Mommy Wolf: Raise A Cub, Claimed By His Beast Daddy-Chapter 142: A Maid’s Hunch

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Kael snapped. "Why would I give Sisi the same title as Ruela? That would only humiliate her."

He paused, his gaze shifting to Sisi, then to his son, who looked deeply unsettled by the mere idea of her leaving.

Then Kael spoke again, his voice clear and resolute, ensuring Diane heard every word.

"I will make her my queen. The Beast Queen who rules over all of you."

Diane’s breath hitched, then she lowered her head solemnly. "I will make sure everyone in this courtyard understands your will, My King."

"Good. Now go," Kael ordered. "Don’t worry about her. We’ll stay until she wakes."

Diane bowed and left.

Jojo stared at Sisi anxiously. Even though his father said she was fine, every time Sisi fainted, it felt as though she were fighting for her life.

He looked up at Kael. "Daddy... do you think Sisi will like another man?"

Kael’s crimson eyes glinted dangerously as he shook his head. "I won’t allow that to happen. She is my queen and your mother. That’s all you need to know."

"Un, I know..." Jojo murmured. He lay beside Sisi, hugging her tightly like a frightened child clinging to his mother. A faint glimmer of gold flickered in his eyes. "I’m scared, Daddy. If Sisi doesn’t want you and leave, then I’ll follow her. I will go wherever Sisi goes!"

Jojo’s words struck Kael like a blade.

The image of Sisi and Jojo abandoning him with the kingdom that he didn’t personally want in the first place—sent his mind spiraling.

He had initially created this kingdom solely for Jojo’s safety and bright future. Now he wanted Sisi to be part of it too. He wanted the three of them to be a harmonious family.

If they both left...

Then the kingdom meant nothing.

His crimson eyes darkened, burning brighter, like fresh blood.

For a fleeting moment, the thought of destroying everything—of reducing this kingdom and its people to dust—felt frighteningly reasonable. Since he didn’t want this kingdom, and Jojo didn’t like it, then it’d be better to start anew somewhere and fulfil Jojo and Sisi’s whim instead.

Jojo, sensing the shift in his father’s mood, shrank back.

"D-Daddy... don’t be mad," he whispered. "You’re scaring me..."

Kael closed his eyes. Dark thoughts churned violently inside him. His thoughts were so twisted that even he was momentarily horrified by them.

When he opened his eyes again, he forced himself to calm down.

He patted Jojo’s head gently.

"Never say that again, Jojo, " he said quietly. "You are my only son. My precious gem. If you leave... then my life has no meaning."

’—and my sacrifice would have been for nothing,’ he added silently, remembering the moment he accepted the Dusk Star again, severing his bond with his mate and condemning himself to a lonely, agonizing fate.

Jojo swallowed.

He had only spoken out of fear, but seeing his father like this made him feel guilty.

’Then I’ll make sure Sisi never leaves us,’ Jojo vowed silently. ’We’ll be a family forever. If Sisi leaves when I grow up... then I’ll never grow up.’

As they were busy with their own thoughts, a knock sounded at the door.

Father and son turned their heads to see a young maid standing there, the same unassuming servant girl who had once served Ruela, now reassigned as Sisi’s personal maid.

Leah lowered her head immediately, fidgeting nervously. She was picturing a shy and dutiful servant.

"M-My King, My Prince," she stammered. "M-my name is Leah. I... I’ve been chosen to attend Mistress Sisi as her personal maid."

Her appearance and inexperience made both Kael and Jojo lower their guard immediately, especially when Leah looked so shy and nervous.

Kael knew Sisi had chosen her personally, and he trusted Sisi’s judgment.

"What are you doing here?" Kael asked. "Didn’t I tell Diane we’d stay until Sisi wakes?"

His tone was cold, but restrained, a sign that he tolerated her.

"T-there’s a young panther named Garou outside, My King," Leah reported softly. "He’s been kneeling since you returned with the Mistress. I... I didn’t have the heart to send him away. He said he wanted to thank Mistress Sisi personally."

"What is he doing? I already spared him once," Kael frowned. "Does he want to challenge my might again?"

Leah seized the opportunity whenever she could to make sure that her plan would go smoothly.

She didn’t know whether there was truly anything between Garou and Sisi—but she needed to plant doubt.

She hesitated deliberately, until Kael’s voice sharpened. "Speak."

"I-it’s just a hunch," Leah said carefully. "I’ve served for many years, and I often observe people. The way the young panther looks at this building—especially at Mistress Sisi’s chamber... it’s the look of a man longing for love. I know it because I’ve seen some men with that same look before!"

Kael’s eyes widened. "What nonsense are you spouting? This is only Sisi’s second day in the palace. How dare you suggest there’s something between her and another man?"

Leah dropped to her knees immediately, trembling. Her head was bowed deeply, but her shaking hid a wicked smile, and her trembling body was that of excitement, not fear.

Yes, she was excited thinking that Sisi would be executed for an affair.

"I-I’m not accusing Mistress Sisi of wrongdoing, My King!" she rushed to say. "I only thought... sometimes, feelings can sprout the moment two pairs of eyes meet, even just once."

She sniffed, voice quivering. "B-but perhaps I’m mistaken. Maybe they’ve never even looked at each other, right? I-it’s just my foolish worry..."

To Kael, she looked like an overly cautious maid, one concerned for her mistress’s reputation. So, there was no reason for him to question her integrity when all she did was looking out for Sisi.

He ought to ignore this idea. He was not the one to be swayed by the words of a mere maid.

But the seed of doubt had already been planted inside the Beast King’s mind, making it easy for Leah to ruin this seemingly tight bond between Sisi, Kael, and Jojo.