My Mate Chose My Best Friend, So His Uncle Claimed Me novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28: A Hint

The next morning, I woke up from the faint light slipping through the curtains. My hand reached across the mattress, and the warmth beside me was already gone. I almost thought last night was just a dream, but the sheets covering my naked body, the torn nightdress on top of the sheets, and the sensation I felt between my legs were undeniable evidence.

Before I could sink further into my thoughts, a soft knock was the thing I heard at the chamber door.

“Lady Euphyllia,” a servant’s voice called. “You are summoned to breakfast.”

“Coming!” I replied as I gripped the sheets and tried my best to stand up.

I felt a little sore down there. Last night, Lucretius told me that we would only have one round as he didn’t want to tire me out today. Remembering his words brought warmth to my cheeks.

Did this mean that if there was no occasion today, he would be true to his promise that he would make me cripple?

I didn’t know why, but that sounded appealing to my mind, yet I had to castigate myself as I hurried to freshen up, smoothing the crease of my gown. Staring at myself in the mirror, no matter how many amount of water on my face, it couldn’t wash away the red tinge in my cheeks.

I didn’t know how I was going to face Lucretius now that we had finally consummated our marriage. It felt like the very first time I slept with him, but this time, I wasn’t drunk and recall very well the things he had done to me.

I was escorted by a servant to the dining hall. It was spacious, almost surpassing the executives‘ dining hall back in the camp.

As I arrived, I took deep breaths, preparing myself to meet Redmund’s parents, and most especially, my husband, Lucretius. Until now, it felt surreal that I would be calling him my husband from now on.

It was just yesterday that I was engaged, and now things have been expedited in the blink of an eye.

Lucretius sat at the head of the table, his posture composed, and a cup of tea resting in his hand as if nothing unusual had happened last night. His calmness made my chest tighten even more.

Beside him were Lord Lorenzo and Lady Romina, who both turned their attention toward me the moment I entered.

I immediately lifted my skirt above my ankle with a bow. “Greetings, Commander Lucretius, Lord Lorenzo, Lady Romina.” I thanked myself that I was able to be composed. I didn’t want to spark anything suspicious. Or so I thought.

“Ah, Euphyllia,” Romina greeted warmly, her smile looking like the sun rose to the east. She gestured to the empty seat beside her. “Come, sit. Did you sleep well?”

I felt like there was a lump in my throat, and I almost lost my composure right there from her question. “Yes, my lady,” 1 answered, smoothing down my skirt as I sat, forcing a polite smile. “The chamber was most comfortable.”

In my peripheral vision, Lucretius shifted on his seat before Romina spoke.

“Good.” Romina nodded with satisfaction. “I do hope everything was to your liking.”

Lorenzo chuckled. “A bed too soft, perhaps? Or maybe you simply aren’t used to sleeping in this manor yet?”

Hot and cold breezes brushed my nape, and I quickly looked down at my plate. “The bed was… more than enough,” I murmured, silently praying that my voice didn’t betray me.

I couldn’t help but remember how Lucretius caressed and teased me before he had finally taken me, as if he had been suffering for so long, which I couldn’t agree more. I remembered wanting more, even though there was a chance someone might hear us. But Lucretius had enough self–control to ensure my legs would still be working today.

That made me grip the utensils, scolding myself to stop thinking about it.

Across the table, I felt Lucretius‘ gaze flicker toward me. His baritone voice cut through the air.

Chapter 28 A Hirt

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“She slept well,” he said flatly, his eyes looking amused as they darted in my direction. “Didn’t you, Euphyllia?”

I nearly blurted out a curse from his question and almost tumbled out of my seat. His words made my stomach turn upside down as I pressed my lips together, nodding slowly.

“I–Indeed, commander.” I cleared my throat to sound formal.

However, my heart was racing so fast, and I wished I could throw my utensil towards him. I knew what he was trying to emphasize, and it affected me.

“That is good to hear,” Romina said, reaching into the bread basket and offering me a slice, which I accepted. Her smile was as gentle as ever, far from his son’s behavior. “Eat, child. You’ll need your strength. The party preparations will keep the manor

busy all day.”

Lorenzo hummed in agreement. His eyes exchanged briefly between Lucretius and me as if he sensed something between us.

A servant had poured Earl Grey tea into my cup when Lorenzo set down his fork and spoke in a casual tone.

“Oh, yes, our son will be returning before noon,” he announced. “He has been eager to introduce his fiancée to us. It seems he wants her to be welcomed properly into the family before the festivities tonight.”

My heart felt like recoiling at the mention of Redmund returning here. I knew that I must expect it since he and his parents were living in the same roof as Lucretius, but my heart couldn’t help but react to it.

Not only that, the bread knife I was holding nearly slipped from my fingers upon hearing that word.

Fiancée.

Redmund… You were so eager to introduce my former best friend as your fiancée, yet you couldn’t be able to do it to your former mate. How absurd you could be…

Romina’s smile widened as she clasped her hands together. “My, my! How wonderful! At last, we will meet the young lady who has captured Redmund’s heart!”

