Chapter 216: Chapter 216 Unanswered Questions
Phoebe’s POV
Justin, Orion, and Wade stayed quiet initially, but then the youngest warrior praised the meal.
He’d been honest earlier when he mentioned becoming chattier during nervous moments.
"This meat tastes incredible. What’s your cooking method? I’ve attempted cooking before, but everything gets charred."
Under the table, Justin nudged Wade’s leg, signaling him to quit talking. The young warrior caught on, yet moments later resumed speaking—the quiet was unbearable.
"The sauce has great flavor, though it could use more heat." Wade wasn’t addressing anyone specifically, just muttering his thoughts.
"You can’t even cook, yet you’re critiquing someone else’s food?" Orion’s narrowed gaze made the young warrior duck his head apologetically.
"My apologies."
Their exchange lightened my mood, and I chuckled at their playful arguing. This drew their attention—all three looked my way simultaneously.
I enjoy mealtime conversations. Please continue talking freely, since this awkward silence might give me indigestion from the stress. I scribbled my thoughts and displayed the note for them to read.
Justin and Orion appeared uncomfortable, while Wade brightened at getting permission to speak. He addressed me respectfully.
"Are you enjoying the meal? What dishes do you prefer, my queen?"
Justin kicked Wade’s leg again under the table, warning him against becoming too familiar with me. After all, I remained the queen, not a casual friend.
However, I placed my hand on Justin’s, gesturing for him to ease up on the young warrior.
Following that, I responded to Wade’s questions, genuinely conversing with him despite having to write everything down, which seemed to worry Justin.
"You’re disrupting the queen’s dinner. Stop asking questions," Justin told Wade, who hung his head like a scolded child. Again, I touched Justin’s hand.
Not at all. I prefer this atmosphere. You’re being too stern. I wrote something additional. What foods do you both enjoy? With that, we four engaged in an extended dinner conversation. Eventually, the three men chatted about random topics while I contributed occasionally.
We remained seated even after finishing our food, too absorbed in our discussion.
Without realizing it, the sky had darkened completely—tonight looked stormy.
"Rest well, my queen. I’ll notify you when dinner’s prepared." Wade walked me back to my room and wished me pleasant rest.
Thank you, I mouthed, and Wade bowed respectfully.
The young warrior was endearing. I liked his innocence and how he spoke about Gamma Timothy... he clearly admired the gamma tremendously. When Justin and Orion teased him, he grew frustrated.
I aspire to match gamma Timothy’s strength.
That’s what Wade had declared. Justin and Orion then joked about whether he harbored romantic feelings for the gamma, which irritated the young warrior.
I respect him. Your remarks are highly disrespectful.
Somehow, I found their banter amusing.
I felt more uplifted after my depressing morning conversation with Marcela.
In my bedroom, I opened the balcony doors facing the forest. The palace’s tallest tower was visible in the distance. So near, yet impossibly far.
Not long had passed, but I already longed for Perry. I wondered about his current activities.
Following our plan, Perry would reach the border soon, meaning he was currently traveling.
I miss him...
I thought silently while gazing at the dark sky.
Rain began falling, so I retreated inside.
My bedroom contained numerous books, so I selected one to pass time until dinner. Given the earlier pleasant atmosphere, I anticipated the evening meal.
I sought comfort wherever I could find it.
---
Fiona woke when someone entered the room. She became alert, prepared to defend herself.
Seeing Reginald, her shoulders relaxed.
Reginald noticed the tension in Fiona’s expression. Understanding the situation, he sat on the bed’s edge beside her.
The boat was compact, with only three lower deck bedrooms—one for Royal Beta Allen, another for Reginald and Fiona, and the third for Alpha Sterling.
The remaining warriors slept wherever space allowed, which didn’t bother them. They grieved their fallen comrades and faced an uncertain future.
Therefore, little else could trouble them currently.
"Sleep. We’ll dock soon," Reginald said, stroking Fiona’s cheek. She leaned into his touch—it felt comforting.
Rather than sleeping again, Fiona sat up, embracing Reginald and burying her face against his chest.
She felt grateful he’d rescued her from Allen.
They both understood Allen’s intentions perfectly.
Reginald frowned but eventually caressed her back. Fiona lacked the brown hair he favored, yet something about her stirred emotions when he witnessed Allen’s intended actions.
"Do you believe this is correct? Will this lead to freedom or trap us in fresh misery?" Fiona raised her head to meet Reginald’s gaze.
"What are you implying?"
"We’re offering ourselves to the Valerium Kingdom. Do you think they’ll treat us well? Will we survive there? What happens after Valerium destroys Mya kingdom?"
Reginald breathed deeply. "That’s distant future. We’ll address it later. We’ll ensure those who created this situation pay."
Fiona disagreed. She didn’t think this was entirely the royal warriors’ fault, or even the king’s responsibility.
From the beginning, the desire to overthrow the kingdom originated with Alpha Kevin and several alphas who despised King Perry. It started there and expanded.
Now Alpha Kevin was dead, along with the rebellious alphas.
What was the point of all this? Their warriors died in a battle they could have prevented by pledging loyalty to the king and seeking forgiveness.
But circumstances had grown complicated.
"I wish we could return to peaceful times," Fiona said absently. "I wish we’d never joined the coup. I wish everything was different."
Reginald stopped stroking her back. He studied her intently, though his thoughts remained unreadable. He appeared lost in contemplation.
After prolonged silence, he freed himself from Fiona and stood. "I need to discuss something with Allen. Sleep—I’ll wake you upon arrival."
Fiona still wanted to continue talking. "Are you certain... about this..." She lowered her head, staring at her still-flat stomach. "Do you... want me to bear another man’s child?"
Reginald clenched his teeth. "That child ensures our survival. Yes, I want you to have the baby."
"Reginald..." Fiona called before he left her alone in the bedroom. "Do you love me?"
She’d expressed her feelings before, but remained uncertain about his. "Do you love me?" she repeated, her voice filled with pain.
Fiona had heard about mates’ possessiveness toward their women, but Reginald showed none of that. She recognized their weak mate bond but assumed it was because they weren’t destined mates.
"After everything I’ve endured, you still question that?"
Reginald’s narrowed eyes made Fiona feel guilty for asking. "I’ve told you before—how many times must I repeat it?"
After saying this, Reginald left the room.
He hadn’t answered the question.
