Just as I was indulging myself in Rufus’ kiss, I suddenly heard someone passing by. I immediately sobered up and hurriedly pushed him away with all my strength.
Much to my surprise, he didn’t get angry at me. Instead, he stared at me with his deep eyes, reached out his hand, and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I was a little upset that he did that to me for no reason, so I stepped back to avoid his touch. After making sure that the passer-by was already far away, I raised my eyes angrily and glared at him.
“Rufus, what do you think you’re doing? Instead of dealing with a slave here right now, you should be at the ball, choosing the most excellent and noblest she-wolf to be your future wife,” I complained to him to vent my anger. I could no longer hold back the emotions I had hidden the whole day. How could he just take it for granted? I felt a lump in my throat, so I lowered my head angrily and didn’t look at him.
Rufus was silent for a moment. “Is that the reason why you backed out as my date?”
I took a deep breath and calmed down. “You also know why your mother is holding this party for you, right? That’s why you want to take me there to embarrass everyone.”
I paused and looked up at him before I continued in a cold voice, “Are you dissatisfied with your mother’s attempt to arrange your marriage? Are you planning to fall out with her completely?”
“No, Sylvia. You are wrong.” Rufus frowned and took a few steps closer to me. “I never care about what other people think from the beginning to the end. I only care about you.”
I bit my lower lip and shook my head. I didn’t believe what he said. “You are talking nonsense.”
“Sylvia, every word I say is true. You can’t doubt me.” Rufus pulled me into his arms firmly and lowered his head. The tip of his nose gently brushed my ear. He then whispered, “I don’t want you to look at any other men. You must only have your eyes on me. I should be the only man in your heart. If you can’t do that, I’ll lock you up.”
After saying this, he bit my earlobe punitively. “Don’t stay with Warren alone again in the future.”
“Why?” I asked naively. My head felt so dull that I almost stopped thinking. His words echoed in my mind again and again.
Rufus didn’t answer. He just sighed and hugged me tighter.
“Just because I’m your mate? Or because I am useful to you?” I pushed him away and pretended to look at him coldly.
I recalled what Warren had said to me before. The gap between Rufus and me was so huge. I was just a humble slave while he was a lycan prince. Being with me meant that he had to bear a bad reputation, so I must cut all ties with him.
“Rufus, I don’t think we can continue an ambiguous relationship like this. Of course, I will repay your kindness. But other than that, we no longer have anything to do with each other.”
Rufus stared at me in a daze. It was as if he could not believe what I said. Gradually, his face darkened, and the coldness in his eyes became obvious. He sneered, turned around, and left.
Sylvia’s POV
Rufus walked away without looking back. His usual steady pace now seemed a little hasty. I must have hurt him.
While looking at his lonely back, my heart tightened. It hurt like it was soaked in hot water.
I squatted down and hugged my knees helplessly. I screwed up everything.
“Why did you say such cruel words to your mate?” Yana snapped. There was a clear trace of anger in her voice filled with fury I had never felt before.
I didn’t answer her question. I felt so desperate, and I was struggling between regret and hesitation.
I didn’t want to say such cruel words either. I liked Rufus so much. But the harsh reality didn’t allow me to be willful. And I would never want to be a burden to him.
I looked in the direction where he left. I was in a daze, and my heart was filled with powerlessness.
“Rufus treats you so well. He is very kind to you. And it’s very obvious that you like him too. Why can’t you just open your heart to him?” Yana said helplessly in a disappointed voice. It was as if she wanted me to express my feelings to Rufus at once.
“Rufus only treats me well because I’m useful to him. He…”
“Nonsense!” Yana interrupted before I could even finish my words. She became even angrier. “Everyone with discerning eyes can see that Rufus likes you. You are just being selfish. You’re a coward!”
Every word Yana said was like a knife that cut through my heart. I was a little sad that she didn’t understand me. “Yana, please don’t say anything more. I’m already very brokenhearted.”
“If I don’t say it, you will only keep making mistakes. Sylvia, wake up. Stop deceiving yourself. If you go on like this, you will only be lonely for the rest of your life. The Moon Goddess has designated such a perfect mate for you, but you are so cruel to him.” Yana didn’t shut up and continued nagging.
“Am I deceiving myself? I’m doing all of this for Rufus’ good. I have made up my mind that I will do my best to improve my strength and not to fall in love with anyone from now on,” I retorted aggrievedly.
“What the hell! Have you ever thought about how I will feel if you don’t fall in love? Please don’t sound so lofty. What do you mean you are doing this for Rufus’ good? That’s just self-abasement. Rufus never despises you for being a slave. Instead, it is you who always cares about this matter. You trample on his sincerity easily. You are a coward.”
Yana’s words were so harsh that I was shamed into anger. I stood up angrily and said, “Yana, how can you say that to me? I always think that you’re the one who can understand me the most. You let me down.”
“I let you down?” Yana asked in disbelief. Then she sobbed and added in a choked voice, “I’m always all for you. I do everything for you wholeheartedly, but you’re still disappointed in me.”
What she said made me realize that my words were too harsh. Although I regretted it, they had already come out of my mouth. “You should also reflect on yourself.”
“Sylvia! I don’t want to talk to you anymore. From now on, don’t expect me to say even a single word to you.” After saying this, Yana immediately blocked me.
This was the first time I had a big fight with her, and she gave me the silent treatment.
After returning to the dormitory, I simply washed my face and brushed my teeth, then lay on the bed in a daze. I felt that everything I did was meaningless, and my world suddenly lost its color.
Flora was holding her phone, probably browsing through her Instagram page, laughing from time to time. Suddenly, she sat up from her bed as if she remembered something.
“Sylvia, did you know what happened at the ball tonight? Prince Rufus lost his temper and left in the middle of the party.”
“Umm…” I replied to her absent-mindedly.
Flora lay back on the bed slowly, staring at her phone. Then she muttered regretfully, “It’s such a pity that he didn’t even get the chance to slice the birthday cake. I heard that it was a ten-layer cake and very special.”
I sat up and looked at her in shock. “What birthday cake?”
Flora was taken aback by my reaction. She stammered, “Cake… specially made for him… It was a chocolate cake I heard…”
“That’s not what I’m asking!” I interrupted anxiously. “What I mean is, why was there a birthday cake? Whose birthday was it?”
Flora blinked her eyes and asked in confusion, “Didn’t Prince Rufus tell you? It’s his birthday today.”
Sylvia’s POV
I was too stunned to speak. My mind was in a mess.
Today was Rufus’ birthday? Why hadn’t he told me about it?
“So, you didn’t know? The ball tonight was actually a birthday party for Prince Rufus arranged by the queen herself!” Flora exclaimed. “Except he ran away halfway through his own party and left the guests unattended. The queen usually favors Prince Rufus, but even she got angry tonight.”
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