475

"I must apologize for my delayed congratulations on your newborn child," Wulv said, his deep voice carrying a formal, almost solemn weight.

Yuki, ever composed, resisted the urge to roll her eyes. As if he hadn't known the moment my son drew his first breath. The werewolf king was not one to be out of touch with such matters, yet he played this game of diplomacy with the practiced ease of a seasoned ruler.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she flicked her fan open with a graceful motion. "Oh? Your Grace must have a great many concerns occupying his mind. There is no need to trouble yourself over such trivial pleasantries," she said, her voice laced with polite indifference.

Wulv responded with a scoff of feigned offense, his lips curling into a smirk. "Nonsense," he said. "Such an occasion is anything but trivial. The birth of a prince is a momentous event, one deserving of proper recognition. I will have my people prepare a fitting gift."