"I needed to establish dominance and balance. The only way to do that was to marry a human. No Loux Garoux Royal has ever married a human. We live a structured life with rules and protocols. I had to make a choice. Either save my Legacy or marry a pureblood." He explained.
Sylvie understood now. "You were in a losing battle either way." She said.
"Yes. Now you understand." He said.
"Yes. I do, but does Louve?" She asked him.
"Of course she does. She is Loux Garoux. We all live by the same code of ethics and standards. Her giving you that book was not just an insult to you but to me. Calling us unnatural..." He trailed off, trying to keep his anger at bay.
He felt Sylvie's hand on his shoulder. her kind gesture made him feel guilty.
"Please, understand Louve is angry. I ask that you do not punish her." Sylvie said.
Randolf couldn't believe his ears. His wife was a saint.
"Why would you say such a thing? She endangered your life and almost killed Madame Bouvier. Her behavior cannot go unpunished. If I do not punish her I will be seen as weak. I am not weak."
"I understand, but I don't think you understand women very well." She furnished.
He looked at her shocked. "I don't understand women?" He repeated.
"No. I don't think you do. Louve is a scorned woman. She is hurt by your actions." Sylvie explained.
Randolf chuckled at her nonsense theory.
"Why on Earth would she be hurt? She knows there is a war I am fighting, and I don't lose. Ever." He said.
"Yes, but she did. You must try to put yourself in Louve's place. How would you feel if everything you had been promised since your birth was taken away from you unexpectedly by a human? You just said it yourself. You don't like to lose. I think that can be said for her as well. No one likes to lose especially in love."
The more Sylvie spoke on the matter the more Randolf realized she had a point. He had not given Louve any time to adjust to the news. He had just shown up with a human girl and married her...
Randolf felt like a jerk. He was the all-powerful Loux Garoux ruler, but he couldn't calculate matters of the heart. Listening to Sylvie, Randolf came to the realization he had developed tunnel vision. He only cared for one thing, ending this war. Now, it felt like it was two. He had genuine feelings for Sylvie. He knew he had to go speak with his father. He touched her hand that still rested on his shoulder.
"You have given me much to think on, wife. You are strange." He said.
"Am I? Is that a bad thing?" She asked.
"No. It is refreshing, actually. You feel so much. Your heart is full. It takes a strong person to put themselves in the shoes of their enemy." He told her.
Sylive chuckled at his somber statement. "Louve is not my enemy. She is hurt. I hold no ill feelings towards her. Madame Bouvier may, but not I." She said.
Randolf was still shocked at her empathy for others. He hated to leave her, but he told his father he would meet him. He stood up then.
"I will have Whitley send you something to eat and some maids to help you prepare for bed. I cannot promise you how long I will be tonight." He informed her.
Sylvie didn't know why he was telling her, but it reassured her. She hadn't realized she needed that until now. She nodded her head in agreement. He placed a kiss on her forehead and exited their chambers.
5 minutes later, Randolf arrived at his father's study. Randolf noticed there was no Whitley to greet him. He knocked twice, then entered. His father had a fire raging in the large marble fireplace. His back was turned toward him. When he turned around, Randolf noticed he had two drinks in his hands. Randolf quickly walked over. Adolf handed him one. Randolf sniffed it. It was brandy.
"Why, old man, you shouldn't have." He quipped and then swallowed the contents in one healthy gulp.
His father took a sip. They both moved from the fire to the two chairs in front of it, both sitting down.
There was a thick silence. Seconds later, they spoke at the exact same time.
"You were right."
"You were right."
Adolf knew what his son was talking about, but Randolf had no idea what his father was speaking of.
"Wait, what do you mean I was right? When was this?" He asked.
His father never admitted he was wrong to anyone. Ever, but tonight he seemed different. Randolf noticed his father wasn't wearing his half-mask. His father almost looked worried. Randolf didn't know how to take that. He waited for his father to speak.
"You suspected me only wanting Madame Bouvier here for my own selfish desires. You were right. This has made me understand how wrong I was in keeping her here and I must ask her to leave." He took another sip of the brandy in his glass while staring into the fire.
"You know, your mother never cared for me. She could barely stand my touch. It was a miracle when I found out she was pregnant with my heir. That was how frequently she let me come to her bed." He spoke the words, and Randolf could tell he was reliving it.
"Your mother told me to find a mistress. And I did. I found Bouvier. She gave me all the love and affection your mother refused me. After her death I only wanted vengeance. I shut everyone and everything out. When I got news you were ambushed I was devastated. I
prayed you wouldn't be dead. God sent my messenger in the form of my old love. Son, you must believe me when I tell you I-"
Randolf interrupted him. "No, father. I want to hear no more."
His father stopped talking once more, and the only sounds were the popping of the firewood as it burned.
Randolf had never known the relationship between his mother and father. He was raised in a pack. He saw his mother and father at meals and special occasions. They always seemed happy and united. Hearing what his father said about his marriage to Randolf's mother made Sylvie's words stand out more.
Arranged marriages were a way for the pack to continue to breed elite Loup Garoux, but in doing so, one had to sacrifice their happiness. Life was always about the greater good for Loup Garoux. Love was a duty like any other. It did not matter if you loved your betrothed.
It mattered that you kept your promise and fulfilled your obligations.
Randolf hadn't understood that until now. His father felt the exact same guilt that he was feeling regarding Sylvie. He decided to lighten the mood. "Well, we were both right. Now, what do we do about Louve?" Randolf asked as he poured himself another brandy.
Adolf answered him with no hesitation, "She must be publicly punished. She must be made to understand that she cannot attack a pack member. Your bride is a human, but she is a pack member by blood, and we must respect that. Attacking a fellow pack member goes against the Loux Garoux code. I wonder why and where did she get that book?" Adolf wondered aloud.
"I'm not certain where she got the book, but I am sure why she gave it to my wife." He answered. "She did it to bully her and to humiliate both of us. To say our relationship is unnatural is to challenge my position as the new king alpha of the pack. Father, I may not like that woman you call your companion, but I do not wish to see any harm come to her. I know you want to send her away after she recovers, but I think you should reconsider that."
"And why is that, my boy?" Adolf asked, finishing the rest of his brandy.
"Because it is the only person Sylvie knows. I have already made her feel trapped and isolated here. Having Madame Bouvier around may help her adjust better. Knowing she stood up for Sylvie and risked her own life, I feel very low for all the things I said about her. I shouldn't have judged her based solely on her profession. I also was a stupid little boy who had no idea what you and my mother were going through. I know that wasn't easy for you to talk about."
"No. It wasn't, but it was necessary. You are a grown wolf now. So it is settled. Bouvier will stay here, and You will speak with Louve." Adolf said.
"Yes, father." Randolf stood up. "If that will be all, I must retire to my chambers and check on Sylvie. Good night, Father." He said as he slightly bowed, turned on his heels, and exited his father's study.