Revelation.

"What?" Princess Delphine breathed, disbelief etched across her face.

"You heard me," Jasper replied dryly, his gaze still fixed on the view from the window—the trees, the sky, the manicured gardens.

A long silence stretched between them, heavy and uncomfortable. The casual atmosphere from earlier had evaporated, replaced by a thick tension. Neither of them seemed willing to break the silence, unsure how to navigate the delicate conversation.

"Is this why you asked me to come?" Princess Delphine finally asked, her voice quiet and laced with hurt.

Jasper sighed, then turned to face her. He rested his hands casually in front of him, his expression serious. He had a feeling she would react strongly to this.Princess Delphine lowered her head, her eyes fixed on the floor, her face clearly upset.

"Why?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"Why?" Jasper repeated, confused.

"Yes! Why?" Princess Delphine exclaimed, finally looking up at him, her upset and disappointment evident. The angelic look she’d worn earlier had vanished. "Is there another woman? Who is she?" she demanded, her tone assertive.

"No, there isn't," Jasper confirmed. "But I… I've made up my mind, and…"
"Then why are you calling off the engagement?" Princess Delphine interrupted, her voice rising.

 "I don't care about the titles or the responsibilities, Jasper," she said, her tone now laced with genuine hurt and seriousness.

"I loved you," she confessed, the warmth and sincerity in her voice almost impossible to ignore.

Jasper stared at her, his expression serious and tinged with guilt. He considered what to say next. Truthfully, he had had feelings for her once, but they had faded, he wasn't sure why. He was no longer interested in her romantically. To be fair, they had never been in a committed relationship; their feelings had been more like mutual crushes, an admiration that never progressed to something deeper. For Jasper, she was, and always had been, a dear friend.

"You're a good friend," Jasper said, confirming his true feelings. "We both know that."

"Yes, it's true that I admired you," he admitted, "but those feelings faded, and I only see you as an acquaintance now."

Princess Delphine looked away, her face a mask of hurt and disappointment. She crossed her arms, clearly upset and heartbroken. She hadn't expected this. She’d probably expected more from their relationship. Princess Delphine was on the verge of tears, her vulnerability exposed. She had never anticipated such an ending. Her feelings had been genuine, but she’d clearly misjudged Jasper’s perception of their relationship.

Jasper paced, lost in thought. A pang of guilt hit him, but the truth had to come out. He couldn't live a lie; it would only lead to misery.

"Is this why our engagement has been postponed so many times?" Princess Delphine asked, her voice tight. She looked at him, her displeasure evident.

Jasper paused, meeting her gaze. He nodded slowly, his expression neutral. Delphine remained silent, her upset clear, but she looked away for a moment.

"What did I do to upset you?" she asked quietly.

Jasper sighed, finding the conversation more difficult than he'd anticipated. He knew it wasn't easy for her, given her feelings. He fell silent, then started to speak.

"If none, then..." Delphine cut him off. "There's someone else already..." she concluded, her brow furrowed in question.

Jasper chuckled silently, a disbelieving sound. His expression hardened; he was losing patience with the conversation, though he tried to remain calm. He didn't want to waste his energy on this.

"I don't want to get into this," he said.

"Don't you know what I heard you did yesterday at the party?" Delphine said sharply. "You kicked Mr. Petrov like a soccer ball... and, how amusing, I heard it was for a… woman," she added, a mix of amusement and irritation in her voice.


Jasper didn't reply. He lowered his head briefly, then looked back up, his stern expression unchanged. He put his hands in his pockets.

"What happened yesterday is irrelevant. If you'll excuse me, I'm no longer interested in this conversation. I've said what I needed to say." His tone was dry and formal. They held each other's gaze for a moment. Jasper was typically reserved, while Delphine's face was a mixture of upset and irritation. The tension between them thickened.

