Chapter 99 - Unspoken Thoughts
Chapter 99 – Unspoken Thoughts
When I woke up again, it was already nighttime. I didn't know I was that exhausted to sleep throughout the day. But somehow, the sleep helped. I raised my brows when my eyes landed on the figure sitting near the bed.
Hugo was sitting with a parliament in his hand, reading it close to the lamp as there were barely lights inside the room. A subtle smile resurfaced on my face, seeing him still in his uniform. They said a man was even more charming when they were focused, and I couldn't disagree with that.
He looked like a proper nobleman with that serious expression plastered on his face. He just had to refrain from opening his mouth and he would deceive anyone that he was normal. I giggled at the thought, and that made him snap his eyes.
"Rinrin," he called in relief as soon as our eyes met. Hugo immediately set aside the document as he shifted his seat, perching on the edge of the mattress. He looked at me worriedly.
"Are you alright? Do you need anything?" he asked, bombarding me with questions in that worried tone.
I chuckled weakly, slipping my arms out of the sheet to him. "Hugh," I said with a smile, gesturing him to come to me, which he did. He bent over, making me wrap my arms around his neck.
There was just something that swelled in my chest upon laying my eyes on him. It was… relief. I was relieved to see him the moment I opened my eyes again. I could feel his hot breaths tickling my neck, but that only made me feel even more relieved since I was certain it was Hugo.
"Rinrin." he carefully drew his head back while I loosened my grip. "How are you feeling?"
"Relieved."
"No, I mean, you were burning earlier. It was my fault that you had a fever." He frowned as he explained how the day turned out. "I'm sorry, Rinrin. Even though I said I will be careful and gentle, I was still clumsy and…"
I cupped his cheek as he continued to apologize and blame himself. "Hugh, it's not your fault. I allowed you to touch me despite all the warnings, so if there's someone to blame, that is me."
"Rinrin." I shook my head before he could argue with me.
"I feel better now after a long rest," I reassured, staring into his pair of bitter eyes with resolved. "Thank you for being worried about me. I feel like each day with you, I get to see a new side of you and a side of me I didn't know existed."
Hugo brushed my cheek with his thumb, eyes gentle and warm. "Me too, Rinrin. I discover new things every day with you. Rest well tonight and recover quickly. We will leave for Belcoot once you recuperated."
"You sound like I am in danger," I humored, as I only had a fever — it wasn't that serious. But I felt moved that he was already this worried about something I considered not serious.
"I will be alright tomorrow. Will you leave tonight?"
"No. How can I leave you?" I smiled at his response, pulling him down into my embrace. "But this is dangerous. The royal physician told me to refrain from touching you for the meantime."
"I'm just hugging you, though." I frowned as I drew my head back to look at him cluelessly. "How was it dangerous?"
Hugo sighed as he leaned closer to my ear. "I'm hard. I'm barely holding myself back, Rinrin."
I froze while gazing at him, watching him draw his head back, only to see his dejected expression. Werewolves' libido was ten times higher than humans, and they had a lot of stamina. I already proved this earlier today since Hugo wouldn't stop there if he wasn't thinking of me.
"Hmm… then, should we hold hands?" I suggested, knowing my limits. I couldn't match his energy if he was more aroused.
"Sure."
Hugo laid beside me, lying on his side just like me. We were facing each other, hands intertwined between us.
"Will you not change your clothes?" I asked in a soft voice, glancing at his tight uniform.
"Later," he answered lazily while tucking my hair behind my ear. "Once you are asleep, so you don't miss me too much."
I smiled at his playful remarks. "Alright then." I breathed out deeply, staring into his golden eyes.
"By the way, Rinnie, can I ask you something?" he spoke after a minute of silence while I listened. "Uh… never mind."
I frowned as he just changed his mind midway. "Now I understand why you are close to the crown prince."
"Daniel?"
"Mhm." I nodded slightly. "When we talked briefly on the training grounds, he was also asking about something but then changed his mind midway."
"Ask you something?" Hugo quirked a brow. While staring at his baffled front, a question hovered over my head. I had noticed this before but didn't point it out. But since this was Hugo, I knew he wouldn't mind me raising a question.
"Hugh, why does everyone favor the crown prince?" I asked out of plain curiosity. "Your sisters like him and I knew Hugo likes him too."
Hugo looked at me with a strange look. "Because Dan is reliable, responsible, and smart. When he was born, the moon goddess already blessed him. Daniel is born to be a wise ruler. As a brother, he is also someone I can trust and rely on. He is the one that keeps us all together."
"That is strange," I muttered. "How is it the crown prince keeps you together and not the emperor?"
"Rinrin, whether or not we like it, we're part of the royal family. We are not an exception to getting caught up in the power strife. But because Dan is strong, he made sure those greedy people who wanted more power and control will never whisper their ambition in our ears," he explained with a shrug. "Not that we wanted his position and the responsibility he had to fulfill, but we had more freedom because Dan shouldered all the burden with Father."
I nodded in understanding. "I see…" studying Hugo's eyes. He truly seemed to respect Daniel.
"Why did you ask?" he inquired this time, and I just shrugged.
"I was curious." I bit my tongue from adding something like, I was baffled at his sisters' chosen words sometimes. I liked Hugo's sisters, but I couldn't help but sometimes think they were a bit insensitive. Especially when they would match me with Daniel when I was with Hugo. I only assumed it was because their family was honest people.
But the more I thought about it, the more I couldn't shrug off this feeling. It felt like… it was more like a habit. I was not saying I was the best, but it felt like Hugo and his siblings just wanted the best for Daniel on instinct.
Everything about werewolves revolved around their instincts. And that somehow gave me this unsettling feeling.
"Sleep now," he said, and I hummed. "I'll still be with you once you wake up."
My smile remained.. "Alright."