Chapter 6: Young Lord Is Awake?

It had been a week since Harriet and Liam's first full moon night. The woman's days passed in a relaxing routine. There was no letter from the Old Duke yet, but Harriet had already received some information from her acquaintances. The war was still going on fiercely.

So many aids were also sent by the military powerhouses on this Imperial Continent, to help the Old Duke. Harriet and everyone at Almandine Castle could breathe a sigh of relief at this information. They did believe the Old Duke and their pack would win the battle.

In the afternoon, just as Harriet was about to go up to the tower with her servants to wipe Liam's body, Daniel appeared. He told Harriet that a letter had come from the imperial capital for her.

Daniel's words instantly made Harriet furrow her brows deeply.

“I'll read it later. Thanks, Daniel,” said Harriet, walking away, leaving a confused Daniel.

“B-but, Madam, isn't this an important matter? His Majesty the Emperor sent it for you…” Daniel caught up with Harriet.

“Well, if it's really important, then the Emperor should send a trusted person to see me, not just sent me a letter,” said Harriet calmly.

In the passage at the bottom of the stairs to the tower, Harriet turned to Daniel and smiled.

“Just put it on my dressing table, and I'll open it after dinner,” said Harriet.

Daniel was speechless and smiled confusedly. He saw Harriet lead the servants up the tower.

As soon as the woman's figure was out of sight, Daniel observed the letter in his hand with the wax stamp of the Euclase Empire coated in gold powder. He felt a little awkward because the letter was like a hot object in his hand. He had indeed heard that Marchioness Goldlane was a person the Emperor trusted greatly and she was gifted in politics.

However, it seemed that Harriet was still annoyed with the Emperor because it was the Emperor who sent her brother on a dangerous expedition that caused his condition now.

Daniel went and carried out Harriet's orders.

---

After a week of doing the same thing, Harriet had a better grasp of the technique to wipe Liam's body. Now she only needed two servants to assist her, turning and tilting Liam's body. Even though she and Liam couldn't really talk to each other or do anything together, Harriet felt that the time she wiped Liam's body was a way of getting closer to him.

Liam didn't eat at all except when he woke up once every month. He also did not wake up no matter what people did to his body. The only indications that he was still alive were his body temperature and his breathing.

After they were done, the maids withdrew as usual and left Harriet in the room. Harriet would sit for a while, waiting for the sun to set and light the candles, then open the ceiling panels. But when it was time for dinner, Harriet didn't feel like going downstairs. She didn't want to open the letter from the capital.

The woman took a deep breath and decided to act selfishly for once. She rang the bell-rope installed in the tower to summon a servant from below, then asked for her dinner to just be sent up to the tower. She also didn't forget to ask a servant to bring her some of the books she was reading. They were about Lycans and the accounting ledgers of the Pack.

She sent a message that she would sleep here tonight.

Harriet sat comfortably on the sofa, eating her food. After that, she would read in silence. Now and then, she would turn to Liam, who was fast asleep, feeling the serene peace slowly fading into a strange comfort and familiarity.

Harriet furrowed her brows deeply while reading a book about Lycans. It said that Lycans had a long life and could quickly recover from their injuries because they had excellent regeneration ability.

It was hard to kill Lycans, moreover, their Alpha. In records, the Old Duke was once stabbed with seventeen swords and eleven daggers in a battle during his prime years. However, he recovered within a month.

Harriet glanced back at her husband. She remembered the large cross wound on the blonde-haired man's chest and the known fact that he lost his heart…

They really were monsters.

Not that it was a bad thing for Harriet, but it was better to admit that they were monsters than to deny it. After all, living and marrying monsters like them wasn't a terrible experience, according to Harriet.

The woman's face turned red.

Harriet stood, put her book on the table, and walked to the window where she saw Liam sitting on their first night. At that time, the man looked more impressive than a prince. However, right now, he looked more like a Sleeping Beauty.

The thought of that made Harriet chuckle. Her husband was a monster, a handsome prince, and Sleeping Beauty, all at once.

The moon rose to the peak of the horizon, and the spring stars began to shine. The many constellations would be clearly visible in the summer sky, Harriet couldn't wait to see them from this tower. With Liam…

If only he could open his eyes by then.

Harriet changed into a more comfortable nightgown and slipped under the covers on the bed, beside Liam. Tired, she immediately fell asleep.

