The Lycan King's Puppet-Chapter 93: Visit the Bushes

Every time their eyes met, he’d frown.

Why? What did she do wrong? She was the one who had nearly been harmed, not him. If anyone should be offended, it should be her. Why was he looking at her like her very presence was unwanted?

She wanted to stomp her feet... or yell at him. Anything to get his undivided attention.

But all of that seemed too childish for a woman her age to consider.

Andon paid her attention, but it was not enough.

She spent most of the ride hoping that he would join one of their topics.

Until he had the nerve to dose off.

Claire doubted he was sleeping, but the peaceful way his chest heaved told her otherwise.

Andon fell silent as well in order not to disturb him.

She tried sleeping but couldn’t. All she could do was stare at anything that wasn’t him. Except that her eyes kept straying to his direction of their own accord.

He looked so...so much younger and handsome. His lips were slightly parted, his hands crossed over his abdomen, his legs braced apart.

The way the breeches clung to his thighs...

His hair fell in waves over his face, blocking the view of his hooded eyes.

"You can touch him - he’s real." Andon whispered beside her.

She clenched her fists in her lap and bit her lower lip. A wave of colour crept up her neck.

Had she been staring so shamelessly.

"I need to stop here."

Andon sat upright. "What is the matter? Did I offend you?"

She shook her head. How did she explain to such men that she suddenly had an appointment with the bushes outside?

"I have to do something." Her face heated up.

He looked out the window. "What could you possibly want to do here? There is no single house in sight, Miss Stenly."

She gulped.

"I need to... relieve myself."

His eyes widened.

Then, he composed himself and offered her a small smile.

"I’ll tell the rider to stop."

He knocked on the wall of the carriage box twice and the carriage came to a halt.

Yeren’s eyes snapped open, red and foggy.

"Why are we stopping? Have we arrived?" His deep voice was muffled due to sleep.

Her eyes were busy watching the way his Adam’s apple bobbed when he spoke.

"Miss Stenly has to... um." Andon glanced at her for help.

"I need to relieve myself." She nearly choked on the words.

"Can’t you hold it till we get to an inn?" Came his impatient response.

Her lips parted but slammed shut.

Hold it? For how long? They had only passed deserted roads and farmlands since she’d had the urge.

"I’m afraid I can’t." She sat up straighter.

"Yeren also sat erect, pulling back the drapes to glance outside.

"Are these bushes even safe? I advise that you wait to use a modest chamberpot. There should be an inn close by, right?" He looked at Andon for confirmation. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Andon tilted his head. "I don’t think there are any inns on this road. This isn’t the road travellers use - and I don’t remember seeing any inns in my previous journeys to Glenwood."

"I don’t think I can hold it." She blurted out, turning the shade of a ripe cherry.

Andon opened the door and stepped outside. The wind was wide, taking his hair on a brisk dance.

Claire climbed out and stood beside him. She needed to go as far as possible, somewhere they wouldn’t be able to see her.

Then, Yeren climbed out as well.

The guards on horses stopped, watching their King for instructions.

"Where do you want to use?" He asked without looking at her.

She blinked.

How was that any of his bloody business?

"I will figure it out on my own." She said coldly, fixing him with an equally cold stare.

"We’ll figure it out together then. I’m coming with you."

Andon wheeled around to look at him.

"I believe I can handle my business myself."

"I’m not coming to watch your expertise in watering the plants, Miss Stenly. This place isn’t safe - I only want to ensure your safety." Then, in a much colder voice, he asked, "Or would you rather be escorted by Andon... or one of my guards?"

Andon backed away, a sheepish grin on his face.

She looked around, wondering how she ended up in such a situation.

Why did he have to come in the first place? She couldn’t imagine being attacked while she was in the middle of her travail. The bushes looked... harmless.

"No, thank you." She started walking towards her destination.

But footsteps sounded behind her, crushing the grass blades quietly.

Even the green scenery seemed to mock her.

What was his problem?

Thunder rumbled in the sky causing her to tremble slightly. Aurora was terribly afraid of thunder, she remembered with a faint smile.

Suddenly remembering that she was being followed, she tensed her shoulders and walked even faster.

"Don’t go any deeper. You’ll soil your dress." He indicated her hem which was light brown from grazing the moist ground.

She looked around.

"Turn around, then."

If there was a stone in sight, she would have hurled it at him just then. And then she’d run as fast as her slender legs and heavy gown would carry her.

He turned until his sturdy back faced her.

What if he looked over his shoulder?

Grinning, she decided to go further into the bush. She was careful not to make a sound.

"What do you think you’re doing?" He didn’t turn around.

She froze.

"Getting the privacy I deserve."

"I’m not looking at you."

"That’s the problem!" She threw her hands up.

He half-turned, his left brow raised.

"How is that a problem?"

"I’m not the one that almost killed an innocent woman because of a sudden blood rush, Yeren!" The name slipped out. She covered her mouth the moment she realized the nonsense she’d just spewed.

His eyes hardened.

"I didn’t want to kill you."

"Then why have you been looking at me like I’m a thorn in your side all morning? What other explanation could there be?"

"Do your business so we can leave this irritable bush, Miss Stenly."

She folded her arms. "Did I do something wrong?"

He turned away.

"If you did, then why would I want to mark you?"