Chapter No.28 Fenrir (3/3)

[Aditya's POV]

"Fenrir, Let's go, I think its time for dinner and Draupadi might be looking for me," I said as I called for the little bundle of mischief running around the garden.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the Royal Gardens in a warm glow that seemed to accentuate the beauty of the flowers and greenery surrounding me. Fenrir, a playful whirlwind of fur and energy, scampered at my feet, his golden eyes sparkling with excitement.

As we made our way toward the palace, the mood shifted slightly. I could feel a presence behind me, an unsettling energy that contrasted sharply with the joy Fenrir brought. Draupadi had an uncanny ability to sense when I was trying to escape her watchful gaze, and now that I had awakened Fenrir, I couldn't shake the feeling that she would want to meet him.

Sure enough, as I entered the palace, I caught sight of Draupadi standing in the grand hall, her figure illuminated by the soft light of the chandeliers above. Her eyes narrowed slightly as they landed on Fenrir, and a smile spread across her face that, while beautiful, held a glint of something possessive.

"Hubby~" she called, her voice lilting and melodic. "I've been looking for you."

As she stepped into my arms and started sniffing my scent, Fenrir's playful bark broke the tension in the air, drawing Draupadi's attention. Her gaze shifted from me to the small wolf pup, and her expression transformed.

"What's this?" she asked, kneeling down to get a better look at Fenrir, her demeanor shifting from affectionate to intensely curious.

I felt a tug of nervousness; Draupadi was known for her strong emotions, and I wasn't sure how she'd react to my new companion. "This is Fenrir," I said cautiously, trying to gauge her reaction. "He's… um, my new companion."

Fenrir, sensing the change in atmosphere, stepped forward and sniffed at Draupadi, his tail wagging furiously. It was an innocent gesture, but I could see the way Draupadi's eyes narrowed, as if assessing a potential rival for my affection.

"Fenrir," she repeated, letting the name roll off her tongue as if tasting it. "He's adorable." A smile crept back onto her face, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "But are you sure he's safe?"

Her protective instincts were kicking in, and I could feel the possessiveness radiating from her. "He's just a pup, and you are my wifey~" And just like that her expression melted like a snowflake on a warm day, her possessiveness momentarily quelled by a surge of affection.

"I know," she said softly, reaching out to stroke Fenrir's fur. "But you can never be too careful. He could be dangerous, you know?"

I chuckled nervously, trying to lighten the mood. "I think I can handle a playful pup, Draupadi. Besides, Fenrir is more than he seems."

Her gaze lingered on Fenrir, assessing him as if trying to discern the depth of his power. The atmosphere in the grand hall shifted as her focus returned to me, a possessive light dancing in her eyes. "I suppose he will have to earn my trust, then," she declared, straightening up with newfound determination.

With that, she took a step closer to me, wrapping her arms around my waist and leaning her head against my shoulder. "Just promise me you won't let anything happen to him. He's part of our family now, and we need to protect what's ours."

The way she spoke sent a shiver down my spine. There was a fierce devotion in her tone, and it wasn't just directed at me; Fenrir was already becoming part of the territory she was fiercely guarding. "Of course, Draupadi. I promise," I replied, meeting her gaze with sincerity. "He'll be safe with me."

"Oh~ How about Fenrir become our child? We can practice with him till we have our own children." Draupadi's smile transformed into an expression of intense desire, her eyes sparkling with an almost feverish excitement.

I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing to catch up with her declaration. Our child? It was a sweet sentiment, but the way she spoke sent a chill through me. There was something unsettling in the fervor with which she embraced the idea, as if she was already planning our future family without any hesitation.

"Uh, that sounds… interesting," I replied cautiously, glancing down at Fenrir, who was blissfully unaware of the complex emotions swirling around us. "But let's take it one step at a time. Fenrir is still a pup; we should focus on bonding with him first."

Draupadi's eyes narrowed slightly, the intensity of her gaze unwavering. "Of course, but remember, our bond is special. You and I, we are meant to be together—forever. Fenrir will just be an extension of that bond."

She knelt down, looking directly at Fenrir. "And you," she cooed, "will be the best little wolf in the world, won't you?" Fenrir tilted his head, his ears perking up as if he understood every word she said.

The atmosphere shifted once again, and I could feel Draupadi's possessiveness weaving itself into Fenrir's place in our lives. It was both endearing and frightening. I had awakened Fenrir for companionship, but I could sense that Draupadi's fierce devotion would envelop him just as it enveloped me.

I looked at Fenrir with mock pity, poor child would soon learn the depths of our unique family dynamic. The little wolf pup seemed blissfully unaware, bouncing around our feet and occasionally nipping playfully at Draupadi's skirts.

"Come on, Fenrir," I said with a chuckle, trying to break the tension that hung in the air. "It's time for dinner."

As I walked into the dinning hall, saw my foster father Mahamantri Siddharth already sitting on the right side of the main chair seemingly waiting for us.

"Ah! You both—what 'that' thing doing inside the palace?" Mahamantri Siddharth asked, a hint of concern lacing his voice as his gaze fell on Fenrir, who was eagerly wagging his tail and sniffing the floor.

"Fenrir is my new companion," I explained, taking a seat at the dining table. Draupadi settled next to me, her hand protectively resting on my thigh as she kept an eye on the little pup. "He's harmless, I promise."

Siddharth raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical but willing to reserve judgment for now. "Just make sure he doesn't cause any trouble. You know how things can get around here, especially with royal guests coming and going."

"Don't worry; I'll keep a close eye on him," I assured, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders.

