Chapter 40: Bling
[Present Time]
"Ahh!"
Cassian cupped his flushed cheeks, reminded of how his love story had started with her. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was almost squealing.
That night, Cassian had attended his brother’s engagement party, even though he was reluctant. He never thought he would meet the love of his life—someone who would ignite something in him he never knew existed.
He paused for a second, remembering how Lynsandra had whispered in his ear, asking, "Do you want to spend a wild night with me?"
As soon as those words rang in his head again, Cassian felt his blood rush to his face until his head nearly exploded. Sadly for him, just when Lynsandra moved her face closer to claim his lips, she suddenly jumped away and threw up in the pond.
Then, after throwing up, she simply lay beside it, mumbling something, as if she had completely forgotten about him. Cassian would’ve taken her home and waited for her to recover so they could have that wild night, but someone came and picked her up.
Thinking about it made his high spirits dip instantly.
"That woman..." he pouted, reminded of the person who had carried Lynsandra away that night and even threatened Cassian not to speak a word about it.
Cassian didn’t know who Lynsandra was until he heard that person calling her "Luna" and "Your Highness." He might be foolish, but it was easy enough to connect the dots. Hence, Cassian wasn’t surprised when Victor received an invitation from the Royal Pack about the selection.
"Now that I think about it, I don’t see that person," he hummed, rubbing his chin. "All I see is that stiff guy named Virgo."
As Cassian’s mood shifted every few seconds, Evander could only shake his head while watching this chaos unfold at arm’s length.
"So, that’s how you know the Luna." Evander nodded slowly, only to flinch when Cassian suddenly turned his attention to him.
"That’s right!" Cassian jumped from his seat, hands slamming on the table between them. "So don’t even think you have a chance with her. Lizzie and I are solid! We’ve gone a long way, and this harem is simply a formality."
Evander smiled subtly. "I’m not trying to gain the Luna’s attention that way."
"Really?"
"I’m a priest," Evander said in a calm, knowing tone. "And I can only mate with my fated one."
Cassian narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "You’re lying."
"I do not lie, Mr. Clark." Evander’s soft smile remained. "I only speak the truth, and if you learn more about it, you’d know that members of the church only marry and mate with the fated partners allowed by the Lunar Goddess."
"So far, I have no mate." He raised the back of his hand to show Cassian. "Even the Luna knows that. I am simply here for guidance and clarity."
"You said that!" Cassian pointed a finger at him. "You’d better keep your word, or I’ll report you to your boss priest! Anyway, even if you’re lying, you don’t stand a chance — bwahahaha!"
Having said that, Cassian turned around to treat himself to something. But after taking a few steps, he stopped, walked back, and picked up the biscuits Evander had given him.
"These are mine now," he declared, hugging them protectively before leaving.
Evander simply watched him go, shaking his head slightly. He thought about Cassian’s story for a moment before sighing.
"I don’t think the Luna even remembers that reckless night," he whispered, glancing toward where Cassian had disappeared while laughing maniacally. "Well, he sounds really happy with it."
Evander reached for the small book on the table and shifted his attention to reading. He had ended the morning prayer early for Cassian, but before starting again, his gaze drifted to his own hand.
"A mate," he whispered. "I wonder... if I’ll ever have one as well."
*****
Virgo’s face lit up as if he had just spotted his savior walking out of the airport’s arrival area.
"Minnie," he whispered, already counting all the days off he might have in the future. "Welcome back."
Meanwhile, Lynsandra smiled as she stood beside Virgo, her eyes on the woman approaching them.
Minnie stepped toward them, dressed in a maid’s uniform from head to toe, with a bit too much bling around her neck. Her black hair was tied neatly into a low bun, sunglasses perched at the edge of her nose. When she tipped them up, Lynsandra and Virgo almost went blind from the heavy gold rings covering her fingers.
"Luna," she greeted.
Before she could say more, Lynsandra jumped forward and hugged her.
"Minnie," Lynsandra whispered, unable to contain her smile. This woman, after all, was like a sister to her. "I missed you."
Yet Minnie remained stoic. If anything, she just checked her rings to make sure none had fallen off. She let out a quiet sigh of relief when she confirmed they were still there.
"That’s a lot of gold," Virgo coughed. "Did you... go shopping?"
"No." Letting Lynsandra hug her, Minnie turned to Virgo and tipped her sunglasses again. The edges glinted as she added, "I told them the Luna would go in there for a bloodbath if they didn’t agree to my terms."
Virgo’s face twitched. "And your terms were...?"
"Wealth." Minnie checked her rings again, her eyes behind the sunglasses twinkling like a magpie’s.
Virgo shook his head, but thinking of the place Minnie had gone, letting her bring back some "souvenirs" in Lynsandra’s name wasn’t the worst outcome. It was still better than Lynsandra or himself going there. The Luna didn’t have the patience, and Virgo wasn’t in the mood to deal with those people.
Lynsandra released Minnie and smiled. "Minnie, have you heard of my harem?"
"Yes." Minnie nodded. "And Virgo is not in it."
Virgo felt a vein in his forehead twitch when he noticed Minnie’s pitiful gaze. Meanwhile, Lynsandra simply chuckled.
"Let’s leave first." Lynsandra held Minnie’s ring-covered hand. "You’re staying with me tonight, right?"
Minnie sighed faintly and nodded, letting the Luna drag her along. As she did, Minnie lifted her sunglasses and narrowed her eyes at Virgo.
Virgo scrunched his nose and clicked his tongue, but followed them anyway.
Much to Virgo’s dismay, Lynsandra jumped into the driver’s seat while Minnie took the front passenger seat. Watching Minnie roll down the window, she said,
"Take my things, Virgo." Minnie gave him a thumbs-up. "I’ll share a drink with you next time and listen to your woes."
"Virgo!" Lynsandra leaned over from the driver’s seat. "I’m driving Minnie home. See you tomorrow!"
And with that, the car drove away, leaving Virgo standing there with Minnie’s luggage.
"Wait..." he muttered, his face twisting as he recalled Minnie’s growing audacity. "Isn’t she getting a little too cocky for a maid?"
