Chapter 73: Ch 73. Second Wolf Lord

Selena looked at the bruises on Kav and Kev’s backs; this prompted her to gently place her hand on the bruises and close her eyes to figure out how to treat them.

"It’s not too bad, but it does need to be treated. You just need to apply the ointment I’ll make, and then you’ll recover," Selena said, then withdrew her hand. "I’ll make the ointment; don’t force yourselves to move around too much for now."

Kav and Kev nodded, while Selena sat down at the table where she usually concocted her remedies. Vee arrived carrying some energy-boosting soup; she’d made it on purpose because Selena looked so exhausted today. Moreover, Selena didn’t want to be bothered right now and had already prepared several remedies using ingredients they’d gathered in the forest two days ago. She explained that if she didn’t make them now, the ingredients would wilt and become unusable.

"Your Majesty, please drink this soup so you’ll feel better," said Vee, then moved behind Selena and began massaging her. "You look quite tired; I don’t want you to get sick again."

Selena smiled, took the bowl, and drank it calmly. Vee smiled, continuing to massage Selena, hoping it might help her body feel better.

"The kings aren’t around; they’ve been incredibly busy catching up on matters that had been neglected these past few days. They kept telling me earlier to make sure you got some rest, but I couldn’t do that because you wouldn’t let me," Vee said, making Selena smile.

"I’ll take a short nap later. I’m going to make some ointment for the bruises on Kav and Kev’s backs. Besides, I sleep better at night. Since they’ve given me time to recover, I don’t need to rush. It’ll be better to take care of a few things that have been weighing on my mind first—at least then I won’t be fretting on my own," she replied, making Vee sigh.

There was just no way—Vee didn’t dare to keep bossing Selena around. This woman had her own opinions and decisions; besides, she was not only the Queen but also a healer. Even though she couldn’t heal herself 100%, since she still needed help.

"I know what you’re thinking, but I’m asking for help to heal myself too—for their sake. They also stand to gain just as much as I do—saving lives and something important. So, it really is a mutually beneficial relationship," Selena said casually, making Vee swallow hard.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I was truly presumptuous to think that way," Vee replied, bowing her head.

Selena gave a small smile. "It’s okay, I was just explaining. Actually, I don’t like any of them, and none of them like me either. So we’re on equal footing," she replied, causing Vee to press her lips together.

"I briefly considered letting my condition deteriorate yesterday—maybe dying would’ve been better since I wouldn’t have to bother thinking about the names of medicines or the types of potions needed. But I can’t—I can’t live just for myself; I really have to live so I can heal all of you," she replied, causing Vee to look at her with concern.

"Your Highness... No wonder you want to separate from them even though you can’t get a divorce."

"Yes, I don’t love them, and they don’t love me either. A divorce would be better, but the problem is there’s no such thing as divorce here. I even have to hold on until I can give birth to their child, but I don’t intend to just stand still and go along with everything I’m supposed to do. The gods say that this is indeed painful at first, but I have to endure it because my path in life has already been set—it can’t be changed."

Vee was speechless while Selena had already asked her to massage her right shoulder. She was truly exhausted; the effects of last night’s lovemaking were still very strong, and that meant Selena hadn’t felt any emotional turmoil yet. But since her life energy had returned, it made her feel better as she went about her life.

Soon, the fox servant—who had been acting as a messenger for the past few days—approached her. The woman bowed politely, then looked at Selena, who was eating her soup.

"Your Majesty, the kings are away, but the Second Wolf Lord has just arrived and requests to see you," the fox servant said, causing Selena to raise an eyebrow.

"The Second Wolf Lord? Who is that?"

With a slightly hesitant expression, the fox servant replied, "His Majesty the Wolf King’s uncle—the younger brother of the former Wolf King," she explained.

Selena kept her eyebrows raised and sat calmly. She remembered Stoner’s story from yesterday about his strained relationship with his father, as well as those useless uncles of his—all because his father wanted his younger brothers to become kings.

Now, this man wants to see her? What does he want?

"Why not just summon the Wolf King? What does he have to do with me?" Selena replied casually.

"I don’t know, Your Majesty. Earlier, I greeted him and told him that none of the kings were here—including the Wolf King—but he said he wanted to meet the Queen. So I brought him here," said the fox servant, causing Selena to let out a weary sigh.

However, she knew that the man wouldn’t just go away if she didn’t meet him. As it happened, Selena wanted to know where Stoner’s mother was being hidden by them, so she calmly stood up, followed by Vee.

"Your Majesty, do you want to meet him?"

"Hmm, I’m curious what he wants to tell me."

"But you’d better rest—they’re not good people."

"I know—it’s precisely because they aren’t good people that I want to meet him. Stoner is so arrogant; I’m curious about the men associated with his father. Stoner said they have a pretty serious conflict, so I want to see how things are and what that man wants." Selena said calmly, while Vee looked quite worried.

"Should I call the Wolf King? I’m sure there’s still time; in any case, it would be better if he came too," the fox servant offered.

"No need. I’m sure he already knows his uncle is here. Just let him handle his own business—he has serious problems he needs to resolve," Selena said casually. "I can handle this on my own; you don’t need to worry."

Vee and the fox servant grew worried again, but seeing Selena walking calmly and in full control, they became more confident that everything would be all right.

"Where’s the meeting place?"

"The Second Wolf Lord is already waiting in the Wolf King’s main hall, Your Majesty. If he’s already there, that means this discussion will be very serious—he didn’t want me to escort you to the reception room," said the fox attendant, causing Selena to click her tongue.

But she didn’t say anything else; she simply continued walking calmly until she arrived at the Wolf King’s main hall.

Vee and the fox attendant opened the door, and Selena calmly stepped inside, pausing briefly when she saw the middle-aged man with a haughty expression sitting on the throne—the official seat belonging to Stoner as King.

On what grounds does he have the audacity to sit there? Does he think he’s the king? Even the king’s official mother has her own designated seat—let alone this man, who holds no official title or position in the Wolf Kingdom.

"Ah, it seems the Wolf Kingdom’s daughter-in-law has arrived." The man said with a clearly feigned expression of joy. "Come here, sit down... Why are you just standing there? Come talk to me—I’m your husband’s uncle."

Selena gave a wry smile, her face betraying an air of arrogance and an unfriendly glare toward the man. She walked calmly over, climbed onto the throne, and before sitting down, she stared at him with a composed expression.

"Uh, why did you climb up there? As a daughter-in-law, you’re supposed to be down there, sitting below. You don’t know the rules of the Wolf world, do you?" said the man, raising an eyebrow.

Selena gave a wry smile. "I know—I know very well. That’s why I’m surprised there’s someone as inconsiderate and embarrassing as you," she said emotionlessly, causing the Second Wolf Lord to glare at her sharply.

"What do you mean?! You’ve only just met me, and you’re already being rude!"

"There’s no need to be polite to a man like you. I am the queen, and my husband is the Wolf King. As a man who holds no position within the Palace, your rightful place is down there. You have no business sitting in the King’s chair," Selena said flatly, pointing to the chair down below.

The Second Wolf Lord clenched his fists so tightly that the veins stood out on his palms and his claws began to emerge. However, Selena stared at him without flinching, her tone utterly firm as she spoke.

"Step down, or shall I escort you to the seat below? As it happens, I’m not very patient, so you’d better think about which option is more advantageous for you. Because out there, the guards from the Wolf Clan are quietly eavesdropping on our conversation."

"Do you want me to humiliate you, or will you step down on your own, Second Wolf Lord?"