Sophie was ostracized in Cawden Academy and mistreated in her relatives' house, and even though Leland already punished them for their sins, it didn't exactly take away those years of suffering.
She learned how to grow up so fast.
Amongst these ever-shifting, ever-deepening emotions that Sophie held in her heart and kept it a secret from others… there was actually one thing that she was keeping at the bottom of her heart.
Leland, who had been distracted by the surface emotions that kept popping in her heart and mind didn't seem to have realized the slowly developing but growing feelings that were just lingering beneath.
For the past months that she had been here with him, Sophie got the opportunity to slowly get to know Duke Romanov. Now, she knew him more than just simple rumors and gossip that the people in town spoke about.
Whenever Sophie looked at Duke Romanov, she saw his quiet if not distant side that still held gentleness and kindness unlike any other. He was like a glacier ice sheet, of snow and snowflakes that were freezing but could still be gentle and beautiful.
There were times that Sophie worried and became anxious about what would happen when she was with Duke Romanov because there were instances where he was completely unreadable and unpredictable.
However, she was slowly but surely falling in love with him.
***
It was finally during one night at dinner that Sophie decided to make a move. After spending so long mourning after her first husband's death, she had found herself unknowingly falling for Duke Romanov.
Sophie bit her lip as she ate her steak and then drank her water. She eyed the man across from her and once again it was the same appearance of him wearing that stupid leather mask.
Leland blinked and looked up at her. His voice was hoarse when he asked her, "Is there… something wrong?"
Sophie smiled and shook her head. "Nothing, my lord."
The Alpha nodded at her but started to contemplate wearing a new mask. Did Sophie really think it was stupid? He had never known that she thought about it this way at all.
Sophie was unaware of the Alpha's current problems and to her, she was actually focused on bringing something up once they were finished with their meal.
Right now, she was at the dinner table with the duke and they were enjoying a meal together that didn't have her children with her.
Luciel and Jan were currently being taken care of by Dinah.
Actually, Luciel and Jan weren't even in Sophie's own room for that matter. They finally moved to the nursery room that Duke Romanov provided so they could run around without disturbing their mother.
These two children of hers preferred to be with Sophie most of the time so it was actually the first time that they'd be separated from their mother and left with someone else without her watch.
Almost instinctively, the two lycan pups could feel the gazes of the older lycans on them that were more unfavorable despite them hiding it so they were really uncomfortable if Sophie or Leland wasn't the one taking care of them.
However, it had to be done for the plan to work.
***
It actually took some time for Sophie to convince the maidservant to do it. Dinah looked very reluctant to be seen serving the children of those that weren't their Alpha's, but then Sophie opened up to the maid.
"Please take care of my children for tonight, Dinah," Sophie said. "I know that you do not… like the fact that they are not the duke's, but they are still his since we are married."
Dinah bowed her head. She replied reluctantly. "Yes, my lady."
Sophie sighed at her lost friend and clasped her hands together. "I need to talk with your Alpha after dinner. So, I was hoping that you could look after Luciel and Jan in the meantime that I am gone."
"What?" Dinah's eyes bulged.
Sophie's cheeks became rosy as she spoke. "I have something important to discuss with him."
Dinah, who had been worried about her place in the pack after serving Sophie, found herself quickly surprised at what the Luna had in mind. She was actually skeptical at first because every member of the pack felt betrayed for their Alpha.
However, if Sophie was going to do this… then Dinah was actually pleased. She reached out to Sophie, grabbed the two of her hands, and seriously said.
"Please make it happen, Lu—my lady." Dinah smiled brightly at her. "It will make everyone happy, but most of all, it will make the two of you very happy."
"Are you sure?" Sophie chewed on her lip and knew for a fact that Dinah could tell what she was going to do. "I… I do not know what is on his mind."
Dinah stared at Sophie and then shook her head. The female lycan was surprised at their Luna's cluelessness about what their Alpha felt towards her. All of Leland's actions showed love and respect towards his mate.
"Our Alpha has taken you in and has taken care of your children for the past sixty days since they were born. Do you really think that our Alpha would do that for anyone else?"
Dinah's words rang in Sophie's mind all day as she thought deeply about it. Perhaps, it was true that Duke Romanov was in love with her, and the reason why he did what he did for Sophie and her boys was that he genuinely loved her and cared about her.
This made Sophie become more determined to express her feelings to the duke.
.
.
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ANNOUNCEMENT:
I am preparing 30 chapters for Privilege and will be busy editing them from tomorrow until January 3. Since the privilege in December 2021 was glitched and I cannot add new tiers, I am asking your understanding to be patient because I need time to make new ones in January.
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The Privilege Tiers starting January 2022 is:
___Tier 1 - 2 advanced chapters for 1 coin
___Tier 2 - 5 advanced chapters for 100 coins (extra 3 chapters from Tier 1)
___Tier 3 - 20 advanced chapters for 500 coins (extra 15 chapters from Tier 2)
___Tier 4 - 28 advanced chapters for 1200 coins + 50% chapter discount (extra 8 chapters from Tier 3)
___Tier 5 - 38 advanced chapters for 2000 coins + 99% chapter discount (extra 10 chapters from Tier 4)
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Tiers 1, 2, and 3 will be available immediately on January 1
Tier 4 will be available on January 2
Tier 5 will be available on January 3
Webnovel app follows GMT+8 Timezone.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO PURCHASE PRIVILEGE to read regularly. I will publish 2 chapters per day again from January 4 and everyone, including the readers who read for free using fast passes, can read this book every day until it's ending.
Privilege is available as a means for readers who want to financially support this book further and in exchange, you will get access to read my stockpiled chapters that are not yet available to the public.
Privilege will have to be renewed every month if you wish to always stay ahead in the chapters. So, no need to purchase privilege if you cannot afford it. I love you all the same. xx
PS: Sneak peek for the next 38 chapters
- Sophie would confess her feelings to Leland and they finally consummated their marriage for real
- Leland brought his family to move to the capital
- Nicholas became the next king of Riga
- He fell in love at first sight with Sophie, not knowing she was his wife
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