Chapter 40

Chapter 40

I'm feeling restless. I have a strong hunch that Troy knows the history between my mother and his father. I’m sure he heard what his uncle Fernando said. That's why I couldn’t stop stealing glances at him as we ate dinner together. He looked so serious and calm—or maybe he was just pretending he hadn’t heard it. I’m not sure anymore. I thought I understood Troy well, but now I realize we’ve only known each other for a couple of months, and yet so much has already happened between us.

“What is it?” His voice startled me, nearly making me jump from my seat. I hadn't even realized how obviously I’d been staring at him! I quickly looked away, pretending to focus on my food.

“Nothing,” I replied with a shrug. He paused, and I could feel his eyes studying me.

“Don’t pay attention to what Fernando said earlier,” he murmured. A lump formed in my throat, making it hard to swallow. I glanced at him, and his green eyes sent a tremor through me.

“Should I?” The question slipped out before I could stop it. He sighed and reached for my hand, his fingers wrapping warmly around mine.

“You don’t need to worry about it. I’ll take care of everything, Eli. I promise,” he said, his tone firm and solemn, like an oath. A sharp pang struck my heart. I wanted to trust him—I really did. But why was it so hard? Was it because there were still so many things I didn’t know about him?

The day ended with my mind spinning with questions. I had finally confirmed that my mother and Troy’s father shared a past. From Ms. Verna’s stories, it sounded like my mother was in love with Terrence Evans before she met and recognized my father as her mate. But the real question lingered... did Terrence Evans love her back? If Fernando’s words were to be believed, it seemed he did. But how could Fernando possibly know that?

The next morning, I woke up to find that Troy had already left for his office. Mariel came in to help me with my morning routine. My plan was to head to the library, catch up on reading, and attend to my duties as Queen Luna of the kingdom. But as I passed through the palace’s entrance hall, something unusual caught my eye.

“What’s going on? Why are there so many soldiers here?” I asked Mariel.

“I’m not entirely sure either, Your Majesty, but I heard that the group of hunters from the northern part of the Golden Moon Pack in the Rema Kingdom have returned, and they’ve brought along some of the kingdom’s renowned healers,” Mariel informed me. I nodded, watching the arrivals. My gaze stopped on a woman who seemed to be about Troy’s age. She caught my attention with her striking red hair and hourglass figure.

“Look, it’s the Alpha King Troy!” Mariel exclaimed. I turned to see Troy entering the hall, likely to welcome the new arrivals. The red-haired woman immediately lowered her head in respect, followed by her group.

“I’m glad to be back in the kingdom again, my dear King,” the woman greeted him. Troy gave a nod.

“It’s good to see you back, Agatha,” he replied. The name caught me off guard—Agatha? I looked at the woman, realizing she must be Agatha, Troy’s childhood friend. She smiled warmly at Troy, and, for some reason, a strange pang stirred in my chest at the sight.

“Let’s go,” I said curtly to Mariel, turning sharply toward the library. Yet no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t focus on reading; my mind kept drifting. A whirlwind of thoughts and scenarios filled my head. I knew Troy—he was a notorious flirt! I still hadn’t forgotten his past fling with Margarette, nor the way she cried over him.

Finally, unable to shake my thoughts, I stood up abruptly. Mariel looked taken aback and quickly rose as well.

“Is something wrong, Your Majesty?” she asked, puzzled.

“I need to speak with Troy about something. Let’s head to his office,” I replied. Mariel didn’t press further and simply followed. As I strode down the hallway toward Troy’s office, I couldn’t slow down, despite the respectful greetings from everyone I passed. People practically stepped aside as I hurried by. When I reached the office door, I was just about to knock when John appeared.

“Your Majesty?” John greeted, interrupting me. I turned to him. “Is Troy in his office?” I asked.

“Yes, but he’s currently in a meeting with the kingdom’s Healer group. It should wrap up soon,” John replied. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was holding something back, almost like he didn’t want me stepping into Troy’s office today. And did he say Troy’s meeting with the Healer group? Then that means Agatha is in there too! Or worse, what if it’s just Agatha and Troy alone? What could they be doing together in there?! If I don’t open that door right now, I might just lose my mind!