That night, in Harriet's dream, she saw a man with long blonde hair step over to her side and hug her tightly. It was so warm and comfortable that Harriet drifted off to sleep, much deeper than usual nights.

---

The next morning, Secretary Daniel climbed the tower with a breakfast tray for Harriet. He also brought the letter from the capital yesterday with him.

Daniel knew that Harriet didn't want to go back to her room and read the letter, so she decided to sleep in the tower. However, even if Harriet didn't want to read it, the Emperor was still the leader of this Imperial Continent. They couldn't put it off any longer.

As usual, Daniel did his morning routine. He closed the ceiling panels and was about to tidy up the room when–

CLANG!

Daniel dropped the empty tray of dishes in his hand as he saw Liam hugging Harriet from behind on the bed. The secretary still couldn't digest the sight when suddenly, his two masters slowly woke up.

“Y-Y-Young Lord…?”

“Goodness, it's so noisy, what's wrong?” Liam sat slowly with his eyes still closed, while Harriet tried to open her eyes which were still sticky from a good night's sleep. She was confused by the commotion, but because she wasn't fully awake yet, she hadn't noticed anything strange.

“Young Lord is awake!”

Daniel ran out of the room to find a physician, leaving Liam and Harriet still confused.

It was then that Harriet began to realize she had just heard Liam's hoarse voice.

And Liam was starting to realize he was waking up in the morning sun.

Then the two stared at each other.

“Eh?”

“Ah…”

---

Chapter 7: Am I Dreaming, Madam?

Liam stared in awe all around the room. Everything was so bright and shimmering, so different from the darkness of the night under the full moon that he was used to seeing when he woke up once a month.

Because he was getting used to it, he thought he'd wake up on the next full moon, but things were so different when he opened his eyes. He was dazzled. It was a bit difficult for him to adapt to everything.

“Milord…?”

Beside Liam sat a woman wearing only a simple nightgown on the bed. Liam knew her as his wife, Harriet.

“Am I dreaming, Madam?” the man asked, narrowing his golden eyes in disbelief.

“I-I wanted to ask the same thing…” said Harriet quietly.

Liam got out of bed and walked towards the east window slowly. The sun had climbed high in the sky. From the top of the tower, he could see the view of the Northern Land under the bright sky.

When was the last time he witnessed this sight?

Harriet got off the bed and slowly approached her husband from behind. The man fell silent in amazement, shocked at what had happened, perhaps even more shocked than she was.

And then, she heard the man's low laugh. Harriet peeked at the expression on Liam's face in the morning sun. Harriet's shaded, sharp eyelids widened. The man's golden eyes and blonde hair shimmer in the light from the east sun.

Harriet immediately felt that this man was best suited to stand in the sun, not the moon. No. To be more precise, Liam Almandine looked like the personification of the sun itself.

“Madam… what exactly… had happened?” the man turned to Harriet.

The woman at his side shook her head in confusion.

“Is something different… or is there something you did to me while I was sleeping?” the man asked innocently, but Harriet furrowed her brows in annoyance.

“If it was me who caused this, shouldn't you be thanking me?” said Harriet with pursed lips.

Liam chuckled. He enjoyed teasing his wife and saw her annoyed expression, but now he had enough. So, he added a few more questions in a row.

“How many days has it been since our first night? Did you sleep by my side every night after that night? Oh, and did you miss me?”

Harriet knew that apart from the last question, this handsome man had no intention of teasing her. However, with the man's mischievous expression and intense gaze, Harriet couldn't help but hide the blush on her face.

“It has been eight days since the full moon. I just slept by your side last night and on that full moon night. While on the other nights, I always slept in my own room,” Harriet answered in all seriousness.

Liam nodded. The man turned to return to the bed, but suddenly, he felt pain in his chest. It was as if he was being stabbed by a sharp object. “Ugh!”

Harriet saw Liam suddenly clutching his shirt against his chest and bending over.

“Milord?!” Harriet propped Liam quickly.

At the same time, Daniel had arrived with two physicians along with several servants. They saw Liam get up and stand on his own two feet under the sunlight.

“Young Lord!”

Daniel immediately stepped forward to bring Liam back to bed. The servants and the two physicians he brought with him were still staring in amazement at the clearly conscious Liam. They quickly examined Liam's body.

The Alpha’s eyes felt heavy. It felt like he would be unconscious again.

While the physicians were busy examining his body, Liam reached out to Harriet, stopping everyone from moving.

