My Mate Chose My Best Friend, So His Uncle Claimed Me novel Chapter 19

“Investigation, you say?” Lucretius’s eyes gleamed as if my request had stirred curiosity within him. His thumb traced slow circles along my waist, feeling ticklish from his touch as silence enveloped us.

My senses heightened every time he would do that to me. I felt something sparkling that coursed through my body, and it was hard to lie that it didn’t affect me.

“Into what, my little soldier?” His lips curled in a half–smile, but his gaze cut straight through me. “Or perhaps…” His voice lowered, his expression slightly darkened. “…into who?”

My throat tightened. Why did it feel like that last question made him look unhappy? Or was it just my imagination?

“I need you to gather some information about the deceased people whose name is Euphyllia or Elixane.”

Mentioning my name felt like they were strictly forbidden. For the first time since I had known him, Lucretius’s expression shifted, not from mockery, indulgence, but something different.

Disbelief? Hilarious?

“That’s… rather unusual investigation,” he said, his tone sounded uncertain. He was looking at me as if I had grown another head and had gone insane.

I understood what he meant.

My hand reached for the lapel of his uniform, my eyes glued to it as I unconsciously played with it. “I know. It sounds bizarre that I ask you this, and you would think that I am playing with you because Euphyllia is my name…” I paused, uncertain if I should tell him my awakening.

Lucretius lifted my chin and coerced me to gawk at him. His eyes spread curiosity in them as he spoke, “Is there a particular reason why you wish to investigate those people whose names are Euphyllia or Elixane?”

“Will you believe me if I tell you?” I challenged.

“Try me.” He gently pinched my chin before releasing it.

I took a deep breath. “I… remember my past lives

I paused, revealing it felt like it was draining me and fear was succumbing to me because it was indeterminate if Lucretius would actually believe me.

I half–expected him to laugh or dismiss me as a delusional woman, fearing he might void our contract; yet Lucretius did not say anything. His expression remained nonchalant, and his attention didn’t falter.

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As the Moon Goddess built Her sacred temples throughout every kingdom, She adored them with Her favorite flower, lavender. These were no ordinary blossoms, as they carried a divine bond to the Temple of the Moon Goddess.

These special flowers couldn’t thrive anywhere else, as their very essence was tied to this sacred spot. Any effort to steal or grow them beyond the temple would fail, as they simply wouldn’t take root in any other soil.

They were found only in the Temple of the Moon Goddess, a reflection of the divine favor gracing this sanctified place. While other man–made temples could grow lavender gardens, they could only nurture ordinary types, unable to embody the mesmerizing essence of the Mother’s chosen bloom.

Besides the Temple of the Moon Goddess, the royal palace was another remarkable place where the sacred lavender flowers flourished. This prestigious location enjoyed a special status, free from the restrictions that applied to other human–made structures.

Within the royal palace grounds, the lavender blossoms thrived, their soft petals filling the air with a heavenly scent. This special privilege, reserved for the royal lycan family, highlighted their deep connection to the Moon Goddess and Her blessings.

It symbolized their honored status and the sacred relationship they shared with the celestial realm.

Now standing before the temple, in front of the Moon Goddess’s statue, divinely carved, She stood with Her wavy hair appearing to float, Her eyes veiled by a blindfold. Her hand stretched. out, palm open, with a crescent moon gracefully resting upon it.

The more I looked at it, the more I felt like the voice came from it. Just as I opened my mouth to utter a word, Lucretius‘ voice pulled me back to the present.

but

“Euphyllia.” Then, I felt his hand enfold my wrist and gently turn me around to gather my attention. “What’s wrong?” he asked, looking worried. “I have been calling your name, you still won’t turn to me.”

I fluttered my eyelids, releasing a deep breath. “L” I tried to say something, but it felt like there was a huge lump stuck in my throat. Feeling useless, I lowered my gaze. “My… apologies. “I didn’t know what to say.

But there was one thing I could confirm at this moment.

The name didn’t feel foreign. It was more like home.

And for the first time, I realized the Moon Goddess wasn’t calling for another.

