Lucien's POV,
It's been three days since Solis brought in a random lady and declared her Asher's nanny. I hate to admit but Lucy was a perfect choice for Asher. Asher has never really had any problem with the elderly, but I know firsthand how difficult it is to impress Asher.
For four days, Asher couldn't look me in the eye. He ran in the opposite direction anytime he saw me. I remember I had to buy him a lot of gifts and promise him to take care of his mother before he could comfortably call me his father. Speaking of, I wonder what Elara told her friends about being Asher's real father.
Sometimes, I wonder what that woman is thinking. Speaking of the woman, when last did we have any decent conversation? After that day she brought in Lucy, it seemed like she was avoiding me.
Or, was I the one avoiding her?
I suddenly see how quiet the world is without her complaining, nagging, or annoying me.
Yesternight, I looked up at the sky to look at the stars and realized… The stars don't shine the same when someone isn't there to notice them with you.
God, she's such a witch.
Looking at stars now? Really?
My train of thoughts are interrupted by my phone ringing. My mother. I inhale and swipe to pick up, but stop myself. I suddenly feel like I'm forgetting something today.
My mother was, of course, furious when she heard I had a bride already.
Especially a bride who had no important social standing, and she demanded to see Solis. I think it's been over a week now since she called.
And I'd just been putting off telling Solis. She's going to be so pissed when she hears this. I pass by the tea room and peek to see Asher and Lucy playing something with cards, and…is that a toy Elephant?
"Daddy!" Asher squeals and runs to hug him. As usual, my heart melts, and I pick him up. It always surprises me how easily I change around Asher.
He's such an angel. Pfft, surprising that I, the young wolf, was such a softie around a kid.
Except he wasn;t just any kid. He's my son.
"There's my big man," I grunt, putting him on my shoulder. I swirl him around a few times before dropping him to the ground. "Having fun?"
"Yes, Lulu created a new game. We're calling it…" I zone out when I hear the name he calls her. It reminds me of the name Solis called me.
Mi rey.
My king, in Spanish.
For some reason, when she called me that, my heart skipped a beat. I won't deny it. Her voice does strange things to my heart. I look at the smiling Lucy and frown a bit.
Of course, I did a background check on the lady about to take care of my son. She was the housekeeper of the Virelli household.
The Virellis.
The family I almost married into. I dug more about her and found out she was fired sixteen years ago. No valid reason. Just fired without penance. Knowing Elara, I'm sure she didn't find Lucy through a recommendation from Noemi.
'Knowing Elara'…
I don't know Elara Solis. Isolde is still coming up blank with the background check I asked her to do. I go to sit on the sofa and enjoy the view of watching my son play when I hear a shout coming from downstairs.
A screech is more preferable. I straighten when I hear a familiar laugh.
"Is mummy okay?" Asher looks up at me, and I ruffle his hair. If only he knew how much his mother could hold her ground.
"Yes, that was her laughing."
And that was Seraphina screeching. There's a thud and weird sound that is heard again, and I nudge my head toward Lucy.
"Okay, Asher," I say. "Play with Lucy for a while. I'll go check on your mother."
"Okay." He runs off towards the balcony, and I look at Lucy. She gives me a tight-lipped smile, and I return it with the same energy before leaving the room.
I hurry downstairs to see Seraphina wet from head to toe, and surrounding her are… luggages?
I look up and groan. What the fuck was happening?
Up on the indoor balustrade was my wife, Solis, grinning down on me, and beside her was an empty crystal pitcher.
"Mi rey!" She calls out, and I give her a sweet smile. "You didn't tell me your mother was visiting."
My smile falters when she slowly comes down the steps, her gleaming as if she'd just destroyed the world. Mother? I freeze and slowly turn to see my wet mother glaring down at us from upstairs.
Then it hits me… Today is the day my mother told she would visit!
I knew I had forgotten something important.
"A total slip on my part." Solis comes to hold my arm. I've noticed she likes doing that. "But I may have given her the wrong welcome gift."
She whispers, but I can tell her voice is full of malicious intent. So I bend to grab her nape, pulling her closer to me. "Cara, did you pour water on my mother?"
She bites her bottom lip and moans quietly. I pull at her hair slightly, and she hisses, then smirks. "What do you think, Mi Rey?"
"What do you think happens when I see two unknown women in my husband's house insulting my son and me?"