Chapter 84: An Opportunity

Valerian

"Three days from now, Demetrius and I shall return to the celestial realm."

That was what Luna Queen Rachelle said as soon as we were finished dining for the morning meal. She started discussing only when Alpha King Helio left for some entertainment. She even provided privacy to the whole dining hall, which only us, Alpha King Claudian, Henry, Demetrius, Dominixe, and I, to avoid leaking the information we discussed.

"Since my dear sister, Dominixe, is still not accustomed to her abilities as the Goddess of Time..." she paused, pouring my attention at Dominixe, drumming her fingers on the table. I did the same, causing our eyes to meet, but Dominixe quickly averted her gaze. "Mother shall help Demetrius to return to his original timeline. By then, Valerian... Dominixe... If you wish to be with my nephew, do it. You have ample time." Her eyes shifted between Dominixe and me, urging us to take this as an opportunity.

Hot air came to pass behind me, feeling my insides about to fail me. The thought of not being able to see Demetrius again frightened me.

How would he be able to deal with everything now that he was alone to tend the House of Cantavalle? Who would supervise him?

This shouldn't be my concern since I had been through being the patriarch of our household. But I did not want my son to experience the hardships I had been through.

"Fret not." Alpha King Claudian spoke, twisting and turning the spoon he was holding. "Demetrius has uncles who are Alphas, which includes me as the Alpha King, and some of them held noble titles. I am confident that they shall educate Demetrius properly. Rest assured." His gaze softened. "He also has cousins to rely on so Demetrius can be able to handle everything. Right, Demetrius?"

Demetrius, whose eyes were on his plate, jumped to his seat. "H-Huh? Um... Y-Yes, Uncle Claude." His gaze dropped to the rug, eyes filled with hesitation.

My heart clenched just by the sight of seeing him being like this. Demetrius wanted to stay, but he couldn't so.

"I-I will make it up to Demetrius before h-he shall depart."

My wolf alerted me when Dominixe had finally spoken. A glimmer of hope sparked in Demetrius' eyes.

"Really, Mother?"

I softened when Dominixe nodded as her dazzling lips drew a warm smile. "Yes, of course, Demetrius. I shall be with you."

A warm breath heaved out from me just by seeing Demetrius celebrate even though his other mother died. I clutched the envelope that I was keeping behind my lapel.

For certain, Demetrius wanted to have closure with his mother... I wanted him to know about the existence of this letter. But how...?

"Then, can Father come with us, too, Mother?"

My eyes widened, straightening my back. Demetrius was smiling when our eyes met before his eyes settled on Dominixe, who looked hesitant, having a wry smile on her lips. I couldn't help secretly clenching my hand, feeling the distance between us.

I wanted to speak with her. I wanted to make it up to the love of my life.

But... the delay in her response was enough that Dominixe was not ready to speak with me.

Honeydew...

"Um..." Dominixe chuckled nervously, shifting in her seat.

Demetrius paused. His shoulders gradually slumped. "I just want to be with the two of you since... Father died in my timeline." The rays of sunlight glinted on his melancholy handsome face. "I wish us to become a family, even if it is just a short moment..." His voice croaked. "Even if I no longer exist in your world."

"Demetrius..." Dominixe and I gasped in unison, seeing that we both reacted guiltily when Demetrius's heart had already shattered.

A seat was being repelled, only to see Henry rising. "These two adults cannot decide for themselves. I shall do it. I shall arrange my villa where the three of you can have a short vacation." The impatience in his tone wavered while fishing out his pocket watch. "We still have ample time to fix our schedule to bring down Dominixe's household."

Demetrius gasped. "About that—"

"Demetrius!" I flinched when Luna Queen Rachelle and I spoke in unison.

It seemed that I was not the only one thinking of halting Demetrius from revealing the future of Dominixe's household.

Luna Queen Rachelle nodded at me, gesturing her hand to let me speak. I gently bowed my head, turning at Demetrius. "You promised your mother that you are not going to reveal anything if it is not related to what is happening in this timeline, Demetrius," I said, clasping my hands before placing my elbows on the table.

