His Highness's Second Wife
His Highness’s Second Wife Chapter 98

“What do you mean the Empress escaped the Palace?” Kassian asked through gritted teeth, slowly rising from the desk while his eyes remained locked on Gerrin. His second-in-command stood perfectly still as if already expecting that reaction, just slowly raised his hands as if to calm down an angry animal.

“Before you start shouting at the wrong man, let me finish.” He said carefully and Kassian straightened up, trying to rein in his anger. “From what the Crown Prince told me, he knew she was about to try to escape before her trial, so he let her.”

Kassian’s eyes widened, and Gerrin raised his hands even higher, taking a step forward. “Wait, wait. He has people tailing her from a safe distance. He wants to replace out where she’ll go so that he could condemn anyone who helps her instead of spending months digging into their pasts and dirty deals.”

“He thinks she’ll be stupid enough to go directly to her allies?” Kassian frowned.

“He thinks she is devastated, desperate, and scared and she might not think properly like before, so she’d make a mistake,” Gerrin explained quickly. “He also disbanded those shadows, or whatever you call them, and unmasked anyone among them who was still alive. He said he plans to make them his personal guards, but without hiding their existence. I saw a few of them – they looked ordinary, I wouldn’t have noticed them if he wasn’t standing among them. And there were women among them too!”

“That might be for the best, considering everything that happened’ Kassian murmured, sitting down in his chair and rubbing his forehead.

His week wasn’t even up and it already felt like those blissful days he spent with Raena were just a sweet dream. “ls there anything else?”

“Well, um..” Gerrin said, suddenly sounding hesitant. Kassian raised an eyebrow as he watched the other man scratch his head. “l am not sure if this is something concerning, but I thought you ought to know.”

“What is it, Gerrin?” Kassian sighed.

“Well, it’s about your wife.. and that brothel guy that got stabbed.” Kassian tensed in his seat, his eyes narrowing. “l am not sure what their relationship is, but when we were lying low in his house after the Anniversary Bal, they looked pretty close. Close enough for her to nurse his wounds and change his bandages. Close enough for them to call each other by their first names.” Kassian gritted his teeth, closing his eyes and taking a big, calming breath. “I am not trying to start something.

The gods know everybody here wants you to be happy, but I don’t want you to be blinded by your feelings either. Especially since I heard you’re planning on disbanding your harem.

“Alright. Ill keep that in mind” Kassian said, rubbing his forehead.

“That’s it?” Gerrin’s surprised voice reached him, and he opened his eyes to look at his friend’s concerned face. “That’s all you have to say?

“What do you want me to say? Until I figure the nature of their relationship, it’s pointless to do anything to that guy.” Kassian said, getting to his feet. Despite the reasonable words he forced out of his mouth and the calm expression he struggled to hold, his insides were boiling. He knew that the count had a close relationship with Madam Lydia, but his mind refused to believe that what they had was more than friendship. He knew she hadn’t shared his bed for sure, since she was definitely a virgin when he made her his, but even the thought of Marden or anyone else touching her or kissing her was making him see red. “I’ll deal with it. You can go if you don’t have anything else to report.

Gerrin gave him a long, thoughtful look, then nodded, heading towards the door. Once alone, Kassian sighed, leaning on his desk and rubbing his temples. Why did he have to go and say all of that? He knew Gerrin was only concerned, but now that he put that thought in his head, the damn thing refused to leave.

They had a good thing going with Raena – she had even told him she loved him yesterday. She was witty and funny, sweet but unyielding when she wanted something; she was smart and competent when it came to her work, smarter than him probably, but she didn’t rub it in as Yulien did sometimes. But she was also too outspoken, too open-minded, too free-spirited. Even if Marden was just a friend, how could she touch other men so casually when she was married? And the way Madam Lydia dressed and acted before…

Kassian shook his head, trying to get rid of those thoughts. Nothing good could come from lingering in the past and thinking over things he didn’t have all the facts about. They had kept enough secrets and deceived each other long enough. The best thing would be to confront her directly about it. He just had to replace the right time.

Angry shouts came from outside the corridor and Kassian raised his head, frowning.