Harriet's heart skipped a beat at how pale Liam's face was. Her brain didn't dare guess, but she was afraid that Liam was suddenly waking up because he was experiencing health complications that were worse than before.

Would she be left alone this soon by her husband?

Harriet reached her hand out to Liam on the bed. She knelt on the side of the bed, close to him. “Yes, Milord?”

The man smiled helplessly.

“Will you sleep by my side every night, Madam?” Liam asked.

Harriet's sad and frightened face slowly changed with the addition of a sad smile. “I don't like high places, Milord…”

“Ugh,” Liam groaned softly. “So I can't sleep with my wife every night?”

Harriet's face flushed red with a complicated expression.

“Nevermind. My Madam can sleep wherever she like,” Liam said, slowly closing his eyes. “Sleep by my side when you miss me...”

And as if his time had run out, Liam fell back asleep with his hand still intertwined with Harriet's.

Silence enveloped the room at the top of the tower again.

For some reason, everything felt a little more stifling than the usual silence in the tower.

Harriet got up from the floor slowly, and then pulled the covers for Liam. She turned to the physicians and motioned them to start examining Liam again. She didn't move an inch from where she was standing. So many people around her, but somehow she felt so lonely. It hadn't been that long, but strangely she had begun to miss the man. Liam Almandine.

---

“Madam…” Daniel looked worried, seeing Harriet's expression that was so sad since Liam went back to sleep.

“The physicians said Young Lord didn't show any deterioration in health. Moreover, it's been almost 40 years since the Young Lord was able to wake up during the day without the help of the moonlight…” Daniel chose his words carefully.

“But it seems that what happened today was just a coincidence. I'm afraid these are signs before something happens. I hope it will be something good,” Harriet said with a smile.

But Harriet and Daniel knew such a thing was impossible. Even though Liam was a Lycan and a powerful Alpha, meaning that it gave him a powerful regenerative ability that made him nearly immortal, no creature in this world could survive without a beating heart.

Harriet sighed.

“Okay. You came to the tower to deliver a letter from the capital to me again, right?” asked Harriet, rising from her desk and walking to the sofa. Daniel handed her the letter from his jacket pocket and stood faithfully by Harriet's side.

As Harriet tore the envelope with her salad knife, Daniel shuddered with horror. Harriet didn't treat the letter with respect at all, even though it was sent by the emperor.

Harriet opened the letter and skimmed the contents. Then, she immediately stood up and threw the letter into the fire without hesitation.

“M-Madam?” Daniel furrowed his brows and was flabbergasted at what Harriet had just done.

“The Emperor asked me to come to the capital,” said Harriet casually. She threw herself back on the sofa and continued, “Let's schedule for me to go to the capital in a few months.”

“In a few months? But Madam…?” Daniel was getting confused.

Harriet smiled reassuringly. She then said in a soft voice to comfort Secretary Daniel, “Let's make sure my brother gets well before I'm willing to respond to the Emperor's request.”

“I have sent a letter to resign from the world of government and politics. I've also left my responsibilities of the West Fortress to the Crown Prince's authority. Since the war is still going on in that area, the Old Duke himself is also keeping an eye on it, so there's no problem,” said Harriet in quick words.

Daniel could no longer try to change Harriet's mind.

Harriet had experienced a lot of misfortunes all her life. Plus lately, everything seemed to be attacking her from all sides. Her younger brother came home badly injured and turned into a Lycan, the war broke out, and the offer the Old Duke made for her changed her whole life.

“Don't worry too much about the Imperial Capital, Secretary Daniel. Since the war in the West is still ongoing, they also definitely won't consider my disappearance from government and politics important. Right now, they must be focusing on being on alert from all sides with their military forces,” said Harriet.

Still, Daniel felt Harriet's words sounded condescending to herself and her role in government. In fact, Harriet was quite famous in this Empire as a woman capable of being the Emperor's right hand.

“Then, Madam, would you like to have your breakfast now?” Daniel smiled warmly, changing the subject.

Harriet nodded and smiled.

---

Chapter 8: So, Every Day, My Madam, Bathes Me?

A few days after the incident in which Liam woke up, Harriet woke up with cramps in her stomach. Sensing this as a bad omen, Harriet quickly got up and saw a red stain on her bedsheet.

She felt a stabbing feeling in her chest.

Amelia, her maidservant, walked over to her in the bathroom as she cleaned herself up and massaged her shoulders gently.

