When Maria continued to fume for days. At every chance she got to be with Samantha at the laundry room, she would continue to mutter curses under her breath about Merida. It was no secret that Merida’s tongue was sharper than a blade, but the way she singled Maria out for insults and extra work was cruel even by servant standards.Samantha as usual would sit quietly beside her, nodding at the right moments, offering small hums of sympathy while inside, her mind churned. She had no intention of easing Maria’s suffering—quite the opposite. Every complaint Maria made, every vow of revenge she spat out, was like a thread Samantha could pull until the whole cloth of her friend’s life unraveled.One evening, while the kitchen bustled with preparations for the Alpha’s evening meal, Samantha leaned close and whispered, “If you truly want to make her pay, I know a way. But it’s dangerous. If you’re caught…” She let the words trail off, watching Maria’s eyes spark with curiosity.“What way?” Ma
The Alpha's estate kitchen maids quarters were always noisy in the mornings — the clatter of wooden bowls, the shuffle of bare feet on the cold floor, and the faint hiss of steam from the kitchen beyond the narrow hallway. Most of the maids moved in groups, whispering and laughing in small circles, but Samantha kept to herself in the laundry quarters. She had learned long ago that keeping her distance gave her a certain air — mysterious, untouchable.It was on such a morning that one of the maids assigned to the kitchen named Maria first approached her.“Here,” Maria said, pushing a wooden bowl into Samantha’s hands. “Yours looked a bit… empty today.”Samantha glanced at the thick stew sloshing inside, noticing the generous chunks of meat. That alone made her lift her eyes in faint surprise. “Why?” she asked, arching a brow.Maria shrugged, her round face breaking into a friendly smile. “You’re too thin. The way Merida works you, you’ll vanish one day.”Samantha almost laughed — not b
The afternoon sun beat down mercilessly on the training field, heat shimmering above the hard-packed earth. The air was thick with the sound of grunts, the thud of fists meeting flesh, and the sharp crack of wooden practice weapons clashing together.Jihoo stood at the center, his commanding presence directing the warriors through their drills. But his sharp gaze caught on three particular warriors lingering at the back — men who had become notorious for their rebellious streak. Most of the warriors had obeyed without hesitation—except for the same three who had been a constant thorn in his side. They dragged their feet, exchanged mocking glances, and refused to follow orders.It wasn’t the first time. The others had grown tired of their antics. Murmurs of frustration rippled through the group until one warrior finally snapped.“Maybe if you actually followed orders, you wouldn’t be so useless,” one of the younger fighters snapped, voice edged with frustration.The three men turned sh
Meanwhile, in another part of the estate, tension brewed in the training fields. Jihoo had been settling into his new role as Gamma, his posture confident yet humble, his voice firm when giving orders. Many of the warriors respected him—he had earned that much through years of discipline and fair leadership. But there were three who did not.These three warriors—Hojin, Baek, and Sunwoo—were older, seasoned fighters who had been hoping for a different appointment. In their minds, Jihoo was too mild-mannered to command them, too “soft” to lead in battle. Their envy festered into silent rebellion.It began with small acts of disobedience: ignoring his calls during drills, performing exercises at half strength, or deliberately dragging their feet when carrying out tasks. Jihoo, at first, corrected them patiently, giving them the chance to redeem themselves. But when their behavior persisted, his tone sharpened.One afternoon, when they outright refused to follow a tactical order during co
Far from the council chamber, another letter was making its way to darker hands. Samantha’s mother had wasted no time in writing to her daughter. The inked words were sharp and unforgiving—scolding.Samantha unfolded it eagerly, expecting words of praise from her mother. Instead, her eyes narrowed as she read the sharp, slanted handwriting.> Samantha,I have just received word of the birth of Damian’s heir. Do you realize what this means? Every moment you waste is a nail in the coffin of our plan. You have delayed long enough. The child will grow, and with him, Damian’s power will be unshakable. If you truly wish to see your place secured, you must act—now.Do not disappoint me again.The letter ended without love, without warmth—only the weight of command.Samantha’s lips curled into a bitter smile. Her mother’s words burned, but they also lit a dangerous spark within her. She rose from the edge of her bed, pacing slowly, her mind spinning with the possibilities.Getting into the al
On her very first visit to the Merchant’s estate, Samantha made sure every step, every smile, and every word was calculated. She wore a mask of sweetness so convincing it would have fooled the Moon Goddess herself. She greeted the high-ranking officials with respectful bows, offered to help with the smallest of tasks, and even feigned concern for their well-being.She knew these people held the key to her next move. A few favorable words from them could see her name added to the list of servants assigned to the Alpha’s estate kitchen quarters — the very place where her real plan could take root.And so, she played her role to perfection. Nothing in her demeanor suggested arrogance or deceit; she was the picture of humble obedience. Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed. The officials, pleased with her apparent good manners, wasted no time in praising her to Paula.Paula, in turn, warmed to her immediately. From that day onward, Samantha alone was chosen to serve at the Merchant’s estate — a