The next day rolled in so dramatically fast, as if time itself were excited to witness Cassian's doom.
Opening his eyes while lying on his side, a huge plushie trapped in his arms and legs, Cassian's first reaction was to sigh heavily.
"I just closed my eyes, and it's already morning," he grumbled, burying his face into the soft plushie. "This is just the worst."
Slowly, Cassian peeked over the plushie, his cheeks flushed with frustration over one thing. He didn't care if Victor would get angry at him; his brother could always make up a lie to soften the humiliation. What truly frustrated Cassian was the fact that he wouldn't be able to see Lynsandra until the next full moon.
He closed his eyes again and huffed, reminded that he still needed to give his brother a call about the situation.
"This is so unfair," he muttered as he lazily rolled onto his back. "I can't even see her—ahh! I see her!"
Cassian's laziness and the heaviness in his heart vanished the moment he fully turned onto his back, and there she was.
For a second, his breath hitched as his heart leaped straight into his throat, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Standing right beside the bed with her arms crossed and eyes cold was… her.
Lynsandra.
Cassian blinked a few times. When realization finally dawned on him, his face brightened instantly.
"Lizzie!" he cheered, sitting up and spreading his arms wide for a hug.
But just as he moved, a finger pressed firmly against his forehead.
"Huh?" He froze, his smile stiffening as he met her gaze. "Lizzie?"
Lynsandra's index finger rested against his forehead, her eyes narrowing. After hearing what this man had done, she had taken the earliest flight back. When she arrived, she found him sleeping deeply—peacefully, even—as if completely unaware of the mess he had created.
She scanned his naturally charming face despite his current morning-wreck appearance.
"Meet me in my study after you wash up," she said as she withdrew her finger. "I believe you already know why. And I hope you have a reasonable explanation for carelessly using my name to make promises."
With that, she turned and walked out without waiting for a response.
Cassian opened and closed his mouth, staring at her retreating figure.
"A reasonable explanation?" he murmured. "For what?"
A few seconds passed before realization slammed into him. He clutched his already messy hair.
"Oh no!"
And just when one might think his thoughts would finally align with everyone else's, he leapt out of bed and rushed straight into the bathroom—specifically, to the mirror.
His heart stopped.
Messy hair. Slight dark circles under his eyes. Dry skin. And—oh no—a tiny pimple just above his right brow.
For the past few days, he had been carefully grooming himself, perfecting every detail of his appearance. He wanted Lynsandra to feel refreshed just by looking at him, the most beautiful harem member.
But instead of greeting her as his best self…
She caught him like this.
Cassian's face twisted as he nearly squealed, "No!!!"
*****
Lynsandra focused on the cup of tea resting on its saucer, calmly listening to the soft footsteps approaching her study. She lifted her gaze to meet a pair of beautiful cognac-brown eyes seated across from her on a camelback sofa identical to her own.
Cassian.
His lips were pursed in a pout, his gaze barely lifting as he puffed his cheeks in frustration. Lynsandra ignored the childlike demeanor and returned her attention to the matter at hand.
"Cassian Clark," she said, breaking the silence without preamble, "I heard a rumor—one that you apparently started. How do you plead?"
"Lizzie, I didn't start the rumor!" he protested immediately. "It was just a misunderstanding that somehow blew out of proportion without my permission!"
"A misunderstanding?"
He nodded, fully convinced by his own narrative. "It's my brother's fault for talking to me while that maniac Elias was distracting me. He kept talking even though he knew I wasn't listening. I didn't realize he was saying I'd bring you to his business launch."
"And I didn't think the news would spread so fast!" he added quickly. "Besides, I tried telling you about it once I heard people were already talking. But…"
Cassian sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. "You weren't home," he muttered, puffing his cheeks and looking away. "So unfair."
Silence followed his ridiculous explanation.
Both Lynsandra and Virgo—who stood a few steps behind her—stared at Cassian with mixed expressions. Particularly, a mix of confusion and mild disbelief.
I was expecting remorse, Virgo thought. I am… baffled. I don't believe he understands the gravity of the situation.
Aside from not killing one another, the members of the harem had another duty: never dragging Lynsandra's name—or the Royal Pack's—into scandal or shame or anything to taint their reputation.
Cassian hadn't crossed that line, but he had come dangerously close.
Much to Virgo's surprise, Lynsandra let out a soft chuckle.
"Pfft—"
She closed her eyes and massaged her brow.
Both Virgo and Cassian froze. Cassian blinked innocently, while Virgo frowned even deeper in confusion.
When Lynsandra leaned back and looked at Cassian again, her smile remained.
"Cassian," she hummed, "you were briefed on what not to do once you became part of this final trial, weren't you?"
Cassian nodded with a slight pout, pressing his lips together to suppress a grin. After all, she laughed. To him, that meant she understood it was an honest mistake.
"There were rules you swore to follow," she continued calmly, "one of which was never to drag my name—or the Royal Pack's—into shame. While your actions haven't crossed that line yet, they came close."
Her tone remained even.
"So I'll have to punish you."
The smile on Cassian's face stiffened, right as Lynsandra turned to Virgo.
"Virgo, arrange for some people to make sure Mister Clark relearns every rule," she said. "And make sure he remembers them. Or they'll answer to me instead."
Virgo lowered his head, surprised by her leniency, but he still obeyed nonetheless. "Yes, Luna."
"Cassian," Lynsandra added, turning back to him, "I'll let you off with a light punishment this time. Consider this a warning. There will be no next time."
Cassian beamed, clasping his hands together. "Yes, Lizzie boo! Don't worry! I'll be extra careful next time—hehe!"
"Good."
Satisfied, Lynsandra tapped her finger against the armrest, contemplating her next words.
"As for your brother's business launch…" She paused, her lips curling into a smirk.
"Tell him… your boo will be attending with you."
"Really?!" Cassian's eyes sparkled, his heart racing as he latched onto the teasing title. "We're going? Me and my boo?"
"If we don't," she replied smoothly, "wouldn't that reflect poorly on my name?"
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"Besides," she added, "I'm eager to meet your brother."
Very eager.