“What now?” He sighed, pushing himself up and heading towards the door. Before he reached it, the said door opened and Lara stormed in with two of his attendants on her heels.

“You can’t just barge into His Highness’s quarters, Lady Lara!” One of them hissed with a terrified expression, then his eyes landed on Kassian. The attendant doubled down immediately, his voice coming out even more panicky. “Please, forgive us, Your Highness! We tried to stop her but she wouldn’t listen! Do you want us to call the guards to have her removed?”

Lara snarled at the man, then her angry eyes locked on Kassian.

“It’s fine, you can go,” Kassian dismissed them, and the two attendants quickly walked out. He moved his eyes to the woman, turning his back on her and striding to his desk. “Say what you came here to say and leave.”

“You can’t do this!” Lara barked in a tone laced with threat and desperation and not at all like the sweet, seductive voice she usually used around him. She looked different somehow – her clothes were just as tight and flattering and her dark hair was just as shiny and intricately arranged, but now when he looked at her all he felt was pity and guilt.

It was almost funny how just a few months ago that same face and body would bring him pleasure and comfort when he needed it while now the thought of her naked in his bed and ready to submit to any of his whims didn’t stir a single emotion in any part of his body.

“Can’t do what?” He asked coldly. He didn’t want to be mean to her because, for all her flaws, she had been by his side for such a long time, but he knew that if he only gave an inch, she’ll sink her teeth even deeper in him. “Choose what to do with my own harem?”

“You can’t just toss me aside because you found a newer, shinier toy to play with!” She shouted. “I’ve been by your side for years! I gave up everything for you – my family, my position at court, my youth, and now even my beauty! If you cast me aside, “I’ll have nothing! I’ll be nothing!”

“You’ll all be taken care of,” Kassian said with a sigh. “And if you want to re-enter high society, I will arrange that. If there is anything else you need, say it.”

“Let me stay,” Lara said in a small voice, circling his desk and kneeling next to him, her hand resting on his knee. “I won’t get in your way or your wife’s. I won’t complain about anything. And once you grow tired of her, I’ll always be there to welcome you into my arms. That’s how much I love you and I want to be with you. I know everything about you, what you like and dislike, what interests you and what bores you. I know how to satisfy you and make you relax, I know when to be quiet and when to talk. I..”

“For god’s sake, Lara, have some pride. If I were you, I would have slapped him senseless by now.” A familiar voice said and Kassian raised his head, staring at Raena, who was leaning on the doorframe, rocking a small basket in one hand. “And while you’re at it, please remove your hands from my husband’s crotch, will you?”

“She is not touching my crotch,” Kassian said quickly, catching Lara’s hand and pushing it off his knee. He got up from the chair and circled it while Lara rose to her feet, her previously teary expression turning almost feral. Raena continued to watch the other woman with a smile on her face, still swinging the basket from her finger as if waiting for something.

“All packed?” Raena asked, her smile widening. Kassian could almost hear something break in Lara’s head and a second later she took a few steps towards Raena. He prepared to intercept her, but then noticed the warning look Raena sent him and stopped. His wife returned her attention to the other woman, who was just preparing to speak.

“This is all your doing.” Lara spat, venom dripping from her words. “You greedy, two-faced, violent…witch! You disrupted the peace of this place and threw everyone into chaos! Because of you, people are dead or badly hurt! Even now you’re lying to everyone, even him! What, your guard boy couldn’t satisfy you, so you decided to go for the bigger fish? Didn’t you say you’re not interested and I could have him for all you cared?”

“Things change, Lara. Try to keep up. Raena said in the same friendly tone, but there was nothing friendly in her eyes. “Oh, and by the way, it wasn’t my idea to disband the harem. Well, not entirely. But I really won’t be all that sad to see you go.” She glanced towards the open door as if saying ‘Now!’ then returned her eyes to Lara. “Make sure you don’t forget any of the gifts you received from His Highness. We wouldn’t want anyone to get beaten for touching those by mistake.”

“This isn’t over,” Lara said through gritted teeth, her hands balling into fists. Kassian tensed, but Raena’s calmness kept him in place.