I lowered my gaze to the bread on my plate, tearing it slowly. Lilith… Her name felt so bitter in my throat. Suddenly, I felt like having no appetite right now.

Across the table, Lucretius‘ teacup halted midway to his lips. He neither smiled nor frowned, and his expression was unreadable.

Lorenzo continued, “He speaks highly of her, you know, when he sends us the letter. A well–bred young woman, elegant, educated, and a captain, too, in the same unit as him… I hear she has ambitions of her own, a perfect match for our Redmund.” He drew out a proud, small smile and turned toward his elder brother. “What do you think, brother? Have you heard much of this woman?”

I secretly gnashed my teeth as my fingers tightened on the napkin resting on my lap. Anticipation ate my whole being when Lucretius was silent before he finally put down his cup in the saucer.

He leaned back in his seat, remaining nonchalant. “I’ve heard enough,” he replied, his gaze flickering for a moment toward me. “But a man’s fiancée is his own matter. What is important is that my household remains for tonight’s guests.”

His words were polite, but something in his tone that I couldn’t decipher.

“Then, does it matter to you if our son’s fiancée isn’t his mate?” Lorenzo added, his tone sounded hopeful.

I caught Romina slightly frowning at her husband’s bluntness, but she remained silent. Curiosity lingered in her gaze. Lucretius rested his elbow on the armchair, placing his chin on his knuckles as a lopsided smile played on his lips in response to the question. “Must I ask you that, dear brother?” he asked, letting out a short cackle. “After all, he is your son.”

Lorenzo shifted in his seat, slightly leaning forward before releasing a chuckle. “Now, now, you make it sound so detached, Lucretius. Yet as the head of the House of Franciosa and the Alpha of our pack, I cannot help but wonder what you truly think.

Chapter 28 A Hint

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After all, it is not only Redmund’s choice. His action reflects upon our family as a whole,”

My eyes couldn’t help but linger on Romina, who was glancing between them. Her smile was fixed, but I could quite see the faltering in it while her fingers tightened around her cup.

“Hmm…” Lucretius transferred his chin to his palm, his forefinger tapping lightly against his cheek. His gaze drifted toward me before returning to Lorenzo. “You want to know what I think?”

I stared at Lucretius. Even though it hadn’t been a month since I had been working for him as his assistant, there were a few parts of him that I could interpret.

Especially in his question… I could sense the disinterest in his tone. It was a lazy amusement that seemed didn’t reach his eyes.

“If I were Redmund,” he paused, “I wouldn’t waste time introducing my fiancée either. I would make sure she was mine and mine alone before anyone else dared to lay eyes on her.”

The words struck my chest with a thousand arrows. This supposed to be hurting me because it seemed like he was supporting Redmund for his decision, but the way Lucretius stealing a glance at me meaningfully had made me realize that it wasn’t because he was approving Redmund’s action.

He was speaking about last night, wasn’t he? No, that was impossible… That couldn’t be right.

Romina finally loosened up and chuckled softly. “How typical of you to phrase it that way, Lucretius. You talk as if you can be loyal to one woman.”

I almost agreed with her. Who would ever believe in his words if he had been known as a playboy? He could sweep every woman’s feet and brought them in a place–I paused right there when what happened between us last night flashed in my mind.

A cuss nearly slipped out of my lips because of that.

Lucretius didn’t answer right away. His fingers lazily brushing against the rim of his cup as if savoring the silence he knew made others uneasy.

“Is that what you think, sister–in–law?” His eyes fixated on his cup, looking at it as the most interesting object across the room. “That I cannot be loyal? Is it because I haven’t found my mate, hmm?”

Romina tilted her head, smiling politely. “Since I married Lorenzo, I’ve only ever seen you focused to your duties. You’ve never shown interest in tying yourself down to a woman,” she said meaningfully, emphasizing how old he was right now. “So forgive me if I doubt.”

I exchanged glances between them while silently eating. It seemed like I wasn’t the only one who had the right thinking about

Lucretius.

Even if I married this man, I wouldn’t expect him to be loyal only to me.

I was just Lucretius‘ toy. He would get tired of me sooner, and I would be able to divorce our marriage as soon as I achieved my vengeance against Redmund.

Certain, he was going to look for another woman to bed with, which I didn’t mind. As long as I could use his power and influence, that was all that matters. I could turn blind eye to all his unfaithful doings during our marriage.

Lucretius finally lifted his gaze, his upper lip parted and curved into a smirk. “Then you’ve not been watching closely enough.”

In my peripheral vision, Lorenzo creased his forehead in curiosity while Romina arched her eyebrow.

“Oh?” She sounded intrigued. She gently stroked her chin, intrigued. “And do you mean to tell us that you already have someone who has caught your loyalty?”

His smirk deepened. “I already do.”

“Is it… your mate?”

Chapter 28 A Hint

+25 Bonus

“No.” He scoffed. “Someone else,” he replied meaningfully, gently tapping the rim of his cup before his eyes briefly peered in my direction.

Romina hummed. “Now, I am intrigued. Who is she? Is she someone from our pack? Another pack? I almost pity the poor woman who has to endure you.”

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