“Madam, there is no need to be discouraged. This is only the first month,” she said.

Harriet nodded while flashing a gentle smile at the beautiful middle-aged woman. It was she who taught Harriet everything about Lycan mating process. It was she who helped her prepare for her first night and suggested a suitable scent to wear that night.

“We've been very lucky Young Lord didn't refuse to interact with you,” the woman said. She quickly continued, “I didn't mean to upset you by saying that.”.

Amelia helped Harriet dry off her body after the bath. And then she helped her put on her underwear which was now heavily layered because she was on her period. Then, she was helped to put on her beautiful dress.

While helping her, Amelia spoke softly, “It will be difficult for those who are not a true Mate of a Lycan to get pregnant. We don't know why.”

Harriet, who was listening, was silent until she felt like asking something. “Then, in what kind of cases is a substitute Mate used?”

“If the real Luna can't get pregnant again, for any reason,” Amelia answered. “But it's very, very rare that there are such cases...”

Harriet understood.

“Is there anything that can help me become more fertile and more suitable to bear the son of an Alpha?” she asked with a small hope in her eyes.

In her heart, she didn't want to torture a man who was forced to touch her, someone who wasn't his Mate. To touch someone other than the one he loved must be so hard. Even though Liam didn't look forced that day when they consummated their union, Harriet felt like he was holding something back. Was the man holding back his discomfort?

If Harriet could get pregnant quickly, then Liam wouldn't have to touch her again.

“Madam just needs to be healthy and happy. Whatever the circumstances, it will be easier for our bodies to receive our husbands' seeds if our bodies are healthy and our minds are happy,” Amelia said while winking coquettishly.

Harriet blushed and chuckled.

“My husband is a good person, and everyone here is so kind too. Nothing can make me feel unhappy in this world,” Harriet said with a grateful smile, then looked out of the window where the clear sky was.

Amelia silently looked at Harriet with a sad smile.

“Will Madam be visiting Young Lord Goldlane too today?” asked Amelia, who had memorized Harriet's daily schedule.

Harriet nodded. She needed to see her brother.

“I'll go visit after breakfast,” she replied to Amelia.

“Then I will prepare it now, Madam.”

Visiting her brother, going to study administration and Duchy work as a future Duchess with Daniel, then climbing the tower to wipe her husband's body with the servants.

After that, Harriet would read a book or go back to study in the tower, accompanying Young Lord Liam Almandine.

Amelia heard from Harriet that she felt uncomfortable leaving Liam alone all the time. Therefore, even if briefly, Harriet would accompany Liam for a while before descending from the tower for dinner.

Several times, Harriet also slept by Liam's side. Everyone hoped Liam would react again and wake up in the morning, but the same thing didn't happen again. It seemed that, just like Harriet had said, that day was just a coincidence.

The days passed like that until suddenly, good news came from the battlefields in the west.

“This is really good news!” said Daniel cheerfully. The castle's occupants became so happy to hear the contents of the letter that arrived, including Harriet, who smiled in relief.

“So we can assume that victory is in sight, huh?” Amelia asked at Harriet's side.

The letter from the Old Duke did say that they had already captured most of the enemy Lycan army. They were the ones who turned her brother into a Lycan and killed the expedition group led by her brother.

The letter was on a positive note, and it was clear that everyone in the castle was relieved. But Harriet was worried about the wounded comrades and decided to discuss with Daniel about sending additional logistics to help with the war on the West.

Daniel agreed, although there was no mention that they were asking for additional logistics in the letter. He also agreed with Harriet to prepare remuneration and wages. All for the families of those who died in the war. He listened to Harriet's advice to save more money, which they spent on the daily necessities of the castle.

It wasn't that Harriet was afraid they were lacking, but they were currently at war. This was also a form of solidarity for their comrades who went to war.

As Harriet climbed the tower that afternoon, she was in a better mood than ever. She brought some towels and cloths to clean Liam's body as usual, and several maids followed behind her, carrying a basin of hot water and plain water.

She opened the door and held it so the maids could come in with water in the basins, and they didn't notice the man they were about to give a bath was sitting propped up on the bed.

“Oh, good afternoon, Madam?”

The man looked surprised to see Harriet come with the maids carrying a pile of towels. Harriet and the maids were also shocked that they were rooted to where they were standing.

“…Milord,” Harriet choked out. She watched the man with long blonde hair and golden eyes act and talk like someone who had just woken up from a nap.

