Iris sneaked inside the kitchen before returning to her room. As workers were busy with their dinner, she easily took a bowl and put some remaining raw meat and also took some steak and darted out of that place.
Reaching her room, she carefully went inside and closed the door.
Cassian opened his eyes when he sensed her presence near him. He observed as his mate sneakily got inside the room and turned to him with an adorable grin on her face.
She proudly walked to him and put the meat-filled bowl in front of him, "Here, Eat it Mr.wolf"
He contemplated in his place. Eating raw meat was not something new to him because of his wolf instincts. But eating this in front of his mate made him nervous. 'What if she gets scared of him after seeing him eating raw meat?'
Iris tilted her head and blinked her eyes, "What's wrong....Do you not like this?" then something flashed in her mind. She took out the steak that was meticulously wrapped in a napkin and put it in front of him, "This is cooked meat, maybe you might like this"
Cassian bent his head and started eating the steak. 'Well, it is better like this. He didn't want to show his savage side in front of his mate.
Meanwhile, Iris was surprised by this. She guessed that he would eat raw meat like all the wild wolves but Mr.Wolf surprised her by rejecting it and eating cooked meat. She also noticed his gentle demeanor while eating and was further confused, 'Were wild beasts this well behaved?' Iris knew about werewolves existing in this world but ruled out the possibility of Mr wolf being a werewolf because she learned about Findara consisting of only humans.
After eating his fill, he looked up at her and Iris wiped his mouth clean with a napkin.
Then she cleared the bed and laid down. Cassian scooted near and nuzzled against her neck as she hugged him, "Good night, Mr. Wolf" she said gently and closed her eyes.
A few minutes later her breathing got even and relaxed as she fell into a deep slumber. Cassian observed her face and went into a trance. Perfectly arched eyebrows following a sharp nose which ended with pouty red lips. Such a stunning woman is his mate.....only his. He was never the one to fall for a beautiful face until he saw his mate. His heart kept on saying that she also has a good heart besides her looks and that was true. Her words of comfort during their lunch proved that fact. She made sure to not pity or embarrass him but instead just said what came to her mind at that moment and which consoled him.
He sighed and rested his head on her hand then closed his eyes, "Mine...." he said in his mind and fell asleep.
The next morning was sunny and bright. Sunrays peeking through the curtains hit her face making her frown. She groggily opened her eyes and got up from the bed. Her side was empty so she concluded that he must have left before dawn.
"Are you awake my lady?" Lucy's voice stopped her thoughts. She removed the duvet and stepped down from the bed. Opening the door, she saw Lucy with two other maids.
"Prepare to go out today. I have to buy dresses for the princess' tea party"
"But his Grace has already invited a seamster to prepare your outfit, my lady. They will visit you in the afternoon"
Iris nodded and entered the bathroom and slumped inside the bathtub filled with roses. Relaxing, she let the maids do their work and closed her eyes. After getting out of the bath, she ate breakfast inside her room and went to the drawing-room room to wait for the seamster.
A few moments later, a stern-looking man followed by two women entered the room, "I'm Alex, and I'm the one assigned to prepare your outfits, my lady" then he gestured to his assistants, and they came to Iris with a measuring tape.
"Could you please stand up my lady?" one of the women asked and Iris got up from her seat. After taking down the measurement, Alex glanced at Iris, "Dresses will be delivered to you before the princess' tea party my lady"
"Thank you for your assistance," Iris said and stood up as they left the room leaving Lucy and her alone.
****
ROYAL PALACE OF FINDARA
Duke Augustus entered the royal palace and walked towards the conference room. He decided to talk to the emperor directly about annulling his daughter's engagement today.
Many high-ranking nobles like him were gathered inside a luxurious room. He stepped inside and took his seat which was not far away from the emperor'. The seating was arranged according to the hierarchy.
