Chapter 4 In the bathtub with my Mother-in-law

Prince Daevir's POV

My breath came in ragged gasps. They were softer now, thanks to her charm. I felt like I was waking up from a terrible nightmare. But the reality still slams me in the face.

I have now become what I hate. Those sickly, bloodthirsty ruts that want nothing but war. The beings I happily slice in two with my sword. The beings I was sworn as a soldier to destroy for the rest of my life.

What is happening to me?!

How did I become a werewolf?!

What would I have done if she weren't here to save me tonight?

Who would I have hurt?

This girl. I recognised her immediately. She was the new concubine. The one rumoured to be cursed. Well, how ironic, seeing she's saving me now.

She is definitely not older than 15. That's how my sick father loves them.

*Sigh.

Yet, she is fair to look upon. Eyes were blue as the ocean, and her hair long and golden. As we soaked in the tub together, I noticed she still had tears in her eyes.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I promise." I whispered, but I wasn't sure she could hear me. I couldn't even hear myself speak. I noticed her lips moved, she wanted to say something, but quickly she bit her lips and looked away.

Something about this girl was so different, so strange, I didn't want to look away. She looked like a little girl with a powerful secret. A secret so powerful, so sensual, it could bring any man to their knees.

Shit.

I can't think of her that way. After all, she's my father's concubine. My mother-in-law.

If only my dad weren't cursed with his attraction to coy young girls like this. Her shoulders trembled slightly. The water was getting cooler every second. I reached out to pull her closer to me so our body heat could keep us going for a little longer when…

Knock! Knock!

Zephyr's voice blasted through the walls, shaking both of us up. She was terrified, I know. The consequences of what is happening right now will be harsher on her than on me.

I'm back to being human, and I must protect her.

I wasn't even done wrapping up my thought process when Zephyr, that silly old man, barged into my room.

Shit!

Quickly, I signalled to her not to panic. There was a curtain shielding us from Zephyr. He won't know she is here if he doesn't get to the curtain before I do.

In a swift second, I jumped out of the tub and out to Zephyr, pulling the curtain close so fast he won't notice anyone in.

But Zephyr, he wasn't one you could play a trick on. He was the best scholar of his time, ranking best in strategy in the whole empire. He caught things faster before anyone did. I find it really hard to hide things from him.

His gaze darted from the curtain to me, a cunny smile curved his lips.

"I see you have company."

Shit!

"I… it's not what you think…"

"Ah ha!" Zephyr burst out laughing. "Here I am thinking your war wounds were stopping you from getting some action. Looks like you're doing well with that little vixen in there."

I froze.

What does he think…?

"Your father was beginning to worry that you had no desire for procreation." Zephyr chuckled satisfactorily, holding his belly. "I told him you're not only about war! War! War! And I was going to prove it to him tonight."

I wish Zephyr couldn't go on and on about my literal mother-in-law in the bathtub. But I could only stand there, awkwardly wishing he would just leave my room.

"I see you're more into your age grade though…" Zephyr sighed like he was thanking the heavens. "No one wants to deal with another emperor who floods the palace with children as wives and concubines…"

“Z_Zephyr…” I coughed, looking clearly uncomfortable.

Zephyr noticed. He smiled and bowed. "I see you still need some extra minutes to scratch that gnarling itch, eh..."

What does he have to be so blunt?!

"I'll be out of your way now, your highness. I'm only here to deliver a message from his majesty." Zephyr raised his head from his bow, matching my eyes

My father? I hadn't seen him since I returned. I heard he was sick and wasn't willing for anyone to visit him.

"His Majesty wants you to report to the imperial courts at noon tomorrow. He wants to hear the story of your valour against Alpha Theron’s pack from your lips alone…"

My gaze melted into the ground.

My valour?

*Scoff

I'm nothing but a fraud.

"Daevir…"

Zephyr's call jolted me out of my thoughts. I had long zoned out.

Zephyr's eyes narrowed like he could tell something was off about me, yet he continued. "Your father will see you right after he visits his latest concubine. A girl from one of the eastern villages, whom her father sold for dust."

That's… that's the girl in the tub. I don't even know her name.

"The emperor is definitely enthralled by the man who will reject the emperor's gold only to ask for dust for his daughter. The girl is rumoured to be cursed. But you know your father. All these things only fascinate him further."

"I thought father wasn't in great health?"

"He wasn't till you returned. Apparently, the joy of his son returning with valour from the battlefield is enough to give strength to the old man."

Zephyr nodded and bowed. "I'll be off now." Walking off, he sang, "Now take it easy on that little vixen in there, don't stab too hard, Daevir. I bathed you as a child, I know you wield a mighty sword down there."

"Zephyr!!!"

He chuckled and shut the door behind him.

I heaved a relieved breath, running my hands through my wet hair.

I owe this cursed concubine my life.

A soft muffling escaped the curtains behind me.

Quickly, I drew the curtain back and there she was, her hands cupped over her face, crying.