005 — The Room He Entered

Soraya Miller’s POV

I sat in a corner of the hallway, helping Clara compile a restocking list for foodstuffs used during the founding family meeting/introduction that happened a few days ago. While she moved around the manor performing her never-ending tasks.

It was tiring, but anything to take my mind off of Cassian and that weird Lucien Noire guy was highly welcomed.

“Soraya,” someone called, causing me to look up and see it was Beatrice.

“Hmm?”

“Clara wants you upstairs,” Beatrice said, stretching out her hand for the inventory book. “In the Luna’s dressing room.”

My heart sank instantly as I handed it over. “For what?”

“How would I know?” she looked genuinely offended as she snatched the book away from me and entered the kitchen.

I stalked up to the third floor, where all the family members' rooms were. Taking in a deep breath, I knocked once and waited till the door was opened for me.

Luna Elara sat reclined against a throne-like chaise, with her human nail technicians doing her manicure and the other at her feet. Clara stood beside her with a tablet in her hands, looking like she was reading something before I came in.

“Soraya.”

“Luna.” I bowed deeply for a second before rising.

“Beginning today, there will be adjustments to the manor staffing structure,” she casually informed me, placing her hand under the UV lamp.

Was she about to fire me?

“Rielle requires extra attendants. Congratulations on being part of the Blackwell Manor staff that will be reassigned to her authority.”

Time paused as my eyes found Clara’s sympathetic ones. She was basically congratulating me on now helping the fiancée of the man I love.

Somehow, that was a lot worse than getting fired. Much, much worse.

At least, unemployment wouldn’t require me to lace Rielle Thorne into her dresses every morning. Or walk around her on eggshells, praying she doesn't discover her fiance is my fated mate.

The Luna’s gaze finally met mine, her blue irises as sharp as her son's, if not sharper. “She specifically requested you.”

But why would someone I’d never even spoken to want me?

At that moment, a knock sounded, and the door was opened. One of Rielle Thorne’s attendants, the mean one, stepped in. She bowed to Luna Elara, and her eyes narrowed slightly when they landed on me.

The same icy-eyed brunette from the luncheon.

How wonderful.

Because somehow, being reassigned to my fated mate’s fiancée apparently wasn’t enough punishment.

“Miss Thorne is ready for her fitting.” Her voice was as cold as she looked.

“Odette will take you,” Clara told me, and that was when I finally knew the viper’s name.

Having no choice but to comply, I bowed slightly and followed after her.

“You should consider yourself fortunate,” Odette immediately jabbed at me as we walked down the hallway to the East Wing. “Our Miss is very generous.”

“I wasn’t aware I needed generosity,” I scoffed, not in the mood for her cheap intimidations. My mind was already plagued by thoughts of how this whole arrangement could take a very bad turn for me.

“Of course, you wouldn’t be aware. But Miss Thorne is remarkably kind; most people in her position prefer staff with experience.”

The sarcasm in my tone was dripping. “Wow, Miss Thorne must be very brave.”

“Most servants," she sneered, like it was a curse word, "don't receive personal requests, so be sure to meet her exceptionally high standards.”

I must be so special then. Yay me.

The look Odette gave me suggested she’d happily push me down the flight of stairs if witnesses weren’t present.

Too bad.

The East Wing was noticeably busier than the rest of the manor. Attendants moved in and out, carrying garment bags and huge transparent cases of jewellery as preparations for tomorrow’s engagement party continued at full speed.

I barely had time to take everything in before Odette pushed open a set of double doors.

“Miss Thorne, she’s here,” Odette announced.

The room beyond looked like a luxury boutique had exploded, leaving dresses, shoes and every form of accessory in its wake.

In the middle of the chaos sat Rielle, donning a nude satin feathery robe.

She looked considerably less domineering than she had during the meet-and-greet. Her golden hair was clipped away from her face while a seamstress placed varying shades of blue against her skin.

“Oh!” Her hazel eyes brightened immediately when she spotted me. “So, you’re Soraya.”

A strange feeling settled in my stomach.

“Miss Thorne,” I greeted politely.

For a second, she simply gave me a curious look as though she expected me to look different.

“Come in,” she said eventually.

Odette looked mildly offended by the invitation, which immediately improved my mood.

“You grew up here, didn’t you?” Rielle asked. “Alongside Cassian.”

