49 Mistresses

[Charles's POV]

It felt like the bath scene happened years ago when in truth, four hours had just passed. Catherine was too exhausted that I had to leave her alone in her room to recuperate.

I chuckled under my breath.

Her stamina definitely needed some improvement, and I would be more than willing to train her every hour if that is what it would take her to get used to my size.

I knew she was angry at me. She hated me for turning her into a vampire without her consent, and I planned to make it up to her for a lifetime. It was also the reason why I was lenient towards her and allowed her every whims and disobedience.

I closed the book I was reading. It was useless since all I could think about was Catherine and her sweet smell and tender flesh.

It was really hard to control myself after I had a feel of her.

Maybe I would go to her room and watch her sleep again?

After what happened, I was sure that she would avoid me as much as she could. It would probably just last a day or so.

No worries . . .

I had an eternity to woo her and make her all mine — both body and heart. And the first step to that was the mating bond. Our feelings for one another would deepen, and we could communicate with each other with just our thoughts alone.

Knock . . .

Knock . . .

My jolly mood plummeted at the sound of knocks on my office door. It was nearing sunrise, and all the others should be asleep by now. Everyone knew that I liked to be left alone during this time. I didn't sleep, nor did I need rest, so by this time, I was usually in Catherine's room, looking at her while she slept.

Before her, I was just reading books and managing the castle and doing my role as a pureblood in the Razim Kingdom which, to be honest, I found dull and unappealing. No wonder many vampires chose to hibernate.

There was only one vampire who would disturb me at this time.

"Come in, Veronica."

Veronica entered my office, fully dressed in a violet gown decorated in black laces. Her full cleavage bounced, and her hips swayed as she walked.

"My lord."

"Do you need something?"

". . ." Veronica looked at the side for a brief moment before she met my gaze. Her blue eyes were shaking, and her usual stern face was replaced by worry. "Are you really planning to mate with her?"

"By her, do you mean Catherine?" I pretended to open some files on my table and read their contents. I didn't want to ruin my good mood by talking nonsenses.

"My lord should think it over."

". . ." I took in a deep breath and closed the files. I looked her in the eyes, and her unbending stare was enough to put me in a bad mood.

"The only reason why you are still standing here right before me is because you have stayed with me the longest, Veronica," I said, and she shivered from the lack of warmth in my voice.

"But know your place. I am still the master of this castle."

". . ." Veronica bit her lips and clenched her hands, resisting her tears from slipping to her cheeks.

I sighed and got off my chair. I embraced her against my chest and rubbed her hair.

"Hush now. This is not something to be fussing over."

"My lord . . . this IS something to be fussing over." She grasped my vest and buried her face against my chest.

"I have stayed the longest with you. Even dyed my hair into gold and copied her mannerism hoping that one day, my love and effort would be rewarded . . . but until this day, you have yet to even allow me to drink a drop of your blood.

"While she . . . she had drunk your blood as soon as she got here. But it was fine. I could tolerate it . . . but being your mate?"

She croaked, and I didn't like where this conversation was going.

Veronica looked at me with her tear-covered face, tone begging when she spoke, "Do not do this, my lord. Both you and I know that she is not your mate."

My eyes bled crimson, and I pushed her onto the floor, saving her life from my fangs that wanted to rip her throat.

"She is my mate," I snarled with no room for debate. My fangs bared, and she recoiled onto the carpet. "And whether you like it or not, we will perform the mate bond."

Veronica wept on the floor. She had always been strong, and she rarely cried. She always had a clear head and followed my orders without question. She was my favorite and thus allowed her some privilege that the others have not. She always held a special place in my heart, but I would not have her question my mate.

"Don't forget your place, Veronica," I hissed through my clenching teeth and turned my back on her.

"My Lord . . ." she reached out a hand, but I ignored her and disappeared from the room before I could do and say anything that we might both regret.

I escaped into the garden. The only place I found solace at this hour that the sun would almost hit the sky. The others feared the light and heat, but not me.

I think I was the only vampire that didn't fear the sun, for I was immune to it.

I welcomed the first light onto my skin and basked in its warmth.

A daywalker.

That was my unique ability. I knew where I got it from and certainly not from my deceased pureblood parents. It was a secret. One that I would bring with me to the grave.

The others considered my ability extremely rare, but I just found it convenient.

"My Lord."

I spun to see Patricia not far from me with just a silk covering her face from the light. She shouldn't be here. It was dangerous for her to even graze the sun, especially she was just wearing a nightgown. And for the love of Razim, it was so thin and see-through. Her huge breasts stood proud, and its erect tips were apparent, as well as the hair on her pelvis.

"What are you doing? You shouldn't be out in the sun," I said, voice calm, hiding my impatience. I didn't want to deal with her too. Did she and Veronica plan this?

"My lord. I heard that you're going to mate with Lady Catherine? Is that true?"

I sighed and felt a headache coming. "Yes."

Patricia's face buckled, and fat tears rolled on her cheeks. If Veronica's charms lay on her stern, mature face, Patricia undoubtedly relied on her cute face and alluring physique.

"But . . . why?" her voice quivered. "We have stayed longer and obeyed your every command. Even if there are dozens of us, I am contented as long as you are unmated and give us your affection equally. But if you claimed her, what would happen to us? To me?"

I think there was a misunderstanding here. Yes, they were my lovers, but I didn't promise them anything. Not my loyalty. Not my time. And certainty, not my affection.

I think they have mistaken me as a kind man who always had a smile on his face. The one who they could depend on for power and status and would spoil them with my body and luxury.

But it was far from the truth. I was impatient and easily angered. I just lived long enough not to show it.

"There seemed to be a misunderstanding." I couldn't blame them. It was my fault for not setting the boundaries all these years. I have spoiled them long enough.

"I do equally cherish you, Veronica, and Lizbeth. But Catherine is my mate. She is and forever will receive most of my affection.

"If you're not okay with that, then my doors are open. You are free to go."

Patricia's eyes rounded before her face buckled into a sob. "My Lord, how could you say that? After all that we've been through? You're just going to abandon us for a woman that you've just met?"

My fangs bared, and I was holding her by the throat in a blink.

"I think I have been so lenient and forgiving these past years that you've forgotten who your master is. Whatever is my decision is none of your concern. I will mate with Catherine, and that is final."

I pushed her onto the shaded path and turned my back. "I will pretend that we didn't have this conversation. But this will be the last time I will tolerate your disobedience and your outright disrespect of questioning my mate."