Seeing Harriet like this made the man furrow his brows deeply. “Don't tell me you...”

Harriet then saw what Liam noticed, that she brought towels and the maids brought water to clean his body.

“This… i-it's not what you think!”

Harriet threw the pile of towels in her hands onto the sofa and pushed the maids who were following her away. “Call Secretary Daniel and the physicians now! Thank you!”

The maids responsively backed away and left, while Harriet quickly closed the room door with a bang in panic.

She was still facing the door because she couldn't turn to her husband, who had looked at her suspiciously. But suddenly, the spot where she was standing grew dimmer. Someone taller than her had walked up to her.

BAM!

Harriet gasped in surprise to see two strong hands trapping her in front of the door. Liam approached her back, pressed Harriet's tiny body between his sturdy body and the door, and then softly whispered in her ear. “So, every day, my madam bathes me?”

---

Chapter 9: Harriet Moves To The Tower

“So every day my madam bathes me?”

The man was so close, awake, and now stood behind Harriet.

The relief shrouded in another feeling that welled up in Harriet's chest drowned her. Harriet blushed but felt a little irritated. Why was the first thing the man did as soon as he woke up was tease her?

“Milord!” Harriet wanted to protest.

“Yes, Madam?”

The deep voice and the soft breathing that Harriet felt behind her ear made Harriet palpitate even more.

“I-I-I am your wife! Why are you teasing me when I try to serve you as a wife or because I sleep in the same bed with you–”

“Pfft…”

Harriet was getting annoyed at the man who was holding back his laughter. Her heart ached a little when she remembered that she wasn't this man's destined mate, which certainly explained the reason why this man might not like Harriet around him.

Amidst his laughter, Liam innocently asked, “Couldn't Madam take my feelings into account? I'm still a man with pride. When I found out that Madam was the one who bathed me while I was unconscious, did Madam think I wasn't embarrassed?”

“You don't look embarrassed at all!” Harriet turned to the man.

And sure enough, Liam didn't look the least bit embarrassed. Instead, he wore a triumphant expression on his handsome face. The smile on the man's face widened at the annoyance on Harriet's face.

“Madam is right, I'm not embarrassed, but a little amused. Does madam know? I feel like I've been dreaming of Madam a lot lately,” Liam said. “Is it because Madam bathes me every day, or is it because I miss Madam in my heart?”

Harriet didn't understand. Her impression of this man was getting further and further away from her first impression. Handsome prince? The phrase was immediately banned from Harriet's mind.

At that moment, Harriet saw the man's brows slowly furrow and his body wobble a little. Harriet quickly propped him from falling. “Milord?”

“Ah, this time my time is shorter than before…” Liam mumbled, making Harriet even more worried.

The man smiled gently at Harriet.

“When is the next full moon, Madam?” his voice grew weaker, and Harriet kept trying to help him get back into bed.

When they got to the bed, Harriet answered the man. “Five more days… is the full moon.”

Liam smiled and obediently let Harriet press his shoulder to lie down. The two of them simultaneously wondered how the man had woken up. His body should have been too damaged to be able to wake up randomly like this.

“Let's have a chat with the physicians about my body condition during the full moon... because we have more time during that time... later...” Liam said in a low voice.

Harriet nodded.

“Madam...” Liam whispered softly.

“Yes, Milord?” Harriet replied.

“Let… the two of us… talk too…” Liam's eyelids grew heavy.

Harriet agreed patiently and held back the pain in her chest, seeing the man in front of her clearly trying his best to fight his tiredness and sleepiness.

Just as Liam was back in his deep sleep, the door of the room was knocked and opened from outside.

Everyone saw Harriet kneeling on the side of the bed with her hands intertwined with Liam's, looking at him sadly. For a moment, they did not have the heart to interrupt the moment.

Daniel came forward with the physicians and, hearing their footsteps, Harriet looked back.

The woman smiled reassuringly.

“Young Lord just fell back asleep. Let's give him a health check before the sun goes down so as not to disturb his rest,” said Harriet softly.

Daniel nodded.

Harriet stepped back and let out a long, silent sigh. After all the physicians finished examining Liam and discussing with each other, they felt that they did not see any changes in Liam's body, just like before.

The servants and healer withdrew, leaving Daniel and Harriet in the room to accompany Liam, who was asleep. Harriet never took her eyes off Liam's body, and Daniel was worried.

