Irresistible Touch

Chapter 13

Arthur:

I could not help but frown when I heard Andrew's report.

"Someone wants to kill her, you say? And two attempts have already been made?"

Andrew had the same stiff expression as usual. With barely a change in tone, he answered, "Yes, my liege."

I rose from my desk and walked to the window, looking quietly outside as I stood with my hands behind my back.

I was merely curious about her, and so I sent Andrew to investigate. However, this was not the kind of news I expected to hear.

So, what exactly did that woman do that warranted two assassination attempts?

Without turning around, I instructed Andrew, "Andrew, go and find out who's behind it."

"My liege, you should not be paying too much attention to her. You’re about to be wed soon." Andrew's response came from behind me. Clearly, he did not agree with my plan of action.

I turned around and eyed him with a cold gaze. Realizing that he had overstepped his post, Andrew prostrated himself.

"My apologies, my liege. I have been most disrespectful."

"Andrew… I remember informing you not to question any of my orders. You need only execute them. That’s your only job."

I admit that I was domineering and even a bit dictatorial at times, but as a Wolf King, I had to be tough on my subjects. If I were too soft in my rule, then it was highly likely that people would start to eye my position and try to replace me.

The position of Wolf King was not hereditary. The strongest had always been the one to take over. If I had the conviction to kill the king before me and take his place, then there should be countless others like me, just waiting for the opportunity to take my head.

Ambition was something that we werewolves never lacked.

The moment Andrew heard my orders, he looked up at me, seemingly flustered and confused, but he still vowed solemnly to me, "I will remember your orders, my liege. I will not make the same mistake again."

Naturally, I trusted him. However, a superior should never give their subordinates absolute trust, because the next one to come for their throat could very likely be the person that they trusted the most.

For that reason, even though I trusted Andrew a lot, I would not show it in front of him. My occasional skepticism of him kept him on edge, but it also served as motivation for him to work hard as an extension of myself.

See, that was the hypocrisy of the one in charge, but I was happy to be in this position.

Just as Andrew was about to withdraw, I suddenly recalled a matter and stopped him. "Wait. Andrew, did you say that the previous two attempts were both stopped by the same person? Who is it?" For some reason, this person seemed important to me. I had to know who he was.

Andrew stopped in his steps and turned around to face me. "Yes, my liege. It was a man called William. They say he’s the strongest Beta in town, and he’s also that woman's childhood friend."

A childhood friend, is it? Somehow, that word made me uncomfortable.

"I never thought that that woman would have someone like him by her side. Heh." I snorted, but no amusement was present in my eyes. "The strongest Beta, you said he was? How does he compare with you?"

"He’s no match for me." Andrew sounded very sure of his opinion.

He did have the right to be confident. He was my personal guard, after all, second only to me in ability. If he had not grown up with me and had his life saved by me in the past that made him swear loyalty to me, then he could have become my strongest competitor.

"I don't believe it. He seems pretty strong according to what you’ve reported." I shook my head on purpose.

For some reason, I did not feel good about that man called William at all. I felt the need to have Andrew teach him a lesson, but I knew that Andrew would definitely resist me if I gave him such an unreasonable order. After all, William had done nothing to offend me, so I had no choice but to stoke the flames between them this way.

Sure enough, my loyal subordinate took such provocations badly. As soon as he heard what I had said, he looked at me incredulously and kneeled down. "My liege, I will prove it to you."

Two days later, Andrew came to me to report that he was able to find out who it was that tried to kill Lilian.

"Who is it, then?" I was curious, but also a little angry.

No matter, Lilian was someone that I had slept with for three long years. Even though I chose to kick her aside and end our relationship there, it was impossible for me to allow anyone to take her life.

"Her name is Vivian, the only daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the town. She fancies William and is jealous of Lilian. At first, she merely tried to have her face ruined, but she was annoyed when she failed and decided to go for her life instead," Andrew answered as strictly as ever.

Fury rose in my heart. Their names were similar, but their characters were worlds apart. First, she tried to ruin her face, then she tried to take her life? What a malicious woman she was.

In the end, it was that stupid woman Lilian's fault for being too close to William and drawing ire to herself.

Could that silly woman not think for once? If William did not fancy you, then why would he save you twice?

For a man who obviously has intentions toward you, rather than keep your distance from him, you choose to stick by his side each and every day. That would only breed misunderstanding.

What a truly mindless woman she was. If there ever was a cover girl for a big-breasted bimbo, she would be the top pick several years in a row.

Just as I was thinking about how I was going to deal with that vicious woman, Vivian, Andrew suddenly declared in a proud tone, "My liege, I fought that man, William, and the fight ended in just two minutes. If I had not gone easy on him, that man would now be dead."

I felt the urge to laugh. It was the first time I had seen such a dog-like expression on miserable Andrew's stiff face, seemingly eager for praise. I held back the urge to compliment him and said instead, "If you couldn't even beat him then you wouldn't be qualified to be my personal guard."

Andrew seemed a little dejected at my answer. Reluctant to leave him fully disappointed, I walked over and gave him a pat on the shoulder. "You should know that only the strongest Beta has the right to stand by my side."

Andrew's eyes lit up at my words. He bowed deeply in reverence of me. "I vow to protect you with my life, my liege."

I raised my hand to excuse him. "I know you're loyal to me, and I trust you just as well. By the way, is Diana coming to the royal city soon?"

"Yes, my liege. She should arrive in a few days."

"My fiancée has come a long way to see me. As her future husband, I think it should only be apt that I go and welcome her in person. If I remember correctly, she has to pass through that town to arrive here, doesn't she?"

"Yes, my liege. It is necessary to pass through that town in order to get to the royal city."

"Round up some men. I'm going to visit that town and pick up my fiancée there."

Andrew seemed surprised at my order. He asked incredulously, "My liege, are you really only going there to see your fiancée?"

"Andrew, have you forgotten what I’ve told you?" I narrowed my eyes threateningly at him.

Andrew immediately fell onto one knee and begged for forgiveness. "Consider it done, my liege."

Of course, seeing Diana was not the only thing that I was going to be doing. I was worried that if I did nothing, that stupid woman would get herself murdered for her own foolishness.

Rely on that childhood friend who could not even beat my personal guard? Hah! Sure, he may be of some help if they were in the open, but what if Vivian came up with some other underhanded trick?

One should never underestimate the power of a jealous woman. She could use poison, she could frame her, slander her... there was nothing a crazy woman in love could not do. How many times would he be able to protect that stupid woman with brute force alone?

For some reason, my lower half would start to get unruly any time I thought about Lilian.

I must be getting pent up.

Damn it… I need to get married as soon as possible. What was a dignified king such as myself doing letting one lose with my hand in the toilet by myself?