Jasper turned and walked towards the door, ignoring Delphine. He kept his eyes fixed ahead, not speaking, as he left her alone with her conflicting emotions and frustrations.

Jasper left the meeting room and found Lucas leaning against the wall, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips. He was close to the door. Jasper met his gaze, his expression blank, while Lucas straightened and remained with his arms crossed.

"So, when will the wedding start? My brother's finally going to find his 'mate for life' after all?" Lucas mused.

Jasper stared at him for a moment, considering his words. "Don't play dumb.
 You heard everything," he said sternly.

"Oh," Lucas drawled. "But it wasn't exactly riveting, you know?"
"I thought you had a thing for her," Lucas asked, a hint of genuine curiosity in his voice.

"I've changed," Jasper replied, his tone firm.

"Changed?" Lucas chuckled softly.

 "Brother, you think you've changed, but you're still the same. Except for the default formalities and all that traditional, fancy-ass speaking and those beliefs of yours… but still," Lucas continued, "still the same Jasper I grew up with."

They stared at each other for a moment, a silent conversation passing between them. The tension was light, a casual undercurrent to their exchange.
Jasper turned and walked past Lucas, who watched his back with a lingering smirk."What are your plans with that Catherine?" Lucas called after him.

Jasper paused, glancing over his shoulder, his expression still unreadable.
"Is she awake?" he replied dryly.

"Unfortunately, no. She's frozen solid. Who knows when she'll thaw," Lucas muttered, a teasing glint in his eye.

Jasper remained silent, as he paused for a moment.

"Tell Eddie to get some herbs from Max, the gardener, for Catherine's condition," Jasper instructed, turning to leave.Lucas chuckled, a hint of annoyance in his voice, though his eyes held amusement.

 "Ordering me around like a servant. Classic." He rolled his eyes playfully.

"I love you," Sergei confessed.

He and Barbara were tucked comfortably under a blanket, pleasantly relaxed after their earlier exertions. They lay entwined, Barbara's hand resting on Sergei's chest, her head nestled against his shoulder. Her eyes fluttered closed, her expression serene. Sergei, his arm draped behind his head, gazed at the ceiling, a contented smile playing on his lips.

"Mmm," Barbara murmured in response.

"No, I love you, huh?" Sergei chuckled.

"You didn't hear me say it, that's why," Barbara teased.

"Telepathy doesn't count," Sergei countered playfully.

A comfortable silence settled between them.

"Are you really planning to quit?" Barbara asked, breaking the quiet.

Sergei paused, his expression unreadable. The question seemed to touch on a subject he'd been mulling over for some time.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'd like to be promoted, but the idea of leaving this place is… tempting."

"Why?" Barbara asked. "The head captain, the captain commander, the guards—they've all treated you well."

"Oh, they definitely have," Sergei said, the sarcasm dripping from his voice.

"No, I'm serious," Barbara insisted. "You have a bright future here in the palace. Everyone's been good to us." Her tone was genuinely encouraging.

Sergei sighed, considering her words. He looked down, then back up, a thoughtful expression on his face. He remained silent for a moment, weighing his options.

"What even made you think of quitting, anyway?" Barbara asked, a curious frown creasing her brow.

"Barbara…" Sergei began quietly, turning to face her. He shifted closer, cupping her cheek with his hand. "I heard a secret from an old friend."

"What? Who? Where?" Barbara asked, her voice a low murmur.

"It doesn't matter who," Sergei said sternly. "It's something that's stuck with me for a long time. Look, don't get me wrong, I love my job, but I no longer…" He paused, sighing. "I no longer feel passionate enough to continue working here now that I've discovered His Majesty is repeating his father, the late emperor's, mistake." His tone was bitter.

"Sergei…" Barbara recoiled slightly, her expression a mix of disbelief and curiosity. "What are you trying to say?"

"His Majesty… I truly believed he was loyal to his land, the land of our ancestors and fellow wolves," Sergei said, his voice laced with bitterness and conflicting emotions. "But I guess he's not entirely to blame. It was my fault, too."

