Chapter 69
Selena
As I folded my clothes that evening, my hands moved automatically while my mind wandered somewhere far beyond the servants’ quarters.
It wandered off to my Father. He was already here. Though, not inside the castle, perhaps, but inside Blackbourne Pack.
That knowledge alone was enough to make my stomach twist.
Every shirt I folded reminded me of another frightening possibility.
What if he found me? I had managed to remain hidden for months.
Months of pretending. Months of scrubbing floors. Months of lowering my head whenever nobles passed. Would all of that disappear in a single night?
The ball would gather almost every important figure in the region beneath one roof.
Alphas, Betas, Nobles and Councilmen.
Some of them had watched me grow from childhood. Some had attended my birthday celebrations. Others had trained beside Father for years.
If even one of them recognised me… Everything would collapse.
“What are you thinking so hard about p>
I gasped as the neatly folded garments slipped from my hands and scattered across the bed.
“Moon Goddess!” I spun around in frustration.
Marqee burst into laughter. “You should’ve seen your face p>
“You nearly frightened me to death p>
“I only walked in p>
“You appeared out of nowhere!” I almost snapped.
She bent to help gather the clothes then her fingers paused as her eyes widened. “What is this p>
My heart skipped. “Don’t —” before I could speak, she had already lifted the light blue dress.
The very dress… the one I’d bought only days ago and was admired by Alpha Kael.
She held it up carefully. “It’s beautiful p>
A warm blush spread across my face. “It isn’t anything special p>
“It isn’t?” She raised an eyebrow. “The stitching alone says otherwise p>
She gently brushed the soft fabric. “This isn’t cheap p>
“It wasn’t terribly expensive p>
“It certainly wasn’t free.” She looked at me curiously. “Where did you get the coins p>
“I I smiled awkwardly. “I saved my wages p>
“You saved all that p>
“Little by little p>
Marqee nodded approvingly. “I’ve never seen you buy anything for yourself p>
“I usually don’t.” I quickly nodded.
She held the dress against me. “It suits you p>
I laughed as I quickly lied. “I haven’t even worn it yet p>
“You should.” She tilted her head thoughtfully.
“Actually p>
“Actually what? Did you buy it for tomorrow night?” She suddenly asked.
I blinked. “The ball p>
She grinned mischievously. “Or perhaps She leaned closer. for someone p>
I immediately understood where she was heading. “Oh, stop p>
She laughed harder. “So there is someone p>
“There isn’t p>
“No p>
“No!” I vehemently denied it.
“You don’t have someone you’d like to dance with p>
I couldn’t stop myself from giggling before speaking. “You’ve been spending too much time imagining romances p>
“So I’m wrong?” She asked with creased brows.
“Very wrong, Marqee.” I affirmed.
“I don’t believe you p>
“It’s simply a dress and I bought it because I liked it p>
Nothing more to it. At least… That was the explanation I offered.
Marqee studied me for another moment then her smile slowly faded. “I thought p>
“What p>
“I thought your revolution group needed coins.” Her words struck harder than she probably intended.
The smile disappeared from my own face. For one brief moment… Guilt tightened painfully inside my chest.
She wasn’t wrong! Every bronze coin mattered. Every silver coin could help rent another meeting place, buy parchment? Purchase supplies and convince another supporter.
Yet… I bought a dress! What was I thinking?
I lowered my eyes and before I could answer, the chamber door opened again and Sally stepped inside carrying a folded blanket.
She immediately sensed the strange atmosphere. “What happened p>
Marqee held up the blue dress. “I was just asking where she found enough coins to buy this p>
Sally looked at me then at the dress then back again.
I could almost feel the pressure building and I cleared my throat awkwardly.
“The coins we need for the revolution aren’t the same coins I spent on this p>
Neither of them replied immediately. Trying to move the conversation elsewhere, I quickly looked at Marqee.
“Besides…You said you weren’t interested in the group… So how do you know we need money p>
Marqee hesitated. “I She looked genuinely caught off guard. “I’ve heard people talking and that’s all p>
Sally quietly watched both of us then finally she spoke. “You shouldn’t feel guilty p>
I looked at her. “For What p>
“For buying the dress p>
“I’m not guilty.” I immediately uttered.
