Chapter 83: Countermeasures

Valerian

By then, I knew I had let myself fall for Dominixe's father's plan as they kidnapped me while I did not dare to fight them. Plus, it was useless since they had used a potent potion that could paralyze me.

I left everything to let Demetrius handle my pack secretly while Henry secretly aided him. It was a big task for my son, but he needed to fulfill it and follow the plans we had thought of.

"Just a mere mention of my daughter's name, and you were so quick to get under her skirt again, Duke Leveaux. Aren't you bold enough to tell me this is an insult?"

I spat on the floor while tasting my blood from being assaulted as soon as I fell from their so-called trap. Just by seeing Dominixe's father was enough for my blood to boil, knowing how he educated his children.

"Your daughter tasted so sweet. I remember how she writhed under my touch when I was pleasuring her," I said, smirking. "Oh, yes, I remembered bestowing her a hickey even if she said that she did not—"

I couldn't be able to continue my words when Marquis Cantavalle kicked me on my stomach.

"Insolence!" he barked. "How dare you lust over my daughter?!"

I coughed blood before looking up at him. "If only you could have let me to be betrothed to her, I could swear that I shall help you rise in your noble rank, Marquis Cantavalle." That was a lie.

I promised myself that I would help Dominixe to bring down their household. Now that she awakened her abilities as the Goddess of Time, it would be to her advantage to finish him off quickly.

However, Dominixe needed to learn how she must activate it from time to time.

It would happen as soon as I died as her pet.

"Your impudent mouth is something I shall need to stitch..." He smirked, shaking his head. "Torture him until I make him a big present for my dearest Dameta."

My eyes almost widened when Marquis Cantavalle called Dominixe Dameta. No wonder... He was really one of the Moon Goddess' mates.

Now, the plan of becoming Dominixe's pet had come to light. But my honeydew was quick to notice everything.

She had a hunch already, despite no evidence until I slipped from my words.

There were so many obstacles to being her pet. But I watched how she had nightmares and constantly cried to ask for my forgiveness. I was so guilty of not being able to express that I already forgave and loved her so badly.

However, when I had my death due to her betrayal that she was my opponent in my last match opened the wounds of the past. I was hurt even though I was already expecting that outcome.

Thanks to Dameta, who already told me the possible futures we needed to fulfill.

My dead body, while my wolf was able to come out of me to be Niccolo, was something not easy to do. With the help of the sages, before I met Dominixe's father and after Dameta bid farewell, we had their help to help me take out my wolf with the incantation jewelry. My disguise would be temporary, so I had to always wear the incantation jewelry. It was a teeny tiny one, but the effects were impressive. However, it was not as effective as Elixane's splitting my soul and switching it.

Since I was already affected by the regression because of Dameta, Dominixe's abilities had affected me, causing me to regain memories before the scenario.

'Found a backdoor underneath the arena. You just need to play out that you shall die there for the third time. Demetrius already managed to dispatch your pack members. They are already residing at the back of Roseland Mountain. They are safe now, and I can be able to perform our plans.

-H'

I ate the parchment one of Henry's elite knights secretly stashed for me while in prison. I endured the torture for the sake of my honeydew.

I played my role very well as her pet. I would be forever her pet if she wanted me to.

She wouldn't have to be with that man who almost touched her before we regressed. Serve him right. I couldn't control my temper since how insolent he was.

"See you later, Dominixe Lilith Cantavalle-Leveaux."

After professing my love to her, I smiled like an idiot at the arena. I might not have said I love you just before regressing for the second time. I was able to tell that I had been seeing her as my future wife.

I even bestowed her with a cheap ring. I thought Dominixe wouldn't like it, but she appreciated it.

The things she did, like communicating via Morse code, made me apply when I regressed for the third time. I knew it shocked her, but I felt sorry that I took the credits from her.

I tried everything to hinder Dominixe's attempt of ending her life. I was not going to allow it, even if it angered her.

I wouldn't want her to do what her other self did. Demetrius had no idea that his mother had died already. Dameta had no longer showing herself.

"I did not know this is how Mother looked when you died. She looked miserable here, Father," Demetrius said as he watched Dominixe sleep when I saved her back on the cliff.

"Indeed..." I kissed the back of her hand. I would become the man she hated for saying insensitive words. "Demetrius, I need you to refrain from being delighted seeing your mother here. We cannot bestow her a glimpse of the idea that I am still alive and you are our son."

Seeing that Demetrius had finally been able to meet his mother in this timeline had made him excited to be with her.

He was seeking validation from her. That was how I felt.

"But, can I speak with her, Father?" He held Dominixe's other hand while kneeling on the floor. "Mother is so young here... By this age, in my original timeline, Mother is already pregnant..." he muttered before he looked at her with adoration. "Perhaps, Mother will love me more if she learns that she is pregnant. Father, why don't you make love to her?" He looked at me innocently.