Draupadi leaned closer to me, whispering just loud enough for only me to hear, "If he causes any trouble, I'll handle it." Her eyes sparkled with an unsettling mix of excitement and determination, and I simply smiled which playfully feed her a piece of chapati soaked in dal.

Dinner commenced, and as platters of delicacies were served, the conversation flowed naturally. We discussed upcoming royal events and the need for security measures given the increasing tensions in the kingdom. Draupadi remained engaged, occasionally glancing at Fenrir, who was now trying to sneak a piece of roasted chapati from my plate.

She chuckled lightly, the sound both sweet and slightly eerie. "I think he has good taste, don't you? Maybe he truly is meant to be our child."

The way she spoke about Fenrir made my stomach twist, the affectionate but possessive undertone of her words sending shivers down my spine. I met her gaze, trying to gauge her seriousness, but her expression was as serene as ever, a gentle smile plastered across her face as if she were simply daydreaming.

"Uh, yes, he has good taste," I replied cautiously, carefully tearing off another piece of chapati to toss to Fenrir. The little wolf pup eagerly caught it, his tail wagging furiously, blissfully unaware of the heavy atmosphere surrounding us.

Mahamantri Siddharth cleared his throat, attempting to steer the conversation back on track. "I trust you've heard about the gathering of nobles at the palace next week? It's crucial we make a strong impression."

"Yes, I've heard," I replied, mentally shifting my focus to the event. "Do you have a specific agenda in mind for the discussions?"

"Well...there might be opposition from few to your coronation, I think you should...prepare for that," Mahamantri Siddharth continued, his tone serious. "Some noble families are still skeptical about your ascension, especially with the recent unrest in neighboring regions. We need to solidify our alliances and dispel any doubts."

Draupadi's demeanor shifted at the mention of opposition, her fingers tightening around my thigh in a way that was both comforting and unsettling. "Let them oppose," she said, her voice low and fierce. "Anyone who stands against you will have to deal with me. I won't allow anyone to threaten what's ours."

I felt a shiver run down my spine at her words. Though her tone was light, there was an undercurrent of intensity that hinted at her willingness to go to great lengths to protect me. "Draupadi, we can handle this diplomatically. Violence isn't necessary," I urged, trying to diffuse the tension.

Her eyes sparkled, a mix of admiration and fervor. "You're right, my love. But it doesn't mean I won't be ready to defend you if the need arises." She leaned in closer, her lips brushing against my ear as she whispered, "I'll do anything for you, Aditya. You know that, right?"

I nodded, trying to maintain my composure. "Yes, I know. But let's focus on the dinner for now." I gestured toward the platters of food, hoping to steer the conversation back to lighter topics.

Siddharth chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, at least we can enjoy a good meal while we plan for our future. What do you think about inviting the nobles for a feast? A chance for you to win them over, Aditya."

"That's a great idea," I agreed, grateful for the distraction. "We could showcase the kingdom's prosperity and strength through a grand celebration. It might help ease their concerns."

"Perfect!" Draupadi chimed in, her enthusiasm palpable. "I can help organize everything. We can create a beautiful atmosphere—flowers, music, everything! It'll be enchanting."

I could see her mind whirring with ideas, the excitement in her eyes intensifying. But beneath that excitement lay an edge of obsession. I felt the weight of her devotion pressing down on me, like an invisible shroud that wrapped tightly around my heart.

"Let's make sure it's also secure," I interjected, trying to keep the focus balanced. "We don't want any surprises. I need to feel safe, and I'm sure the guests would appreciate a well-organized event without any hiccups."

Draupadi nodded eagerly, her eyes shining. "Of course! I'll ensure that everything is perfect and everyone feels safe. You just focus on being the charming prince you are."

Dinner continued, the platters of food gradually diminishing as we discussed plans for the feast. Fenrir, blissfully unaware of the underlying tension, played happily at my feet, occasionally looking up for scraps. Every time Draupadi glanced at him, her eyes glimmered with a mixture of adoration and a hint of something darker—an eagerness to protect what she perceived as hers.

As dessert was served—sweet, fragrant gulab jamun—Draupadi leaned in close again. "Hubby~" she whispered, her breath warm against my skin. "I made those especially for you, taste it, it will filled with my 'love'."

As she spoke, I felt a thrill of excitement mixed with apprehension. I could see the gleam in her eyes as she held out a piece of the gulab jamun, her expression a mix of innocence and something more intense. The delicate dessert glistened under the chandelier light, and the syrup dripped slightly from the sides.

I took the offered piece, my heart racing as I bit into it. The sweetness enveloped my senses, but the warmth of her gaze was even more intoxicating. "This is amazing, Draupadi," I said, trying to convey my genuine appreciation. "You really outdid yourself."

"Only the best for my husband," she replied, her voice soft and sultry, laced with a hint of possessiveness. "You deserve every sweetness in the world."

The underlying tension from before lingered in the air, palpable as if the room itself was holding its breath. I could feel Fenrir nudging my leg, seeking attention as he tried to snatch another piece of food from the table. I chuckled softly, attempting to deflect Draupadi's intensity. "It seems someone is eager for dessert too."

Draupadi's gaze shifted to Fenrir, a smile spreading across her face. "He'll have to wait. You're my priority," she said, the words rolling off her tongue like a promise—or a warning.

I noticed Siddharth watching us, an amused yet concerned expression on his face. "You two seem quite the pair," he commented, trying to lighten the mood. "It's good to see such affection, especially with everything brewing in the kingdom."

"Affection is vital," Draupadi said, her tone unwavering as she kept her eyes locked on me. "And I'll always ensure Aditya feels cherished and safe."

Oh~ You don't know, I am the safest with Fenrir—The Great Devourer.

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[To Be Continue]

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