Hiding The Alpha King's Twins

Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Fleur hurried through the elegant corridors of one of the city’s most prestigious Michelin starred restaurants, her thoughts tangled with questions.

She still had no idea why Lord Monroe had insisted on meeting her in person.

Over the past several weeks, she had devoted herself entirely to the renovation of his luxury residence. Every design draft, every material selection, and every adjustment had been approved only after consulting him. Whenever he requested changes, she made them immediately.

Everything had been progressing smoothly. So why the urgent summons?

Exhaustion weighed heavily on her shoulders.

She had barely slept. Worse, she had not returned home since the previous night.

Although her career often required travel and long hours, this time felt different. Ever since being pulled back into Christian Wayne’s orbit, she found herself missing her children with an intensity that physically hurt.

The closer she got to the private dining suite, the stronger that ache became.

"Excuse me," Fleur said politely to a nearby waiter. "I’m here to meet Damien Monroe."

The waiter immediately straightened.

"Of course, Miss Swann. His Grace is expecting you."

He gestured toward an exclusive private cabin hidden from the main dining hall.

"This way, please."

Fleur thanked him and followed.

Upon reaching the door, she took a steadying breath before knocking.

"Come in."

The familiar voice echoed from inside.

Fleur entered.

Lord Monroe rose from his seat immediately.

"Miss Swann," he said with exaggerated exasperation. "You’ve finally decided to grace me with your presence."

Fleur arched her brows before realizing he was teasing.

"I’m sorry for being late." She offered an apologetic smile. "The office was chaotic today."

Damien laughed softly. "I was joking."

His warm demeanor instantly eased some of her tension.

Unlike many nobles she had encountered, Damien possessed none of the arrogance often associated with royal blood.

Crossing the room, he pulled out a chair for her himself.

"How many times must I tell you?" he asked. "No formalities between us."

Fleur felt genuinely touched by the gesture. His manners reflected the upbringing of a man raised with kindness and respect.

It was refreshing.

"Thank you, Damien." She smiled softly. "And please, call me Fleur."

His eyes brightened.

"Then only if you stop calling me Lord Damien."

The playful exchange earned him a small laugh.

Once they were seated, Fleur finally asked the question that had been bothering her all day.

"So why did you need to see me so urgently?"

Damien’s expression gradually became serious.

He pressed a discreet button beside the table, summoning a waiter before turning back toward her.

"There is something important I wanted to ask."

Fleur listened attentively.

"My mother hosts a fundraising gala every year." His voice softened noticeably. "It is held in honor of my missing sister."

A shadow crossed his features. For a brief moment, the cheerful duke disappeared, replaced by a grieving brother.

"My mother established numerous charities and foundations after her disappearance."

His gaze drifted toward the window.

"She believes that every act of kindness sent into the world brings us one step closer to finding her."

Silence settled between them. Fleur’s heart tightened. The sorrow in his eyes was impossible to ignore.

She couldn’t imagine losing a child. Nor could she imagine the agony of never knowing what happened.

"I sincerely hope your family finds her soon," Fleur said quietly.

Damien looked back at her, gratitude flickering across his face.

"Thank you."

The sincerity in his voice made it clear how much those words meant to him.

Then he smiled.

"Which brings me to my request."

Fleur suddenly felt suspicious. "Uh oh." fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Damien chuckled. "I would like you to attend the gala with me."

Fleur widened her eyes at him, then immediately shook her head.

"I’m sorry, but I can’t."

His smile faltered. "Why not?"

Fleur looked away, feeling way too awkward.

How could she explain? Her life was already complicated enough. Christian’s sudden reappearance had turned everything upside down. The last thing she needed was additional drama.

"I have too much work."

The excuse sounded weak even to her own ears.

Damien wasn’t convinced.

"I’ll survive a few unfinished projects."

"Damien..."

"My mother would love to meet you."

Fleur froze.

His mother? Why would a royal duchess want to meet her?

The situation suddenly felt far more complicated.

"Please understand..."

Damien leaned back and sighed.

"If my sister were still here, she would be close to your age."

His voice grew quieter.

"Sometimes when I speak with you, I find myself wondering whether my mother might smile the same way she used to if she had another young woman around."

The vulnerability in his words struck Fleur deeply.

As an orphan, she had spent her entire life wondering what it would feel like to have a mother. To be loved unconditionally. To belong somewhere.

That longing never truly disappeared, no matter how old she became.

Looking into Damien’s hopeful eyes, she found her resistance weakening.

Eventually, she surrendered.

"Alright."

His face lit up instantly.

"I’ll come."

The relief in his expression made her smile.

"Excellent." Damien practically beamed. "We’ll leave early tomorrow morning."

Fleur frowned. frёeωebɳovel.com

"Tomorrow morning?"

"I need to arrive ahead of schedule and oversee the preparations." He nodded confidently. "I’ll pick you up myself."

Fleur laughed.

"You still haven’t told me where we’re going."

A mischievous sparkle appeared in his eyes. "Fontainebleau."

Fleur’s breath caught. "Fontainebleau?"

Her excitement was immediate. She had heard countless stories about the beautiful estate but had never visited it herself.

The historic forests. The magnificent architecture. The breathtaking landscapes.

It had always been a place she dreamed of seeing.

Damien laughed at her reaction.

"I knew you’d be excited."

"I’ve always wanted to go."

"Then it’s settled."

A waiter appeared discreetly beside the table. Damien glanced at him and smiled.

"Now that we’ve solved that problem, I’m starving."

Fleur laughed. "Me too."

"Excellent," Damien rubbed his hands together dramatically. "Then let’s order enough food to feed an entire royal pack."

The waiter tried very hard not to smile.

Damien immediately began listing dishes from the menu.

"We’ll start with the black truffle risotto, foie gras terrine, and duck à l’orange."

Fleur’s eyes widened.

He continued without mercy.

"Then the bouillabaisse, lobster bisque, and beef Wellington."

The waiter scribbled furiously.

Damien wasn’t finished.

"For dessert, we’ll take the tarte Tatin, mille feuille, and an assortment of macarons."

Fleur stared, stunned.

"Damien..."

He ignored her.

"And a bottle of the finest Bordeaux."

The waiter bowed politely and disappeared.

Fleur burst out laughing.

"Are you planning to feed an army?"

Damien looked genuinely confused.

"Is that not a normal amount?"

She laughed harder.

The duke grinned unapologetically.

"I hope you have a royal appetite."

Fleur shook her head.

"You might be the only person I know who can eat like a wolf preparing for winter."

Damien pointed dramatically across the table.

"That is the greatest compliment anyone has ever given me."

His enthusiasm was so infectious that, for the first time all day, Fleur forgot about Christian, forgotten memories, and every complication waiting for her outside that room.

For a little while, she simply enjoyed the company of a kindhearted prince and the promise of an extraordinary journey ahead.