CHAPTER 71: GLOWING

I paced restlessly, waiting for the knock to come, and when it did, I hurried. "Come in!"

It opened and revealed Osha with a bright grin. She rushed to me and took my hand.

"You’re alright, Your Grace! Thank the goddess!"

I was about to say something, but Dia stepped in with folded arms.

"Dia."

"Eloise."

"Um, Your Grace...Dia is here to check on you on the Princess’s request."

I stepped closer to Dia. "Is it true?"

"What is true?" she asked innocently.

"The princess helped me."

"Indeed, she did. You should be grateful for her love."

"Love?" I grimaced.

"Definitely! She has taken a liking to you."

"Is that why she helped me?"

"What else whould be the reason?"

"But you came to me and when you heard the side of my story, you didn’t believe me."

I must admit I’m still hurt about the fact that she walked away from me when I needed her to believe me the most.

Dia shrugged. "Well, I didn’t leave."

"You didn’t?"

"I stayed at the door and overheard you and Osha talking."

I see...

that explained why the princess suddenly came to my rescue.

"Thank you."

Dia flickered her lashes in shock and pinned her wide eyes on me.

I smiled and patted her on the head gently. "You had every reason to tell the princess otherwise, but you chose to tell her the truth. I thought you hated me. I was wrong to—"

"I still do."

My smile faltered, and my pats stopped.

"I hate you."

"Oh..." I retreated my hand, keeping my smile, but I was burning inside. "Once a brat, always a brat. Your attitude is still as sour as your expression."

"Watch your mouth! You may be supported by the princess, but that doesn’t give you the right to insult me!"

I smirked devilishly. "You’re right, but what to do? I’m a princess now." I leaned down to her. "Do you know what that means?" I asked sweetly.

"What?" she questioned in bravery.

My smile vanished. "I get to spank you on your backside!"

Dia screeched as she ran from me when I chased her.

"Y-Your Grace, please stop running, you’re still recovering!"

"Get back here!"

"Why do you want to hit me? I saved your life!"

"And I’m grateful!"

"YOU DON’T SOUND LIKE YOU’RE GRATEFUL!" Dia ran out the door, and when I got close, it slammed shut.

"The knights won’t let you out, Your Grace, until you’ve made a full recovery. Strict orders from the monarch."

"Tsk!" I made a sound of annoyance. "That saved her."

"Oh, Your Grace, you shouldn’t strain yourself!"

I faced Osha, who looked too worried.

"Don’t worry, Osha, I feel fine," I assured her, but even I was a bit confused, for I knew that little run should have gotten me light-headed, but I felt nothing of the sort.

Puzzled, I walked to the mirror, turned to the side, and checked myself. I faced forward, gathering my hair to one side.

"My hair has more weight, and the icy silver-blue ends are lighter, almost like silver."

"Your hair is even more beautiful, Your Grace!"

"Yes," I replied, absent-mindedly still trying to comprehend this change.

It’s not like I have used any oil on my hair for the past week. For a moment, I found myself liking my hair.

I pulled down the collar of my nightgown just enough to see my collarbones, and would you look at that? I could barely see it now, it was always so prominent, but now you can’t even tell until you are close enough.

"You’re glowing, Your Grace!"

I placed my palms on my cheeks. "I am."

My skin wasn’t simply pale but like porcelain.

"Congratulations, Your Grace! I think you’re pregnant."

"NO!" I turned to her sharply.

"But..." Osha seemed confused now. "Is it not the same for humans that when they are expecting, they glow?"

"Yes, there is a glow, but..." I circled a finger around me. "This is certainly not that."

"Why?"

"Why?" I blinked.

"I mean, you and the monarch have been intimate, shouldn’t we be expecting?"

I huffed. "Oh, Osha, I haven’t done that with the monarch."

"Oh," she gasped. "Why?"

"Pardon?"

"Why, Your Grace?"

"Um...It’s not possible, Osha. And even if we wanted to engage in that, a human and a Lycan cannot."

Osha smiled. "That’s where you’re wrong, Your Grace. Sexual activities can happen, Lycans are very capable, and the monarch is even more than capable."

I blushed. "That is not what I mean, sweet Osha."

"Then what do you mean?"

"Because I learned Lycans fuck in their human form." I exhaled. "I’d rather go to an early grave."

"W-Whatever do you mean? That is optional, Lycans can fuck in this form and that of our beast."

"Come again?"

Osha blushed. "Oh...this conversation is getting more interesting. I’m pleased you’re discussing such matters with me!"

She was awfully enthusiastic. I still wasn’t able to get through that piece of information. I should have known this because so far, everything I have read back in Beloria about Lycans has proven to be completely different.

Does this mean Drevon and I can—I froze as a chill grasped me. What in all the gods’ name did I just think?

I tapped my cheeks, hoping to wake myself up. I’m losing my mind now!

I shook my head and shoved those thoughts in the depths where they belonged.

I need to change the topic.

I cleared my throat. "Osha, tell me. I was sure the Dowager had inflicted damage, but how come I’m completely fine after a week? I shouldn’t be."

"Aww... I thought we were talking about intimacy," She whined.

"Forget that," I said, walking to the bed to sit. "This is more important."

Osha sat beside me. "I heard that you were healed."

"Healed?"

"Talia is undergoing treatment from Sir Garrick."

"I already know that. I heard that when the monarch instructed Garrick about exhausting all methods to get her better."

Osha nodded. "The method Sir Garrick used...is Moonblood," she whispered.

I whispered back. "Why are you suddenly whispering?"

"Moonblood has never been known to be used on humans except our kin when they have severe injuries."

"Moonblood can be used as a healing agent?"

"Yes, but it’s risky for humans. Your Grace, it was a gamble for you because your body was frail."

And then it hit me. I truly almost died from the injuries I sustained.

"Drevon used his Moonblood to save my life."