The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate

After dressing and going through the blood samples she collected from those corpses, Leonardo arrived with her breakfast a few minutes later. His usual stern demeanor was firmly in place, and Esme raised an eyebrow at his considerate gesture, playfully crossing her arms as she sauntered over to the table.

"You’re the king’s trusted advisor, Leonardo, not my personal attendant. I could have easily gotten the food from downstairs myself instead of going through the trouble for me. I’m capable of doing something as miniature as this." she teased, her playful words striking a chord within him.

For a fleeting moment, Leonardo’s mask slipped, and it revealed a glimpse of his true, soft nature before he swiftly regained his composure.

"I’d rather not sow seeds of discord with my future queen," Leonardo replied, his tone measured as he set her food aside and picked the tray. "Not everyone earns this kind of treatment from someone like me, so I’d rather have you appreciate this small kindnesses while they last. Also, that skeptical glint in your eyes won’t alter my intentions either." His eyes took in her blue gaze, his brow furrowing ever so slightly.

Esme redirected her attention to the simple breakfast spread before her – some slices of bread, smoked bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns and a cup of creamy tea. Her movements were economical as she sank into the beige fabric banquet chair, and she picked up the creamy tea, taking a sip. Her eyes lit up at the almost foreign taste.

"It’s gently spicy," she noted, looking at Leonardo. "What tea is this?"

"It’s called a chai tea latte," he replied. "It’s made with black tea and hot milk. I think ginger was added to it this time. It’s quite common in this town and famous among their people. You really don’t go out at all, do you?" He queried, and Esme made no attempts to answer that question, though her silence was more than enough.

With deliberate precision, she applied a layer of peanut butter to her bread, gently smoothing it out with a table knife before adding some scrambled eggs to it. Then she pressed the two slices together in a neat sandwich. Leonardo observed what she was doing with a questioning look, and since he grew up in a home too noble and strict, her actions were foreign to him.

"Are you aware that once you join the palace, you’ll need to adapt to a new way of life," he cautioned, his sudden words preceding Esme’s first bite of bread. "You’ll have to learn the royal etiquettes which will help you transform into the epitome of a queen. Have you thought about leaving your old habits behind to assume a role as significant as this?"

Leonardo’s gaze probed hers, his words hanging in the air. "Are you truly prepared to become the Queen Illyria needs?"

Esme’s fingers drummed a staccato beat on the table at his question, her eyes fixed on Leonardo’s impassive face. How could he pose such a crucial question with such detachment? His words always seemed to hold dual meanings, and it left her already troubled mind reeling. Or was she simply tormenting herself right now with unnecessary doubts?

"I... haven’t given it much thought," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat, avoiding his knowing gaze.

Leonardo’s gray eyes glinted with interest, and his lips parted to say, "That’s because you’re so desperate to escape your brother that you’re willing to grasp at any lifeline, no matter the cost. Isn’t that the truth?" He then turned to leave, his back to her as he advised, "Perhaps you should focus more on what truly brings you joy, and if getting married to the king is part of that equation. Reflect on what you really want, and don’t just look at what it will get you out of, also consider what your decision will bring you into. It’s a harmless piece of advice, you can choose to take it or leave it. He shrugged nonchalantly."

As he reached for the door handle, Esme’s voice halted his departure. "Is that your way of saying that marrying the king would be a mistake? Won’t I find happiness with him?"

Leonardo’s entire body seemed to stiffen at her sudden inquiry, his gaze fixed on the doorframe. He turned his head slightly, his eyes never meeting hers. "The king is a kind man, but that is akin to the number six and nine — it’s not inherently wrong, but it’s also prone to misinterpretation. I’ve said enough, Lady Esme. Enjoy your breakfast."

Esme’s voice trailed after him, a tentative query, "Can I call you Leo?"

"No." That single, curt word hung in the air as Leonardo shut the door, leaving Esme stupefied at his rejection. She was starting to understand why Vivienne felt hurt by his attitude.

Thanks to their conversation, she had lost half of her appetite.

As the day wore on, Esme stepped out of her room to meet Lennox outside the inn. Her gaze fell upon him having a neutral conversation with Dahmer under a shade, and Dahmer was basically sitting on a wheelchair, his injury still evident. It was astonishing to think that despite receiving the necessary treatment, he had yet to recover.

The extent of the damage a single kick could inflict on an Alpha like him was almost unfathomable. If it were anyone else in his position, they would have been dead by now. From what Leonardo told her, the healer said Dahmer was lucky to have even survived such a fatal kick. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

Pushing that thought aside – since she had no interest in his well-being – Esme approached Lennox instead. He was the first to notice her strolling towards him, and a warm smile spread across his face as she greeted him with a polite bow. It didn’t go unnoticed by him that she deliberately ignored Dahmer’s presence.

"Your Majesty, I think it’s time we headed back to the East," she uttered, her eyes expressing her concern. "I’m feeling a bit troubled lingering here. My heart isn’t at ease at all. There’s nothing left to attend to, is there?"

Dahmer suddenly winced, interjecting her words, "Didn’t the king already announce our departure for tonight?" The pain was evident in his face as he tried to speak. "I’m still undergoing treatment – I can’t possibly travel in this state!" He explained the obvious, but Esme was not buying it.

"You can resume treatment once we return to the pack house," she replied defiantly, to Dahmer’s stupefaction. "Shouldn’t you as an Alpha have healed by now from just a small kick?"

"Are you joking?" Dahmer’s face turned red with indignation at her retort, though his pain prevented him from unleashing his full fury. "You’re joking, right? You call that a small kick? I nearly lost my life and you stand here saying such nonsense! Have you even bothered to check on your own brother?" His unnecessary outburst was eventually silenced by the king’s firm intervention.

"What’s going on here? This is no time for arguments." He stood with his hands on his hips, collecting his thoughts. "Not just Dahmer, but a few warriors are still healing from the assault. If Dahmer can’t travel in this condition, then there’s nothing I can do about it till he recovers. We’ll have to wait until tonight, I’m afraid."

"But Your Majesty—" Esme bit back her protest, aware that arguing with the king or going against his orders would be unwise. She shot a glance at Dahmer, who wore a sly, knowing smile that only she seemed to notice. Her anger simmered, and she made another attempt to sway the king’s decision.

"Can we really not leave?" She faced Lennox, concern etched on her face. "Do you remember the strange wind and the raven from yesterday? I read that it’s a bad omen, a warning that something terrible is going to happen. I don’t usually believe in things like this but with the demon shifter on the loose, I’m worried sick about my family back home. The last demon shifter, their leader was killed by my father, and I don’t know... I just want to return—"

Dahmer’s snort interrupted her plea, his annoyance palpable. "You’re being more ridiculous than a guinea pig. If you were going to be a liability, why bother coming here in the first place? You’ve seen a demon shifter and now you’re spinning tales."

"Dahmer!" Lennox’s firm voice cut in. "Be mindful of your tone. You’re speaking to her in front of me, remember that." He then turned to Esme, his understanding gaze softening his features. "It’s only natural for you to worry about your family."

"If she’s concerned about her family, shouldn’t we take it into consideration, Your Majesty?" Leonardo joined in. "Alpha Dahmer can use the carriage instead of a horse, but... it will take until dusk to get everything and everyone prepared. Isn’t that a suitable time to start moving before night falls?" He sidestepped Dahmer’s scowl, and Lennox pondered on the suggestion before nodding.

"Very well, we can start moving at dusk."

"I’ll inform the warriors to start preparing." Leonardo said, bowing his head. As he glanced at Esme, he caught her mouthing a silent ’thank you’ accompanied by a warm, appreciative smile.