, calm down," I said, touching his arm gently.

"I noticed something. You two rarely call each other by name, right? Blue sometimes says, but Demetrius almost never does. You two always use pet names," Luc said.

"That's… true?" I mumbled. It became natural and a regular thing for us.

"In bed, you do," Dem whispered to me.

"What the…? Shut up!" I slapped him on the arm as he started laughing.

"I do not want to hear that," Luc said.

"Your Highness, that should be personal," Calix could not help object as well.

Ruby was so used to it since she used to hear more things like this when she was my personal maid that she made no expression.

"Ugh, it's too boring just sitting down!" Luc stated, standing up.

"That's because you are done with your cookies," Dem said.

"Someone can tell me a horror story?" he asked, ignoring Dem's remark.

"You don't believe in ghosts though?" Dem said.

"Luc started reading ghost stories a few days ago because I wanted to read romance novels and forced him to come with me, he chose the horror ones instead and kind of became a fan," Ruby explained.

"You are really weird, Luc? Who reads horror books?" Dem said.

"Some people like horror stuff," I said.

"It's fun to read about an entity that doesn't exist in real life," Luc said. "I mean, I don't get scared, but it's fun."

"I know nothing about ghost stories," Calix said. "Perita knew about some because she used to tell ghost stories to kids and traumatize them."

"When did she meet kids?" Ruby asked. She still did not like Perita much. She also did not hate her. She just did not like her loud nature, which I found quite funny and carefree.

"Well, that was three years ago. We rescued some kids from an orphanage that was on fire. The kids stayed in a side palace for a few days until a new orphanage was created. That time, they would beg to hear stories of the battlefield. Most knights did not want to tell them that since wars are not something a kid should hear of and it might terrorize them.

But Perita ended up traumatizing them with ghost stories. I don't think they will ever sleep alone until they grow up," he said.

"Really, this girl…," I muttered. "And as for Luc's demand, I can tell you about a few urban legends of my world, since I do not know actual ghost stories."

"Well?"

I told them about a few urban legends, including Bloody Mary, Slender Man, Hookman, Skinwalkers and a few more. Luc liked the slender man one. Dem liked none and called them nonsensical thoughts, although he listened very attentively.

Now that I looked at the table where Dem placed the book he was reading, I noticed it was a book about pregnancy. The title read 'Pregnancy For Fathers'.

Perita got up after a few minutes and I decided to go to my bedroom. Ruby and Luc would have a game of chess while Calix would work out. As for Dem, he followed me.

He had that book under his arm.

On our way, I wrapped my arms around him while walking. He was taken aback a bit.

"I thought you dislike public display of affection?" he said playfully.

"I don't. I just don't like showing excessive affection in public," I said. "A normal amount is fine."

"Then, I guess I can do a few things in public."

"You already do," I said. After a pause, I whispered, "I love you."

"I love you too," he said. "You look happy."

"Well, I have a husband who takes care of me so much and loves me so much. I should be happy, don't you think?"

"I think I am still not doing enough, though I am trying," he said. We reached our bedroom and he turned the doorknob to open the door.

"What are you talking about? That's not the case. Honey, you are doing more than enough. I could not think of a more devoted husband," I said.