“From today onwards, I will rest in this tower every night,” said Harriet suddenly.

Daniel batted his eyes in confusion at her sudden statement.

“Didn't Madam previously refuse because you don't like high places?” asked Daniel.

“What else can we do?” asked Harriet with a chuckle. “My husband lives in the tower like a confined princess–”

Daniel stifled a laugh.

Harriet smiled to hide her sadness. She asked Daniel to send her dinner up here too. She was lost in reverie, seeing her husband, who was back motionless on his bed.

---

Daniel walked down the tower. At the base of the tower, the servants and physicians who had been serving upstairs had gathered. Daniel announced the condition of their Young Lord and calmed everyone down.

“Young Lord seems to really like the new Luna,” said one of the maids.

“That's right... I pray that the Young Lord can find peace in his last days,” said another.

Daniel smiled faintly at that.

For decades, this castle was filled with sorrow because of the Young Lord's deteriorating condition. Everyone had accepted that the man would die sooner or later, and sometimes they were no longer surprised to see the change for the worse in their master's condition. It was because they had gotten used to assuming Liam was dying and with one foot already in the grave.

But for a newcomer like Madam, it must still be hard to accept. After all, she was his new wife. Everyone saw Harriet's attitude as the normal wife behavior who had a dying husband, and everyone felt that was a positive thing. They were happy to have a future Duchess who was truly worried about their Young Lord.

But Daniel felt this was not a good thing.

Daniel hoped that Harriet wouldn't fall too deep into grief every time she saw Young Lord's condition. Oh, there was no doubt no one was worried about Young Lord more than everyone in this castle, but everyone had accepted that and was prepared if something bad happened to Young Lord.

However, Harriet was certainly different. Daniel was sure Harriet would be sad.

Even though she was just a replacement mate, even though they had never met or interacted before, even though they probably didn't love each other until now… Daniel felt that Harriet would take the hardest hit if Young Lord left them.

This was just Daniel's intuition.

“Don't forget to deliver dinner for Madam and prepare her daily necessities to live in the tower from now on.”

---

Chapter 10: The Almadine Family

Harriet's pale lavender hair was a very rare color in the North. When the maids braided Harriet's hair in a Northern women's hairstyle, Harriet was often complimented on how beautiful her hair color was.

Harriet just chuckled at that. She actually felt that the physique of the Northerners was much more beautiful than those of women in the capital. Northerners had soft, fair skin with pink undertones, and they usually had dark-colored hair. Meanwhile, Harriet's skin had pale undertones, almost transparent, and her entire body couldn't stand the bright sunlight from the sky reflecting off the white snow.

“Do you have Siren's blood running in your body? Sirens' hair is usually dark blue and purplish,” said one of the maids.

Harriet smiled at the question.

“I'm not sure either,” said Harriet quietly.

“Or perhaps you are related by blood with members of the Mercury Kingdom, Madam. They are famous for their silver or bluish hair,” said another maid.

Harriet chuckled again. She really didn't know. She was indeed someone of noble blood, but her family could be said to be eccentric. Her mother, the former Marchioness, was never married. Everyone suspected that Harriet and her brother didn't have the same father, given how different they looked. However, the two were clearly the son and daughter of their mother.

Harriet inherited their mother's eye color, and her brother inherited their mother's hair, which was as dark as night. Now that they were adults, they could also see that there were similarities in their facial features if they looked closely.

“Young Lord has blonde hair,” Harriet said quietly, causing the maids to stop talking. Everyone focused their attention on her.

“He's slimmer, and for some reason, I think he is also little different from the Lycans I've seen. He doesn't even look like His Grace, the Old Duke,” said Harriet.

“Oh, it was because of the Old Duchess, Madam,” said Amelia, who had just entered the room. The middle-aged woman who still looked beautiful asked Harriet, “Would you like to see the Old Duchess' painting, Madam?”

Amelia led Harriet down a long corridor that Harriet had never been through before. There hung the paintings of the Almandine Family from the Old Duke's generation.

Harriet saw a very manly man standing on the side of a single sofa occupied by a very beautiful woman.

“This is the Old Duke when he was young, and his wife,” said Amelia.

In the painting, the Old Duke looked very young. His brown hair was neatly styled, and his golden irises looked piercing even in his paintings. But of course, what caught Harriet's attention was the painting of the Old Duchess. She was a tall, slender woman with golden hair that gleamed beautifully. Harriet noticed that the woman's ears were slightly pointed. She turned to ask Amelia.

