Talia’s POV
The instant the physician departed, Madame Hildegard fixed her steely gaze upon me.
“Breakfast awaits,” she declared, her voice brooking no disagreement.
I pushed myself up from the chair and trailed behind the staff toward the intimate dining nook within my quarters.
As I approached, one servant smoothly pulled out my chair while another delicately arranged a linen napkin across my lap.
Their choreographed movements spoke of years of refined service.
The table bore an elegant morning spread where last evening’s dishes had been cleared away.
Before me lay an array of tempting options—fluffy pancakes drizzled with syrup, buttered toast cut into perfect triangles, vibrant seasonal fruit, and aromatic tea sending wisps of steam into the air.
I closed my eyes briefly, offering a quiet moment of gratitude before reaching toward a piece of toast.
When a servant moved to assist me, I raised my palm to halt her approach.
“I’m perfectly capable of managing,” I stated firmly.
The woman paused uncertainly before retreating several paces.
As I smoothed strawberry preserves across the warm bread, I felt a wave of relief knowing I wouldn’t be sharing this meal with Caspian.
His conceited expression alone was enough to kill my hunger, and the prospect of enduring his company while trying to eat made my stomach turn.
Such a waste that his striking appearance was paired with such unbearable arrogance and insufferable behavior.
I bit into the toast deliberately, chewing with measured slowness while feeling the weight of multiple stares—Madame Hildegard, Bree, and the four attendants all watching my every move.
I paid them no mind, finishing my slice before pouring fresh water and draining the glass.
Finally, I dabbed the corner of my mouth with the napkin.
Madame Hildegard suddenly advanced, sliding a plate of golden pancakes directly in front of me.
“Sample these,” she commanded.
“You’re far too slender.
More nourishment is essential.”
I lifted my eyes to meet hers directly.
This was clearly a test of dominance.
With deliberate calm, I pushed the offering back toward her.
“Regrettably, I’ve had my fill,” I replied evenly.
“A walk would help with digestion.”
The air grew thick with tension, but I refused to yield.
Madame Hildegard examined me intently before eventually conceding.
“A walk is permitted,” she granted.
Then, with calculated emphasis, she continued, “Return within thirty minutes.
You’ll accompany Thea and Lana only where they direct.”
So surveillance remained in effect?
Very well.
“Then Bree accompanies us,” I countered.
“She requires familiarity with the grounds as the newest addition.”
Madame Hildegard weighed this request before offering a sharp nod.
“Acceptable.”
Following her gesture, Thea and Lana stepped into position as my escorts.
Without further discussion, I rose and followed their lead, Bree quickly matching our pace.
Moving through the hallway, Thea, the servant with cropped hair, addressed me.
“My lady, we’ll descend first.
The walk begins from the ground level.”
An uncomfortable quiet settled over our group as we navigated the staircase.
The oppressive atmosphere was stifling.
If this was to be my permanent existence, I reasoned I should gather intelligence about the man who’d trapped me here.
Caspian seemed unlikely to volunteer personal information, so independent investigation was my only option.
“Educate me about the Vanderbilt lineage,” I said, shattering the silence.
“Do only Caspian and his father reside here?
Or do other family members share the estate?”
Thea angled her head thoughtfully while responding.
“My lady, all who carry the Vanderbilt name call this place home.”
I released a long breath.
Additional family members existed.
Had they attended my wedding ceremony?
Did they observe silently as their Alpha bound himself to me—someone they obviously deemed beneath their standards?
What judgments passed through their minds witnessing Caspian and my matrimonial union?
Thea pressed on, “Alpha Caspian isn’t without siblings.
He has a younger brother and an elder—”
“Thea.”
Lana’s interruption sliced through the conversation, loaded with caution.
Thea’s mouth snapped shut immediately.
I fixed them with a narrow stare.
“What prompted that interruption?”
Thea faced me with a respectful bow of her head.
“My apologies, my lady.
Lana bears no responsibility.
All household staff are prohibited from discussing Vanderbilt family matters.”
Family matters?
I internally scoffed at this subtle reinforcement of my outsider status.
“Yet I’m now an Vanderbilt family member,” I reminded them pointedly.
“Sharing information with me carries no penalty.”
Neither woman offered any response.
Regardless of my arguments, they maintained their silence.
Anger flared within my chest.
“Only the Moon Goddess knows whether madness runs among Caspian’s relatives,” I grumbled quietly.
Both Thea and Lana went rigid at my comment.
I noticed their quick, meaningful look but assumed my audacity had simply startled them.
We finally arrived at the main floor, and just as I prepared to absorb the castle’s impressive architecture, whispered conversations drew my focus.
“…heard the Alpha avoided his new Luna’s chambers last night,” one approaching servant murmured.
Her companion snickered softly.
“Because she remains in guest quarters.
Besides, until he marks her and formally recognizes her as our Luna, she holds no such title.”
My insides churned violently.
A third voice joined with a weary sigh.
“I can’t fathom why the Alpha wed someone the Moon Goddess cursed.
Such unions invite misfortune upon the pack.” She added with obvious contempt, “She’s nothing but trouble.”
Something within me shattered completely.
My hands formed tight fists, fingernails pressing crescents into my palms.
The insult cut deep, not from surprise but because mere servants dared speak of me so disrespectfully.
Before I could advance, Bree surged forward with fury blazing in her eyes, but Thea and Lana moved faster.
The two escorts charged ahead, positioning themselves prominently.
The three gossiping maids froze like trapped animals.
Color drained from their faces upon spotting me positioned directly behind Thea and Lana.
Lana’s expression turned murderous.
“Have you grown weary of existence?” she demanded icily.
“How dare you spread rumors about the Alpha’s wife?”
The servants shook their heads frantically, eyes fixed downward.
Thea’s voice cracked like a whip with commanding authority.
“Disappear.”
Without pause, the three fled like startled rodents.
I exhaled deliberately, genuinely surprised by Thea and Lana’s unexpected loyalty.
Still, deep frustration continued simmering in my chest.
Within my father’s household, despite receiving little affection, no servant would have dared gossip about me so brazenly.
The Vanderbilt estate operated under different rules.
Here, the staff seemed ignorant of proper boundaries.
I suspected Madame Hildegard would derive considerable satisfaction from educating them about respect.