Rufus clicked his tongue and didn’t insist anymore. Instead, he changed the topic and said, “Let’s have dinner together tonight.”
“No, thanks. I’m busy,” I refused without hesitation.
I just wanted to stay away from this guy who was everywhere, and calmed myself down.
Ian ran away from home, and I was not in the mood at all. If Rufus hadn’t kept an eye on me and forbade me from leaving the imperial capital, I might have already been on the way searching for Ian myself.
Rufus looked very calm, as if he had expected my answer. He said, “It won’t take much of your time. Beryl will also be there.”
Hearing this, I started to contemplate my initial decision. My baby Beryl wouldn’t also be there. I would miss the chance to bond with her if I didn’t accept his dinner invitation. It took me a long time to make Beryl slowly accept me again. I should keep working on it. But I was afraid that Rufus would ask me about my past. I couldn’t fool him with my excuses all the time. It might work for the first few times, but I was pretty sure he would catch on to something sooner or later. If that happened, he would be even more suspicious of me.
“Beryl said today is her birthday. You even forgot that?” Rufus scowled and cast an intent glance my way.
“What? Today is not her…” Before I could finish my words, I suddenly remembered something. Tears then began welling up in my eyes.
Today was Ian’s birthday.
We had made the day I met Ian for the first time as his birthday since we didn’t know the exact date that he was born. Every year on this day, Beryl would throw a lavish celebration for Ian.
Even when Beryl had lost her memory, she still remembered the most important thing in her heart.
Crystal’s POV
Learning why Beryl said it was her birthday, I agreed to have dinner with Rufus to celebrate such an important day.
Rufus’ expression softened considerably, and he said, “Then, I’ll wait for you. It’s seven o’clock tonight.”
I nodded. “Okay. I’ll head back first to get changed and prepare a present for Beryl.”
After that, Rufus and I went our separate ways.
I hurried back to prepare a gift for Beryl. I thought I could get it done in half an hour, but it turned out I overestimated myself. Now, I was going to be late. I put the gift into a small bag I had prepared, quickly changed into a dress, groomed my hair, chose a lovely mask, and then rushed to the lycan king’s palace.
When I eventually got there, dinner had already begun. Both Rufus and Laura were there, but Beryl didn’t have any reaction to my arrival. She was eating with her head down while Laura sat next to her and helped wipe her mouth from time to time.
I set the gift down and took a seat next to Rufus.
Rufus looked sideways at me and praised, “This mask looks more beautiful than the one before.”
“Thank you.” I couldn’t think of anything to say, so I just let out an awkward laugh. Maybe I had quarreled with Rufus too much recently, that when I heard him praise me, I got the weird feeling that perhaps he was actually mocking me. If things kept going like this, I would probably suffer a nervous breakdown anytime soon.
Laura seemed to notice my discomfort, so she perked up a conversation with me. “So how’s your life in the imperial palace? If you need anything, just let us know.”
“Everything is nice here. I’m just a little worried about my pack.” I settled my gift next to Beryl as I talked to Laura.
Laura replied with a smile, “I’m sure you can go back soon.”
As soon as those words left Laura’s lips, Rufus immediately coughed. I wasn’t sure if he did it on purpose. Hearing that, Laura immediately changed her mind. “You don’t actually need to return in such a hurry. Rufus’ man is now in charge of your pack. I anticipate no problems.”
I secretly grumbled at Rufus while keeping a phony smile on my face. “That’s true. With the king’s help, everything will be alright.”
Laura smiled and then ordered the servants to serve the main dish.
Beryl was served a codfish fillet because she liked eating fish. Meanwhile, I had steak, as so did Laura and Rufus.
The dishes were just as delectable as I remembered. I had been so busy dealing with Rufus since I came back this time that I hadn’t even had time to enjoy life in the imperial palace, i I figured I should calm down and get back to my normal life now that I had made the decision to temporarily stay here.
The fish fillet was a big hit with Beryl. She already had two helpings, and when she requested for a third one, Rufus stopped her, fearing that she would have a stomach ache later for eating too much.
Beryl stared at the empty plate, obviously still craving for more. But she listened to Rufus, and said, “Okay, I’ll listen to you, Daddy.”
Worried that Beryl would be upset, Laura patiently coaxed her, “Keep some room in your little tummy for later. The dinner hasn’t finished yet. There are a lot of delicious foods that haven’t been served.”
A big smile broke into Beryl’s face as she answered ecstatically, “Okay! I can still eat a lot!”
During dinner, all three of us adults were trying to make Beryl happy, making the atmosphere rather pleasant. Beryl didn’t reject me as much as she did during the daytime. Instead, she even took the initiative to feed me.
Seeing Beryl laughing, I sighed silently. Although she appeared to be very cheerful, I could tell that she wasn’t truly pleased. There seemed to be something missing in her smile.
I caressed Beryl’s head and asked in a low voice, “What’s wrong, sweetie? What is bothering you?”
Crystal’s POV
Beryl was speechless for a while, and then she collapsed on the table and asked weakly, “How did you know I am upset? I don’t know why. I know I should be happy, but I just can’t. It seems that something is missing.”
My heart ached. I knew she was feeling that way because Ian was not here. Beryl might not have remembered him, but she still cared about him.
Rufus thought Beryl was not feeling well, so he got to his feet and walked over to check on her. He touched her forehead and asked, “Are you feeling sick?”
Beryl shook her head and answered, “No, I’m not. I’m just in a bad mood, as if I broke up with someone.”
Rufus’ lips broke into a bitter smile. He then poked her nose slightly, and asked, “Do you even know how it feels to break up with someone, little girl? You haven’t had a relationship yet, so where is this coming from?”
In response, Beryl rolled her eyes and said, “Of course I know. The feeling of breakup in romance books is emptiness and sadness for no reason, and sometimes to feel a sense of loss and confusion.”
Laura settled Beryl on her lap and asked worriedly, “Are you feeling uncomfortable because you have eaten too much?”
After saying that, Laura turned around to glare at Rufus and warn, “Don’t let Beryl read those kinds of books. They will easily affect her at such a young age.”
As the lycan king who had always been respected, Rufus rarely got scolded by anyone except for his mother. So now, he could only swallow his pride and nodded reluctantly.
I couldn’t help but chuckle deep inside. It was gratifying to see Rufus get scolded.
Beryl couldn’t bear to see Rufus in that situation, so she confessed, “Grannie, don’t scold Daddy. I wanted to read those by myself. Daddy had no idea I’d been reading those books in the library.” B Laura made a bitter smile. She grabbed Beryl and shook her to knock some logic into the girl, saying, “You’re such a naughty girl. How dare you go to the library alone? Aren’t you afraid someone might kidnap you?”
“There’s no reason for me to be afraid. The palace is well-guarded. It’s very safe here. Besides, if someone really kidnapped me, I’m sure you will definitely find me,” Beryl coaxed Laura like a grown – up.
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