The Cursed Wolf’s Love

The next morning, Iris left for her house with Adolphus. Earlier, he thought to meet in the office, but after talking to Iris last night, he decided he had to punish everyone from Iris’s family, especially her stepbrother.

In the carriage, Iris had her gaze outside the window. The large fields and trees covered both sides of the road. She looked at Adolphus and asked him if she could open the window.

“You can,” Adolphus allowed her.

Iris tried to open the latch of the window, but she was unable to do that.

“That’s why you should eat properly,” Adolphus said and leaned forward to open the window’s latch.

“It was tight, Master,” she mumbled and saw he had opened the window. She thanked him and put her head out. The air touched her face and her long hair swung with it.

“You should put your head inside,” Adolphus advised her. She gazed at him and brought her head in, but kept her fingers on the window’s base.

“Am I disturbing Master?” She asked. “I will close the window,” she added.

“Hey, I didn’t mean that,” Adolphus stated. “You are with me, the Crown Prince. That’s why you have to be careful,” he clarified to her.

Iris understood and apologized to Adolphus. She was too excited and then like a calm child she turned silent.

“Iris, let me ask you something,” Adolphus said.

“Sure, Master,” Iris was ready to answer him.

“Will you beg me to stop if I bring your family to the street?” Adolphus’ question confused Iris at first, but then she understood what he meant. “In my eyes, justice must be served rightly. I don’t want any father to treat his daughter like this. So, it should be a lesson for the people,” he explained to her.

“I will not stop His Grace. They all did wrong to me and they must be punished,” Iris stated. She no longer wanted to be kind to them. Last night while conversing with Adolphus, she realized she let them torture her. They took advantage of her silence and kindness to them. However, they were no lesser than beasts.

“Great. I am surprised by your answer, Iris. When I asked the same question from you earlier, you requested me not to do anything,” Adolphus asserted.

“I did and I regret doing that, Master,” Iris replied. “I believe there will be many girls like me, who are treated this way,” she muttered.

“I agree. That’s why the punishment I will give to them will be a lesson to everyone in the kingdom,” Adolphus pronounced.

Iris nodded her head and again looked outside the window.

“You are beautiful, Iris. I believe if you dress up nicely, you are going to fail everyone in the beauty,” Adolphus’ sudden compliment made Iris blush. This was the first time she was complimented on her beauty. She thanked him and smiled again.

~~~~~

Lucas was getting ready for work when from the house servant he found the Crown Prince had come to the house. For a second, Lucas was shocked to learn about that. He thought they would meet at the capital’s inspector’s office.

He quickly wore the overcoat and went to the drawing room. He was stunned to see Iris with Adolphus but kept a neutral facial expression.

Lucas greeted the Crown Prince and decided to sit across from him on the sofa chair.

“Iris, did you make the decision to return? We are so glad,” Lucas said and took a seat on the sofa chair.

“I didn’t allow you to sit, Lucas,” Adolphus asserted. Upon hearing that Lucas promptly left the seat and apologized to the Crown Prince.

“Your Royal Highness, please take the tea. Iris, you should also drink,” Audelia, Iris’s stepmother said politely.

Iris couldn’t believe her ears. Audelia never once talked with this tone with her and she never even asked to drink the tea to her. Because she was with the Crown Prince that’s why she got a nice treatment from them.

“We aren’t here to drink this tea,” Adolphus pronounced and gazed at Iris. “Tell me how did she treat you every day?” he queried.

Audelia was shocked to hear his question and wondered what would Iris reply. “Iris is my daughter. Of course, I treated her well,” Audelia replied and gazed at Iris.

“Do you want me to rip your mouth apart?” Adolphus growled at her and asked her to bring her children in front of him.

Adolphus extended his hand out. Anthony handed him the scroll and he showed it to Lucas. “Do you know what’s in there?” He questioned Lucas.

“How would I know, Your Royal Highness?” Lucas muttered.

“Your life from now onward,” Adolphus replied. “Lucas Vinsant will no longer work in the government. His property will be seized shortly. The reason is simple: he did fraud while staying in his government position.” He saw Lucas almost open his mouth to speak but Adolphus stopped him, “Ahh, I would like to tell you, Lucas, I have gathered evidence. I don’t need corrupt humans in the government.”

He threw the scroll toward Lucas and said, “It’s the official decree. No one can question it!”

Audelia was shocked to hear her husband was thrown off his government position.

“Your Royal Highness, please don’t do this,” She started pleading with Adolphus.

“Shut your mouth!” Adolphus bellowed at her. “I told you to bring your insolent children in front of me. Do you have a death wish?” He inquired and Audelia quickly dashed out of the drawing room.

“Iris, don’t do this to us,” Lucas said. “Why did you say to the Crown Prince which” Before he could finish his sentence, Iris interrupted him.

“Father, I wish you were loyal to my mother. I cannot believe Father is still lying in front of the Crown Prince. I never was happy. You all tortured me every day. When I complained to you, you slapped me,” Iris pronounced and her eyes filled with tears.

“Lucas, you should stay quiet. You had eighteen years to realize your mistake. Because the matter has come to my notice, I will destroy you all because you troubled my person,” Adolphus affirmed and glanced at Iris.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.