Remi’s POV
The days leading up to the royal banquet were a blur of activity. The royal palace, usually a place of elegance and serenity, was now brimming with preparations. The air was thick with the scent of lavish flowers, fresh linens, and the quiet hum of servants rushing about. As one of the royal knights, it was my duty to ensure everything went smoothly. But even among the frenzy, I couldn’t shake the heavy weight of Laurent’s presence by my side. He was
with me almost constantly now, overseeing every detail, ensuring that I had what I needed,
Though I had my reservations about his protection, I couldn’t bring myself to argue. His persistent presence was starting to feel like an inescapable shadow. He was the head royal knight, yes, but he was also an Alpha of his own pack. For him to take such personal responsibility for guarding me, especially during my pregnancy, was unusual to say the least I’d never been one to accept help easily, but Laurent made it hard to push him away.
There was no denying it: Laurent cared about me. But what I wasn’t so sure of was why. Was it because of the bond we shared, or was it simply out of duty? I couldn’t bring myself to ask. Instead, I allowed him to accompany me, and perhaps it was that small acceptance that kept him close–kept us close. Every time I turned around, there he was, watching me with his intense gaze, as though he could see right through me.
Still, my mind remained restless. With every step I took, I couldn’t help but wonder if Laurent’s concern was
s truly out of love, or something else. He was so protective, his actions bordering on obsessive at times, and while part of me longed to believe it was genuine, another part of me resisted, unsure of how to deal with the emotions that were beginning to swirl inside me.
Of course, none of this seemed to matter to Princess Bianca. The self–proclaimed princess who had been found recently–right before the royal banquet–was more than happy to flaunt her assumed status and flirt with Laurent at every opportunity. She threw herself at him with such obviousness that it left me with a sour taste in my mouth.
“Laurent, I’m not sure if I’ve told you how much I adore this outfit,” Bianca said one day, her voice laced with a sweetness that felt fake to me. She stepped into the room, her hips swaying with practiced grace as she approached him “You have such a commanding presence. It suits you perfectly.”
Laurent glanced at her, his expression softening, but only slightly. I knew he wasn’t as taken by her advances as she would have liked. Still, every time she flirted, he wouldn’t shut her down as sharply as I wanted him to. He would smile, laugh politely, but never completely dismiss her attention. I hated the way Bianca seemed to thrive on it.
I stood by the window, pretending not to notice their exchange, but I couldn’t help the knot that twisted in
stomach As much as I tried to ignore it, the jealousy began to churn within me.
Bianca had no idea what she was really playing with. She didn’t know me–didn’t know my story. She didn’t know the bond that tied Laurent and me together, even if it was still fragile. To her, I was just another knight, another background character in her grand game. To her, I was a servant.
It wasn’t long before Bianca’s animosity toward me deepened. She started to pick at me whenever she could, her attitude sharp and cruel. I tried not to let it bother me, but there were moments when her barbed words sliced deep.
*Tell me, Remi,” Bianca purred one afternoon, “Where did that birthmark on your wrist come from?”
I froze, my hand instinctively reaching to cover it. It was something I’d lived with since birth. It had never been
anything special to me, just a reminder of my roots, or perhaps the lack of them. I had long ago accepted that I didn’t
know my biological parents, but the mark had always been there.
“I’ve had it since birth,” I said, keeping my tone calm and even.
But Bianca wasn’t satisfied with that. She leaned closer, her eyes narrowing, and her voice turned sharp. “Oh…” She seemed lost in thought. “Then what about your family, where are they? Or are you just some orphan without any real identity?”
Her words were like a slap to my face, but I didn’t let her see how much they stung. My upbringing had been complicated, to say the least. Raised by the alpha family, then suddenly turning out to be the fake daughter. My birth parents? A forgotten piece of a puzzle I could never seem to complete.
“No,” I replied, my voice steady. “I don’t know who my real parents are. It’s just something I’ve accepted.”
Bianca’s lips curled into a sly smile, and for a moment, I wondered if she knew more than she let on. Was she trying to provoke me? Or did she genuinely believe she could get under my skin with her words? Either way, I refused to let her see how much she rattled me.
Laurent, sensing the tension between us, stepped closer, his presence immediately soothing the frayed nerves in my chest. His hand brushed against mine as he spoke, his voice low but firm “Bianca, that’s enough.”
Bianca rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed with Laurent’s intervention. “Oh, please, Laurent. I’m just trying to
get to know our dear Remi here. Surely there’s no harm in that ”
But Laurent wasn’t having it. He turned his gaze back to her, his tone icy. “I said, enough.”
A silence hung between us, thick and uncomfortable. Bianca’s smile faltered for a moment, but it quickly
returned, more forced than before. She looked between Laurent and me, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.
“I think I’ll leave you two to your… discussion,” she said with a sweet smile, but her words dripped with sarcasm
as she turned and walked away.
