Chapter 409: The Unexpected Visitor

REBECCA’S POV

By the time afternoon arrived, I was feeling much better, although I still couldn’t move around as comfortably as I normally would. I had spent most of the morning in bed, resting and trying not to think about what had happened between Kaden and me the previous night. Unfortunately, that was proving almost impossible. Every time I closed my eyes, memories of our time together came rushing back, leaving me embarrassed and strangely restless.

Kaden had checked on me several times throughout the morning. He had personally brought me breakfast, made sure I ate lunch, and even sent one of the maids to ask whether I needed anything. I appreciated his concern, but I was also relieved whenever he left my room because I honestly didn’t know how to behave around him anymore.

It was ridiculous, considering how long we had known each other and everything we had experienced together. Kaden had seen me in practically every possible situation, and there had been a time when I wouldn’t have thought twice about walking around him without clothes. Yet, after everything that had happened between us, I suddenly found myself feeling shy around him.

"You’re behaving like a virgin who just spent her first night with her husband," my wolf remarked as I stood in front of the mirror, brushing my hair.

I rolled my eyes. "Can you please leave me alone?"

"I’m only stating the obvious. You’ve been avoiding him all day."

"I haven’t been avoiding anyone!"

"Really? Then why did you pretend to be asleep when he came to check on you earlier?"

I paused briefly before continuing to brush my hair. "Because I was tired."

"You were wide awake, Rebecca."

"Can you please shut up?"

My wolf burst out laughing, and I immediately blocked her out. Honestly, I didn’t know why she found so much entertainment in making my life miserable, especially when I already had more than enough problems to deal with.

I had just finished putting on a comfortable dress when my phone began ringing on the bedside table. I walked over to pick it up, and the moment I saw Melvin’s name on the screen, my stomach tightened.

Oh, Moon Goddess.

Normally, seeing his name made me happy, but today, all I could think about was what had happened between Kaden and me. For several seconds, I simply stared at the screen, feeling an uncomfortable mixture of guilt and nervousness before finally answering the call.

"Hello, Melvin," I greeted, trying to sound cheerful.

"Rebecca!" His familiar voice came through the speaker. "How are you doing today?"

"I’m fine. How are you?"

"I’m alright, although I’d be doing much better if you were here with me."

I sat down on the edge of my bed. "Melvin, we spoke yesterday."

"And? Am I only allowed to miss you after a certain number of days?"

Despite how tense I felt, I couldn’t help laughing. "That’s not what I’m saying."

"Then tell me when I’m going to see you again."

I hesitated. "Soon, Melvin. You know things are a little complicated right now."

He sighed. "I know, Rebecca. I’m not trying to pressure you. I just miss having you around."

Something tightened in my chest. "I’m sorry."

"Don’t apologize. You haven’t done anything wrong."

If only he knew.

I swallowed and looked away, suddenly finding it difficult to breathe normally. Melvin had been nothing but patient with me. He understood that my arrangement with Kaden was temporary, and although he wasn’t particularly happy about it, he had never tried to make things more difficult for me.

And what had I done?

I had spent the previous night in Kaden’s arms.

Fuck!

"Rebecca?" Melvin called, interrupting my thoughts. "Are you alright? You sound distracted."

"I’m fine. I’m just a little tired."

"Have you been working too hard again?"

"No, not really. I actually spent most of today resting."

"Good. You need to take better care of yourself."

I closed my eyes briefly, feeling another wave of guilt wash over me. "How are things going over there?"

He began telling me about some matters he had been handling in his kingdom, and I tried my best to listen. Normally, I would have been interested in everything he had to say, but today, my mind kept wandering back to Kaden and the previous night.

Eventually, Melvin sighed. "Anyway, I should let you get some rest. I just wanted to hear your voice."

"Alright."

"I love you, Rebecca."

My heart gave an uncomfortable little twist, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak.

"Rebecca?"

"I love you too, Melvin," I finally replied.

"Good. Take care of yourself. I’ll call you tomorrow."

"Alright. Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

The call ended, and I slowly lowered my phone onto the bed. For several seconds, I remained completely still, wondering what the hell was happening to me.

I loved Melvin. I knew I did. He had been there for me when I needed someone, and I had never doubted my feelings for him before. So why had saying those three simple words suddenly become so difficult?

"Because you’re confused," my wolf answered.

I sighed. "Please, not now."

"Rebecca, you can’t keep pretending that nothing happened."

"I know something happened! I just don’t know what it means."

"Then perhaps you should stop running away from Kaden long enough to find out."

I shook my head firmly. "No. Absolutely not. Kaden and I already agreed that we were going to remain friends. I’m not going to complicate things any further."

"Whatever you say."

