Chapter 2

Julius's assumption was wrong. When Zachary put his fluffy tail in my hand and flirted with me that night, it felt so soft that I couldn't stop myself from squeezing it.

He groaned. Burying his face in my neck, he whined and said, "Queenie, tell me if you feel uncomfortable. I'll be gentle. I won't hurt you."

He was very gentle indeed. However, Liam Ashford, a lycan and the candidate for my next trial marriage, was anything but. I had heard that lycans had great core strength, but when I experienced it for myself, I was overwhelmed.

Liam was a beastman of few words. When I asked him to slow down, he leaned in and whispered threateningly in my ear, "Pick me, Your Highness. I'll only stop if you do."

How could he do that?

Since I gave Julius the cold shoulder last time, he hid himself away and avoided me as if to punish me. He was supposed to be the last beastman for my trial marriage.

However, he made up an excuse saying that he needed to take care of his sick "sister", Wendy, and made me spend the trial marriage alone. He only made his attendant deliver one of his clothes and a message to me.

"I'm sure Your Highness wouldn't be so unreasonable as to make me abandon a sick person to accompany you. If you feel like the nights are too long and lonely, I've sent you one of my clothes to remind you of me."

I could hear his pleased, mocking tone.

I ordered my attendants to dispose of his clothes. I had planned on making things clear to him, but since he refused to see me, there was no need.

…

Three days later, Father came to me with a list of the four beastmen's names and asked for my opinion. I crossed out Julius's name with a pen.

Frowning, he grumbled, "Why debase yourself like this for a beastman? How many times have you swallowed your pride to help him in the past years? You even begged me not to punish him.

"I heard that he didn't even show up for the trial marriage, but you're still all over him. You're dragging my name through the mud here."

Feeling wronged, I quickly explained, "Father, you've got it wrong. I meant that I want everyone but Julius."

To become my consort, the other three beastmen almost started a fight. In the end, they settled for a temporary truce. If I wanted to, I could marry all three of them at the same time.

Father's eyes brightened. "Really? Have you stopped obsessing over Julius?"

I smiled. "Since he doesn't like me, there's no point in wasting my time on him. He'll probably be happy about my decision."

After leaving the palace, I felt relieved for once. I dismissed my attendants and went for a walk by myself. When I passed by an inn, I saw Julius through the open window.

His friends, who had made the bet with him that day, were sitting opposite him, while Wendy sat beside him. Smiling, she wiped the beer foam on the corner of his lips for him.

Julius looked down at her warmly. They looked like a loving couple.

I looked away and turned around to leave, but Julius's friends spotted me. Looking at me as if I were an amusing toy, they walked out of the inn and mocked me.

"Your Highness, I can't believe you actually came all the way here to pursue Julius. I once heard that humans care a lot about their honor, but now I see that isn't the case."

They laughed. I didn't have my guards with me, so I glanced at the man's face, memorizing his features.

Since I hadn't repaid Julius for what I owed him in our previous life, I endured their mockery for his sake. It seemed they had forgotten that disrespecting the princess was a punishable offense.