The King's Wife Is The Alpha's Mate

***

After studying with Katherine for several days, Sophie showed great progress. She didn't think that she would be able to pick up a book again after she left the life behind her in Hastings and no longer attended Cawden Academy to go back to Hauntingen. Yet here she was with an opportunity to learn.

"Did I record this correctly?" Sophie showed the ledger to Katherine who gave her an approving nod.

"Yes, you've done them all so well, Sophie. You're a fast learner as usual." Katherine laughed. "I think you won't be needing me soon."

"I'd still love to have you around as my tutor though. I am not skilled yet." Sophie smiled in relief and continued with computing the sums and other journals provided upon her. "I hope Duke Romanov will continue letting me study from you."

The work involved was actually kind of nice and she enjoyed double-checking and even triple-checking if she got the digits correctly and if they were truly accurate to the last copper coin.

A part of Sophie always wished and desired to be an educated woman.  While it was true that her life in Blackwoods Forest was peaceful and happy with her family and even Nicholas in the past, the desire to always travel and go around the continent was always there.

She wanted to explore.  Sophie wished to learn and experience what other things the world could offer to her. Education was one of the many ways that helped Sophie realize her dream and could help her make it a possibility.

Perhaps once her child was born and the circumstances were right, Sophie could travel with her child and take them wherever the wind might take them. The rich culture, life, and people would help ease the pain of loss.

Before the two women knew it, a knock would come from the door, and not too long after, Leland would step inside of her room and greet the two ladies. His eyes were on Sophie alone, but he inclined his head in greeting both women.

"I've come to check on the progress of Miss Hansley," Duke Romanov said. "How did it go?"

"Sophie is doing splendidly, my lord. She learns fast and I don't think I have a lot more to teach her," Lady Katherine spoke proudly as she curtseyed in front of the duke. She would indicate to Sophie and smile. "You can check it yourself if you wish."

Sophie was a bit nervous but nodded her head. "You can take a look if it is to your standard, your grace."

Leland would do just that, he stepped close to Sophie and leaned down to inspect the records and the neat penmanship, and even checked on what she was doing.

She found herself a bit nervous at his close contact.

Somehow, whenever Duke Romanov was around, a part of Sophie's heart started beating fast and his presence alone made her a bit nervous for some reason. He did nothing that was uncharacteristic or ingermane at all. So, she didn't understand why she always had this reaction when he came near her.

Was it because he once told her that he was interested in her?

The man was even actually a bit distant because he was not used to how to approach Sophie now that she was older and their relationship was unlike how it used to be. However, he would indicate one line at the bottom of the worksheet.

"You normally double rule that, or mark that with two lines if I remember correctly?"

"Oh, thank you. I will fix that right now, my lord," Sophie's eyes widened and she stood up beside the Duke with her quill. Now that the two of them stood together, their shoulders brushed against each other.

"Everything else is actually correct and that's the only thing that I noticed, you do not need to thank me." Duke Romanov nodded before he reached out and patted her shoulder. "Great job, Miss Hansley. Keep up the work."

It was a simple pat on the shoulder but the way that the man's hand touched Sophie's shoulder was a bit awkward. Almost as if he wasn't used to actually dealing with people closely and neither did Sophie expect him to do that.

Once the man left her place of study Sophie heaved a sigh of relief. She was happy the duke found her work to be acceptable.

She didn't want him to give her a job purely out of pity or because he was interested in her romantically or sexually. She wanted him to actually think she was smart enough and was capable for the job.

***

A noble's gathering soon came up in the capital and Duke Romanov was invited to attend the event as one of the main guests. Leland didn't want to leave and attend it, but it was necessary that he mingled with the human nobility and became closer to the royal family by proxy.

Sooner or later, Duke Romanov would receive an invitation to dwell in the capital and that would bring him closer to his goal of destroying the royal family.

Before the Alpha left, he ordered Duncan and Max to watch over Sophie and guard over her because he trusted them.

Leland towered over the lycans and gave them one look. He was aware that some disloyal pack members might pull something while he was gone.

"Protect her with your life," Leland said. "If anything were to happen to Sophie, you will be held responsible."

"Y-yes, Alpha." Duncan felt himself wavering in the Alpha's gaze as if the man was asking him to die for Sophie. That was the intensity that Leland showed but Duncan simply bowed his head and said yes.

"Good." Leland nodded.

He would make sure that everything was in good order in the castle before he finally left for the capital. Even though his interactions with Sophie were sparse and few in between, he was hoping that the two of them could become closer once he returned.

Leland knew that Sophie was grieving and that there was a time to mourn… but he was hoping that little by little, the sorrows that afflicted Sophie's heart were slowly but surely healing.

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From Missrealitybites:

Still feeling exhausted from the full-day webinars and I just want to sleep for days. I'll get back to your comments soonest. xx