“Faerie. Or rather, a Half-Elf,” said Amelia, reading her mind.

“Oh, is that true?” Harriet was shocked, she gasped. She didn't expect the Old Duke's wife to be a Half-Elf.

Amelia nodded, and she pulled Harriet to look into another painting.

In the painting, one could see a man with short golden hair and his wife, an ordinary human with blonde hair. Harriet blinked at Amelia, and Amelia quickly explained.

“This is the late Duke and Duchess, Young Lord's father and mother,” Amelia said. She continued, “After both of them died, the Old Duchess decided to go into seclusion and returned to nature due to her grief. But the Old Duke sometimes goes to visit her.”

“But it's not recorded in the books at all...” muttered Harriet.

Amelia nodded.

“Old Duke doesn't seem very fond of taking this kind of records, Madam,” the woman said.

Harriet could understand. The existence of Half-Elves in this world was even rarer than Elves, and although they could not master elven magic and be no stronger than ordinary humans, they were very intelligent and also naturally mastered the elven language.

“So since the Old Duke and Duchess generation, there has been a lot that has influenced the birth of a blonde child in this family,” Amelia explained as Harriet marveled at how beautiful Liam's mother and grandmother were.

The two women were very graceful and gentle, there was also joy in their eyes. Harriet looked at an empty spot in the hallway that seemed to be reserved for another painting. There were no paintings there, and that was what made the place feel empty.

Amelia told her about the Old Duchess. Then she continued with the story about Liam's parents. Hearing that, Harriet wondered how old Amelia was, considering she sounded like she knew them personally. So, Harriet asked her.

“I'm a little older than Dan,” answered Amelia.

Harriet blinked. “Secretary Daniel?”

Amelia nodded, and then the woman raised her sleeve to reveal her upper arm. There was a unique mark there, like a tattoo. “I'm Dan's mate. Madam already knows that, right?”

Harriet nodded.

“The mate of a Lycan will live as long as the Lycan lives. Unless Dan dies or I'm killed, I won't die before Dan dies,” Amelia explained quietly.

Harriet had read about this fact somewhere in the book, but seeing it in person still fascinated her.

“I was very young when I started serving the Old Duchess, and by that time, Young Lord had already grown up. I don't really know Young Lord's parents because they both died only a few years after I worked for the Old Duchess…”

Harriet was saddened to hear that.

“Oh, look at the time, Madam. Let's prepare you for the full moon night tonight,” said Amelia trying to change the subject.

Because it was time, Harriet agreed. Amelia accompanied her to do her make-up and wear her dress.

As the sun went down, Harriet held up a dinner tray for herself and Liam, along with several of the other maids. She couldn't believe that a month had passed since their first night...

When Harriet reached the room at the top of the tower, she could see into the room through the open door. Harriet came in with the other maids. She saw the physicians and Daniel had been hanging out in the room with Liam, who was drying his hair.

“Don't think too much about it, this might not be a bad thing at all. I woke up, doesn't that mean it's a good thing?” asked Liam, who seemed to be discussing the two instances where he suddenly woke up without a full-moon light and even before the sun had set.

“Milord, do you feel any different than usual now that you are awake by the light of the full moon?” asked one of the physicians.

“There is no significant difference. I'm just feeling hungrier than usual,” the man said and glanced at Harriet, who smiled as she walked closer to him.

After Harriet served Liam's dinner to him at the table, she glanced at Daniel. Secretary Daniel just smiled helplessly seeing how indifferent Liam was to his own body condition.

“Milord has woken up randomly twice… is there a very clear similarity between the two?” mumbled Daniel.

“Oh! Similarity? Of course, there is,” Liam's mischievous eyes stared straight at Harriet, who narrowed her eyes with a blush.

“There is? Milord, did you find the interval between you waking up and falling asleep? Does it have to do with the amount of moonlight you receive? Or because of other factors?” asked the physicians almost simultaneously.

Liam chuckled at their enthusiasm.

“Don't be so hasty, we should examine this phenomenon further, right?” said the man, raising one hand.

Liam asked the physicians and Daniel to leave so he could eat his dinner after a month in peace. He was left with Harriet alone there.

With only the two of them left, Liam looked straight at Harriet and cracked a mischievous smile.

“Madam, the two times I woke up, it always had something to do with you, you're aware of that too, right?”

To be Continued...