305 The Meeting
Selma Payne’s POV:
The next morning.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous as I was about to see my adoptive parents and Rhode. The glance at the ceremony was so blurry that I didn’t see if my adoptive parents had gained weight or slimmed down, if they were haggard, or if they were in good health.
Seeing that I was absent-minded, Aldrich held my hand tightly and silently supported me.
𝘧𝑟𝙚eｗ𝑒𝒃n𝒐𝘷𝑒𝚕. c૦𝙢
At eight o’clock, the Officer of Rites announced on time.
The door to the living room opened. The moment I saw my adoptive parents, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I strode forward and hugged them. “Dad! Mom! I missed you guys so much!”
My adoptive parents were at a loss and quickly sobbed in my arms.
“My daughter, my baby… ” My adoptive mother pulled me into her arms. “Selma, how could you be so cruel? You left us behind without a word! The cliff is so high, and the river is so cold. What if something happened to you?”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I was too impulsive.” I cried so hard that my snot and tears were flowing. I didn’t care about etiquette at all. I held my adoptive parents’ hands and let the tears wash down my line of defense.
Rhode stood beside my adoptive parents and patted me heavily. Even the strong warrior couldn’t help but sob. “Selma, we thought it was good as long as you were fine! It’s good that you’re fine!”
We hugged, telling each other our worries and thoughts until my parents came to comfort us. “Alright, child, don’t just stand at the door. Invite your adoptive parents to sit.”
My adoptive parents finally reacted and hurriedly bowed to my parents, but my parents stopped them.
“We can’t accept your bows,” my father said. “You raised Selma safely. We can’t repay this kindness, so how can we accept a bow from our benefactors?”
My adoptive father was a little frightened, “What are you saying, Your Majesty?”
My mother was much more direct. She held my adoptive mother’s arm and pressed her down on the sofa. She said bluntly, “Even if it’s for our daughter, we don’t want her to be in a difficult position because of us, right?”
My adoptive mother nodded in confusion.
While we were being intimate here, the Walton Family, who had been left out on the side, seemed a little awkward. They didn’t know whether to stay or leave. It wasn’t until my father glanced at them that they reacted and bent their backs or knees.
“Greetings, Your Majesty,” Benson greeted with great difficulty. “Your Majesty the Queen and Your Highness the Princess…”
He lowered his head and didn’t even dare to look at me.
My father didn’t let him get up, nor did he say anything to taunt him. He just left him hanging coldly. Such an atmosphere made my adoptive parents extremely terrified. They subconsciously wanted to say something, but I shook my head gently, indicating they would remain silent.
Benson’s parents were even more confused. They did not understand what their son had done to upset the King.
After a long while, my father finally ended the silent dismemberment. “Hello, young man. You’re the Alpha of the Shadow Pack, right?”
Benson bowed even lower and replied respectfully, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
My father asked the Walton Family to take their seats, but he left Benson hanging.
The atmosphere suddenly became filled with tension.
We affectionately chatted with my adoptive parents about our daily lives. They were a little restless at first, but they quickly accepted the enthusiasm of the King and Queen. They glanced at the bewildered Benson from time to time, not hiding their worry for him.
Look, my adoptive parents were so concerned about Benson, but what did they get in return for their sincerity?
I coldly looked at Benson’s stiff body while chatting and ignored Rhode’s hint.
Finally, my father changed the topic and talked about my marriage with Aldrich.
“By right, you are also Aldrich’s in-laws,” my father said as he gestured to Aldrich. “He should pay his respects to you.”
My adoptive parents waved their hands uneasily. They had never seen many nobles in their ordinary lives, let alone received a noble’s bow.
I stopped my adoptive parents, trying to get up. I stood up and bowed to them respectfully with Aldrich, just like how we did to my parents at the wedding.
Looking at my adoptive parents’ helpless expressions, Aldrich softly comforted, “Please don’t decline my respect, Mr. And Mrs. Payne. It was you who raised Selma. That’s why I had the chance to meet my true love and marry her. Without you, Selma and I would not be who we are today. I am grateful to you from the bottom of my heart.”
“Please don’t… you don’t have to…” my honest adoptive father was about to faint. Seeing my adoptive parents could not accept it, I skipped the topic and started talking about Rhode.
After so many years, Rhode was still alone without a fated mate or a chosen mate, but he wasn’t in a hurry. He was optimistic and would be happy to get married at fifty.
Rhode was worried about his good buddy, so he took the opportunity to bring up Benson.
This time, my father’s attention finally returned to Benson, as if he had not intentionally ignored this person.
“As for you, young man,” he said in a deep voice. “Do you have anything you want to confess to us?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Benson started trembling. He looked up and revealed an expression of defeat.