"The secret my old friend told me was… he saw the Emperor becoming fond of that woman," Sergei hissed.

"Woman?" Barbara asked, sitting up straighter, suddenly alert. She pulled the blanket tighter around her. Her eyes were wide with puzzlement.

Sergei faltered, remembering what he'd said. He bit his tongue, searching for the right words, struggling to explain without being misunderstood.

"I…" he began, then stopped.

"Sergei, tell me," Barbara demanded, brooking no further delay.

"I fought a hybrid woman, but she's not one of us," Sergei confessed, his voice serious.
Barbara didn't speak, her brow furrowed in thought. She was clearly trying to make sense of his words, her curiosity piqued."She's a nine-tailed fox," Sergei confirmed, his tone quiet but firm. "The same being who ravaged this land years ago." He looked away, a heavy silence settling between them.

"It's my fault I brought her to His Majesty… when I had the chance to leave her dead in the forest's danger zone. But…"

"But?" Barbara prompted.

"I sensed something different about her," Sergei said.

"Yeah, that she's a nine-tailed fox," Barbara retorted.

"No…" Sergei paused, Catherine’s face flashing through his mind. He tried to articulate his thoughts. "I mean, she's not malicious. Her energy… it wasn't malicious. She was… different, to say the least." His brow furrowed in concentration.

Barbara remained silent, looking away as she processed this information. A long, tense silence hung in the air between them.

Sergei leaned back, his own expression a mixture of conflicting thoughts and emotions."Goodness…" Barbara murmured, a hint of worry in her voice. "Where is this woman now?""It's not just His Majesty who's harboring her," 

Sergei added, another piece of the puzzle falling into place. "His Royal Highness is involved, too.""What?!" Barbara exclaimed, her voice rising.

"Shh…" Sergei hissed, clamping a hand over her mouth. His eyes were serious."Why?! Did you ask them why?" Barbara demanded, her concern growing.

"They didn't say anything. I didn't ask," Sergei muttered, explaining his reticence. "His Majesty said they knew what to do with her."

"Oh, for wolf's sake…" Barbara muttered under her breath, sitting up and leaning against the headboard. She sighed heavily, lost in thought. "Where is she now?"

"In one of His Majesty's private rooms," Sergei replied.

Barbara’s concern deepened. She remained silent for a moment, gathering her composure.
"I'll ask His Majesty to assign me to clean his rooms today," she said, a sense of urgency in her voice.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed, wrapping her blanket around herself with one arm while reaching for her clothes with the other.

"What?" Sergei asked, suddenly alert. He sat up, watching her with a confused expression.

 "What are you going to do? Don't do anything rash. I'm sure she's not there anymore. His Majesty probably already sent her away or something."

Barbara turned to face him, her expression a complex mix of emotions. She wasn't sure what she would find, but she was determined to see this woman for herself and then decide how she felt.

"Just doing my job," she said quietly, her voice firm. "I'm a cleaner, remember?"

Sergei watched her go, a mix of trust and unspoken questions swirling within him. He hadn't stopped her, couldn't bring himself to argue, but a nagging unease lingered.

Barbara gathered her clothes in her arms, quickly dressing in her uniform. A swift glance in the full-length mirror by the wardrobe confirmed her presentable state. She ran her fingers through her hair, momentarily frustrated by the lack of a hair tie, and then turned back to Sergei.

"Straighten yourself up," she advised, her gaze lingering on him for a beat too long. "Someone might see you." Sergei, avoiding her eyes at first, finally met her gaze and nodded.
With that, Barbara turned and left, the click of the door echoing behind her.

As she walked towards the stairs, her expression was calm, yet a sense of determination radiated from her. Her assigned cleaning duties had taken an unexpected detour after the news she'd overheard.

