Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle
Chapter 165: I’ll follow you.

Chapter 165: I’ll follow you.

The golden sun cast its warm rays over Sorayah’s face, gently waking her from her deep slumber. As her eyes fluttered open, the first thing she saw was Dimitri, seated beside her, concern etched deeply into his expression.

"Sorayah," Dimitri breathed out in relief the moment her gaze met his. He was in the process of fastening his mask back onto his face, but he paused immediately to help her sit up. Carefully, he supported her shoulders and then reached for a cup of water, which he handed to her. Sorayah accepted it without hesitation and drank every drop in one go as her throat was dry, and the thirst gnawed at her insides. _{f.r(e)e\webn.ovel.co\m}

Once finished, she lowered the cup and looked around the room. Her eyes swept across the space until they landed on a particular spot.....one stained with an unforgettable memory even though the spot was already wiped clean.

It was the exact place where a soldier had met his tragic end, his body reduced to a mangled pile of flesh and blood. The horrific image surged back into her mind, causing her stomach to churn violently. She gagged once again, but quickly averted her gaze, clenching her fists as she tried to suppress the nausea. Dimitri reached out and gently patted her back, trying to soothe her trembling frame.

"You’ve been unconscious for an entire day," Dimitri said, letting out a heavy sigh, his voice laced with concern. "How are you feeling now? Should I summon the imperial healer?"

"A whole day?!" Sorayah gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief. "You mean... today is a new day already? I’ve been lying here since yesterday morning until now?"

"Yes," Dimitri replied with a slight nod, his answer intensifying the shock on her face.

"What’s wrong?" he asked, noticing the change in her expression. "You look tense... Liam," he called out firmly toward the door, "fetch the imperial healer."

"I don’t need the healer," Sorayah interrupted, her voice shaky and breath uneven. "I feel fine... Your Highness."

She paused for a moment, biting her lip before finally whispering, "It’s just that... today is the anniversary of my parents’ death."

Tears began to roll down her cheeks, one after another, carrying the weight of memories that refused to fade.

"I had asked for permission to leave the palace yesterday... I wanted to spend the night at an inn, just to be out of here by the time the day broke. I wanted to offer my prayers and show my respect to my parents and my people this morning... not here, not like this."

"Oh... I see," Dimitri murmured, his voice heavy with empathy. He gently rubbed her back again, his touch softer now. "Well, you can still do that. It’s still today, after all. You can offer your prayers and pay your respects this afternoon. But for now, you really need to rest, Sorayah."

He sighed deeply, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "The healer who examined you earlier said you were in a state of shock....that’s why you fainted. He advised that we let you rest and avoid exposing you to anything that could trigger another episode. When you woke up, we were told to keep you calm and relaxed."

"How am I supposed to rest?!" Sorayah snapped, her voice breaking before she could stop herself. Tears streamed down her face as she slapped Dimitri’s hand away from her back. "How can I possibly offer my respects in the afternoon when my parents....my people were murdered in cold blood at dawn? It was in the early morning that the werewolves attacked. That was the moment the screams filled the air, when the cries for mercy and survival echoed from every direction. That was when they died.....begging for life they never received!"

"I know, Sorayah," Dimitri said softly but firmly. "And I never said you’re not going to go. I’m only asking you to take it easy. You must not overexert yourself or you risk falling into a coma."

His voice was steady now, carrying a quiet authority. "You’re still recovering from the injuries inflicted by the Empress Dowager when she ordered your imprisonment. The bruises and wounds from the Empress Luna’s beating haven’t healed fully either. You’ve been forcing yourself.....waking up early to cook, managing the harem’s unrest....your body is dangerously weak right now."

He took a deep breath before continuing. "Your magical abilities will eventually heal you, yes....but even magic needs rest to function at full capacity. Your body cannot continue like this without consequences."

Sorayah shook her head as if his words couldn’t reach her. Her voice trembled with urgency. "I have to leave the palace now and start preparing, Dimitri," she said, dismissing everything he had just said. Her mind was consumed by grief and the memory of her lost family....her parents, her dear friend Lily, and the many others who perished. Nothing else mattered.

