Baby after One Night with the Prince
Chapter 81 - I Need To Steal The Ruby Necklace

Tanya's POV.

Eventually the weekend rolls around, and with Claire off school and me off work, we decide to go visit Vivian's family for lunch. Marco suggested it actually, and I'm happy to oblige, since I always enjoy Vivian and her son's company. We arrive and are escorted by the maids into the main sitting room. And whilst I have been to Vivian's home many times before, I went straight into her perfumery room to work with her. I have rarely seen any other part of the house. The living room is gorgeous. The space compliments Vivian's personality so well, bright and covered in soft spring colours. Massive windows surround us, letting tons of light filter through to brighten the space. Whilst pastel purples and cream tones are the main thematic colours of the furniture and rugs. Funnily, I don't know if I can smell actual lavender or it's just my perception of the room that makes me feel like we are surrounded by a field of wild lavender flowers.

Nevertheless, I'm delighted by the room. And soon Vivian and her two sons Philip and Thomas enter and greet us. And finally, Vivian's husband Alexander, who I have never seen or met before enters the room.

He's a man of few words. He's tall in frame with a trimmed beard and short sharply cut black hair. And he moves with purpose and swiftness. We learn that Vivian's husband has been in charge of training the soldiers of the royal army. He has to be away a lot to do his job, but comes home periodically.

Lily is also at the house and joins us, but her presence doesn't cause me too much discomfort since everyone else is delighted to have us over. Vivian is ever so kind to us, and so very glad we came to see her. She serves us lunch that's lovely and delicious, and later we sit back down in the sitting room for afternoon tea.

Everyone is in love with my little Claire, and they all interact with her fondly and with an abundance of delight. All except for Alexander, Vivian's husband, who appears a bit more withdrawn and quieter in nature. He's still very polite, but I can sense he's not entirely use to having people over or interacting with others on a more casual basis. As I can imagine working in the army, he's forced to put on a tough exterior.

Claire doesn't seem to be too bothered by this however and appears unafraid of Alexander's tough disposition. And just like a cat who knows that someone isn't a cat person, Claire chooses to approach the person not giving her as much attention as the rest. Her bright, wide curious eyes dawn him and she shuffles over cautiously, before reaching up to touch his beard when he isn't initially paying attention.

Everyone stills. Silence befalls the group as Alexander goes rigid. I can tell everyone is worried, I am particularly concerned that he'd take offense to Claire's childish actions. Claire also appears decently nervous as Alexander initially fails to smile. And so, she speaks out in a soft cautious tone.

"Grandpa has a beard, which is so handsome! I never have a beard," her innocent eyes are filled with admiration as she goes to touch her bare chin sadly.

Suddenly, Alexander breaks his stillness, and his lips crack into an amused smile. His guard drops and his body relaxes as he picks up my little girl into his arms, softly smiling at her.

"You're a young lady. You don't need a beard," he says with a deep chuckle. But Claire still looks immeasurable sad that she does not have Alexander's impressive facial hair. Which he notices, eventually, he takes her hand in his, and lifts it up to his beard. "But you can touch mine all you like."

The happiness in her expression is a joy to see, and we all burst into laughter as she continues to touch and run her hands through Alexander's beard. Calming the nerves of the rest of us, as Alexander appears to adore Claire.

After this cute display, I can't help but let my gaze trickle over to Marco. And while earlier he seemed comfortable and happy amongst everyone else, I notice a subtle shift in his expression. His eyes daze off, and gloss over in thought, and I recognize that he must be receiving a mind link.

Whatever's been said to him, immensely changes his facial expressions. I want to reach over and ask what's upset him so deeply. But before I know it. His face draws back into one of nonchalance, hiding any and all of his feelings once more. I don't have the chance of speaking to him as he suddenly waves over one of the servants, taking out a key that he hands to them. "I need you to retrieve my wax seal kit from my room in the palace. So, I can seal letters when I'm working from home and I'm not in the palace," he says with a strict and rigid tone.

The servant bows his head in understanding, but just before he takes the key, Lily snatches it out of Marco's hand with a broad smile. "I can do it!" she says with an excessive amount of enthusiasm. "I'm going there anyways; I can pick it up for you," my brow raises in curiosity and slight discomfort. But it isn't my place to question her.

And for some reason, Marco doesn't refuse her request. He nonchalantly hands her the key and she whirls off in a strange sort of excitement and hurries to his room.

***

Lily's POV.

As I walk through the palace and towards Marco's room, I can't help my mind trickling back to the chaos that I have endured over the past couple of days. No one knew or understood how panicked I was when I realized that Tanya was no longer wearing her ruby necklace. It trifled my inside with nerves and unsettled me so deeply.

It was the only thing that was suppressing her inner wolf. Her body was now releasing her natural canine scent like a normal werewolf, though it was still faint and soon... her wolf would reappear and she'd be able to shift into her wolf form! And worst of all, Tanya would realize she's an Alpha and not an Omega and the true heir of the Montenero family.

This I can not allow. No. I must stop this from happening at all costs if I ever want to keep my life and noble status. If anyone replaces out the truth... I'd be ruined.

The anguish makes my hand unconsciously go to rub the diamonds round my neck as a coping mechanism. I've always worn the necklace, knowing that it's in fact not what it actually appears to be. It's in fact a ruby necklace, with diamond plating on the surface to hide the cluster of rubies underneath.

If one chose to look really closely, they'd see that the diamonds have a swirl of black in their plating, illuminating to the black magic embedded in the necklace that allows me to give off Tanya's body scent, making me appear and smell like an Alpha instead of the Omega that I truly am.

Growing my anxiety by the second, I finally reach the door to Marco's room, I look to my surroundings to confirm that no one is nearby. And when I feel like I'm truly alone, with the key in hand, I unlock the room, and quietly step inside. Apprehension fills me to the brim, but I inhale a deep breath and start looking for the ruby necklace.

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Although I try to return everything to as it was so not to alert anyone that I have been snooping. I can't help but be hasty in my movements. I tussle through his drawers. I wrench open his cupboards. I shove aside clothes and belongings, and scour through folders.

When the necklace doesn't show itself in the obvious places, I start looking at more discreet hiding spots. In books, under objects, even in the flowerpots. I become evidently more desperate in my search, pushing aside furniture to check underneath, and checking in shoes.

Nothing but dust...

Of course, the harder part is trying to replace a way to get Tanya to wear the necklace again, but that won't happen until I replace the damn thing.

I grow anxious by the minute, feeling nearly hopeless when I realize so much time has gone by and someone will inevitably come looking for me. That's until, I open a small box that's nestled in the darkest corner of his cupboard. And that's when my eyes grow wide. I open the box, unveiling the glistening crimson piece of jewellery.

I've got it!

But just before I'm about to celebrate, the door behind me clicks open, and a sense of dread sprouts from deep within me.