Why did Sergei save that woman? she wondered. Was it simple pity, or is he hiding something?
I'll figure it out later, when I find her, she decided, her thoughts a whirlwind of speculation. She quickened her pace, the stairs now in sight.
Suddenly, she stopped. A figure was ascending the other staircase. It was Jasper. A surge of anticipation coursed through her. This was her chance. She increased her speed, eager to speak with him.

"Your Majesty!" she called out.

Jasper turned, his neutral expression shifting as he recognized Barbara, one of the palace cleaners. He had reached the top of the stairs and paused as she approached.
"Ms. Smith," he acknowledged.

Barbara closed the distance, offering a formal smile and a curtsy. Jasper returned a small, polite smile, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Is something the matter?" he asked.

"Your Majesty," Barbara began, improvising quickly, "the cleaner assigned to your rooms called in sick today, so I'll be taking their place." She delivered the fabricated excuse with a friendly, convincing air.

Jasper studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Very well," he said. "Do what needs to be done. Call for me when you're finished. I'll be on my way."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Barbara replied, curtsying again as she moved past him towards the stairs leading to his rooms.

Jasper watched her go, his expression unreadable, before turning and continuing on his own path, seemingly lost in thought.

Barbara ascended to the fifth floor, her physical exertion minimal, her mind buzzing with curiosity. The view from the private rooms, reserved for Jasper and his brother, was now visible. This floor, smaller than the others, held only four doors, the rooms themselves identical in design to those below.

Barbara paused, taking in the corridor. She quickly slipped into a small storage room nearby, the cleaners' supply closet. Grabbing a pushcart, a broom, two towels, a dustpan, a bottle of cleaning solution, and a spray bottle, she efficiently loaded the cart. She positioned it squarely in front of her, the broom resting against her arm as she prepared to push.

"Private room," she murmured. "Is she really in His Majesty's room?"

Barbara stared at the last door in the hall, a mix of anticipation and trepidation swirling within her. She pushed the cart forward, trying to maintain a casual pace, masking the urgency she felt.

What did Sergei mean when he said she's different? she wondered. If he's up to something, I swear I'll scratch his eyes out.She reached the final door. Stopping the cart, she took a deep breath, composing herself. Act friendly, she reminded herself, rehearsing a plausible script to avoid suspicion.

She stepped forward, leaving the cart behind. As she approached the door, she whispered a silent pep talk. "Don't worry, Barb. Whatever happens, you won't back down. You'll be alright."
Meanwhile, Mina descended the stairs into the grand hall, her face a mask of neutrality, though inside she was troubled. Her head was bowed, her hands swinging rhythmically at her sides. She couldn't quite articulate the source of her unease. Seeing two people intimate was hardly a new experience, but this… this was different.

What's wrong with me? she thought. Why am I feeling this way? I would never have…

"Mina!" a familiar voice called from behind. She stopped, startled, and glanced over her shoulder.

Lucas approached, a playful frown on his face, his hands tucked into his pockets.
 "Where have you been all this time? Did you get the good stuff?" he asked, his curiosity tinged with impatience.

"Sir…" Mina stammered, blinking rapidly, searching for an explanation.
Lucas paused, arms crossed, waiting for her response.

"I… Well, I was just about to get those herbs. Actually, I'm going now. Bye!" Mina blurted, turning awkwardly and hurrying back towards the staircase, without a backward glance.
"Tsk," Lucas chuckled, amused.

He turned and strolled casually through the grand doors that were open every morning. Outside, he paused, his gaze sweeping the area with a curious, observant air. The garden was a short distance away, and thankfully, it wasn't crowded. A few workers, gardeners, and royal guards were present, the guards patrolling diligently.

Lucas began walking, searching for a specific person. He could have used his abilities to locate Eddie—tracking him by scent or sound—but he deemed it unnecessary for something so simple.

Where is that guy? he wondered. I hope he hasn't left yet. It'll be a pain if he has.

