Chapter 66 - Waiting For The Prey To Enter The Forbidden
Chapter 66 – Waiting For The Prey To Enter The Forbidden
When Sally, Priscilla, and Teresa returned, Alice and Cora also change. Our conversation about Hugo didn't last long since the three princesses arrived minutes after. But Alice and Cora voiced out their opinion and relief that Hugo was treating me kindly. As usual, the two big sisters reminded me that if Hugo didn't act like a gentleman, the two of them would punish him.
It was heart-warming to have people like them who genuinely wished for my happiness. I couldn't deny that they reminded me of some of Hugo's personality; especially whenever they speak atrocities with a bright smile.
Once Cora and Alice returned wearing almost the same clothes as I do that only differed in where the knots were tied, we continued our stroll. Although Alice and Cora, our sponsors for today's shopping, had bought me too many different types of clothes and accessories, I couldn't refuse their kindness.
One thing I figured out in Ronmin Empire was, the princesses could walk around the capital on their own. Many people greeted them kindly, and they greeted them back politely. I asked them about it, and it didn't surprise me when they answered the emperor gave his children the freedom they deserved.
It would almost sound like a lie if I didn't get to see this myself. After all, I was also a princess, but was kept inside the castle for almost my entire life. But I only thought of that in passing. Those kinds of thoughts were easily swept away as we tried some food on the streets.
I had fun and soon forgot the chill every time the wind caress my bare back and the clothes I was wearing. It was as if time went by with no one noticing until it was near sunset and it was time to return. The princesses wanted to travel by running back home, but because they were with a human, we rented out a carriage.
"There's no better way to end today's day off with a bath in the hot spring!"
Suddenly, Alice clapped and garnered our attention. We all rode in the same carriage, although we were told that we should use two. The reason was, they all wanted to ride back with me because they would be busy from tomorrow onwards for the upcoming mating season.
"A hot spring?" I cocked my head to the side, blinking innocently. "What is that?"
"You don't know hot springs?" Sally raised her brows, and I shook my head as an answer. So, she explained it to me until I understood what it was.
"We had that at the back of the palace where princesses and princes take a bath."
"You take a bath together?" I asked in shock, but Cora burst out in laughter.
"Of course not! There's a separate area or else, all our brothers were already gone." Cora grinned. "It's the best to soak in a hot spring after an exhausting day. It's been a while since the last time I did something so relaxing."
As they all talked about the hot springs with anticipation, I couldn't help but look forward to it as well. Who wouldn't? It sounded like so much fun. I smiled sweetly as I listened to them, talking about bringing some snacks and wine we could enjoy while bathing.
******
Meanwhile, Hugo stood in front of the window inside the crown prince's office. He had spent a day tending to the state of affairs, attending council meetings regarding the matters in Everfell and the Hendrik Empire, arguing with some elders and the emperor, and reviewing the matters in Belcoot.
It was an exhausting day for him since Ivo and the rest of his pack went into hiding after an all-night of running. Hence, he had no choice but to deal with the mountain of paperwork he left behind.
"You always go in here whenever you run away from your work." Daniel, who was sitting behind the desk, leaned back and glanced at his brother. "That's what happens when you just go unannounced. You should thank Cora for filling up your seat during your absence."
"If only I knew I will have to deal with all these before I ripped that bastard's jaw, I would've spared him."
Daniel chuckled as Hugo's blank expression never ceased to impress him. "But that will become a problem if you turned a blind eye to his misconduct. Also, it will cause disputes on who will rule over Belcoot if the emperor subdued him himself."
"Damn it," came out a curse as Hugo frowned. "Where did they take her all day?"
"Are you listening to me?"
"Nope."
Instead of getting angry, Daniel chuckled, as that was just like Hugo. His little brother would say something and then move on faster than a blink of an eye. But what was even funnier was that Daniel was barely used to it.
"Don't worry about your chosen mate. I'm sure your sisters will take good care of her." Daniel planted his palm on the armrest, pushing himself up. "Why don't we take a walk? I also need to meet the chief knight regarding something. It's best if you're there,"
Hugo let out a shallow breath. "I want to refuse, but it's not like I have anything else to do."
"That's right." A bright grin until his eyes squinted appeared on Daniel's face, holding his hand behind him as he marched outside the office. Hugo dragged his feet, holding his hand behind his head.
As Hugo followed Daniel, walking through the hallway of the second floor, his eyes lingered on his big brother's back. "Hey, Dan. You haven't told me what you think about the Hendrik Empire."
"Well, what I think about the Hendrik Empire had always been the same. Right now, werewolves and vampires are staying away from each other's path. But we really can't tell the future. It's just a matter of who would make the first move…" Daniel trailed off as he stopped in his tracks, turning around to face Hugo. "… and I never intended to make the first move, nor I planned to let them catch us off guard if they finally waged a war with us."
"We will linger in the dark, waiting for the prey to enter the forbidden, and there… we will swallow them whole," he added with the same smile. "There's nothing more satisfying than a feast after a long hunt with no kill."
Hugo studied the smile plastered on the crown prince's face and clicked his tongue. "No wonder you're the crown prince."
"Well, I'll take that as a compli… ment." Daniel trailed off when he heard his sister's loud voices from the ground floor. He arched a brow when Hugo hastily rushed towards the railings to take a peek. So, at a leisurely pace, Daniel marched beside his brother to see his sisters downstairs.
"Hey, Dan," Hugo called in a dead tone, catching Daniel's attention even before the latter could see his sisters. "I think I will start an uprising."
"What?" Daniel furrowed his brows while studying his brother's blank expression.
Hugo's eyes glinted as his pair of crimson orbs fixed on Rinnie's bareback.. "I will kill every single person who saw her wearing that."