“Good.” She placed the blanket on her bed. “Because the group doesn’t need a leader who apologises for every decision. It needs someone decisive p>
Her words settled heavily inside the room. After a short silence she continued. “I won’t actually be in the castle tomorrow night p>
That immediately caught my attention. “What do you mean p>
“I’ve accepted a large charter and it has to be delivered tomorrow evening p>
I frowned. “Tomorrow p>
She nodded. “It pays well p>
I couldn’t hide my disappointment as I spoke out. “But we need you here because our operation begins during the ball p>
“I know p>
“Then why now?” I asked
She sighed. “I couldn’t refuse because the payment was too good p>
I folded my arms. “So when will you return p>
“As early as I possibly can.” She met my eyes firmly. “I’ve already informed everyone where they’re supposed to meet. The assignments are ready, the notes are hidden and nothing changes p>
I slowly nodded and there was another long silence then I spoke more quietly. “Sally p>
“Hm?” She hummed.
“You don’t have to keep doing I hesitated. what you’re doing p>
She understood immediately as her expression became unreadable. “You don’t know why I’m doing it so you can’t judge me p>
“I’m not trying to judge you.” I stepped closer. “I’m only saying stealing isn’t the best way to go about it p>
For a long moment she simply stared at me then she picked up her blanket. “Goodnight, Selena p>
She walked out without another word as the room suddenly felt much quieter.
I let out a long sigh as tomorrow will decide far too much.
Hours later, every maid in our wing stood outside the headmaid’s study.
The corridor buzzed with nervous whispers and one by one… names were called, and duties assigned.
Some were assigned to Kitchen, Wine service, Cleaning, Ballroom attendance, Stable assistance and every servant received detailed instructions.
The headmaid tolerated no mistakes and when my turn came— “Selena p>
I stepped forward immediately as she spoke. “You’ll assist at the main entrance p>
My stomach dropped. “The entrance p>
“Your job is to receive arriving guests p>
Everything inside me went cold. No. No. Not there because anyone entering the castle would see me first.
My Father, his Beta, other Alphas, nobles from Nightbane and any of the people who had watched me grow up.
I opened my mouth. “Headmaid, I p>
“Next.” She had already moved on.
The guards immediately began ushering us away before anyone could protest. “Hurry to your stations there isn’t time to waste p>
I tried looking back. Perhaps I could still speak with her but the flow of servants carried me away.
Within minutes, I found myself holding a polished silver salver exactly like dozens of other servants.
My feet felt strangely heavy. Every step toward the castle entrance made breathing harder.
Outside… The enormous gates slowly opened as torchlight flickered against the stone walls.
Inside the ballroom, warm candlelight already filled the hall as gentle harp music drifted through the corridors.
Servants hurried everywhere making final adjustments as the atmosphere had completely transformed.
More Elegant, Welcoming and more alive.
Then… The first carriage rolled through the gates followed by another then another. One after another they entered the castle grounds.
Nobles emerged dressed in embroidered cloaks. Ladies stepped gracefully onto the stone path wearing sparkling gowns.
Jewelled necklaces reflected the candlelight as laughter echoed through the entrance.
I lowered my head as I didn’t want to look up so I wouldn’t be noticed.
I quietly leaned toward the servant beside me. “Please p>
She didn’t even glance my way as I added. “Could you take my salver p>
She ignored me completely and I quickly began searching desperately for familiar faces.
Marqee, Niamh or Ryuji were nowhere in sight. Even Sera had disappeared out of sight so I was completely alone.
Then movement inside the ballroom caught my eye as Alpha Kael descended the grand staircase with calm, measured steps.
His attire suited him perfectly. An old-fashioned doublet beneath a finely tailored coat. Black fabric layered with charcoal grey, Silver embroidery traced elegant patterns across the sleeves then dark emerald accents completed the regal appearance.
The nobles instinctively made room for him. He looked every bit the Alpha of Blackbourne.
For a brief moment… I simply stared that I almost forgot where I was.
“Pay attention!” A castle guard marched toward me. “What are you doing p>
“I p>
“Face the entrance.” He snapped at me. “Hold your salver properly because you represent Blackbourne tonight p>
I quickly obeyed and just then… Whispers spread rapidly across the entrance. “He’s here. The Alpha of Nightbane… Alpha William has arrived p>
Every muscle inside my body froze as my back remained turned toward the entrance.
The guard continued adjusting my posture. “Stand straight and Eyes forward p>
I couldn’t move… couldn’t breathe and then— Alpha Kael walked briskly across the hall.
Without drawing attention, he stepped directly behind me. In one smooth movement, he took the silver salver from my trembling hands.
His shoulder shielded me completely from anyone approaching from the entrance.
He placed the salver into the confused guard’s hands instead.
“You.” The command left no room for argument. “Go p>
I didn’t hesitate to leave. Keeping my head lowered, I walked away as quickly as I dared.
Only when I had reached the far corridor did I risk looking back.
From the shadows…I saw him. My father, standing beside his carriage with the same commanding posture I remembered so well.
Months had passed and yet nothing about him had changed.
A shiver ran through me as I released a trembling breath…before disappearing deeper into the castle.