As Lucas walked, he passed several workers and gardeners. They stopped their conversations and turned to face him respectfully.

"Good day, sir," two wolf men and two wolf women greeted him, dressed in their standard, yet stylish, work uniforms. The women wore long, elegant white dresses and black boots, while the men sported shirts, black pants, and black boots, with towels draped around their necks.

Lucas acknowledged their presence immediately, his expression shifting to one of friendly politeness. He nodded. "Good day to you all," he replied casually.

"Where are you headed, sir?" one of the wolf women asked.

"Nowhere in particular," Lucas replied. "But have you ladies and gentlemen seen Eddie anywhere?"The four workers exchanged glances, silently posing the same question to each other. After a brief pause, one of the men spoke.

"I have no idea, sir, but you could ask Barbara," he suggested. 

"Barbara was the last person I saw Mr. Eddie talking to, sir. But I didn't see where he went after that, as I was busy with my duties in the garden."

Lucas nodded thoughtfully. "Barb, huh," he muttered. "Where is she?"

"She went back inside the palace, sir," the male worker confirmed.


Mina reached the first floor, pausing to catch her breath. "Ugh," she muttered, "did I have to be so dramatic?"

She continued to regain her composure, trying to calm her racing heart.

"What are you doing?"

Mina's thoughts scattered. She looked up slowly.
Sergei stood nearby, arms at his sides, a flicker of curiosity in his gaze. He studied her, dressed in a casual, yet regal, red uniform.

Mina fell silent, the earlier scene flashing through her mind. She felt awkward, unsure how to act after what she’d witnessed. She stared at him, searching for the right words, anything that sounded casual.

"Have you eaten something spicy again?" Sergei asked, a touch of bewilderment in his voice.

Mina hesitated. "No," she replied quietly, shaking her head, her gaze drifting away.Sergei paused, studying her intently.Mina, trying to avoid his eyes, felt a growing unease. Sergei's silence only amplified the awkwardness.
"I have to go," Mina mumbled, lowering her head. "His Royal Highness needs something."

Sergei was taken aback by her sudden change in demeanor. Earlier, she’d been energetic, but now… something was off.

Mina walked past him, but Sergei instinctively stopped her, gently grasping her elbow. His expression was stern.Mina looked at him, confused and slightly put off by his sudden action.

They stood there for a moment, neither speaking, their gazes locked. Mina was confused, Sergei was stern. The silence crackled with unspoken tension.

"Are you having… constipation?" Sergei asked seriously.

Mina’s confusion deepened, her brows furrowing. She pulled her arm away.

 "What? No," she said, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"Well, you look constipated, so I had to ask," Sergei joked.
"I am not!" Mina retorted, sighing in exasperation. She attempted to walk past him again, determined to ignore him.She succeeded, leaving him behind.

"Hey, wait up!" Sergei called, following her.

 "Where are you headed?"

Mina ignored him, quickening her pace, her mind a blank canvas of where to go.

"I'm actually looking for Barbara," Sergei said.

Mina stopped abruptly. Sergei halted as well, his attention immediately focusing on her.

"What's up?" he asked.

Mina remained silent, her expression unreadable. She hadn’t experienced this feeling before, this nervousness, this discomfort.

"Don't follow me," Mina said quietly, her voice devoid of its usual enthusiasm. "I'm on my way to the bathroom."

Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving Sergei behind. His curiosity piqued, Sergei suspected something was amiss with Mina's strange behavior. He was left speechless, but quickly dismissed it, his thoughts turning elsewhere.
Barbara stood before the door of His Majesty's room, her gaze fixed on it for several long moments. Finally, she made her decision. She reached for the doorknob and slowly turned it, her eyes downcast, but her senses on high alert. As the door swung inward, she cautiously peered through the opening.