After some time, the emperor entered the room and everyone got up from their seats, "Greetings your majesty the light of the empire"
"Take your seats" his voice was filled with authority and dominance. Jet black locks combed back and azure blue eyes greeted them as they looked at the regal-looking man on the emperor's seat.
Duke Augustus couldn't help but think that Cassian looked just like the emperor. He came out of his thoughts when they announced the arrival of Crown Prince Louis Bradford.
A charming young man with blazing red hair and blue eyes entered the conference room. He roamed his eyes around the place and gave a sickeningly sweet smile when he caught sight of Augustus, Well it was his future father-in-law after all.
The duke returned the prince's charming smile with his own rigid smile and avoided his eyes after that. He could make out this young man's motive just by looking at his cunning eyes.
Louis knew about the things running inside duke's mind but didn't mind it and took his seat next to his father. Then he glanced at his half-brother's empty seat smirked, "I see that brother is running late even today"
The emperor frowned, "He is not like you, Your brother has a Grand duchy to govern"
Louis's face turned dark and his uncle and the current empress' younger brother, Duke Leonard Orleans narrowed his eyes, "What do you mean by that, your majesty? Louis also has his own share of responsibilities to fulfill as the crown prince of this empire"
Emperor William Bradford looked at the middle-aged man with red hair and golden eyes and parted his lips, "Are you talking about the responsibilities that are controlled by your beloved sister?" his tone turned into a mocking scowl as he continued, "When has Louis ever fulfilled a responsibility without your sister's or your family's interference?"
Everyone around the table sneered and started whispering among themselves. Duke Augustus tried his best to contain his laughter after looking at Duke Leonard and Prince Louis' grim faces.
The Emperor's disfavor towards the Crown Prince and Empress was well known to everyone in the house of lords and high society. Nobles even discussed that the Emperor would have given the crown prince's seat to Grand duke Cassian Wulfgur if not for his mother's status as a mere concubine. But it was just an ongoing gossip because they also knew about the mutual dislike between the Grand duke and the emperor.
Emperor William never cared about the Grand duke after his mother's death. So many thought that he did not favor him, including the Grand duke himself. But only William knew how much he cared and loved his son. He was forced to turn away to keep his son safe and could only care for him from the shadows.
He sighed and looked up as they announced Cassian's entrance into the conference hall. A warm smile adorned his lips looking at his son but he made sure to wipe it away to not alert the others about his attention directed towards his son. Only by being indifferent could he keep his son safe from the ones that wanted to harm him.
Cassian looked at the nobles with indifference and glanced at his father, "I greet his majesty the light of the empire"
Saying that he reclined in his seat and smirked hearing Duke Leonard's words, "Aren't you going to apologize for being late and delaying the conference held by his majesty the emperor? How can you be so shameless Grand duke?"
Cassian relaxed on his seat and looked at the emperor, "I have other better works to do than apologizing to an incompetent old man"
Everyone gasped and glanced at the emperor, but the latter just remained calm. Meanwhile, Duke Leonard slammed the table and glared at Cassian, "How insolent! You dare insult his majesty the emperor?"
"What are you going to do about it?" Came a calm reply from Cassian, "Cry and complain about this to your beloved sister?"
The nobles were once again caught in the dilemma of choosing between laughing out loud or staying quiet.
"You.….!" Duke Leonard shook with anger.
"Quiet everyone!" Emperor's authoritative voice silenced everyone inside the room. Then he turned towards Cassian, "This will be the last time Grand duke. Mind your words from now on or you will pay a harsh punishment for slandering the royal family"
"Whatever....." Cassian muttered and turned away from him.
On the sidelines, Louis silently observed the exchange happening with interest in his blue eyes. He even secretly applauded his half-brother for calling out his father as weak. He was not in a position to rebuke the emperor, but his brother's case was different. Cassian was the lord of his own land whereas he was just a puppet played by his mother. Louis admired his brother, but sometimes he felt envious of him. He too wanted to experience the freedom and power that his half-brother enjoyed.