Transmigrated as the Villainess Princess - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: The Mate Bond (5)

Silence settled over the room, heavy and suffocating. Richard stared at the meal in his hands, his grip tightening slightly as if it were an anchor in a storm.

His heart raced, and his mind felt like a battlefield of conflicting emotions.

Finally, he nodded, his voice barely a whisper. “She is.”

His words landed like a thunderclap, reverberating through the room.

Duchess Mors gasped, stepping back as her hand flew to her mouth. Her face paled as fear and disbelief danced in her eyes. “The princess?” she whispered.

Duke Mors’ expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he processed the revelation.

“Richard,” he began, his tone low and grave, “do you understand what this means? This bond… it’s not just a union. It ties you to the most powerful and scrutinized family in Sirius. And with your history…”

Richard flinched, his father’s unspoken words cutting deep.

His past resentment toward Ahcehera and the belief that she was responsible for his brother’s death weighed heavily on him.

Yet, the bond between them now seemed unbreakable, etched into his very soul.

“I didn’t choose this,” Richard muttered, his voice trembling with frustration. “But it’s real. The mark is there, and I can’t deny it.”

His mother stepped forward again, her voice trembling. “Have you spoken to her about this? Does she know?”

Richard shook his head. “I don’t think she’s fully aware. But… she’s noticed something. She’s even helped me when I was in pain. She…”

He hesitated, the memory of Ahcehera’s exhausted face flashing in his mind. “She overextended herself to save me.”

The Duchess sank into a chair, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

“This is a dangerous path, Richard. The bond of a mate is sacred but also perilous. If anything happens to one of you, the other will not survive. Are you prepared for this?”

Richard looked down, the weight of their words pressing on him. He hadn’t asked for this bond, but now it was part of him, as undeniable as the beating of his heart.

“I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice raw. “But I can’t change what’s already happened.”

His father sighed, the sound heavy with resignation. “We’ll have to tread carefully. This situation could shake the foundations of Sirius itself.”

As his parents exchanged a worried glance, Richard stared at the untouched meal on the table, his mind racing. What now?

The faint aroma of something sweet and comforting wafted through the air, catching Duchess Mors’ attention.

Her gaze landed on the ube cake tucked neatly inside the packed meal that Richard held.

The vibrant purple dessert glistened under the room’s light, its soft texture almost beckoning to be tasted.

“This meal… did the princess leave it?” she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Richard nodded, extending the meal toward his mother. “She must have. No one else came to my room other than her.”

He sighed, a mix of gratitude and exhaustion in his tone, before adding, “She likely arranged for me to be moved into this private room and paid the bills in advance.”

Duchess Mors arched an eyebrow, her curiosity deepening. “How do you know she handled everything?”

Richard paused, but it was Duke Mors who answered in his stead.

“The princess is a straightforward woman,” he said, his deep voice carrying a note of approval. “She detests wasting time, and she values efficiency. It’s just her nature.”

The Duke reached over, pinched off a small piece of the Ube cake, and popped it into his mouth.

He chewed slowly, his expression thoughtful, before giving his verdict.

“It’s not poisonous,” he said dryly, though his eyes glinted with subtle amusement as they flicked toward his wife. “And… it’s delicious.”

“Is it?” Duchess Mors’ curiosity turned to delight as she reached for the dessert, eager to taste it herself.

Taking a small bite, she closed her eyes, savoring the rich and creamy flavor. The blend of Ube’s natural sweetness and the cake’s buttery softness brought a smile to her lips.

“Indeed! Where did she get this? It’s exquisite!”

Duke Mors chuckled, a rare sound that softened his usually stoic demeanor. “Meals like this aren’t available outside the palace. It must be from the royal kitchens.”

Duchess Mors’ eyes lit up with excitement, her mind already racing ahead.

“Then we must prepare for a proposal!” she declared, her voice ringing with determination. “It would be wonderful to have such a brilliant daughter-in-law!”

Her sudden proclamation hung in the air, silencing the room. Both men stared at her, stunned by the boldness of her statement.

Richard’s jaw practically hit the floor, his mind scrambling to process what he’d just heard. “Mother… what are you talking about?” he stammered, his cheeks tinged with a faint flush.

But the Duchess was undeterred, her enthusiasm only growing.

“A union with the princess would elevate our family’s standing, and she seems to care about you deeply if she went to such lengths. It’s a perfect match!”

Duke Mors crossed his arms, his expression unreadable as he glanced between his wife and son.

“Careful with your words,” he warned, though there was no real malice in his tone.

“The bond of a mate is no trivial matter. If the princess is truly Richard’s mate, the consequences of this union, good or bad, will affect more than just our family.”

Richard shifted uncomfortably, his mind churning with conflicting emotions.

The sweetness of the ube cake lingered in the air, but its comforting aroma was now a stark contrast to the storm of uncertainty swirling inside him.

He couldn’t deny the bond that tied him to Ahcehera, but his mother’s exuberance and his father’s caution only added to the weight on his shoulders.

What have I gotten myself into?

The princess is not an ordinary woman.

She’s like the moon, bright but unreachable.

I am also no match for her.

In my current situation, standing side-by-side with her is almost impossible.

Richard suddenly thought of his brother, Major General Mors, if only he could be as brilliant as his brother.

It’s a long way to go…