I ignored her and decided to find something to occupy myself with rather than spend the rest of the afternoon thinking about Kaden. For the next few hours, I remained in my bedroom, trying to distract myself and keep my thoughts occupied until it was finally time for dinner.

By the time evening arrived, I made my way downstairs. Dinner had already been served, and the enormous dining table was beautifully arranged with several dishes, while a few maids stood nearby, waiting to attend to me.

"Good evening, Your Ladyship," one of them greeted.

"Good evening."

"Would you like us to serve your dinner?"

"Yes, please." I glanced toward Kaden’s usual seat and noticed that it was empty. "Has His Majesty eaten?"

The maid shook her head. "No, Your Ladyship. His Majesty is still in his study, attending to some matters. Would you like us to inform him that dinner is ready?"

"No, there’s no need. I’m sure he’ll come down when he’s finished."

The maid bowed and began serving my food. I sat down, relieved that I wouldn’t have to face Kaden immediately. At least I could enjoy my dinner without worrying about him looking at me and remembering everything that had happened between us.

Unfortunately, my relief lasted only a few minutes.

"Good evening, Rebecca."

I nearly dropped my fork.

Oh, for goodness’ sake!

I looked up and found Kaden standing at the entrance to the dining room. He was wearing a dark blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a pair of black trousers. His hair was neatly combed, and unlike that morning, he looked considerably more rested.

"Good evening," I replied, quickly looking back at my plate.

He approached the table and pulled out his chair. "How are you feeling?"

"I’m fine, Kaden. Much better, thank you."

"Good. I’m glad."

One of the maids approached and began serving his dinner. For a while, neither of us spoke, and I tried to concentrate on my food. Unfortunately, I could feel Kaden glancing at me occasionally, and it was beginning to make me uncomfortable.

"What?" I finally demanded.

He raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Why do you keep looking at me?"

"Am I not allowed to look at you?"

"That’s not what I’m saying!"

"Then what are you saying?"

I opened my mouth, then closed it again.

Oh, Moon Goddess. Why was talking to this man suddenly so difficult?

Kaden chuckled softly. "Rebecca, you really need to stop being so nervous around me."

"I’m not nervous!"

"Of course not. That must be why you’ve been avoiding me all day."

I froze.

Fuck!

"I haven’t been avoiding you!"

"Really? Then why did you pretend to be asleep when I came to check on you earlier?"

My mouth fell open. "How did you know?"

"Your phone was still in your hand."

Oh, Moon Goddess.

Kaden burst out laughing. "You should have seen yourself. The moment I opened the door, you closed your eyes so quickly that I almost thought something was wrong."

I felt my cheeks growing hot. "Well, maybe I was trying to sleep!"

"While holding your phone above your face?"

"Yes!"

He laughed harder, and I grabbed my glass of water, taking a long sip to hide my embarrassment.

This man was impossible.

"Anyway," Kaden said after a moment, "there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you."

I immediately became suspicious. "What?"

He put down his fork and looked at me. "Why did you come to my bedroom last night?"

I nearly spat out my water.

"Kaden!" I hissed, quickly glancing toward the maids. "Lower your voice!"

He raised an eyebrow. "Why? I’m only asking a question."

"Well, don’t ask it here!"

He glanced around the dining room before leaning forward again. "Then tell me why you came."

I stared at him in disbelief. Was he seriously going to keep asking until I answered?

"Fine! I came to apologize, obviously!"

Kaden slowly raised an eyebrow. "To apologize?"

"Yes! For the way I behaved when you returned home. You had spent the entire day dealing with serious problems, and I accused you of all sorts of ridiculous things. I felt guilty and wanted to apologize."

He nodded thoughtfully. "I see."

"Good."

I picked up my fork, hoping that would finally end the conversation.

Then Kaden leaned forward slightly.

"Rebecca?"

"What now?"

"And you decided to apologize naked?"

I choked.

Actually choked.

The piece of food in my mouth went down the wrong way, and I immediately began coughing. Kaden jumped to his feet and hurried around the table, patting my back while one of the maids rushed forward with a glass of water.

"Your Ladyship, are you alright?" the maid asked anxiously.

I grabbed the water and took several hurried sips before finally managing to breathe normally again.

"I’m fine!" I croaked.

Kaden looked genuinely concerned. "Are you sure?"

I turned toward him and glared. "You! Are you trying to kill me?"

His lips twitched. "Rebecca, I only asked a question."

"A question?" I whispered furiously. "You call that a question?"

He pressed his lips together, clearly struggling not to laugh.

I turned toward the maids, who were pretending not to listen. "Everyone, please leave us."

They bowed and hurried out of the dining room. The moment they were gone, I turned back to Kaden.

"Have you completely lost your mind?"

He finally burst out laughing.

"Oh, Moon Goddess!" I exclaimed. "You think this is funny?"