She was calling for me.

Elixane was me.

Chapter 19: Blessed One

Three days had passed since the temple incident, yet the name still clung to me like a leach).

Elixane.

That name kept echoing in my mind, and every time I would daze, whenever I heard that whisper, it always snapped me back to reality, and I would try to look for it. I even tried to bury myself by focusing on reports I knew that during my past lives, my name was always remained Euphyllia, but Elixane was also part of me.

I was living on the same name, but I was more familiar Euphyllia more.

This morning, I thought perhaps routine would enough to break my thoughts from it. Good thing, Lucretius had asked for tea. A simple task that was enough to keep my thoughts grounded.

The warmth of the porcelain pot and the faint fragrance of peach blossom herbs steeping in the water had granted me the motivation to be keep myself in the present. The smell wafted in the air as it brought a calming feeling as I put it on a tray and stepped out into the corridor.

But as soon as I turned to the corner, I was greeted by two familiar figures.

“Well, well… If it isn’t the new ‘assistant‘ of my uncle.” Redmund leaned against the wall, arms folded, eyes sharp with mockery.

From the corner, Lilith appeared, having a small smile plastered on her lips. Being her best friend for years, I could immediately tell from that smile how she disliked me.

“So, tell us, Euphie.” Lilith circled around me as if I were a prey to them. “What exactly did you do to win Commander Lucretius‘ favor?” Her eyes narrowed. “Redmund is supposed to have the role you stole from him,” she said sharply.

I stared at them, already expecting that there would come a time that one or both of them was going to confront me. But I didn’t expect it would be sooner than I thought.

“I didn’t steal anything,” I replied in a conviction tone. “Commander Lucretius was looking for the best tactical keeper to be his assistant. And I was personally recommended by Marlin.”

The mention of my senior keeper’s name made Redmund’s jaw tighten. Even Lilith’s eyes flickered with surprise.

I knew that I didn’t have to go to such details the moment I mentioned Marlin. My case wasn’t new to them. There were some commanders, especially those strategic commanders preferred tactical keepers as their assistants while others were stuck to their second–in–command lieutenants.

To get the best tactical keeper as their assistant from the records hall, it should be personally recommended by Marlin. There was no other way around where a strategic commander picked someone unless they had asked Marlin himself.

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Their expressions were gone in an instant, replaced by their mocking grins.

“Marlin?” Redmund scoffed, pushing off the wall “He personally recommended you? Do not make me laugh. I do not see you fit as the best tactical keeper in the records hall.”

Lilith’s voice was soft, but it was laced with venom beneath its sweetness. “I suppose pity recommendations do exist, my love.” She clung to him and pressed her cheek on his shoulder.

Her actions caused me to slightly squint my eyebrows. If I was the same Euphyllia days ago who was left discarded and heartbroken, my wolf and I would have been trembling for intimidating me. I would even begin to question myself if I was worthy in my position.

But now was different.

I knew Lucretius picked me as his assistant because he wanted me all for himself. I was certain that the moment he had sent the letter of recommendation to Marlin, he knew that Marlin would pick me.

Because all in all, amongst the tactical keepers in that records hall, I was the most outstanding.

I must say Lucretius was lived up to his rank position as a strategic commander. Given the history we both had, this could have been according to his plans.

My grip on the tray tightened upon my resolved, and I lifted my chin, forcing my voice to remain steady.

“Believe what you will,” I said. “But I have no intention of justifying myself further. If you think you’re more deserving, Commander Lucretius should have accepted your petition.” I stood in front of him, staring into his hazel eyes that resembled Lucretius’s. I used to love them, but right now, I was more fascinated to his uncle’s eye color. More rich and highlight, more striking than Redmund.

“Don’t question my worth, Captain Redmund. I suppose I should thank you for the fact that I somehow played a part in your current rank… and that your uncle eventually discovered who helped you achieve that position.”

I watched as how his eyes widened in surprise. His composure had collapsed before me, which I had been wanting to see.

Lilith, however, didn’t falter. Her arm tightened around his, and her mocking was glued to her lips.

