NOTE:
Thank you, Kelly Goodwin dear, for so gifting a castle among many other things to this book yesterday. xx
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Eloise said, "I knew you are my soul sister the moment I saw you in the royal palace garden. I am very happy we met and share a goal. I will help you get rid of that woman... and then you can do whatever you want with King Nicholas Hannenbergh."
"Thank you," said Karenina with a smile.
"I take notes of everything. I have a plan for King Nicholas and his mother as well," Eloise added. She gave one goblet to Karenina. "The information you provided is very valuable. To celebrate our cooperation, let's have a toast."
Karenina looked at the goblet and suddenly her gut feeling told her that she might have trusted Eloise too quickly.
"No offense but I don't usually drink alcohol this early," said Karenina, making Eloise grin again.
"We do get along. As I said, you're quite smart. Of course, you won't trust anyone who gives you a drink. It's okay. You don't have to drink it," Eloise said then drank her own drink while Karenina who thought she was really smart nodded arrogantly
"So what's your plan? I hope you'll really help me to get rid of Sophia," said Karenina.
"Sure. You and I will do it together." Eloise put down her cup and sat leisurely on her chair. She then nodded toward a woman standing by in the corner of the terrace.
She was a young woman with a warrior outfit. Karenina thought she was Eloise's personal bodyguard. It was not unusual to see a female warrior protecting a noblewoman.
Karenina failed to realize that this female warrior was not just a mere bodyguard to Eloise.
Seeing Eloise's nod, the woman instantly turned into a lycan and sped swiftly to stab Karenina's heart from behind with her claws. Karenina didn't have time to scream.
Her open mouth only let out a muffled shriek. And then, a sword came slashing in the air.
Eloise burst out laughing as Karenina's head rolled on the floor.
She poured more wine into her goblet and sipped it leisurely. "Jeez... you thought I will kill you with poison? Idiot."
***
<IN RIGA ROYAL PALACE>
A man has just entered the king's study. He gave a polite greeting when he had stood before the king. He was one of the spies who had been given direct orders by the king to keep an eye on Duke Romanov's movements.
"Your Majesty, I wish to report that Duke Romanov brought his wife and children to Hastings."
Nicholas' brows furrowed. "Hastings?"
The man nodded. "I heard from some of the servants' conversation that Duke Romanov and his wife will welcome the birth of a new member of their family there."
Nicholas' face leveled. He felt sad and jealous at the same time.
"You may go," he said and the spy nodded obediently and left the room.
Nicholas felt very jealous thinking about Sophie waiting for the birth of her child from Leland. At the same time, he felt very sad because he regretted the fact that when Sophie was pregnant with Luciel and Jan, he was not by Sophie's side.
Even though Nicholas hated Leland so much, he couldn't ignore the fact that he owed Leland a lot because it was Leland who had been taking care of Sophie and her children since they were born until now.
The young king could only sigh when his chest felt tight because it was filled with regret. He had to be wiser. He had to put his jealousy behind him and put Sophie's happiness first.
So far Sophie had been grieving a lot because of him and he didn't want to make Sophie sad anymore.
Even though it was very difficult, Nicholas decided to give Leland the opportunity to continue to accompany Sophie until their child was born without having to think about any conflict.
Nicholas sighed again before getting up from his chair and walking out. After revealing his true identity as a lycan to officials and noble families, he wanted to pave the way for Luciel and Jan to gain recognition as his children as well as potential successors to the throne of Riga but before that he will first settle the matter with Karenina.
Since Karenina had not been seen in the palace for a long time, he thought that Karenina was currently at her father's house. So, Nicholas also decided to go to Hauntingen to meet Viscount Verhovent in person to break off the engagement between himself and Karenina.
***
A few days later, Nicholas finally arrived in Hauntingen. Viscount Verhoven who saw the king's arrival was quite surprised. He greeted the king coldly, trying to make Nicholas feel bad for not wanting to take responsibility for what he had done to Karenina.
"I don't know what your Majesty's purpose was for coming here, but if you came here to make my daughter suffer even more, I beg you to leave before I forget your status as the king and resort to violence," Viscount Verhovent said, feigning anger.
Nicholas was silent. He understood Viscount Verhovent's cold attitude towards him at this point.
"Please, don't talk like that, Father."
Simultaneously, Nicholas and Viscount Verhoven's attention turned to the figure of Karenina who was walking toward them.
Karenina gave a graceful greeting to the king as they stood face to face.
"I apologize for my father's words. I hope Your Majesty can understand his attitude," said Karenina softly after that she invited the king to enter the house.
Karenina was an excellent host and treated Nicholas with the treatment a king deserves. Seeing Karenina's warm and friendly demeanor surprised Nicholas and Viscount Verhovent felt the same way.
"I'm a little surprised that Your Majesty came here all of a sudden. If only we had known His Majesty is coming we would have thrown a feast," said Karenina.
Viscount Verhoven stared at Karenina very closely. In his mind, he was wondering what exactly Karenina was planning.
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