Chapter 187: Chapter 187 Softening The Mad King
Phoebe’s POV
The white wolf appeared again in my vision, but this time I could get close to the magnificent creature. I reached out and touched its silky fur.
A gentle smile crossed my face as I tickled the wolf’s side. I laughed when it peacefully laid its head across my lap.
Every time this wolf visited my dreams, I felt an unexplainable ache of yearning, like meeting an old friend after years apart.
What are you?
The question echoed in my mind, but when I opened my eyes, the white wolf had disappeared, and I was back on the bed.
I blinked several times, trying to focus on my surroundings. Timothy’s cheerful laughter drifted from somewhere nearby.
Then I heard the voice that sent my pulse racing. Perry sounded far from pleased.
"Why the gloomy expression? You shouldn’t feel so crushed—your mate just got on her knees in front of everyone, begging you to show mercy. Come on, don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s actually good that people are starting to forget about the Mad King reputation. Phoebe’s really helping your image."
"Shut your mouth, or I’ll throw you out. She’s still resting."
Perry’s growl was followed by Timothy’s continued chuckling, then some scuffling sounds before the royal gamma’s voice vanished completely.
Obviously, Timothy had been physically removed from the tent by the king.
Now Perry was moving toward the makeshift bed where I lay. For some reason, I decided to keep pretending I was asleep.
The memory of what happened before I passed out came flooding back. I had pleaded for Samuel and Justin to be spared. Were they safe?
But if Timothy was in such high spirits, that meant the two warriors were still alive, didn’t it? Perry hadn’t executed them, had he?
I couldn’t be certain, but I clung to that possibility.
The bed shifted under Perry’s weight as he sat down. His rough hand brushed my cheek and smoothed back a strand of my hair.
"I know you’re awake. How long are you planning to keep up this sleeping act?"
My heart jumped when he said that. I hadn’t expected him to see through my pretense, but since I’d been caught, I had no choice but to open my eyes.
"You nearly drove me insane." Perry’s voice carried deep worry, though his touch remained tender. "And they call me the Mad King. I think you’ve succeeded in making me even crazier."
I wrinkled my brow. What did he mean by that?
"Samuel and Justin?"
Perry let out a frustrated growl at my question about the two warriors. "You wake up and the first words out of your mouth are other men’s names? You really are something else, Phoebe."
Panic flashed across my face—that wasn’t what I meant.
"Good, at least you have enough sense to realize that makes me furious." Perry gently pressed my shoulder back down onto the bed. He exhaled heavily. "I’m going to get Lynn to examine you."
Perry started to rise, but I caught his hand. He still hadn’t answered my question, and I needed to know for certain that Samuel and Justin were alive and unharmed.
The king looked at me with irritation, but he responded anyway.
"They’re still breathing."
I frowned. What kind of answer was that?
"What?" Perry’s annoyance deepened.
They could still be breathing even if they’d been beaten nearly to death. Perry’s response was frustratingly vague.
"I didn’t lay a finger on them. I didn’t order anyone to beat them within an inch of their lives either. They’re breathing just fine and currently working to clear the landslide."
Perry knew these were the details I wanted, but that didn’t stop him from being irritated with me.
Only after hearing that did I smile and release Perry’s hand.
Later, Timothy filled me in on how the people’s perception of the king had shifted. They witnessed his ’softer’ side—someone who couldn’t refuse his mate’s requests.
"As long as you’re around, the king won’t be as ruthless!"
That’s what Timothy reported the people were saying.
However, Perry clearly wasn’t enjoying this development.
He’d been in a foul mood, though of course he couldn’t take it out on his recovering mate.
He couldn’t even sink his claws into Samuel and Justin for putting me in danger.
Yet a single kiss from me was enough to calm his aggression.
——
Fiona continued her vigil, waiting for Reginald to regain consciousness. His healing process was painfully slow due to the severity of his injuries.
So Fiona had remained by his side for an entire day and night. They couldn’t risk bringing in a healer, as it might lead the royal warriors straight to them.
Fortunately, the royal warriors were still occupied with clearing the landslide, making it difficult for them to move around or reach the other side. In a way, it created a barrier between them, giving Reginald and the other survivors precious time.
"He’s going to die."
Fiona was lost in thought and didn’t notice Tricia entering the room.
The old fool had been conscious since yesterday, constantly trying to provoke her, and now here he was again.
"Get out," Fiona snapped. She had no desire to see his face. If not for Reginald’s orders to save the man’s life, Fiona would have gladly left him in the wilderness to perish.
