Was she still upset about what happened with the servants, or something the princess said had triggered her reaction.
The princess forced an awkward laugh, “You…you don’t what?” “I mean, it’s nice to meet you too.” Lina replied quickly.
My lips twitched as I tried to hold back a smile.
Her wolf must have been teasing her and she blurted out what she was supposed to say inside her head.
I turned to the princess.
“You had to see all that.
I apologize for the rude welcome.
I’ll have a servant assigned to you, she’ll show you to your room.” “Ohh, don’t worry about that..I brought my personal maid, she’ll attend to my needs while I’m here.” The princess replied quietly, then turned to Lina.
“I hope we get along during my stay here.” Lina quickly shook her head, “ohh no, I don’t stay here.
I just came because…” “You’ll move in.” I interrupted, and the look on her face told me she wasn’t expecting that.
“What?
No you don’t have to, I’m fine.” The refusal came so quickly it almost tripped over my words.
Lina stared at me like I’d just suggested something outrageous, her eyes widening before narrowing in immediate resistance.
I studied her for a moment, caught somewhere between disbelief and irritation.
She wasn’t fine, I could tell.
Why couldn’t she just…trust me.
I was nothing like my brother.
Fuck!
I wanted to hug her so bad, let her know how much I wanted to protect her, how much I loved her, how much I…
Just fuckin confess or shut up, you’re disturbing me with these love sick thoughts of yours..
Noctis said lazily.
“It won’t change anything.
She doesn’t feel the same way.” I replied, my chest tightening.
I had so much to say right now, but with the princess here, I didn’t want to seem too exposed.
So I just sighed.
“As you wish.” I turned around to leave, the princess tailing behind me.
I showed her around my quarters, excluding my room.
I made it clear to her that she wasn’t supposed to enter my room without my permission.
“But I’m your…” She tried to say, but then hesitated for some reason.
“You mean my fiance?” I asked with a raised brow.
“You and I both know this is just a formality, a peace truce, neither of us wanted this union.
Am I wrong?” She shook her head in agreement.
“Then I hope we respect each other’s boundaries and keep things formal.” I added.
“This is your room.
I’ll take my leave now.” “Of course.” She said softly, bowing her head.
I gave a small nod and turned to leave, but her next question made me still.
“Lina, do you…love her?” She asked quietly.
There was a brief silence, then I replied flatly.
“Yes.” I didn’t turn around and just left.
I needed to catch up quickly with Lina before she left for the servants quarters.
Her presence hadn’t completely disappeared so I knew she was still close.
I eventually found her by the hallway, but she was talking to someone.
My senses sharpened as I sensed the aura of a witch?
What was a dark witch doing here.
Did Lina know her from somewhere?
They seemed like they knew each other already.
Instead of approaching them, I did something I wasn’t really used to doing.
I tried to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“You mean to say that your mistress is princess Seris?” Lina asked, her tone holding a slight hint of disbelief.
“Yes, she’s the one.” The witch replied.
“What are the chances.
I didn’t expect we’ll meet again after our last encounter.” Lina’s tone sounded excited as she spoke.
I hadn’t seen her this alive in while now.
But her words struck my ear, last encounter…
meaning they had met before..
but when.
What connection did she have with someone from Banewolf.
“If you’re here with her, it means your name was cleared right?” Lina asked, and the witch nodded.
But then the witch moved closer to her, leaned towards her ear and whispered something I couldn’t hear.
Almost immediately, Lina turned to see me standing right there.
My heart skipped a bit as I quickly turned to leave.
Shit, she had caught me eavesdropping.
I didn’t get more than two steps when she called my name.
“Alpha Louis.” There was no sharpness or in her voice, yet my body reacted instantly, my feet slowing before I even consciously decided to stop.
I stood there for a brief second, debating whether turning around would make this worse or pretending I hadn’t heard her would make me look even more ridiculous.
“Were you seriously listening to our conversation?” She asked, her tone holding a hint of teasing.
I exhaled quietly and turned around.
I could see the amusement in her expression.
“I wasn’t listening,” I defended quietly.
Lina’s brows lifted slowly.
That expression alone told me she wasn’t buying a single word.
“You were standing right there.” She said, her lips twitching as she held back the urge to smile.
“I happened to be passing by.” I said quickly.
“And just happened to stop behind a pillar?” I let out a breath of surrender.
“Alright, I admit…I was listening.
But I came here for you.
We didn’t conclude our earlier conversation.” “Oh?” she said.
“And what exactly was left to conclude, Alpha Louis?” The title again.
I hated how formal it sounded when it came from her mouth.
Before I could answer, the witch beside her cleared her throat softly.
I shifted my gaze to her properly for the first time.
Dark hair, sharp eyes, posture too composed for an ordinary maid.
The aura I sensed earlier wasn’t wrong.
Lina noticed the change in my expression.
“Oh — right.” She gestured lightly.
“Louis, this is Rosalie.” Rosalie gave a small, respectful nod.
“My Alpha.” “Rosalie is Princess Seris’ maid,” Lina added.
“I gathered that much,” I replied evenly.
Rosalie’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“I hope my presence here does not cause discomfort.” “It depends,” I said calmly.
“Should it?” She looked harmless, but I didn’t trust witches, especially the dark ones.
I had some bad memories related to dark witches, they weren’t good news.