“How clever,” she purred, tilting her head in my direction. “The discarded little wolf finally found a way to bare her fangs, huh?”

for your

My lips parted, and a sweet, calculating smile blessed my lips. “Thank you compliment, Lilith. I must thank you and Redmund. You have let me grow on my own. It seems like the Moon Goddess has blessed me as soon as I was discarded by the people I loved.”

Wait until you learned that I was formally engaged to Lucretius. I wonder if Redmund could

stlemise himself once he nose that he would now become an Alpha

LAMA

sed, king an infideller But let me coming you Rights “How Mw too lonly seen and a muster*

on delusional” Then, the arched her eyebrow.” stir gradually contained by poison. “Wolves that

the brushed her fingers and doon on Redmund’s sleeve, making me turn to the attention

when

on her hand. That was often fought a ring on het ring finger, and I froze to my ground. Then, the med dere him, whingering something caly he could hear

1 warhad zadened sciencies you need, though his glare never left me

adapted his back him malding around Lilith’s waist. “Enjoy your borrowed Vilayer while you can, Euphyte

e spoke menacingly. “Because places like

With that, he wage Lich with her doom the comidor, their footsteps fading into the hall. When they were on of my sight, I was finally able to breath property, leaning myself to the

My hom www.drudy mothly. I me so upfront towards them that I failed to notice it.

Stek deep breath before rushing back to Lucretius study room before he could notice that I

for too long

“Forgive my tardiness,” uttered as I poured his teacup while he was browsing some documents on the files cabinet. I tumed at him and caught him nodded.

I thought that I would be scolded by him right there, but it was a good thing it wasn’t.

I returned to my desk and halted upon seeing an orange chrysanthemum on top of it.

My lips slightly parted as I glanced at the adjacent room next to me where he was, not expecting that he would leave a flower again after I was gone for a while. Reaching for it, the flower wasn’t what surprised me.

It was because of the folded slip of parchment nestled beneath its stem.

My heart plummeted because of that.

Last time, he had only left the flower, and I remembered that Lucretius forced me to be honest with my feelings and relayed my bitter disappointment when there was no note in it. He teased me, which one of the things I disliked about him.

I thought that he wouldn’t hold on to his promise. Yet this time… he had remembered.

I carefully plucked the note free, unfolding it slowly. Anticipation was eating me as I was trying to decipher what message he would leave this time around.

You were braver than I expected, Lady Euphyllia You did not falter.’

The paper nearly slipped from my grasp upon reading it. I almost jumped out of my seat as my bead turned at the room next to me.

Was he watching the corridor? Did he hear everything with Redmund and Lilith?

Did this mean that he didn’t get mad from my tardiness because he followed me?

I lowered my gaze back to the note, feeling more at ease that he had seen my bravery earlier. I must say that if it weren’t with him, I wouldn’t be able to stand up on my own.

Lucretius was my salvation. He must be proud that I was growing.

Heaving out a sigh, I set aside the flower and kept the note before returning to his study room. again. I thought that he was working, but he was relaxing on the couch, having some tea.

Lucretius‘ eyes darted in my direction, his gloved hand tapping on his lap. My heart skipped a beat at what that meant

He was taking a break right now, and we were both alone together. It meant that I must do what it meant to please him.

Hesitant, I walked towards his direction.

His gaze never wavered. Every step I made looked like he was measuring me. When I stopped in front of him, his fingers drummed lightly on his knee.

A wordless command was already enough for me to understand what he needed.

I swallowed, setting aside the last of my restraint and lowered myself on his lap. His arm wrapped around my waist as he leaned back to adjust himself before removing his gloves so he could caress my hair.

Gulping, I mustered up the courage to ask him, feeling chills down my spine from touching

hair. “Do you think I did well there?” I knew that I didn’t have to elaborate the details.

my

He was smart. He would know my words behind them.

“Indeed,” he murmured. He pushed back a few strands of my hair on the back of my ear. “I am impressed with your development, my little soldier.”

My breath caught at his compliment. My body slowly relaxed and rested on his chest.

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