68: 68 Why You?

68 Why You?

Catherine's POV 1

I sat at the vanity by the window, gazing at the roses outside.

Even in the darkness of the night, the castle remained beautiful. The roses bloomed passionately, their beauty undiminished by the arrival of the night.

"Snap," I reached out to break a flower. I looked at myself in the mirror, placing the rose into my hair. The fragrance wafted to my nostrils, but my eyes were cold.

"Smile, Catherine," I commanded myself in my mind.

In the mirror, the muscles at the corners of my mouth slowly tugged, forming a smiling expression. It reminded me of the woman who always smiled in my memories.

"Catherine, smile," her words echoed in my ears. I felt as if my mother were still alive, her words lingering around me.

My mother possessed long, red curls. Her exquisite lips were constantly adorned with a smile. She had a pair of black eyes, resembling mysterious gemstones. When she glanced down at me in her embrace, her eyes shimmered like stars in the night.

"My Catherine, my darling, you look like me perfectly. Do you also like roses?" she inquired.

No, I don't, mom. I favor bows and arrows, and long swords. I silently replied in my heart.

However, at that moment, I remained silent.

Mother, dressed in a flowing emerald silk gown, hummed a melodic tune. She plucked a rose from the vase and skillfully bent its stem, adorning it upon my head.

"Catherine, you are mommy's little rose. Whatever you want, mommy will satisfy you," she whispered, leaning close to my ear.

Her lips moved, yet I could no longer hear anything.

My heart sank, and I wearily closed my eyes. Enough! I forcefully ripped the rose from my head. The delicate petals crumbled, crushed between my clenched fingers. Enough, mom. Stay out of my mind. I refuse to become a rose. Being a rose means being hurt by my father.

"Knock, knock," the sound reverberated through the quiet night.

"Who is it?"

I cautiously responded, grasping the whip on the table.

I opened the door, and a towering figure stood before me. It was Bud. At that instant, upon laying eyes on him, I heard the roar of my wolf.

Yet, I maintained an air of indifference. The night air carried a chill, but Bud burned like a raging fire. Clad in armor, his face contorted with restrained fury.

"So, you're headed to Werebear?" his voice rumbled lowly.

Watching him in that state, I suddenly felt a thrill of satisfaction.

"...Werebear? Oh, right. I failed the Queen's Trial, and my father wanted me to become the werebear queen." I pretended not to care as I spoke, but my eyes remained locked on his face, not missing a trace of his emotions.

"Three werebear queens have died! What are you thinking?"

Bud seemed on the verge of being infuriated. He took deep breaths, and his armor looked as if it would burst.

"Prince Kral told me it was Elder William's decision. Tell me, you don't want to go, do you?"

Unable to restrain himself any longer, he grabbed my wrist and pressed me against the wall. His cold armor mixed with his heated breath, causing goosebumps to rise on my neck.

"What would you do if I said I wanted to go?"

My wrist throbbed with pain, yet I derived a twisted pleasure from it. I gazed into his face, smiling, and provocatively replied,

"Catherine! Please, stop it!"

Bud bellowed in a fit of rage. He truly seemed on the brink of madness because of me.

"If I don't want to go, would you kill William for me?" I spoke icily.

Bud's pupils constricted, freezing him in place. A tremor shook his handsome face. His lips moved, but no words escaped.

Elder William was the most esteemed elder, bearing the royal bloodline as the last king's brother. Apart from Kral, no one commanded greater respect. Bud, the son of August, led an army that was nominally under his father's command. The disparity in power between Bud and Elder William was significant.

"If you can't do it, then you shouldn't be here. If my father discovers you, you'll be in trouble. It's best for you to keep your distance until you possess enough strength," I mocked.

Bud's eyes turned red, his gaze fixed on me.

"You..." I hadn't finished my sentence when Bud lowered his head, forcefully pressing his lips against mine.

He kissed my mouth like a desperate soul seeking salvation. His tongue invaded my mouth, counting my teeth one by one. His actions were harsh, yet when he looked into my eyes, there was a hint of tenderness.

I wanted to struggle, but his reddened eyes made me freeze.

He held me tightly around the waist. One of his hands gripped my shoulder.

He kissed me forcefully, his breath spraying across my face. The wounds on my back, inflicted by William's whip, started bleeding again, and the moist blood stained his fingers through my clothes.

Bud quickly sensed the blood. He paused, ceasing the kiss. His voice hoarse, he asked,

"What is this? Why are you hurt?"

"I failed in the Queen's trial. My father punished me. Do you want to see my wounds?"

He froze.

"Mouth open," I whispered softly.

I leaned close to his face. My fingers traced his forehead, his nose, and reached his moist lips.

I smelled his unique fragrance.

He smelled mine all along.

We had sensed this scent long ago, but we pretended it didn't exist. Bud stared at me without diverting his gaze.

Under my eyes, his lips slightly parted, and my fingertip ventured into his mouth. His cheeks blushed faintly, yet his eyes remained gentle.

"Why you?"

I murmured to myself. This night was becoming too wild.

"Why not follow our hearts?" I suggested.

I watched as Bud closed his eyes, allowing me to take control.

His brown eyes resembled glistening amber gemstones, emitting an irresistible allure.

The fragrance emanating from his body surged through my heart, making me crave to possess him completely.

"Before I embark on my journey to the werebear kingdom, how about becoming your bride first? What do you think?" I whispered softly into his ear, my lips lightly brushing against his earlobe.

"It would be my honor," he replied, bowing his head to place a tender kiss on my forehead.

I smiled, releasing my grip on him, and then forcefully pressed him onto the bed.

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