billion book
Chapter 190
It was a given that Sebastian would bump into Lucianne. With nothing but annoyance, the Lycan King muttered, “You've got to be f* cking kidding me.” 1
He dashed out of the door, and the first thing he heard Lucianne said was, “I killed her. I'm not sorry that I did it but I am sorry for your loss.” Sebastian's voice was soft and gentle when he responded, “She would've continued to find ways to hurt you if you kept her alive anyway, my Queen.”
When Xandar came to Lucianne’s side, his hand instinctively went to her waist as he pecked a kiss on her hair. The King then scowled at Sebastian, who offered a bow and greeted him, “Your Highness.” Xandar nodded curtly in acknowledgment. When Sebastian's head raised, he spoke in remorse, “I deeply apologize for my sister's... crimes, as well as my father's.”
Before Xandar could say that sorry didn't rectify what those two did, Lucianne said, “You need not apologize, Mr Cummings. You did nothing wrong. You didn't collude with your father or your late sister, and you have fully cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation. We should be thanking you for choosing the Kingdom over your family.”
Both men were surprised by how diplomatic Lucianne’s response was. Sebastian took a moment to snap out of it before he said, “I was simply doing what I thought was right, my Queen. I'm glad you approve.” That last line was enough to make Xandar emit a low growl. Lucianne placed her hand on her mate's chest as she spoke to him affectionately, “Darling, it's alright. We're being civil.” 2
The way she touched him and spoke to him managed to calm his bubbling infero, and he pecked a kiss on her forehead before he muttered, “Okay.” Lucianne showed him an adorable smile that pulled his heartstrings, and his rage melted away.
Lucianne tumed back to Sebastian and said, “Thank you for letting me take up your time, MI Cummings. We'll let you get to the visitation now." 2
Sebastian smiled and said, “It really was no issue at all, my Queen.” Lucianne and Xandar only took three steps before Sebastian called out, "My Queen.”
Lucianne turned, bewildered. Next to her, Xandar was cursing under his breath. Sebastian swallowed a lump in his throat before he said, “I really am sorry, for everything.”
For cheating on her. For hurting her. For lying to her. For throwing a fit when he lost to her in combat practice the previous year, For being too egotistical to celebrate her wins. For not defending her when he should have. For leading her on only to break her heart in the end. For everything.
This was definitely a more proper apology compared to the one he tried to make outside the restroom on the first morning of the collaboration, which had nothing but excuses. The apology he made at the refreshments table the other day was not sincere either since there was an ulterior motive to win Lucianne back despite her already being bonded to Xandar.
The apology Sebastian was making now, however, had no excuses, no blame-shifting and no ulterior motives. Just a sincere expression of regret with a guilty demeanor, taking full accountability for what happened between them.
Lucianne offered a small smile, and said sincerely, “Thank you, Mr Cummings.” She then returned her sights to Xandar, and pulled him by his arm before entering the room where the alliance, Duke and Duchess were eavesdropping through the door that was left ajar
The moment they entered the room, Xandar took his mate's hand that Greg kissed and trailed it along his neckline before positioning it over his mouth to suck on it. After Xandar was satisfied that Greg's scent had been completely wiped off HIS mate, they began discussing what to do with Greg again.
After an hour, the monarchy’s recommendation was finally concluded: two whips per week for an imprisonment period of fifty years, and a fine double of the stolen value. Christian wanted it to be ten whips per day but Annie fiercely talked him out of it. The Duchess recommended cutting out whipping entirely but this was overruled by everyone except Lucianne. Two whips got the majority's agreement.
###
When that was done, they left the police station in their respective cars. Before Xandar started driving, he took Lucianne’s hand and pecked a kiss on the back before asking in a soft voice, “Baby, when do you want to get married?”
Lucianne blinked at his question as she muttered, “Right. The date hasn't been set yet. Uh...when do you want it?”
Xandar chuckled and said, “About a month ago, when I met you.” Lucianne narrowed her eyes and asked, “Do you have a date that's not in the past, my love?” 1
"Next week?"
“I don't think we can plan a wedding in a week, darling. How about six months from now?”
Xandar groaned and complained, “Too long.”
“Four months?” Lucianne tried again.
He leaned in to smell her neck as he muttered, “That's still too long, baby. I'm starting to think that you don’t want this beast to be your husband.”
“Xandar, you know that's not it. It's not just the planning. If you want any guests at the wedding at all, you've got to give them some kind of notice in advance so they can save the date for us.”
He groaned again and muttered, “Over-considerate Queen.” After pecking a kiss on her cheek, he asked, “How about in two months?” “Three.”
Xandar sighed and said, “Fine. And your coronation?”
Lucianne shrugged and responded, “Anytime after you meet former- Alpha Ken and former-Luna Janice is fine with me.”
“In a month's time, then? We'll leave for Blue Crescent after the collaboration, come back, then crown you.”
Lucianne nodded and said, “Yeah, okay.”
When Xandar still didn't start driving, Lucianne looked at him and asked, “What? You want to plan the whole wedding in the car, Xandar?” Xandar chuckled and nuzzled her nose as he said in an affectionate voice, “I'm just thinking about our honeymoon.”
Lucianne’s heart melted, and she pecked a kiss on his nose before saying, “We have a lot of time to discuss that, my love. Why don't we just take a drive back for now? If we stay here any longer, Dalloway is going to think we still have business to deal with in the police station.” “Okay.” Xandar whispered as he stared at her dreamily before pecking a kiss on her lips, uttering, “I love you, Lucy.” “I know, Xandar. I love you, too.”