The Eclipsed Bloom-Chapter 118: Cathan

Zara cleared her throat, regaining her composure. "Ahem... I get it, you’re a rude kid."

The boy’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. He pointed a trembling finger at her, clearly scandalized.

"W-What did you just call me? I’m not rude at all!"

Zara waved her hand dismissively, trying to change the subject from the previous embarrassing point.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. You’re a perfect little gentleman."

His eye twitched at the clear sarcasm in her voice.

"So..." Zara leaned forward slightly, a playful glint in her eyes. "You gonna tell me your name now, kiddo?"

He turned his head dramatically to the side, gazing at the sky as if hoping it would swallow him whole.

"My name’s Cathan. Now you know—so stop bothering me."

Zara smiled, unfazed, and walked up to him. Gently, she patted his head. His body stiffened like a statue at her touch.

"What do you think you’re doing?" he snapped. freēnovelkiss.com

She ignored his glare and looked up at the sky beside him.

"Does this kind of thing... happen often, Cathan?"

He stopped flailing his arms, his body relaxing slightly."...Yeah," he muttered. "It’s happened a lot."

Zara’s playful tone faded, and her facial features became soft. She glanced at him, her voice becoming quieter, not playful like before.

"Do you... have a bad relationship with the royal family?"

Cathan looked down, his expression unreadable.After a long silence, he gave a small, almost reluctant nod.

"Yeah... something like that. They’re afraid I’ll take the throne from them because I have legitimate royal blood—that’s why they hate me."

Zara didn’t respond right away. She stood beside him, quiet, letting the stillness speak. Then, gently, she said,"Don’t worry. Everything will be right one day, I believe you will get your title."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving him alone with his thoughts and giving him some space.

Cathan POV:

I watched her go. A quiet snort slipped from my mouth as I ruffled my hair and sank onto the stone bench in the corridor."Does she think the world is all sunshine and justice, that everything will become automatically correct, and I would not get my title in the watching eyes of royals?"

The red carpet beneath my feet muffled the sound of my steps as I got up and began walking toward the guest wing.

The hallway was lit with flickering lamps, the windows were open, pouring moonlight inside, and the silence was only broken by the soft click of my shoes.

As I turned the corner, a maid stood waiting, her gaze as cold as if she were looking at some servant boy."Mr. Cathan," she said curtly. "Queen Elizabeth has summoned you."

She didn’t wait for a reply—just turned on her heel and began walking ahead, her heels clinking against the floor, expecting me to follow.

I narrowed my eyes at her back, my fists clenched at my sides, holding the hem of my shirt.’What does that woman want now? Didn’t she already beat me last week? Don’t tell me her mood’s off again...’

I didn’t want to follow her, but I knew better. If I refused, the punishment would be worse. Last time, I couldn’t stand for a whole week because of pain and bruises.

The maid stopped in front of a large white door, its edges gilded and ornate lines carved on the door. Without a word, she pushed it open and gave me a cold, expectant look.

Taking a slow, steady breath, I braced myself for the bitchy face waiting inside.

Seated on a golden throne-like chair, Queen Elizabeth crossed one leg over the other. Her blonde hair shimmered under the chandelier, and her neck and wrists were draped in elaborate gemstone jewelry—each one screaming wealth and authority.

A mocking smile curled on her lips as she raised a delicate hand to cover her mouth."Hoh, so our future duke finally shows up. Didn’t even bother to greet me anymore, huh?"Her laughter was cold, the sound of it scraping at my nerves.

’If it were in my hands, I would have killed you without thinking of greeting you’

I clenched my fists but forced myself to bow slightly because I had no other choice."Greetings, Queen Elizabeth."

She clicked her tongue, eyes glittering with disdain."Oh, right. I forgot..." she said with a dramatic sigh, "You’re not the future duke anymore, are you? Why did I even bother calling you that—tch tch."

My jaw tightened. I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to smother the growing urge to walk up and punch that arrogant long nose of hers.