“Yes, it is.” His wife said, stepping away from the threshold, so she wasn’t in Lara’s way when she decided to leave. “Unless you want me to rearrange the other side of your face as well.”

Lara’s shoulders tensed and her hands shook as if she was holding herself back. She suddenly looked at Kassian, her eyes brimming with angry tears, then ran out the door, her steps echoing in the corridor. Raena stared at the door for a few seconds, then turned to him with a smile that looked like a mix of satisfaction and annoyance.

“Having some last-minute fun, for old time’s sake?” Raena asked, raising an eyebrow. She strode to his desk and carefully put the basket on it, then turned to him again. When she raised an eyebrow, he realized he hadn’t replied.

Kassian strode to her, reaching out and cupping her face. He ran a finger over her lower l*p, gently forcing her mouth open, then leaned down and kissed her. She returned the k**s eagerly, wrapping a hand around his neck.

“I have eyes only for the future now,” Kassian whispered as he pulled back. “Haven’t I proven that already? What else do you want me to do?”

“I was teasing you.” She laughed awkwardly, caressing his cheek. “I trust you.” Kassian returned her smile, his eyes stopping on the basket.

“Alright, what’s with the basket?” He sighed, reaching out and lifting one of the lids.

There was a box with a lid inside, as well as a metal flask. He raised an eyebrow, looking back at her.

“I figured you’re working late, so I brought you strong coffee and non-sweet cookies made by yours truly.” She said with a proud smile, pointing at herself. “I’m such a thoughtful wife, you should reward me.”

“I should, shouldn’t,” He smirked, stepping forward and forcing her to back up to the desk. His lips found hers again and he slid his tongue into her mouth, raveling in that strange sweetness that made her taste so unique. Kassian picked her up and placed her on his desk, moving between her legs while his mouth explored the soft skin of her neck.

“Not that I am complaining, but that’s not the reward I had in mind.” She chuckled as he gathered her skirts up and slid his hands over her slender legs.

“Mmm? What do you want then?” Kassian asked distractedly, reaching out for the ties on her back.

“I want to go out.” She said with a hint of caution in her voice. Kassian froze for a second, then pulled back to look at her. “I know you said it’s still not entirely safe, but I need to go to the restaurant and fix things on the spot. After being blamed for assisting the rebels, the restaurant’s name and reputation are shattered. They need to see a new face and new management taking over or the place might as well crumble. And I need to help Marden get the brothel back on track or that business will go under too. He said he’ll be able to meet me there since he is now mobile, and we have a lot to go over.”

“No,” Kassian said without thinking. She gave him a pleading smile, running her finger over his chest.

“I’ll take as many guards as you want me to. It’s just that I need to be there. I did all I could do from here. Besides, you said so yourself- the rebels would have escaped by now and would be reorganizing. Now is safer than it would be later on when they can do something.” She continued with that pleading look, her fingers running circles over his chest while her legs kept rubbing against his.

His body betrayed him, desire stirring with every touch and growing by the second, but his mind remained surprisingly clear. And one name kept echoing in it louder and louder.

“What’s your exact relationship with Count Robick?” He asked before he could stop himself and her smile froze on her lips, her eyebrows rising.

“Marden?” she asked and Kassian’s jaw tightened. “We’re friends and business partners. Nothing more.”

“Are you sure?” He asked, studying her face for even the hint of hesitation or deceit. Her eyes were calm, but she wasn’t smiling anymore.

“Yes, Kassian, I am sure. There has never been anything more between me and him.” She said with a sigh. “You don’t have to be jealous of him or anyone else.” She jumped off his desk, wiggling out of his hands before he could stop her. “Should I assume the answer is no?”

“It’s too risky. Wait some more time.” He said turning to look at her. She stood with her back to him, facing the door, until she nodded. “Don’t try to sneak out. It really is not safe.”

“Got it.” She said, still not turning. “Drink the coffee while it’s still warm.”

“Raena..” He sighed, taking a step towards her, but she headed towards the door as if she didn’t hear him, disappearing into the corridor without another word.

Kassian g*****d in frustration, looking back at the basket and the pile of scrolls waiting for him before heading towards the desk.