Loving The Cursed Werewolf King-Chapter 561: The Family Reunion

"I-I can’t do it," replied Arthur, rejecting Ronan’s offer.

He shook his head. "I... want to dedicate my life to Zoe. I didn’t have time to apologize and explain everything that happened thirteen years ago to her. That’s why I want to live without being known by others. I... will only watch you from a distance."

Ronan took another sip of his tea and nodded in understanding. "If that’s what you want, then I can’t do anything about it."

Arthur smiled briefly and wiped the remaining tears from his eyes.

"And... I apologize for what I have done in the past."

Ronan looked unfazed and just nodded his head. "There’s nothing you could do back then. We were both cursed. You also couldn’t control things that would happen within your own knowledge. I understand it," Ronan said, making Arthur feel even more guilty. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Ronan’s past was dreadful, but what happened to his father was just a misunderstanding. He would only harbor hatred if he chose to not forgive his father. Ever since getting to know Arielle, Ronan tried to see the bright side of all things, even though he rarely did that.

Besides, his father did it because he had no other choice. Even Ronan once thought that when he had children, he would probably do the same thing. Moreover, little by little, Arielle made Ronan dare to face his past and accept himself who was not fully a normal human.

Even if the curse hadn’t been lifted, Ronan would definitely want a child with Arielle. He was ready to step forward without looking back again.

"You... are free to visit the palace as you please if you wish."

Ronan probably wouldn’t send the invitation with his name, but Arielle would definitely do it.

"Thank you very much," Arthur replied.

Both Arthur and Ronan had nothing more to say to each other, so the atmosphere became awkward.

"Ah, Ronan..."

Ronan raised his eyebrows as his father finally looked up at him. The man’s gaze fixed on the wound on his face.

"Zoe... she always cherishes and loves you. You are our son. The heir to the throne. Of course, we are always proud of you. Perhaps that night she was just devastated and shocked," Arthur said, referring to Zoe’s actions that attacked Ronan’s face on that night.

Ronan touched his face and gave a short laugh. "I know. Even though sometimes her image always gives me nightmares, I know that she loves me because she is my mother. Just like you, who are also my father," said Ronan, making Arthur choke.

The man became embarrassed and stood up. "Th-thanks for your time, I-I’ll go see Irene to say goodbye."

"You’re leaving tonight?"

Arthur nodded. "I... want to thank Priest Louise," he replied.

Ronan just nodded, allowing Arthur to leave his room. Seeing his father’s back, which was no longer standing upright, pinched Ronan’s heart. His father looked older and weaker.

Arthur let out a long sigh after exiting his son’s room. He wiped the remaining tears that he couldn’t show in front of Ronan earlier. Ronan’s last sentence made the weight burden in his heart being lifted at once, and the void he had felt filled with warm feelings. He could become a free person without guilt anymore now.

"Your Majesty?" said William, making Arthur stop wiping all the tears off his face, so he didn’t look stupid.

"Oh, William," Arthur said, recognizing the young man who had always been by Ronan’s side since they were at the academy.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Arthur nodded his head, and William led Arthur to a place where they could talk quietly.

***

Arielle, Irene and Aimee were already at the dining hall. Arielle pulled out a chair for Irene to sit on. The girl then sat down awkwardly while sweeping her gaze at the various kinds of food in front of her. She had never seen so much food that filled the table like this. All this time... she only ate leftovers.

Because there was so much food, Irene was confused which one she should eat first. She turned to the side. Arielle was waiting for Irene to choose her food first.

"What do you want to eat first?" Arielle asked with a smile.

"Um... I’m confused. I’ve never seen this much food before," Irene replied honestly.

All this time she could only watch from afar every time the werewolf clan members had a banquet. Irene and her father only ate their leftovers.

Arielle, who saw the little girl looked hesitant, offered a warm and fresh tomato soup. She also put a spoon beside Irene’s plate. The girl looked a bit awkward when holding a spoon, as if it was her first time. Irene knew how to hold a spoon, but she just felt touched because it was the first time she would eat delicious food.

The first time Irene ate food outside Birwick was when her father took her away from the werewolf clan. She was given a little money by her father to choose the food she wanted. At that time, there was a kind man who paid for her food. However, the street food was not as good as the tomato soup she was eating now.

"Arielle, this is very delicious," said Irene earnestly.

Arielle rubbed Irene’s head and told the girl to eat whatever she wanted.

"Is there something you want? Tell me whatever you want to eat," Arielle said, making Irene’s eyes sparkle.

There was one thing that Irene wanted to eat when she was in town for a few days, but she didn’t have the chance to try it. The food was too expensive, so Irene couldn’t ask her father to buy it. She didn’t know how her father got the money back then, but the money they got for selling the flower was not too much.

Irene got the flowers from the Birwick Village, which was right next to Birwick Mountain. Arthur stole the flowers from one of the gardens in the biggest house, but he told Irene that he borrowed them from someone nice and would return the flowers with the money from selling it later.

Irene, who didn’t understand anything, just followed everything her father said.

"Arielle, do you know about the Frostberry fruit?" Irene asked.

She tried to remember whether the small white round fruit was really called Frostberry or not.

"Oh, you want Frostberry?" Arielle asked enthusiastically.

She also really liked the tiny fruit. It tasted very sweet. Arielle then turned to Aimee who was still waiting faithfully if she needed anything. It wasn’t Frostberry season, but she hoped they still had it.

"Oh, of course we still have it. I will ask Lucas to prepare it right away, Your Highness," said Aimee who hurriedly left the room.