I chuckled nervously. "Demetrius..." How could I say that Dominixe shouldn't get pregnant yet? "Your mother is taking fertility control. She was careful."

I couldn't forget her expression when she learned Demetrius was my last descendant. Everyone was surprised.

Demetrius looked like Dominixe, after all. Everybody would suspect that Dominixe and Demetrius might be related or something.

However, her father was something I looked forward to. I could have sworn I saw how horrified he was.

Before I let myself fall into his trap, I made sure that Demetrius already existed here in this world. I forged his documents.

And with the help of Henry, it solidified that Demetrius existed beforehand.

"Father."

I snapped back when Demetrius called me. "Yes?" I felt warmth every time he called me Father. I felt like Dominixe and managed to have one in our timeline.

"If... you are able to be with Mother again, is it possible that she will love me this time?" he asked as he couldn't help himself from laying beside her and hugging her. "I want Mother to love me as I am... I want her to see that I wouldn't be able to look like you..." He sighed. "I haven't been able to feel Mother's presence for a few weeks since my 16th birthday." I flinched at his words. "I missed her..."

I felt guilty when Demetrius clung to Dominixe's arm as if he did not want her to let go. My heart clenched, seeing how his chartreuse eyes were filled with sadness.

My son was seeking his mother's love.

Dameta... Why did you have to leave for good when you hadn't made up with him? You were selfish...

"Did Mother abandon me for good, Father?"

I gasped and vigorously shook my head. "No, son. She did not..." I felt guilty since I couldn't find myself to bestow that letter from Dameta. "She will never do that." I combed his hair.

If only he knew about what his mother did... He would know it soon.

There was one time that I removed my incantation jewelry when I was in the town upon learning the hasty schedule of Dominixe's engagement with that man. I was so enraged that I could only think of letting my honeydew know that I was still alive.

But soon regretted it since I did not expect her to be here in this town. So, I had to hide and put back the earring of mine.

"I just smelled the scent of Valerian... I just thought that..."

I secretly clenched my teeth, knowing how Dominixe missed me. I wanted to tackle her down and kiss her senselessly.

Everything I did was for Dominixe and Demetrius' sake. I watched silently while being lashed out by her.

It was hard to get overboard of the walls she built. But I managed to be with her and made love to her. It was the best day of my life when Henry partnered me with Dominixe's team in the hunting competition.

I found my way crawling back to the woman I loved. I could love her again, even if it meant living as another person.

If this was the only way to be with her, then I could be Niccolo for the rest of my life.

Until... that faithful day when everything had been revealed.

Dominixe was in disbelief. I had this urge to hug her, but she distanced herself from me. It broke me when she was crying.

"Lilith!" No... I must explain things why I had to be secretive!

"Do not follow her, Valerian." I halted from Luna Queen Rachelle's command. "You should have come prepared that things would be like this."

I knelt on the floor, feeling my heart being faded away. "I only did what I thought was best, Your Majesty..." I bit my lower lip, crying. "If I would be punished for hurting her, I would gladly do so..."

Her Majesty knelt on one knee and placed her hand on my shoulder. "Normally, I punished my sister's mates for hurting them. But you are exceptional since Dominixe was the one who hurt you first."

I shook my head. "No... It is my fault... I did not manage to save her... I promise I did, but I must forge my death again..."

She smiled and placed her hand on my head. "This is Dominixe's karma, Valerian. I might not be the one to punish her, but fate already intervened." She stood up, and Alpha King Claudian quickly tended to her. "Moreover, this is also our Mother's fault from their original timeline for disagreeing with Dameta's request to be with your other self. Her desperation to change your fate had caused the disturbance in our timeline. Dominixe herself should be enough not to ruin the laws of nature, but someone that came from another dimension also intervened, which things had gone complicated..." She sighed, looking distressed.

It must be the reason why Dameta wanted us to avoid meeting her older sister was because of this... It was surprising that she was aware of the distortion of this realm.

I was speechless for a moment before my eyes settled on my hands before looking up at her. "Your Majesty, please do not return our son to his timeline. I can handle—"

"I am sorry, but Demetrius is no longer needed in this world." Her eyes expressed the lowest point, meaning it was useless even if I begged that Demetrius stay here with us. "His duty has come to an end. He needs to be in this timeline, or else he would disappear himself... now that he learned of his mother's death."

That led me to despair before I clutched my hair in distress. "I should have told him sooner..."

"Valerian..." Henry tended to me, worried. He tapped my shoulder, silently telling me he was there for me.

I looked at my dear friend and smiled bitterly. "I am such a horrible person..."