Maya’s heartbeat was so loud that it was all she could hear. The kiss on her hand had lasted only a second, but her skin still tingled where his lips had touched—not with warmth, but with the wrongness of it.
She had hoped she wouldn’t be recognized. She had planned to bow, set down the tray, and slip away unnoticed. At no point had she expected Alpha Claude to not only recognize her but to act as he had.
"Alpha Claude," she mumbled weakly as he let go of her hand.
She was glad to have it back by her side, but the damage was done. There was no way she could have refused or pretended she wasn’t who he thought. It felt like he had expected that.
He sat back on the long chair, his bare chest exposed. She hadn’t noticed his attire at first. She had deliberately avoided looking in his direction, even when she bowed. But now that she saw it, she couldn’t even afford to be shocked. Not with Keenan’s gaze burning into her back.
She gripped the sides of her dress, gave Claude another bow, and turned toward the exit. She needed to get out of this situation before it worsened. It was already beyond her control and getting worse by the second.
"How is life in Verlassen?" Claude asked as she took a step away from him.
Maya nearly bit her tongue as she stood rooted to the spot. She was dressed as a maid from head to toe, and yet he spoke to her as if they had t casually at a ball.
He knew her circumstances. Everyone knew. It was the only reason the Alpha King had been able to force her father’s hand. But here he was, acting as though there was nothing strange about any of this.
"Leave," Keenan spat out before she could compose herself enough to answer his question.
Maya didn’t need to be told twice. She sped for the door. Hilbert was quick, opening it just as she reached it. She smiled at him—grateful, absurdly, for the small rcy of an open door—and rushed out.
Maya heard the door shut behind her, and the pit in her stomach grew bigger. She moved quickly, making her way back to the kitchen as fast as she could.
Strangely, she was grateful she didn’t have to spend another mont in that embarrassing situation. But she had heard Keenan’s tone, there would be consequences for this.
Her grip on her dress tightened even more. She wouldn’t be surprised if he thought that was her plan. She felt nauseous.
Maya looked in front of her and her soul nearly jumped out of her body. Alaina was standing on the slightly dark pathway that led to the kitchen. Even in daylight, only a little light reached here.
She would like to believe it was nothing, if she could afford it, she would have headed to her room first to process what had just happened and recover from the embarrassnt.
However, she still had on the apron and mobcap. She needed to return them. Furthermore, Agnes had assured her she would get anything she wanted if she made the tea. She needed a hairbrush.
There was no sign of Bess, and Maya wondered if she should just walk past Alaina. She might not have been waiting for her, but she didn’t get that luxury.
"Back so soon?" Alaina mocked. "I was certain the Alpha is soone you’re familiar with. You didn’t exchange pleasantries?"
As she spoke, her eyes looked Maya up and down, her lips curled up, and Maya flinched at how much pleasure Alaina was taking at her expense.
She simply shook her head and tried to walk away, but Alaina stepped forward and blocked her path. Maya swallowed and stepped back.
There was no one around to see them—not that she expected any help—but she knew she wouldn’t be able to win if she went against Alaina.
"You did not answer my question," there was a threat in her voice and Alaina stepped forward to emphasize it.
Maya winced. That sinister look was back in her eyes. She could tell it was best to proceed carefully. "I simply served the tea and left."
Alaina’s eyes narrowed; she looked disappointed. "Did he not recognize you? But you do know the Alpha."
Maya gave a curt nod. "I have t him before."
"What’s his na?"
"Alpha Claude," she mumbled.
This was a household na. Alpha Claude was just as popular as the Alpha King, especially for his contributions to the war. But it was expected that Alaina wouldn’t know who he was if she had never seen him before now.
She looked Maya up and down with an unreadable expression on her face, then stepped aside. Maya was confused by the interaction. She found it hard to believe Alaina would stop her just to ask for a na. But she didn’t question it.
She walked briskly without looking back, making her way to the kitchen. Maya pushed open the doors, and the maids all stopped working to look at her. Maya could see they were preparing to start cooking lunch.
"You’re finally back," Agnes said from behind the counter.
"Yes," she mumbled. She noticed the maids were intently looking at her, as if expecting more information. "I served the tea and left."
"No complaints?" Agnes asked.
Maya didn’t know. He hadn’t drunk the tea before she left, but she didn’t want Agnes to worry, so she simply said, "No."
"Hmm," Agnes said and turned her gaze away. She didn’t dismiss her rudely as she once had, but it was clear she could leave.
"Here," Palr whispered, walking toward her with a hairbrush.
Maya smiled genuinely as she accepted it. "Thank you," she replied.
Taking off the mobcap and apron, she handed the items to Palr, who accepted them. Maya couldn’t help but notice that Palr seed warr.
She gripped the hairbrush tighter than she needed to, feeling a slight warmth in her chest that shrank the pit in her stomach.
Maya slowly turned around and exited the kitchen. Things weren’t any different, but sohow, it felt like she had just taken a step in one direction.
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