"Must I really do it now?" Nicholas threw a look at the dying queen. He knew that his chances were quite slim to refuse this request from his mother.
It was most likely her last wish before she died.
Perhaps Nicholas could make that promise and then break off the engagement after his mother passed away peacefully?
Even if his reputation would suffer, in terms of actual damage… perhaps Nicholas could still escape unscathed? Or at least with only an acceptable amount of trouble?
The Viscount was no powerful man at all. It would be difficult for him to manipulate Nicholas compared to say, a Duke, or a neighboring King who could offer their princess to him.
Is that what his mother was trying to say when she said that Karenina would not take advantage of him?
It was hard to understand the woman's intentions.
Nicholas still believed that his mother was manipulated in one way or another. Soothed by the presence of the viscount's daughter who seemed like she couldn't do anything wrong.
But that was his mother's mistake.
With Lady Karenina also being a constant presence in the palace for the last months and attending numerous events, it was almost as if the pieces were all laid down for her.
People would question and doubt what was actually in the mind of the late king and queen for even inviting Lady Karenina to stay with them. If it wasn't because they showed their blessings towards the young woman, then what else?
For now, it seemed like the best way to escape this situation was to say yes and then find a way out?
"Nicholas!" Queen Mary cried out again and this time she clutched her chest, wheezing and looking as if she was truly out of breath. The royal doctor finally stepped forward to check on the queen.
"Your Majesty," the doctor did a quick check and then he turned to look at Nicholas. His face was filled with regret. "I am sorry, Your Highness… it seems the queen is in a critical condition. I am so, sorry, there is nothing more I can do."
Nicholas felt his world come crashing down. Must he relent and just say yes so his mother could take her last breath in peace?
Finally… all Nicholas could do was accept.
***
Sophie woke up to something tickling her face and when she opened her eyes, all she saw was white. She smelled the familiar and comforting scent of Leland and slowly rose up to find herself lying against Leland's wolf form.
While she was sleeping, she actually had her arms wrapped against her husband and was snuggled up against him. Similar to her, Leland also fell asleep and seemed at peace.
She smiled at that.
Sophie looked around and realized that they were inside of a large and currently moving carriage. On the other side of Leland's huge wolf form, she could see both Luciel and Jan, her beautiful black and gray lycan babies also snuggling up to Leland from the other side of the carriage's seat.
Luciel's foot was actually in Jan's face, and yet the two of them were sleeping soundly. Her beloved children were unbothered by their surroundings and felt safe and relaxed enough to sleep.
Her heart was filled with so much warmth.
"Why are we out here…?" Sophie was confused for a moment until she remembered everything that happened. Tears dripped from her eyes as the memories returned to her and the reality sank down in her mind.
Before waking up in this carriage, Sophie remembered she woke up in her bed last time to find Leland beside her gently informing her that she was asleep for days and that they had lost their unborn children.
Afterward, Sophie passed out once he told her of that news.
Now, Sophie was here in a carriage with Leland and her children. Why did they suddenly leave the manor? She didn't know, she was just grateful to see that they were all together.
However it didn't stop her from feeling lost and confused, Sophie wiped her tears and tried to stop them from flowing downwards so as to not disturb her husband and children, but it was already too late.
Leland woke up when he sensed her movements. The Alpha immediately heard the sniffles Sophie tried to stifle back and quickly raised his head to meet her. He saw that she was red-eyed and tears were streaming down her cheeks.
"Oh, Leland." Sophie's voice wobbled as she tried to brush away her tears and looked at him with a tense smile. "I'm sorry that I woke you up."
The Alpha immediately transformed back into his human form and immediately wrapped his arms around her to comfort his mate.
"No need to apologize, Sophia, I'm here for you," Leland whispered into her hair as he gently kissed her forehead.
Last night, when he saw Sophie shiver and cry in her sleep, he decided to keep her warm by transforming into a wolf and snuggled with her. It helped give her a sense of peace.
"Leland you're…" Sophie couldn't help but break out into a weak smile as she pointed out his nakedness.
"Ah, my apologies." Leland cleared his throat.
Perhaps to the lycans, transforming back was normal so Leland was not bothered with it, but Sophie felt embarrassment color her cheeks. Leland quickly picked up his assorted clothes and put them on.
He was momentarily glad that it distracted his mate, but it didn't completely erase or wipe away Sophie's tears at all. She was still upset and Leland knew he wanted to make her feel better.
Once he was finished dressing up, the Alpha looked at her gently and asked.
"How are you feeling, Sophia?" He had an idea on why she suddenly cried when she woke up, but Leland knew it was better to still talk about it.
Compared to him, Sophie hadn't been able to fully grieve as she spent several days being unconscious.
"I… I just remembered that they're gone," Sophie weakly said. She rested her head against his shoulder. "And I couldn't do anything about it. I'm so sorry, Leland."
"It's not your fault," he said and gently rubbed her back. "Don't blame yourself."
Leland's understanding voice and gentle demeanor finally made Sophie stop trying to hold back her pain. If she couldn't be comfortable around her own husband, then there was nowhere else she would feel safe.
Sophie's shoulders shook momentarily as she buried her face into his chest. Leland let Sophie cry on his chest and he listened to her quiet crying.
The Alpha knew that she must have remembered their last conversation and it brought him a pang of emptiness in his heart.
Leland did his best to be a soothing presence and comfort to his wife, holding back his own grief as he wanted to be the tough one in their relationship. His mate needed someone who she could count on as a pillar of strength.
.
.
_________________________
From Missrealitybites:
I know Nicholas promised his mother, the queen, that he would marry Karenina, but he would postpone the wedding for so many years, hoping that the woman would finally give up. So, you don't have to worry and pull your hair.
However, that doesn't mean Karenina wouldn't be a nuisance in the long run. BUT, another good news is, when the queen finally met Sophie, she would REALLY REALLY REALLY LIKE SOPHIE and her boys.
PS: I will publish the third chapter soon. I always feel happy whenever I write about Sophie and her little family, especially when they spend quality time together. The boys are really adorable.
This chapter is updat𝓮d by fre(e)webnov(l).com