The room was gradually revealed. Barbara's gaze lifted, taking in her surroundings. To her surprise, it was empty. The room was spacious, dominated by a king-sized bed draped in shades of red and dark grey. Large closets lined the walls, and on the wall opposite the bed hung a large A2 portrait. It was a realistic painting of His Majesty, resplendent in a premium royal uniform of black and cream, posed with elegant grace. A large mirror stood near a large, brown, deep burgundy cabinet. A luxurious, deep burgundy carpet covered the floor, and the walls were adorned with geometric and abstract paintings of shapes and flowers in burgundy, brown, and cream.

Barbara's eyes flicked to the bed. It was empty, meticulously made, with no sign that anyone had slept there. Confused, she stepped further into the room, expecting to find the woman Sergei had saved.

Did Sergei lie to me? she wondered. Or is she simply not in this room?

After a moment of silent contemplation, Barbara ceased her questioning. She turned and walked back to the door, quickly closing it behind her.
Barbara pushed the cart back to the small cleaning room, her impatience growing with each step. She couldn't shake her curiosity about the mysterious woman.

She quickly returned the cart, broom, and cleaning supplies, then closed the door. Increasing her pace, she headed downstairs, her gaze lifting just in time to meet Mina's.
Mina stopped, a flicker of surprise crossing her face as she saw Barbara. Barbara mirrored the expression.

"Mina?"

"Barb."

They acknowledged each other, coming to a halt.
"Have you finished cleaning His Majesty's room?" Mina asked.

Barbara paused, then offered a small, false smile and nodded. "Yes. How about you? What were you doing upstairs?"

"Oh, I was actually looking for you," Mina explained, descending the last few steps. Barbara followed suit, closing the distance between them.

"For what?" Barbara asked, her brow furrowed.
"His Royal Highness needs some herbs for a headache," Mina replied casually.

Barbara nodded, considering this. "Right. I'll get them later. I'll be somewhere in a minute," she said hurriedly, turning to leave.

"Hey!" Mina called after her.
"Hmm?" Barbara glanced back, a hint of impatience in her eyes.

"I need them now. I've been looking for you all morning. Whatever other duties you have, I think it's only fair you give me the herbs first," Mina said, a casual command in her voice.

Barbara frowned, her expression shifting slightly. She remained silent, not wanting to make this more difficult than it needed to be. Her priority was finding the nine-tailed fox woman.

"Hand me the herbs, and then you can do whatever you want," Mina added, shrugging.

Barbara hesitated, then sighed inwardly, deciding to just get it over with. "Fine," she said. "Come with me." She turned abruptly and led the way.
Mina followed without delay.

They walked in silence, neither speaking. Mina wanted to get back to her room, while Barbara's mind was still on the mysterious woman.
As they approached the stairs leading down, Barbara spoke. "Did Sergei tell you anything about a demon?"

Mina paused, thinking lazily. "You mean the Captain Commander?" she joked.
Barbara sighed, dismissing the comment.
 "No," she said, stopping and turning to face Mina, her expression serious. 

"A nine-tailed fox."

Mina paused, reconsidering her words. A flicker of confusion crossed her face, and she took a small step back, surprised by the information. She remained quiet, the revelation clearly having an impact.

"Barb? Mina?"

Barbara turned at the sound of the familiar voice, while Mina simply stared at the speaker over Barbara's shoulder.

"Just the people I need," Lucas said, crossing his arms with satisfaction.

Sergei and Lucas exchanged greetings with them. Sergei moved closer to Barbara's side, looking at her casually, and she returned his gaze.
"I was looking for you. Did you really—"

"His Royal Highness…" Mina interrupted, her voice slightly louder, her head bowed.Lucas, Sergei, and Barbara looked at Mina, waiting for her to continue.

"Hmm?" Lucas prompted.

Silence hung in the air, growing increasingly awkward.
Mina slowly raised her head, her expression serious and concerned.
"Is it true that…" she began, then paused. 

 "Does His Majesty know about the nine-tailed fox?"