Stolen by the Beastly Lycan King-Chapter 63: Then What Do You Think, Princess?

"Cheated?" Lorelai repeated. "How do you know?"

"Because I was cheating too."

That revelation made the princess recoil in surprise.

Truthfully, she should have expected this much; after all, Rhaegar's winning streak was just too good to be true. But who would have thought that there was still someone else who had managed to see through his tricks?

"Then what does that mean? If that man could cheat as well, why did not he try to do it earlier?"

Rhaegar took a moment to think, then answered coldly. "He needed that slave. Either for himself or someone else."

Lorelai widened her eyes. "Do you think that man works for Duke Kalder? But... if he needed that slave to stay in his possession, then why show him to us in the first place?"

"To annoy me," the king said, his voice turning even colder. "Or warn me."

The princess gasped, remembering something important. 'The queen's note... was it their plan all along?'

Rhaegar offered her a questioning look but she only shook her head dismissively, resorting to changing the subject. "What are you going to do with the slaves you won?"

"My men will move them across the border, back to the Beast Kingdom. We have rehabilitation programs for freed slaves, the sages will help them get better."

"Good," the princess sighed in relief. "Thank you... Rhaegar."

For some reason, the sound of his name enveloped in her voice made the king feel a little better.

"Your carriage is here," he jerked his chin in the direction of the gates and gave her a light push, urging her to start walking. "I can't escort you further, I'm sorry."

"It's alright," she turned around and smiled at him her usual kind smile. "I am very grateful for everything you have done, King Rhaegar. No matter what others say about you, I want you to know that I do not think the same."

He nodded and watched Lorelai walk away, a tall, slim usher running toward her, offering his assistance.

He then took out a black herbal cigar and lit it up, jamming it nervously between his lips.

'Then what do you think, princess?'

***

Alim wiped his long, wide sword with the fabric of his torn shirt, his bronze skin shimmering under the moonlight. The bitter scent of his king's herbal cigars made him frown––while it was medicine to him, to his subordinates, it was nothing more than fragrant poison.

"An ambush?" Rhaegar asked as he blew a thick puff of gray smoke.

"Yes. As expected, Duke Kalder's men," Alim confirmed.

"He is so predictable, it's disappointing."

The king leaned back in his bed, pressing his back against the carved headrest behind him. "Slaves?"

"They are now being moved across the border. Gian's pack is going to watch over them from all the fronts."

"Good."

The news was reassuring, but Rhaegar still did not feel at ease. "Something is wrong," he spoke again, his voice cold, yet emotionless. "I have met someone very strange last night."

"Oh?" Alim arched his thick brown eyebrows, curious. "What do you mean by strange?"

"A gambler who had cheated me out of the gladiator slave."

"What? Someone was able to cheat you out?" Alim found it hard to believe but Rhaegar nodded, confirming his words.

"That's what I find so strange. He cheated the same way I did."

"It cannot be... Are you saying that man was––"

"Yes," the king cut him off. "He was a Gypsy."

Rhaegar's words refused to sink into Alim's mind. While he was not very familiar with the nomadic culture of his king's people, there was one thing he knew for sure––betrayal was not an option for them.

And that could only mean one thing––there was a traitor in their tribe. And he sided with the enemy.

"What do you want us to do?" Alim asked, ready to take orders.

Rhaegar put his cigar out and closed his tired eyes, feeling the tension finally leaving his muscles.

"Nothing for now. That man may not be one of them after all; perhaps he's merely a spectator. But do send Gian to check the settlement tomorrow. If someone is indeed trying to impersonate one of my people, I want to know who—and, most importantly, why."