Chapter 23

Matteo’s POV

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, for being late," Freya said, and I saw her smiling at Dad when I looked at her. She didn't glance at me, so I was sure that she was still mad at me. I know that I had been rude to her and might have scared her earlier. It's just that Ronaldo came to me, telling me that she had disrespected him. In the palace, we learn to respect the elders, regardless of rank. It was basic etiquette for everyone, ranked or not.

"Come on, dear," Dad said and motioned for her to sit next to him. "Matteo said that you are not feeling well," he added.

"Yes, Your Highness," she replied. Eunice was sitting with us along with her father, Ronaldo. They looked happy when I went without my mate, and now that she was here, I could see that they were both furious. Their heartbeats tell me so, too. I looked at my mate and tried to assess her feelings, but I got nothing.

"But I thought that this might be the only time that I would be able to say