My Mate Chose My Best Friend, So His Uncle Claimed Me novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Confidence

“Why are we frowning tonight, Euphyllia?”

That was Lucretius‘ question to me when he was resting in the corner after a long night’s chatter with his guests. I even bestowed him a glass of champagne before settling with him in the corner.

My blood was boiling from his question because until now, the hickey was still there, and I couldn’t put on makeup to conceal Or rather, I was restricted from doing anything about it.

The time when I was being summoned earlier, upon learning I had this hickey, one of the maids added another instruction before I could make a decision.

“Alpha said that the mark must remain,” the maid whispered as she tightened the last ribbon of my gown. “He instructed that you are not to conceal it, Luna, or… suffer the consequences.”

I almost threw a fit when I heard that. He really wanted to ruin my cover, wasn’t he? The thought of Lucretius‘ smug voice saying those words made my stomach twist in irritation… and something else I couldn’t name yet.

“Nothing, commander,” I replied with my oh–so–sweet smile.

I didn’t know what he was planning, why he wanted me to put this, but I could tell that this would ruin his plan to expose me as his wife.

Lucretius, of course, noticed the shift in my tone. His eyes glanced to my neck, where he had left me a bruise with his mouth, and then returned to mine with a meaningful look.

The corner of his mouth curved before his lips touched the rim of the glass. “Good. I’d hate to think my assistant has already tired when the night has only just begun.”

My eye twitched at his words. This insensitive man… I swore… One day… I would find a way to turn the tables on him.

But not tonight.

“I am going to get some refreshments,” I excused myself before I could ruin my perfect role as his assistant.

As I marched away, I could feel his piercing gaze penetrating my back. I could feel his gaze burning me and feel ticklish at the same time, but I chose to ignore it.

My feet led me to the table full of refreshments, some pastries, and some desserts. The background was so soothing with some instrumental songs in the background while the nobles were chattering with each other.

I let my eyes wander over the display, checking every polished silver tray on the table. I was hesitant about what to eat and took my time until my eyes landed on those Madeleines dusted with sugar and Eccles cakes.

The sweet aroma of the pastries reached my nostrils, and my mouth watered. I could already imagine savoring those in a quiet place.

Just as I reached for one of the golden Madeleines, a calloused hand brushed against mine, targeting the same pastry that I also

wanted.

I froze for a moment before our eyes met,

There, I met Redmund’s light hazel eyes, narrowing with faint surprise. My heart dropped, and the sheer disgust surfaced in me, sending shivers down my spine.

I snapped my hand back at once, my gloved fingers retreating as if scorched. I instinctively took a step backward, putting

distance between us.

“My apologies, Captain Redmund,” I said in a formal tone, gesturing my hand to the pastries before us. “You can go ahead.”

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Chapter 32 Confidence

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I thought my voice would falter at the sight of him, but it didn’t, which made me proud of myself.

I already expected to meet one of them. And I really prepared my heart for this confrontation. I was really looking forward to seeing them here again.

But it’s a good thing I saw Redmund first.

Redmund’s face couldn’t paint the expression when he saw me, eyeing me up and down, before a bitter smile smeared on his lips. “Why the hell are you here, Euphyllia?” he asked, his voice was low, and only the two of us could hear the conversation.

I almost arched my eyebrow, but I maintained my composure. “Commander Lucretius invited me to his birthday party,” I explained, my eyes wandering around the crowds to look for Lucretius, and I saw some guests surrounding and talking to him.

Then, I returned my gaze to him.

He squinted his eyes, scoffing. “Invited?” His lips curled in a cruel smile. “Funny. I don’t recall him ever letting anyone in his shadow, much less you.”

The bitterness laced in his tone sent a chill through me, but I forced my shoulders to remain still. “If you are doubting Commander Lucretius, perhaps, you can ask him for some clarification, captain,” I replied, fighting the urge to clench my hands

I didn’t realize that Redmund had such an annoying face. I couldn’t figure out how I was so completely head over heels for him the entire year.

Perhaps when I saw his true colors, that was when I realized he wasn’t really worth it.

My wolf remained dormant with his presence here. I was expecting my wolf to react at least in a way that would hurt, but our feelings were on the same wavelength towards Redmund.

