MATE KIND OF LOVE

VICIAN'S POV

I found myself gasping for breath after that faceless woman visited me in my dreams again. She has been visiting me in my sleep for almost a month now, but I still cannot completely see her face. All I can remember is her shiny black hair, her fair skin, her slim and somewhat tall figure, and of course, the scent of her hair. It is just like the smell of my favorite sweet hot chocolate—fresh, aromatic, and intoxicating.

I stood up and opened the window of my room, hoping to let the usual bright rays of the rising sun warm my skin and clear my blurry vision. But, alas, a cold drizzle greeted me instead, which took me by surprise. Is it already time for the rainy season? As far as I know, we are still in the very midst of the summer heat.

After a while, three gentle knocks on my door broke the silence, followed by the familiar voice that has greeted me every day since I was a teenager. "Good morning, Alpha King. Breakfast is ready. Would you like to have it served here, Your Highness?" He bowed his head respectfully the moment I turned around to face him.

"Viceroy Juanti, have the chief maid bring my breakfast to the Alpha King's study chamber. I will be there in a minute," I commanded in my signature authoritative tone.

"As you wish, Your Highness," my Viceroy replied. He excused himself, offering another deep bow before leaving the room.

Viceroy Juanti was my father’s loyal viceroy, whom I decided to retain in his position when I was crowned as the new Alpha King following my father’s heroic and historic death six years ago. I was only nineteen years old at the time, which technically left me as an orphan in the hands of Viceroy Juanti; my Grand Nanny, whom I dearly love and treasure; and my spinster Aunt Cleo, my mother's sister, who would have been married to my King Father if not for his untimely passing.

My Queen Mother had died when I was only fifteen years old due to an alleged stomach disease that even our best doctors in the Kingdom could not cure.

Unknown to everyone, my mother's death made me highly restless. I never believed that she died from a natural illness originating in her stomach. I still harbor deep doubts to this day—doubts that I am determined to investigate. I am absolutely serious about uncovering the truth: whether my mother’s death was indeed caused by that sudden illness, or if there was foul play that has been kept hidden throughout the years.

I made my way to my study chamber, where I found my breakfast already laid out beautifully by our chief maid. My Viceroy was also there, standing quietly near the round table. He always makes sure to personally oversee my meals, ensuring they are free from poison or any dangerous substances.

"Your Highness, please take your seat. I will test the food in front of you to ensure everything is safe to eat," he said, pulling out a separate spoon designated solely for his food tasting. This was his daily ritual. He always insisted that if my food were ever poisoned, he would gladly die first to save me. Therefore, he had to taste every dish.

"I am still standing, Your Highness. Please enjoy your breakfast," my Viceroy said with a warm smile once he finished his tasting routine.

"Thank you," I murmured, nodding to him before beginning my meal.

After I finished eating, Viceroy Juanti cleared his throat and spoke up, looking a little uneasy. "Your Highness, I have two very important matters to discuss with you. Would you like to hear them now?"

I looked at him and nodded. "Go on. What are they?"

"Which one would you like me to discuss first, Your Highness? The good news, or the bad news?"

"The good news first." I wiped my mouth with a silk table napkin, bracing myself for his report.

"Very well. The good news is that your Grand Nanna Munda is finally free from her fever. She is doing well now and was actually in the kitchen this morning, checking if your breakfast was prepared correctly by the chefs, and complaining loudly when she noticed there was a missing dish on the menu," Viceroy Juanti said, smiling warmly.

I almost laughed. My Grand Nanna Munda was indeed a feisty, unstoppable woman. "Good. Tell her to join me for lunch."

My Viceroy cleared his throat again before continuing, and I looked up, raising an eyebrow at his hesitation.

"And for the bad news... ahem, the Council of Elders is starting to question your sexuality, Your Highness." My Viceroy quickly lowered his gaze after delivering the words.

My brow furrowed deeply. "What about my sexuality?" I tried to keep my composure, but the quiet, dangerous tone of my voice made it clear that I was highly offended.

"Forgive me, my Alpha King, for bringing this up," Viceroy Juanti spoke gently, choosing his words with extreme care to avoid angering me further. "But the Council of Elders is doubting whether you are capable of producing an heir to secure your throne. It has been six years since you were crowned, and they are growing incredibly impatient to meet your Luna Queen. This is a highly delicate and crucial matter."

I looked at my Viceroy, whose head remained bowed in respect. "She is already visiting me in my dreams. You will meet her very soon," I declared with an air of absolute confidence.

At this, my Viceroy’s head snapped up, and a wide, bright smile spread across his face.

“What is the meaning of that smile, Viceroy Juanti?” I asked, my forehead still creased.

Viceroy Juanti’s smile only grew wider. “It means, Your Highness, that our Luna Queen will soon arrive in this Kingdom, and with her, the heir to the throne who will secure your clan’s legacy until the end of time.”

I looked at my Viceroy and smiled, a newfound sense of hope slowly filling my soul. Ah, my Mate, my future Luna Queen, where are you? When will we finally meet? These thoughts filled my mind, and a sudden, deep longing pulled tightly at my heart.

VICIAN’S POV

"My Alpha King, that is absolutely wonderful news. I know the Council of Elders will be glad to hear this. By the way, the King of the Kingdom of Cogno has sent a message inviting Your Highness to attend the coronation of his eldest daughter as First Princess, now that she has reached adulthood. She recently celebrated her eighteenth birthday," my Viceroy said, his eyes glowing with excitement.

"I know the intentions of the King of Cogno. He wants me to evaluate his daughter for a possible union," I retorted, shaking my head with a knowing smirk.

"Your Highness, have you seen the face of the woman visiting your dreams yet?" Viceroy Juanti suddenly asked.

I shook my head. "Not yet, but I will know it is her the moment I meet her."

"What if she is actually the daughter of the King of Cogno?" My Viceroy spoke gently, his eyes shining with newfound hope.

I was speech