I paused, wondering how she knew that already.

“Yes.”

She gave a radiant smile. “That’s what I heard.”

What exactly had she heard? And from whom?

Before I could dare to ask, one of the seamstresses interrupted with another set of dresses.

“Please tell me you’re better at making decisions than I am.” Rielle groaned dramatically. “I’ve been staring at these for twenty minutes.”

She waved the seamstress away.

“Anyway, I hope you don’t mind being reassigned," she said almost apologetically as she came closer to me. “Thank you for coming.”

I offered a polite smile. I mean, did she expect me to object?

Rielle moved gracefully back to her room, and I followed behind. “I needed someone familiar with the manor.”

“I understand, Miss Thorne.”

“Is it always this hectic before Blackwater events?” she teased, sitting before her large vanity as a hairstylist came closer to try out different styles on her.

“Usually.”

I stood a few metres away from Rielle and watched as her hair got expertly pulled into a low ponytail.

“Mira, what do you think?” she asked the second attendant who came with her that day.

Oh, so that was the quiet girl’s name.

“You look lovely, Miss.” Mira complimented her shyly and returned to her corner.

That was weird, especially as I noticed the subtle stink eye Odette gave her.

The stylist took down the hairdo and tried another one that had a more bridal look to it. Rielle looked absolutely good in everything, and she was nice too. It would have been much easier to hate her if she were just a tad bit villainous.

Now all I felt was petty jealousy toward someone who was with the one I knew I could never have but chose to ignore anyway.

“You don’t have to stand there so rigidly,” Rielle chuckled, beckoning me to come closer as the hairstylist retreated. “I promise I don’t bite.”

Unfortunately, your fiancé does.

I put on a polite smile but maintained my stance.

“Come help me with this,” she said, lifting a diamond necklace worth more than my whole existence, I’m sure.

“Miss Thorne—” Odette started to say, but was cut off with a flick of Rielle’s wrist.

The mean thing’s eyes scoured daggers into my soul as I stepped forward despite her obvious protest.

Carefully taking it from Rielle so that I don’t pay with my life, I positioned myself behind her and placed the luxury piece on her neck.

Her face lit up as she admired the placement. “It’s perfect, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Miss Thorne,” Odette answered in my stead. “The Alpha heir would love it.”

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

The temperature of the room dropped a few degrees as he walked in. We all straightened our posture and bowed deeply.

Every muscle in my body tensed as he came closer.

“For tomorrow,” he said simply, handing a small velvet box to Rielle.

She loosened the white bow immediately and opened it up. Her features practically glowed as she took in the gift.

“It’s so beautiful,” Rielle beamed, taking it out of its packaging.

I subtly peeked over her shoulder to see something that looked like a corsage, but not quite.

“I thought you’d like it.”

“It’s exactly what I wanted,” she said, seeming like she would explode from happiness. “Thank you.”

Cassian actually smiled back at her before turning to leave.

Was I really so invisible to him, or was I missing something?

"Wait," she pointed at his face. “There’s something here.”

He leaned down as she raised a delicate hand to his face, supporting his chin to pick out some translucent thread off his cheek.

Wonderful...

The door closed again as Rielle continued to admire her engagement gift. “I think tomorrow will be fun.”

No, it won’t.

Just then, one of the maids standing by the door moved closer to Odette and whispered something to her. I watched her face contort slightly as she gave a nod and approached Rielle.

“Miss Thorne, I have something to tell you.”

Rielle gave the go-ahead and Odette leaned closer.

My pulse stumbled.

No, it couldn't be.

There was no way this had anything to do with me. . .right?

Rielle's body seemed to still a bit as Odette pulled away, her eyes remained pinned to her reflection for a moment too long. There was no exact way to explain it but it seemed as though all the sunshine in her features had been sucked out, along with the oxygen in the room.

“Bring her in,” she instructed Odette eventually.

Bring who in?

“What's going on, Miss Thorne?” I found myself asking, the pressure threatening to eat me alive.

Her gaze met mine in the mirror and the next words she uttered sent a bolt of fear down my spine and a ripple of gasps amongst the people in the room.

“One of the maids claims she saw Cassian in the servants' wing at odd hours some nights ago,” Rielle revealed, an unsettling edge in her tone as she turned to face us. “She believes she knows which room he entered.”