Chapter 5 Matilda's POV

I was speechless. The truth was staring me in the face, yet I chose not to believe it. I thought back to the times he chased me, to the times he said he didn't care about my age, to the times he kissed me, blurring my mind with lies so I could feel better, so I could move on and not overthink the whole situation.

Lady Lucinda did introduce herself, but she never stated the relationship she had with Cedric.

Taking a sip of the tea in front of me after another teacup arrived, I pondered.

We talked about Alpha Prime. The students, the officials, the rules.

But each time, it always felt like I was forcing myself into a conversation they were already having.

A moment later, Lady Lucinda stood up, saying she'd like to return to her chamber.

"I could walk with you," Cedric offered.

"That's very kind of you, my lord," Lady Lucinda replied, and I was left in the garden with the teacups.

I surveyed my surroundings, confused about what was going on and why Cedric was acting strange.

So I left the pavilion and walked into his chamber to wait for him.

Unfortunately, I waited forever.

He only entered his chamber when darkness had covered the land.

I had fallen asleep while waiting, and when I woke up, I used my wolf senses to light the candles, only to see that he was in his room too.

"Good evening, Cedric," I said, approaching him since he seemed determined to ignore me.

"Lord Cedric," he corrected.

"What is going on?" I had to ask. He was the one who insisted I call him without the title, and now he wanted the title back?

"Mind the way you talk to me, Matilda." He walked across the room to take off his coat.

"And what are you doing in my room?" he queried.

"Am I not allowed in here anymore?"

"Henceforth," he muttered.

I could see the string between us. I could still smell him. I still yearned for him. But it seemed to be different from his side.

"Earlier," he said, pointing a finger at me.

"Cedric?" I was honestly confused.

"Lord Cedric, Matilda. I do not wish for any lady to hear you call me so casually. I will be king soon."

I held my tongue. I'd heed his words and do as he wished.

"Lord Cedric," I muttered, forcing the title out.

"Earlier, the cups—"

"You said the cups were—" he interrupted.

"You do not make such a suggestion. You were meant to hand over your cup to the princess. Manners. Manners, Matilda. You lack manners. I could bet it is because of your age."

No.

Those words crushed me.

"Ced—" I paused. "Lord Cedric, my age?"

"Explain to me why you treated Lady Lucinda that way earlier," he said, facing me directly.

Our eyes met, and I looked into his for a moment. They didn't sparkle the way they used to when he was with me.

"I... tried my best," I swallowed.

Cedric sighed.

But I walked closer to him.

"Do I stress you?"

He looked down at me as I rested a hand against his torso.

"You should leave," he dismissed me.

He didn't allow me to hug him.

"Cedric," I called.

"It is improper to have a lady in my chamber at this time of night," he stated.

"At least tell me what relationship you share with Lady Lucinda," I requested.

He mumbled a complaint to himself. I wished I had heard it.

"She is a family friend," he said before grabbing my hand and pushing me out.

By the door, as he pushed me out, I looked back at him.

"Cedric," I said.

"Lord..." He gave up on correcting me, I think.

"I love you," I said with a smile.

But he pushed me out and shut the door behind me.

My heart shattered.

Walking home as a lady at such a late hour was unsafe, but I was a second-rank wolf. I could take down any wolf who tried to hurt me.

Unfortunately, nobody came for me.

The sky simply showered me with rain, but it covered my tears.

I sat in my room after a warm bath, looking out the window with swollen eyes.

"My mate broke my heart today," I said into the empty room. "I think he's embarrassed of me."

Ever since I was a child, I had always believed that joy came in the morning, so I started the next day with a smile.

After breakfast, I wore my shoes and left for the academy.

"Good morning, Gaius," I said to our coachman.

"Good morning, my lady," he answered.

With that, I entered the carriage.

After some time, I arrived at the lodging house for teachers. I had gone home to get some clothes.

I opened the door to my chamber, placed my belongings where they belonged, then left for my first lesson.

As I walked through the halls, I noticed the Class Four students from the East on the training ground. I could hear their conversation as I walked by.

While their teacher seemed to be absent, I tried looking for my mate, Cedric.

But after scrutinizing the training ground, I realized he was standing by the corner. I couldn't see him directly because I was right behind that corner.

"How does it feel courting two ladies from the teaching committee?" I heard a male voice ask.

At the edge of my vision, I noticed a lady walking out of the training ground, smirking wickedly at me.

That was Lady Lucinda.

Wasn't she also a teacher?

She was supposed to be in the North District.

"Which of Lady Matilda and Lady Lucinda will you choose to marry?" another male wolf asked.

Who were they talking to?

I was strangely interested and invested, especially when my name was mentioned and Lady Lucinda was my rival.

"Lady Lucinda, of course. She isn't old," the one being questioned answered.

Old?

"Why did you court Lady Matilda?"

"You were so confident."

"I just wanted to taste what it was like to be with one's mate. She was my mate, and it was fun."

The princes laughed.

"What was fun?"

"Lady Matilda was our favorite teacher, and I wondered. I was curious."

They all cheered him on.

"Did you mark her?"

"I wish I could," he chuckled. "It would have been an experience."

"Here I thought I was the cruel one."

They burst into laughter.

They went on and on, talking about me, and it reached a point where I had to leave quietly.

My knees failed me, but I gripped my gown to keep myself moving.