“Are you stopping me from entering, John?” I asked sharply. John immediately straightened, sensing my growing frustration.

“That’s not what I meant, Your Majesty. It’s just that the Alpha King specifically instructed me not to let anyone in until his meeting is over—”

“Or maybe you’re just covering up for whatever Troy’s doing in there?” I shot back. John frowned, and my patience finally snapped.

“Let me in, or I’ll get a guard to push that goddamn door open!” I snapped. John fell silent, and I wasted no time barging into the office, only to freeze at the sight before me. I was right. The only people inside were Troy and Agatha. Agatha sat quietly in her chair, but I could see the warm, familiar smile she shared with Troy, and he was smiling back, clearly enjoying their conversation.

A tightness seized my chest at the sight. My anger and frustration surged, stronger even than when Troy had been with Margarette. The urge to march over and yank Agatha’s hair flared up—but I held it back, staying silent. Both Troy and Agatha turned to look at me as I entered. Troy’s eyes met mine, and I saw the surprise flicker across his face. Agatha quickly stood and bowed in respect.

I clenched my teeth, spun on my heel, and stormed out without a word. I heard Mariel hurrying after me and Troy calling my name, but I ignored them, keeping my pace steady as I walked away.

“What happened, Your Majesty?” Mariel asked anxiously once we reached my room. I didn’t respond, heading straight to the walk-in closet, where I grabbed a small bag. I’d made up my mind—I was leaving this palace, and I was doing it now.

“Your Majesty!” Mariel called, but I locked the closet door.

Damn, that playboy! I knew he was capable of this! I knew it! He’s a flirt through and through. And it makes it even worse that he and Agatha have a longer, deeper history. And to top it off, he hadn’t even mentioned her arrival today, let alone bothered to introduce me. Why? Was he trying to hide me from her? I know Agatha’s aware of my marriage to Troy, but… still. There’s a bond between them that I can’t match. And that’s what infuriates me the most.

“Elisaria!” Troy’s voice outside startled me, nearly making me jump. Trying to keep my anger in check, I quickly hid the bag stuffed with my clothes before stepping out of the walk-in closet. Mariel was already gone, leaving just the two of us alone in the room. I met his gaze with a cold, piercing stare.

“Don’t misinterpret things, Eli. Agatha is just a friend, and she leads my Healer group,” Troy explained. I laughed mockingly.

“Oh, really? And what’s your plan this time? Are you going to introduce me as your cousin again?” I taunted, reminding him of when he’d introduced me to Margarette as his cousin. I saw his jaw clench, and a part of me relished that he was finally losing his calm.

“Please… this is different, Eli—”

“Oh, is it? How is this different, Troy? Or maybe it’s different because Agatha knows I’m your wife and she is just your whore?” His eyes darkened.

“Agatha is not my whore. She’s nothing like that. She’s a friend, Eli,” he replied firmly. My resentment only deepened, twisting painfully. I could see it—he was protecting her. To him, Agatha meant everything.

“Then why don’t you just marry her, Troy?” I said bitterly. He let out a weary sigh.

“I don’t feel for her the way I feel for you, Eli. We were only discussing the condition of the Golden Moon Pack—it was purely work, Eli…” His soft tone somehow eased my frustration, and when he gently held my jaw, pulling me into an embrace, the anger I’d felt began to melt away.

Maybe… maybe I’d been overreacting. I needed to calm down.

“Don’t be jealous. You’re even more beautiful when you are, but if you don’t want me to suddenly kiss you, don’t let it get to you,” he teased, still holding me close. I bit my lip, trying to hold back a smile as I lightly hit his firm chest.

“I’m not jealous…” I denied. He laughed and pulled back slightly to look at me. I quickly averted my gaze and gave him a light shove.

“God, I really want to kiss you right now,” he said, his eyes fixed on me. I looked up at him, noticing the sparkle in his eyes—something I hadn’t seen when he was with Agatha. That look was only for… me.

“Then… kiss me,” I encouraged. Without hesitation, he pressed his lips to mine, and the kiss quickly deepened, growing more intense. His tender touch and passionate kisses led us to the bed, where we shared an unforgettable moment together.