Redmund’s jaw tightened, his smile retained. “You’ve changed,” he muttered, his eyes scanning me with disdain. “The Euphyllia I knew wouldn’t have hidden behind…” he paused as his gaze flicked to my neck, lingering where the mark sat shamelessly exposed. A smirk crept to his lips. “Aha, I see now…” He chuckled bitterly. “I see. So, this is what you had to earn your place. Uh–huh.” He took a step closer and inclined his head, pretending to reach the pastries. “You’ve become his whore,” he stated, not asked.

A mocking smile drew on his lips. But something was flickering in his eyes that I couldn’t decipher.

“I see where that confidence came from,” he added, smiling from ear to ear. “And you think that will last, no? Such a conniving

bi-”

“Careful,” I chimed in coldly. The words slipped from my mouth before I could stop them, but I didn’t regret it.

His insult almost scraped a wound to my heart. But I wouldn’t lie and say it wasn’t hurting me.

His words held truth. What I had with Lucretius was for me to become his whore in exchange for power. But the power I would be holding wasn’t just simply, my power would shake Redmund’s standing.

For a moment, Redmund was taken aback. Then, he straightened his back, his tone almost hissing. “You are just a play toy for my uncle. And I couldn’t believe that you are going to sleep with him when

“Rather than with you,” I cut him off, popping a strawberry into my mouth from the strawberry shortcake I had with me. “I am glad that I gave myself to him… than you.”

Perhaps I must thank Lucretius for coercing me to keep this hickey. Redmund was able to recognize what it was, and now, I was able to make him realize his worth wasn’t as valuable anymore.

Redmund’s face darkened, his smirk faltering. His eyes flashed some emotions. Hurt? Anger? But he masked it quickly, but not quickly enough.

“You…” His voice was lower than before, hinting at a dangerous tone. “You dare speak to me that way?” His hand clenched at his side, his teeth gritting.

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Chapter 32: Confidence

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I tilted my head, feigning innocence. “Why wouldn’t I, captain? After all, we are strangers now.”

The words I spit out were laced with venom. I watched as his jaw tightened, the veins on his temple twitching.

And I knew well that I hit a nerve. For over a year, being in a relationship with him, I was able to memorize the emotions Redmund showed, but I failed to realize that some of them were fraud.

He scoffed, leaning closer to whisper as the music had gone louder for some reason. “Strangers, yes. But do not fool yourself, Euphyllia. Uncle Lucretius won’t keep you. When he’s finished, he’ll discard you like the rest. And when that day comes…” His hazel eyes gleamed. “I’ll be there to watch you crawl.”

I almost laughed at his statement as I lifted a Madeleine from the tray and smiled sweetly, treating his words as if they were nothing. “Then you’d better not blink, captain. You might miss the sight.”

I bit into the pastry, savoring the sugary taste on my tongue, never breaking eye contact. I wanted to challenge him on how long he would continue insulting me. I wanted to hear how evil he was, so I didn’t have to think in the near future that there was no chance for us to be back together.

My, my, Redmund… If only you knew that I was ready anytime as long as my vengeance would be executed… I didn’t care

anymore.

All I wanted to happen in this timeline was for him and Lilith’s downfall. I wanted to see that his dream to be an Alpha would no longer come true, now that I was here.

“You wench…” Redmund’s lips parted to retort another word, but then he stilled.

I saw his gaze looking behind my shoulder. At that moment, the color drained as fast as lightning bolt from his face.

I took another bite, not needing to turn to know why.

And only one person who could make Redmund startled.

Even from across the room, surrounded by nobles, I could feel it. That icy gaze was locked on us. Watching. Waiting. He might not utter a word or take a step closer, but his presence was enough to rattle Redmund.

“Cat got your tongue, captain?” I asked, sweetening my tone to catch his attention.

Then Redmund finally tore his eyes from me as he let out a hollow, empty chuckle, snatching a cake from the tray as if nothing had happened. “Enjoy your evening,” he muttered. Gone was the sharp and rude tone he had earlier.

When he walked away to approach Lilith, who was watching from a distance, I averted my gaze and pretended that everything was alright. But my hands were trembling against the porcelain plate I was holding.

“You did well… You did well…” I muttered, consoling myself.

I really did well… My knees used to buckle, but right now, the confidence around me was different from the last time I had some confrontations with him.

This was a progress, I must say. And I was so proud of myself,

That was when I composed myself and finally lifted my gaze to glance across the hall.

Lucretius‘ expression was unreadable while he still had the flute glass in his hand. As his lips touched the rim, his eyes focused

on his guests before finally taking a sip while drawing his gaze back in my direction.

A sly smile played on his lips as he slightly raised his glass to me.

He knew… He knew everything.

He saw everything.