Chapter 99- Was I Allergic?

Arabella Toussaint:

Lucien held my gaze for another second before pushing himself off the bed. I stayed exactly where I was, too stunned to move, while he straightened and got down from the bed.

"Three years is a long time, Miss Toussaint," he said quietly. "Don’t make the mistake of thinking you still know me. You lost that privilege when you decided to walk away three years ago."

He didn’t turn around to see what those words did to me. He bent down, picked up the folder from the floor, and placed it on the table. Then, without another glance in my direction, he headed for the door.

The door shut behind him, and I remained on the bed, staring at it.

I slowly sat up and rubbed the spot on my neck where his hand had been. Strangely, that wasn’t what hurt. His words did.

Come on, Arabella. What did you expect? You disappeared for three years without even saying goodbye. Of course he hated you for it.

Still, knowing that didn’t make the ache any easier to swallow. My gaze fell on the folder he’d left on the table.

Fine. If Your Majesty wanted distance, I could give him distance. I got off the bed, picked up the folder, and hugged it against my chest.

But one question refused to leave me.

If Lucien wanted nothing to do with the girl who had left him three years ago, why had he brought her back?

***

The next morning, breakfast was brought to my room. Once I was done eating, I slipped into a simple midi dress, picked up my phone, and finally stepped outside.

It felt strange walking through the palace without waiting for someone to stop me. And damn, it felt good.

The moment I stepped out of the guest building, I spotted someone familiar heading in my direction.

Bradley?

A wide smile immediately spread across my face, and I quickened my steps toward him. "Brad—" I caught myself just in time. Last night’s encounter with the king flashed through my mind, and my enthusiasm disappeared almost immediately.

Nope. I wasn’t making that mistake twice. I cleared my throat. "Sorry. I mean... how are you, Beta Bradley?"

Bradley stopped in front of me and extended his hand with a small smile. "I thought we were on first-name terms before you left." I slipped my hand into his and gave him a polite smile.

Not anymore, Beta Bradley. If His Majesty had suddenly decided titles were so important, I wasn’t taking chances with anyone in this palace.

"What brings you out here?" he asked.

"I actually wanted to ask you something." I glanced toward the main palace. "I need to visit Blackthorn Pack. Do I need His Highness’s permission before I leave?"

Bradley’s expression remained relaxed. "I think you already have it. His Majesty told me about your arrangement." He tucked his hands into his pockets. "I know you’re helping us with Anika’s case. Wherever you need to go, whatever information you need, we’ll help you get it."

"Okay." I nodded with a smile. "Thank you." I was about to ask Bradley something else when his attention shifted past my shoulder. Something in his expression made me turn, and my smile vanished.

Jasmine was walking toward us. Shit. How the hell was I supposed to explain what I was doing here? Or maybe tell her the truth?

My stomach twisted as I looked at her. As she came closer, I watched the color slowly drain from her face. Was that... panic?

She seemed surprised. Hadn’t her fiancé told her about me? I thought, with a frown.

That wasn’t the reaction I had expected. Anger, resentment, maybe even hatred—I had prepared myself for all of those. But she looked worried. Almost scared. Why? I wasn’t here to steal her fiancé, and I needed to explain it to her.

My heart began pounding harder with every step she took. By the time she reached us, my palms had turned sweaty. Before she could say anything, I quickly stepped forward and caught her hand.

"Lady Jasmine! Hello. How are you?" Her hand remained limp in mine, and for some reason, she wouldn’t look at me. "I wanted to meet you, actually, but I didn’t know who to ask." The words started tumbling out of my mouth before I could stop them. "I swear, I was just about to ask Beta Bradley about you."

Goddess. Why was I blabbering?

From the corner of my eye, I caught Bradley looking at me in confusion, but Jasmine still hadn’t said a word. She kept her gaze lowered, deliberately avoiding mine.

My smile slowly faded. What was wrong with her?

"Can we talk?" I lowered my voice when she still refused to look at me. "Alone?"

Jasmine finally looked up, but her gaze settled on someone over my shoulder. And just like that, her pale face lit up with a huge grin. Before I could even turn to see what had caught her attention, she rushed past me.

My eyes followed her, and I found Lucien standing a few steps behind me.

"Your Highness." Jasmine practically jumped into his arms, wrapped hers around his neck, and pressed her lips to his.

I quickly looked away. But then, from the corner of my eye, I saw Lucien’s hand slide to the back of her head as he kissed her back.

A strange ache settled in my chest, and my gaze dropped to the ground instead. Seconds passed, but neither of them seemed in any hurry to pull apart.

Goddess. Were they planning to keep kissing all day?

I shifted my weight and decided it was probably a good time to disappear. I had barely taken a step when they finally pulled apart.

"No need to call me Your Highness or His Majesty." Lucien’s voice stopped me, and I slowly turned my head. His eyes were on me. "It’s Lucien for you, Jasmine."

Asshole!

A faint, familiar itch stirred beneath my skin. I hadn’t felt that strange sensation once in the last three years, yet now it was back. Why?

Goddess. Was I allergic to this damn palace or something?