Chapter 452
Katelyn was engrossed in replying to Sage’s messages when the sudden ring of her phone broke the silence. His name flashed brightly on the screen. She answered the call, bringing the device to her ear as she stood on the balcony, one arm instinctively crossed over her chest.
“Why did you call?” Katelyn asked, keeping her voice low.
“I heard about a council meeting being called,” Sage’s voice came through. “Is everything alright there? Has something serious happened p>
“Yes, things have… settled down,” she murmured. “You’ve gotten the news quite late, though. The entire affair has been quite a shock.” She leaned slightly against the railing. “Brother Nick looks terribly upset, Sage. Utterly devastated, actually.” A deep sigh escaped her. “He and June always seemed like the perfect couple. They were practically a matched set. To think everything could unravel so quickly… I still can’t quite believe it p>
“I will hang up then,” Sage said gently, interpreting her earlier sigh as a need for solitude. “But please, don’t be too upset by all this p>
“No, wait, let’s just talk,” Katelyn pronounced, which momentarily bewildered him. “Only if you’re free, of course p>
“I am always free for you,” Sage stated simply, with a sincerity that was immediately evident.
Katelyn let out a soft chuckle at his immediate, heartfelt declaration.
“I wasn’t lying, Kate,” Sage muttered. “When will you finally start believing me p>
“I don’t know,” she admitted, her tone turning sombre. In her next words, her fear revealed. “After witnessing how Brother Nick and June parted away despite being fated mates, I genuinely wonder… what would happen to me p>
“Why are you comparing your life with them?” Sage questioned.
A Declaration of Trust
“Why are you comparing your life with them?” Sage questioned, his voice laced with confusion and a hint of urgency.
“Because I’m a princess,” she confessed, the title feeling like a burden in that moment. “It would be so easy for a man I’m fated to to do something similar to me. What if they only wanted to gain things because of my position?” As the words left her mouth, Katelyn suddenly recalled a similar conversation with Gabriel not long ago. He had cautioned her about the dangers of her status but then, pointedly, urged her to trust Sage above all others.
A fierce, possessive declaration came from the other side. “You’ll be mated to me and no one else,” Sage stated, cutting through her spiraling doubts. “I am not ready for any kind of rejection, Kate. What happened between June and Prince Dominick doesn’t mean the same will happen with you and me p>
His voice softened, appealing to her logic. “Think about me with a calm mind. Do you truly think I will ever betray you? You’re the only woman who knows a lot more about me than anyone else ever has.” A profound sigh travelled over the line. “I wish I could come there, but I can’t now p>
Katelyn stood silent, sensing the deep hurt and longing Sage showed.
“So,” Katelyn pressed, the doubt still clinging to her, “if I weren’t a princess, would you have ever looked at me p>
“Fate brings mates together,” Sage stated. “Even if you weren’t a princess, I would have met you and felt the exact same way. You know this well, Kate. You know how much I’ve been holding myself back p>
He paused, his tone shifting to one of mild reproach mixed with deep feeling. “You were the one who told me not to tell anyone about being fated mates. And I didn’t. In my rut, all I could think of was you. Every second. All the time. You know that too, Kate. You also know how much I want to hold you close and not let you go. But I still do. You also know the ups and downs I have felt while pursuing you. I don’t know how to make you believe that I want you dearly p>
A small smile finally curved Katelyn’s lips, the earlier tension dissolving. “What will you wear tomorrow?” she suddenly asked, the question completely unrelated to their deep conversation.
“A suit,” Sage answered, momentarily confused by the abrupt change of topic. “Since it’s an official royal event, I have to keep it formal p>
“Hmm. Well, I hope you look good today,” Katelyn stated, her tone shifting to one of playful command. “I want every eye on us p>
“What?!” Sage practically exclaimed in shock. “Are you actually going to introduce us as a couple to everyone p>
“Good night,” Katelyn simply said, and with a swift move, hung up immediately. She didn’t wait for his reply.
Standing on the balcony, she leaned back, a soft blush spreading across her cheeks as she clutched the phone close to her chest, her smile bright.
Meanwhile, Sage stood on the other end of the line, slowly lowering his phone. He shook his head in disbelief, a slow, triumphant grin spreading across his face. Katelyn finally wanted to introduce them. A wave of exhilaration hit him, and he decided he would absolutely look his best tomorrow.
As he slowly lowered himself into the chair, his phone suddenly buzzed against the silence. A frown immediately creased his forehead; it was his father.
He considered ignoring it, but Sage knew his father wouldn’t stop calling until they spoke. Reluctantly, he answered.
“Good evening, Dad,” he greeted first, out of mere mannerism.
“Good evening, son. Only a few days left before this month is over, isn’t there?” his father’s voice came through. “Did you win the heart of the princess p>
“Why does it matter to you?” Sage retorted, the politeness vanishing. “Katelyn is currently upset with your mistress. She dared to hurt her p>
“Sage! Be respectful to your mother. She is not my mistress p>
Sage didn’t wait to hear another word. He abruptly ended the call and tossed the phone onto the coffee table with a clatter. He simply couldn’t stand talking to his father, who always seemed ready to defend his stepmother all the time. It simply pissed him off.