Eero's perspective
"Mr. Ang, it's nice to finally meet you," I said with a smile while shaking his hand. The CEO of San Miguel Corporation smiled back and gestured to the chair.
Miguel and I sat there almost at the same time.
"You're an heir to RGC. The Alpha King's heir too. The one who'll be the next Alpha of Regulus? But the Alpha King and the Luna Queen had a son too. Do you remain the Alpha King's heir? Or he'll soon change that?" Mr. Ang asked smilingly after drinking his wine. The curve on my lips disappeared, especially since I didn't know how to answer that now.
I'm an heir to the Alpha King. Except for Beta Octavio, no one dared to question that right of mine until Luna Alice gave birth to a son. One by one, shifters started to question the legitimacy of my title.
Before deciding to be business partners for this gallery, Mr. Ang is one of my longest-standing clients and I can't count how many paintings he has bought from me, besides that, he played a big role in helping me to have my gallery and become famous as an artist, a name that I had created for myself, an escape from my identity as the Alpha King's heir and adoptive daughter.
"The last time I checked. I still am, and the Alpha King seemed like he won't change his mind about this matter," I said, "but the gallery is what we come to talk about, so shall we head to that conversation?" I asked him.
Mr. Ang laughed gleefully and nodded his head. "I see. In case there will be a dispute with regards to this matter. Know that our support will be on you. I think you have what it takes to be the next Alpha."
"You’re being flattering, Mr. Ang."
I felt Miguel glance at me with a proud smile.
We moved on to the topic of the gallery like what I wanted after our food was served.
"Did I get your proposal right, your grace? You plan on opening branches of this gallery in different countries. The first place that you're aiming for was Paris, but how about we open one here in Regulus first? After a year then we can do what you want."
My smile freezes and so does my mind. Just hearing Regulus sent an unexplainable shiver in my body.
I gulped and met his piercing gaze as he waited for me to speak up.
I heard myself sigh.
"I'll consider it, Mr. Ang, but I stand my ground. I'd rather open our first branch in Paris because the opportunity there is more prosperous compared to our city," I said sounding so unsure with my voice trembling.
A faint of disappointment crossed his eyes at my retort and yet he was quick to mask it with a business smile. I started getting nervous about things that might happen after Mr. Ang suddenly left our meeting for a sudden emergency.
"Eero, just do what he wants. Let's do it. Let's open your gallery in Regulus and before you even know it we're already opening your second branch in Paris," Miguel tried to convince me on our way home.
"I could feel that there is a big chance Mr Ang will refuse the business deal if we do not agree with what he wants to happen. Mr. Ang is an asset to us, a big fish that we tried so hard to catch and now that we have him. Don't tell me you're willing to let him go like that just because you don't like the idea of coming back to Regulus?" Miguel poured a glass of water for himself as soon as we both got inside my private office
"And the Alpha King would love it if you finally come back to the realm with his grandson."
I closed my eyes and leaned my back against the swivel chair's backrest. Just when I thought everything was falling into its right places according to my plan, things like this happen and it is frustrating me big time.
"You're doing well here, but we'll have more opportunities ahead of us as long as we have our ties with Mr. William, think about this carefully. Do this for Perseus' future too. Plus, you have to be around the realm from now on, Eero. Because these shifters are starting to forget that the heir was you."
I opened my eyes and turned it to him. Miguel is now sitting on the sofa, still holding the glass that is half full of water.
I bit my lower lip and sighed for the nth time this day.
"But because... I just can't."
"Why not? Does this still have something to do with things that happened five years ago? Between you and Luna Aelice."
I gulped, not wanting to remember the past.
"No, that's not it."
"Then what? You'll be back there for business. One or two months is enough for you to stay in Regulus while you arrange everything needed for the opening of the Gallery. If you still don't want to stay in the realm after that you can just come there once a month," Miguel suggested.
"Eero, I need to go. Daddy needs me in his office," Miguel informed me.
I spent more than two hours in my office finishing a painting, so I could think properly before I finally thought of going home.
"Mommy!" Perseus welcomed me with a smile on his lips as he opened the door for me. He kissed me quickly and even though it he's already big for me to carry, I still forced myself to pick him up and continued walking towards the living room.
"Your grace, you’re here. Perseus and I finished our dinner a while ago. Shall I serve you your food?" I turned slightly to face Ophelia and then nodded in response.
"Please, and serve it with my favourite wine too," I added before walking towards the kitchen.
I looked down to see Perseus sporting a warm and energizing smile. I gently ruffled his black and soft hair then I properly leaned myself on the sofa.
I yawned and let my eyes remain closed until I heard him speak again.
"Mother, are you tired? I'll kiss you so you won't be tired anymore," he murmured and even before I could open my eyes I felt him dampen his lip with mine quickly.
"I love you, Mother," Perseus whispered that sounded so sweet and endearing in my ears it almost made my eyes teary.
I gently caressed his back. "Mother loves you the most, my pup," I said back.