She pushed the covers aside and made a move to rise from the bed. But before she could get far, Dimitri swiftly reached out, his arm blocking her path.

"What are you doing, Your Highness?" Sorayah asked, her brows furrowing as she looked up at Dimitri. A flicker of anger laced her tone, subtle but unmistakable.

"You should really relax, or you’ll endanger your health," Dimitri said, his voice calm yet laced with visible concern as he gazed at her with furrowed brows. But Sorayah wasn’t in the mood to be coddled.

"Alright then... if you insist on doing this, I’ll follow you," she replied, rising from the bed more resolutely now. "Since you can’t waste any time, then I won’t either. I’ll accompany you.....not just to ensure I get there, but to protect you as well."

"You can’t do that, Your Highness," came Liam’s voice from outside the chamber. His tone was firm, yet respectful. "The Alpha Emperor is not to leave the imperial palace unless there is a grand celebration that requires his presence among the people or unless he is undertaking a special investigation."

Dimitri’s eyes darkened as his gaze shifted toward the door. His voice dropped an octave, now tinted with restrained anger. "And since when did you start giving me orders, Liam?"

He stood tall, his presence commanding.

"I go wherever I choose to go. I don’t bend to petty regulations. I am the rule. I embody the law. If I wish to bend myself, I will do so as I please."

Liam did not flinch. His voice remained steady, though the weight of Dimitri’s authority pressed heavily through the door. "My apologies, Your Highness. I speak only out of concern. My loyalty lies with your well-being. And... you have a court meeting scheduled for this morning."

"Prepare a horse for me. Now," Dimitri ordered, his tone clipped with authority as his eyes remained fixed on the door. "And inform the royal court that today’s meeting has been canceled. Let the officials return to their homes. There will be no audience this morning."

"As you command, Your Highness," Liam replied quickly, retreating with the sound of his footsteps fading down the corridor.

Just then.....

"Greetings, Your Highness, the Alpha Emperor. And greetings to Her Highness, the Imperial Consort," a voice rang out. It was Eunuch Frank, his tone laced with urgency. "I bring word from the Empress Dowager’s chambers. She requests the presence of the Imperial Consort to serve her breakfast."

Before Sorayah could muster a response...one she had intended to twist into a fabricated excuse of illness.....Dimitri spoke first, his words swift and firm.

"Inform the Empress Dowager that the Imperial Consort will be attending to the Alpha Emperor throughout the day," he declared, his voice brooking no argument.

Sorayah’s mouth fell slightly open in shock. She had planned to pretend she was too ill to carry out her morning duties..,perhaps even exaggerate her condition to secure a full day of freedom. But now, thanks to Dimitri’s intervention, no such performance was needed.

Dimitri wasn’t finished.

"Tell her that from this morning onward, the Imperial Consort will be in charge of meeting the Alpha Emperor’s needs.....everything from preparing his meals, assisting with his baths, and..." He paused, flashing a meaningful glance at Sorayah. "Well, I needn’t go into further detail. The rest remains strictly between me and the Imperial Consort."

He turned his gaze back to the eunuch. "Just ensure Her Majesty knows that she is not to be displeased."

"I will relay your words immediately, Your Highness," Eunuch Frank replied, bowing low before turning and hurrying back toward the Empress Dowager’s wing.

The moment he left, Sorayah turned to Dimitri, her eyes wide. "You shouldn’t have done all of that, Your Highness," she said softly, a tremor in her voice.....not just from shock, but from the unexpected tenderness of it all.

But before she could say anything further, Dimitri lean closer and gently pressed a finger to her lips.

"Just keep quiet for now," he said with a small smile tugging at his lips....warm, protective, and unwavering. "Let Liam and I handle the preparations for this short journey."

He turned slightly, already calculating the logistics in his mind. "List everything you’ll need. Clothes, tokens for prayer, food, charms....whatever it is. Write it down and hand it over to Liam. He’ll make sure everything is arranged properly."

Sorayah swallowed hard. Her throat felt tight, emotions warring inside her chest. She gave a soft nod, unable to find the right words to respond. All she could do now... was comply.