"Rebecca, I’m sorry," he managed between laughs. "But you have to admit that your explanation doesn’t make much sense."

"What doesn’t make sense?"

"You said you came to apologize, and somehow, that apology involved you removing every single piece of clothing you were wearing."

I covered my face with both hands.

Fuck!

Why had I ever entered that bathroom? Why hadn’t I simply knocked on his door, apologized like a normal person, and returned to my bedroom?

Instead, I had apparently decided that the best way to apologize to Kaden was to walk into his shower without clothes.

Oh, Moon Goddess. I was never going to hear the end of this.

"Rebecca?" Kaden called.

"What?"

He was still smiling. "Next time you want to apologize, you can just say you’re sorry."

I grabbed a napkin and threw it at him. "You arrogant bastard!"

He caught it easily and laughed again. "Alright, alright. I’ll stop."

"You’d better!"

He returned to his seat, still looking thoroughly amused, while I picked up my fork and tried to concentrate on my dinner. My cheeks were still burning, and I was determined not to give him another opportunity to embarrass me.

For several minutes, neither of us spoke.

Then Kaden cleared his throat. "Rebecca?"

I immediately pointed my fork at him. "If you’re about to mention last night again, I swear I’ll throw this plate at you."

He raised both hands in surrender. "Alright. I won’t say anything."

"Good."

He smiled and continued eating.

Despite how annoyed I felt, I couldn’t help feeling my lips twitch. I hated how easily he could make me laugh, even when I was determined to remain angry with him. And I hated how comfortable things suddenly felt between us.

For a brief moment, it reminded me of the time Kaden had lost his memory of me. Back then, he couldn’t remember everything that had happened between us, and we had been able to laugh, tease each other, and enjoy each other’s company without constantly arguing. Being around him had felt so easy during those days, and sitting here with him now brought back memories of that time.

I quickly pushed the thought aside.

That was the past, and things were different now. Kaden had Rola, and I had Melvin. Whatever had happened between us the previous night wasn’t going to change that.

At least, that was what I kept telling myself.

We were still eating when the dining room doors suddenly opened. One of the guards stepped inside and bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty."

Kaden looked up. "Yes?"

"Forgive the interruption, Your Majesty, but you have a visitor."

Kaden frowned. "A visitor? At this hour? Who is it?"

The guard hesitated briefly. "Princess Rola, Your Majesty."

My fork stopped halfway to my mouth.

Rola?

Here?

I slowly lowered my fork onto my plate, wondering whether I had heard correctly. Kaden looked just as surprised as I felt.

"Rola is here?" he asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty. She arrived a few minutes ago and requested to see you."

For a moment, Kaden remained silent. Then he nodded. "Alright. Let her in."

The guard bowed and hurried away.

I stared at my plate, suddenly feeling as though the food in front of me had turned into stones. Of all the people who could have visited the palace tonight, why did it have to be Rola? And why now, after everything that had happened between Kaden and me?

"Rebecca?" Kaden called.

I looked up and found him watching me.

"Are you alright?"

"Of course," I replied quickly. "Why wouldn’t I be?"

He studied my face for a moment before nodding.

I picked up my glass and took a sip of water, desperately trying to appear normal. There was absolutely no reason for me to be uncomfortable. Rola was Kaden’s girlfriend, and she had every right to visit him. In fact, considering that they hadn’t seen each other since our wedding, I should have expected something like this sooner or later.

So why was my stomach suddenly twisting?

"Because you’re jealous," my wolf whispered.

I clenched my jaw.

Not now!

Before she could respond, I heard footsteps approaching. A moment later, the dining room doors opened, and Rola walked in.

I immediately noticed that something was wrong. She wasn’t smiling, and her face looked unusually troubled, as though something had happened that had left her deeply upset.

"Rola?" Kaden called, rising from his chair.

She looked toward him before noticing me sitting at the table.

"Hello, Rebecca," she greeted quietly.

"Hello, Rola," I replied, studying her face. She looked so unhappy that I couldn’t help wondering what had happened.

She turned back to Kaden. "I’m sorry for showing up so late without informing you first."

"That’s alright," Kaden assured her. "You don’t have to apologize."

"Thank you."

Kaden frowned as he looked at her more closely. "Rola, what’s wrong? You don’t look alright. Did something happen?"

She hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Kaden, can we please talk privately?"

"Of course." He turned toward me. "Rebecca, please excuse us for a moment."

I nodded. "No problem."

Kaden walked toward the door, and Rola followed him without another word. I watched them disappear from the dining room, my curiosity growing with every passing second. I had never seen Rola looking so troubled, and the fact that she had arrived at the palace so late, asking to speak with Kaden privately, made me wonder what could possibly have happened.

What could have happened to leave her looking so miserable?