94: 94 I Promise You

94 I Promise You

Catherine's POV 1

After I finished speaking, Bud fell into a troubling silence that unsettled me. The underground cell in the Black Tower was excessively spacious, and the candle flames burned steadily and slowly. The flickering light danced in Bud's eyes, as if something was slowly melting within him.

Suddenly, his warm embrace loosened, and the frigid air of the dungeon rushed in, bringing a sharp chill.

"Say that again," Bud said, each word echoing in the dimly lit confrontation. His gaze turned cold, and the corners of his mouth tightened, his deep brown eyes locking onto mine with intensity. His words carried an unexpected anger.

He's angry? I found it intriguing as I observed his expression. I raised an eyebrow, feeling a tinge of surprise.

Interesting. I tilted my head and narrowed my eyes, studying his indignation. This side of Bud was unfamiliar to me. I was used to him obediently following my lead, often forgetting that he was an excellent and powerful general.

I relished the emotional shift he experienced because of me. My heart pounded a little faster, and blood rushed through my body. The anger that Lancaster had stirred in me gradually dissipated, replaced by a different kind of stirring impulse.

"General Bud," I locked eyes with him and let my fingers gently touch his tensed chest, moving upward to the exposed skin above his collar.

"You've always known what kind of person I am, so why do you think I wouldn't gain some advantage from you?" I stared into his eyes, like gazing into an abyss with no end. Though he remained silent, his body betrayed his emotional reaction. I was satisfied to feel the slight tightening of his skin under my touch.

His anger seemed to subside under my touch, like a frenzied hound finding solace in its master's caress. I couldn't help but smile triumphantly. My fingers, still stained with blood, traced over the bite mark I had left on Bud's nape during our last sex.

"Why not agree to this?" I stepped closer to him, entwining my hands around his shoulders like tendrils. My lips brushed against his ear as I spoke, and I gently nibbled on his wheat-colored earlobe, watching it flush red before he shuddered all over.

"We can do anything you desire, I swear to the goddess, Bud." My mouth trailed hotly from his ear to his neck, but I was suddenly pulled into a powerful embrace. Bud held me tightly against his chest. I chuckled, "We can continue this later, Bud."

Before I could finish my sentence, I heard Bud's resolute voice, heavy with seriousness.

"No, I can't agree with that," he said firmly.

My smile froze on my face.

"Listen to me, Catherine. I can't let you do something that breaks the law. Even if I pretend not to know, Kral and the Elders aren't fools. They will surely investigate and find you out."

"I cannot stand by and watch you do something that will inevitably harm you," Bud continued, his words rushed. I couldn't see his face, but I could feel the warm breath he left behind when he spoke into my ear.

A sense of betrayal washed over me, and my emotions erupted like a volcanic eruption beneath the calm surface of the sea.

"Heh," I sneered and then yanked his collar, pinning him against the wall. His armor made a muffled sound as it hit the wall.

"So, your answer is for me to endure all this after what I've been through?" I stared at Bud's composed face, my arms trembling. The last remnants of rationality in my mind crumbled under his calm gaze. I vented all the unease buried deep in my heart to him.

"After tonight's engagement ceremony, I will be sent to the Werebear Kingdom as a bargaining chip," I took a deep breath, restraining my trembling voice, lowering my head so he couldn't see my reddened eyes.

"Tonight is my last chance. I can't just be a pitiful pawn, thrown out of this country. I have to make the instigator pay the price."

I turned my head, fixating on the huddled white figure. The pain and anger had consumed me for days, robbing me of any peace at night, and only his blood splatters could soothe my fractured soul. I pulled out the knife that Bud was carrying. He tried to reach for it but was too slow.

Stepping back, I pointed the blade at him, ignoring his alarmed expression, and coldly stated, "Either you help me kill him, or you kill me."

"Are you forcing me, Catherine?" Bud's chest rose and fell. His gaze flickered, seemingly caught in a struggle.

"Bud, help me!!" Though Lancaster couldn't see what was happening in the dimly lit cell, his acute werewolf hearing allowed him to grasp the situation. The chilling glint of the knife under the candlelight alerted him to the danger.

Having escaped my control, Lancaster did his best to shrink into a corner of the bed, trying to diminish his presence to avoid catching my attention again. Now, he screamed and struggled fiercely against the chains like a pitiful clown.

I watched him wail in agony with cold eyes, the knife in my hand freezing like ice, and then I turned around and walked toward Lancaster.

"I won't let you go to that Werebear Kingdom, and I won't leave you," I declared.

As the blade left a shallow blood mark on Lancaster's forehead, Bud suddenly spoke from behind me.

"What do you mean?" I slowly turned my neck, looking at the armored and imposing figure of the general.

His face was obscured by shadows, and this imposing general appeared particularly gloomy now. He raised his head, and his deep brown eyes gleamed with a hint of sinister light in the darkness, like a wild wolf hunting its prey in the jungle at night.

"Catherine," he flashed me a smile, "I can't let you kill Lancaster now, but I promise you won't go to the Werebear Kingdom. When the time is right, all the people you despise will disappear."

Bud's POV

“Kral, may I come in?" I knocked on the door, holding my breath as I waited.

"Go ahead," Kral's voice rang out. I turned the knob and walked in. Kral sat on a chair in the room, looking slightly surprised when he saw me. He raised an eyebrow and smiled, "General Bud, shouldn't you be arranging the training for the knights?"

"I apologize, Your Highness," I bowed respectfully. When I raised my head again, I met Kral's golden eyes and spoke firmly, "I have a proposal, Your Highness, regarding the exchange of Catherine and the Werebear Kingdom's army."

"Oh, go ahead," Kral said, seemingly unsurprised. His expressions were always inscrutable, making it hard for people to guess or read him, but no one dared to lie in front of him.

"The King of the Werebear Kingdom is already quite old, and his son has a close relationship with the vampires. According to my intelligence, he's on the verge of death. If we send Catherine over, and the King dies soon after, not only will we lose their army's support, but we'll also lose Catherine for nothing. Your Highness, I believe this exchange carries significant risks."

"What's your idea then?" Kral glanced over my face. His gaze was piercing, as if he could see through everything in my heart. So, I quickly lowered my eyes and explained slowly, "I want to escort Catherine to the Werebear Kingdom."

"And then?"

"Once we arrive there, I will ensure the Werebear King guarantees their army's departure."

"No, my general," Kral suddenly interrupted. He stood up from the chair, walked up to me, and pressed down on my shoulders firmly. "In my plan, I expected an accident to happen to the old King of the Werebear Kingdom."

Surprised, I looked up, and Kral gave me a meaningful glance.

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