Eero's Perspective
Perseus and I were walking in silence down the hall. I could see his eyes rounding up in amusement and I patiently waited for him to ask me things about the realm, and yet it didn't happen which led me to confirm that he was sulking because of my decision earlier.
"Do you want to sleep in my room? You're not yet familiar here, and though you're one hundred percent safe in your room. I'd prefer it if you'll sleep with me during our first night here," I suggested and it was taking him long to answer.
"But you said that my room will be next to yours."
"That would be correct."
"And will have deltas guarding our doors for added safety," Perseus added I nodded my head too.
"Yes."
"Then I'll be fine in my new room, Mama. You said that because Grandpa Codrus died, we'll now live here in the realm, which means that I need to get used to my new room."
"B-But..."
"Goodnight, Mama," Perseus said, and I couldn't help but smile amusedly as he dismissed me just like that. My pup still hugged me, but it was fleeting. Her skin barely touched me before he fled to his new room.
"You're indeed your father's son, Perseus. Your patience runs out when you can't get what you want," I whispered to myself.
I stopped in front of my room and opened the door by myself. I turned to the lady-in-waiting who moved so close to me like she was my shadow.
"Yes, your grace?" She asked upon noticing how I looked at her.
"I'll be fine. I can ready myself for bed. You can just come here early tomorrow to help me prepare for the Alpha King's burial," I said. She had already taken a step back and was about to leave, but a simple noise from me instantly stopped her.
"Yes, your grace?"
"Could you tell Claudius that I want to have a word with him?"
"Right now, your grace?" She asked, eyeing my room. She swallowed.
"Yes, Edina, right now."
"Okay, I'll let Claudius know to be careful on his way here. Meeting another man in your room, at night could stir up rumors that will hurt your reputation, your grace."
"Miguel is already working on our annulment," I shared with Edina. Her eyes widened. Edina is a loyal subject to me and I could share this much with her without a fear that she'd tell another soul about this.
"And I'm going to marry Claudius afterward. That's the reason why I want you to bring Perseus's father here. I'm going to propose to him." Edina's eyes widened.
"Stop faking it. I know that you know," I said to her with joy in my voice.
"I'm not faking it, your grace. I know that Claudius is indeed Perseus' father, and I expected that you two will eventually marry each other, but I didn't expect that you'd be the one to propose to him." Edina hugged me and she quickly pulled away from me afterwards.
"I'll quickly bring him to you," she said like she was a fan of our pair.
I closed the door as Edina vanished from my eyes.
After an hour of waiting still, there was no Claudius. Thinking that Edina might be having a hard time searching for him, or maybe Claudius didn't want to see me tonight. I decided to take a bath to relax.
I was wrapping the ribbon of my silky robe around my body as I was coming out of the bathroom when the wind brought me a familiar scent. My eyes quickly moved to the sofa placed on the arc door of my terrace.
"Moon Goddess, you nearly gave me a heart attack, Claudius! What the fuck are you doing—"
"Here?" Claudius cut me off, "You requested for my presence, your grace."
"There, right on that spot. You spooked me!"
"Would you have preferred it if I waited in front of your door?"
"Stop being sarcastic, Claudius," I said rolling my eyes. The smirk on his lips curved even more.
"Vanilla rose-scented body wash hmm. Are you trying to seduce me, your grace?"
My cheeks burned in embarrassment at his question. I didn't mean to look like this!
"N-No. I-I thought you're not coming anymore so I freshen up."
"You freshen up because you're going to bed and not because of me."
"Why would I freshen up for you?" I asked, but his lusty eyes gave me that answer.
"So, what do you want, Eero."
"You," I said without even batting an eye.
"To warm up your night? Okay," he answered. Claudius was about to strip his shirt, but what I said next stopped him.
"In that kind of way, and in another way." His finger let go of the hem of his shirt.
"What's the other way?"
"Miguel had already filed annulment for our marriage. I already talk to Luna Queen and she'll be permitting us to marry. I need you as my husband, Claudius. I need you to help me, to protect me, me, and our pup."
Claudius remained silent. My heart beat louder and I had to fight the urge not to break down as I could see his hesitation.
"He doesn't want to take part in any of this," I whispered to myself.
"Do you think that if you're married to me they'd give you the pack and the throne?"
"I..." I stuttered.
"Being married to me won't make any difference, Eero. Sure, I can fight for you, but it'll ultimately lead to your death, my death, and our pups."
"What do you suggest that I do? Made peace with Octavio? Allow him to install Vance as the Alpha of the pack–"
"Abdicate your right to me, Eero. Give way to me. Make me the heir. Marry me, let's build our family, and once we're secure enough..." Claudius topped me off. He stopped speaking as he noticed the way I looked at him.
"Eero," he called, almost sounding like begging me not to say what was going on in my mind.
"I thought you come back here to help me, and now this? You want me to become your breeder, again?"