"Did the woman I sent satisfy you?"

I raised my head slowly, meeting her eyes. There was a flicker of uncertainty in her gaze—almost as if she didn’t know her scheme had failed. Again, like her countless attempts.

A mocking smile curved on my lips.

So, she still thinks she’s got me, huh. How pathetic.

"Your Majesty," I said, voice smooth with sarcasm, "she couldn’t satisfy me even if she tried. After all, she’s not some baron’s daughter who seduced the king’s uncle and later—oh." I cover my mouth mockingly. "I should probably stop there."

Her expression twisted.

"What did you just say, you little brat?" Elizabeth stood abruptly, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. She strode toward me with fury in her eyes, her hand rising mid-air.

"Your Majesty," I said, my smirk deepening, "you do realize today is the Duke and Duchess’s wedding celebration, don’t you? What do you think people will say if I walk in with a red cheek? I wonder... would King Alexander be angry at the one who dared to mar the guest of honor’s face?"

Her hand froze mid-air. I could see it tremble, her rage barely restrained because of the king’s fear.

She slowly lowered her arm, her fingers curling tightly before placing a cold hand on my shoulder. Leaning down, her voice dropped to a venomous whisper.

I could clearly see killing intent in her red eyes.

"Just you wait. From tomorrow morning, I’ll make your life a living hell. Now—get out of my sight."

’So she just wanted me here just to remind me of my place’

Elizabeth POV:

As the brat walked out, I exhaled sharply, dropping into the golden chair and massaging my temples.

"Who does he think he is?" I muttered. "He can’t even claim the Duke title anymore."

Then I paused—an idea forming.

A slow smile spread across my lips.

"Duke... yes, that’s it. I’ll send him to the current Duke. And if that woman has any sense, she’ll kill him out of fear he’ll try to steal her position. brilliant"

"he he he" putting hand on my lips. A laugh escaped from my mouth, low and satisfied.

"Let’s see how long you last, little prince."

Zara POV:

"The Holy Cardinal has arrived!"

The guard’s voice echoed through the grand ballroom.

All nobles’ attention turned toward the large doors as they creaked open. A rotund man stepped in, draped in white and gold ceremonial robes. In his hand, he held a long staff topped with a golden orb that shimmered beneath the chandeliers.

Behind him were women in white and blue robes, covering their faces with veils, holding flowers and orbs.

Before I could fully process their presence, I felt an arm snake around my waist, pulling me into a hug.

"Ahh—w-what are you—"

Warm breath brushed against my ear, and I froze, feeling her head inches behind me.

"Don’t worry, darling," Hemiros whispered, her voice as soft as silk and twice as possessive suddenly.

"These people’s ceremonies are just politics in costumes. They can’t bind us eternally. When we leave this place, we’ll have a real marriage—an eternal soul bond powerful than your current bonds."

A shiver ran down my spine—not from fear this time, but from something deeper, probably my heart. This is the most confusing feeling I’ve ever felt in my entire life.

She had been by my side the entire week, never leaving for more than one minute.

Every request, every need—she met them all without hesitation. She never forced me after I agreed to marry her, never crossed a line again. Somewhere between the quiet dinners, her gentle teasing, and her silent protectiveness...

I had started feeling something. Something I didn’t want to admit.

Not as deep as what I have for my wives... but still, something undeniably real.

It’s confusing, my brain is rejecting the idea of these feelings, but my heart unconsciously starts beating whenever she gets near me.

Just like now, my heart has already started beating fast when she hugs me.

"Welcome, holy Cardinal, it’s a pleasure to meet you again."

Getting out of my daze, I looked around. All the nobles’ faces were covered in sweat; they were gazing at the floor as if they were seeing a ghost.

King Alexander is also fawning as if trying to gain favor from the cardinal.

’Is the church holding more authority than the king? Looks like royal authority is not above the church in this kingdom.’

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