"Why?" Finally, Dominixe had come to question. Her eyes fixated on me with so much solemnity. "What has been letting you halt him from speaking about everything, Valerian?"

I stared at her while she was glaring at me. I couldn't find the heart to admit it. Instead, I lowered my gaze to the cup of tea.

"You will remain silent and ignore my question when I know the truth?" Her voice was near to almost yelling. "What else are you hiding from me, Niccolo or Valerian?" Her lips outstretched a bitter smile causing me to retract from my seat.

"My original timeline will be gone, Mother." It was Demetrius who answered. "I will also disappear..."

"What?!"

"It is why Goddess Dameta has been punishing him, Domi." Henry was shaking his head, disapproving of Dameta's ways of disciplining Demetrius. "The more Demetrius keeps talking about the future—"

"Refrain from speaking about anything in your timeline, Demetrius!" My fist hit the table, gritting my teeth in annoyance. "I do not want to lose you..." I closed my eyes, hearing my heart getting shatter. "Please!"

"Father..."

I slowly looked up to meet Demetrius' gaze, looking worried. I tried to smile, but it certainly did not reach my eyes. "Just please, Demetrius..."

I still wanted to spend more time with you... I did not want you to be alone.

How could I reach those words to him?

"Demetrius." Dominixe's soothing voice reached my ears. "It is alright now. You do not need to tell me. What important now is Valerian and I are going to make it up to you. Don't you agree with me, Val?" She was caressing his back, looking at me intently.

Meeting her gaze had my stomach somersaulted. I mindlessly nodded. "Yes."

Demetrius was speechless, but he later smiled. "Alright!"

As Henry promised, the villa he owned was being used for the three of us. It was a two-hour ride as a clamp of jitters raged inside me now that I could be with Dominixe again with our son, who came from a different timeline.

I still needed to be Niccolo since my identity would be at risk again if I exposed myself so easily. But now that I was here in this private villa, Henry said it was safe to release my mask and be as Valerian as I wanted.

"Lilith..." I offered my hand to her as soon as Demetrius and I exited the carriage. My hands started sweating when Dominixe only stared at my hand before releasing a soft sigh, accepting my hand. "Careful, honeydew!"

I quickly caught her in my arms when she mounted the carriage. "T-Thank you..." Her timid voice was slightly new to me since I did not get to hear it that often.

The Dominixe I always saw would put a strong demeanor and independence facade with no shortcomings beckoning her personality.

Dominixe met my gaze, only to be a huge mistake since her face had drawn closer to mine. Her floral scent, lavender, lingered on my nose, causing my wolf to crave it.

That familiar scent would always make me want to claim her right now.

My face was just a few inches as our breaths mingled. I could hear our hearts beating in the same rhythm—wild, fast, and hasty. My fingers were gently drumming her elbow, causing Dominixe to inhale sharply at the contact of our skin.

"Honeydew..." I muttered, wanting to take those crimson lips of hers.

"Valerian..." Dominixe gulped, clutching to me as her eyes lowered to see that our lips were one inch closer.

One movement from either of us would lead us to kiss each other.

"Mother, look! I have picked your favorite flower!"

Dominixe's eyes widened, quickly pushing me away. "C-Coming!" she said nervously before sprinting from my direction.

I caught myself reaching out to her far figure, wanting to pull her again in my arms, but I could not. Instead, I placed my hand on my left chest, hearing my heart only living for her.

Then I clutched my tunic, urging to claw my heart out for whispering such carnal actions towards her.

"Hold your horses, Niccolo..." I was talking to my wolf. "We cannot take advantage of her..." Looking up at the bright sunlight and how the trees and plants danced along with the breeze, breathing out this nervousness that kept crawling inside me had shown me that this might be a chance for me to reconcile everything with Dominixe.

This should not fail.

I must take back my honeydew.

My charade was over. It was time for me to coax her again and showed to her how much I loved her.