Chapter 29 29
Amelia's POV:
“Mei, what can I possibly do to show Alpha Denary how grateful I am?” I asked, turning to face Mei who was standing with her hands folded neatly in front of her simple uniform, then she tilted her head, thinking for a while before offering a gentle smile.
“Honestly, my lady, I have no idea. Gratitude is a tricky thing with someone like the Alpha, especially when he has everything he could want.” She began. “But you just woke up not even an hour ago so why don’t you start with something simple? Have your bath, get some food in you, and then we can think properly about what to do for Alpha Denary.”
Her words were practical, as always, but they lit a spark somewhere deep in my mind. I blinked, and suddenly the idea was there, so a smile spread across my face. “How about I handle dinner tonight?”
Mei’s eyebrows rose, and then her expression brightened into genuine delight. “That’s actually a great idea, my lady! The last time you cooked, everything turned out wonderfully so yes, it’s a wonderful plan. However…” She added quickly, raising a finger, “I still think you should have your bath first and maybe a light snack. You need your strength back before you step into the kitchens.”
I nodded eagerly, the excitement already chasing away the last traces of fatigue. “You’re right. Let’s do that.”
Together we walked down the short corridor to my private chambers and the moment we reached the carved wooden door, I stopped Mei with a light touch on her arm. “Before you come in with me, could you go and inform the other maids that I’ll be handling dinner tonight? I want everything ready when I’m done bathing.”
Mei bowed her head respectfully. “Of course, my lady. I won’t be long.” She turned and hurried away, while. I pushed open the door and stepped into the familiar warmth of my room.
The large four-poster bed was still rumpled from where I had lain earlier, the sheets gleamed under the afternoon sunlight filtering through heavy velvet curtains, and the air smelled faintly of lavender from the sachets tucked into the wardrobe.
Letting out a sigh, I crossed straight to the en-suite bathroom, took off my clothes and stepped into the marble tub filled with lukewarm water that was scented with rose petals and a hint of vanilla oil, which I believe Mei had drawn before waiting for me outside Denary’s door
I sank in with a sigh, letting the heat soothe every sore muscle. My mind wandered as I washed my hair, lathering the long strands with the creamy soap Mei always prepared and Denary’s face kept appearing behind my closed eyelids.
When the water finally began to cool, I stepped out, wrapping myself in a thick white robe that felt like a cloud against my skin. Steam curled around me as I rushed back into the bedroom and to my surprise, Mei was already there, seated primly on the velvet sofa near the window.
She had laid out a fresh set of clothes on the bed, a soft beige day dress with delicate embroidery along the neckline and sleeves, paired with simple but elegant undergarments and my heart warmed at her thoughtfulness.
Smiling, I walked to the bed and picked up the garments, slipping them on piece by piece while the robe pooled at my feet. “Did you manage to inform the maids?” I asked, fastening the small buttons at my cuffs.
Mei nodded, rising to help smooth the dress over my hips. “Yes, my lady and they also wanted to know if you will be preparing dinner for just yourself and the Alpha again. They want to know if they will have to make use of the second kitchen to prepare something for Beta Jasper and Lady Jasmine.”
I froze mid-motion, one hand still on the last button. ‘Cook for Jasmine?’ The thought sent a ripple of hesitation through me.
Jasmine and I weren’t exactly close enough for such a gesture. She was cunning and I had seen it in the sly tilt of her smiles and the way her eyes sharpened whenever Denary looked at me. I knew, deep down, that she didn’t like me. Not after the way she had spoken to me on my first day here.
But then again, it was Jasmine who suggested I join them for horse riding earlier today. If she hadn’t extended that invitation, however reluctant it might have felt at the time, I would never have ended up riding beside Denary. I wouldn’t have seen the way his face softened when he looked at me, wouldn’t have felt the entire pack witness how much he cared.
‘And then there was Beta Jasper.’ I muttered under my breath, and a shiver ran down my spine just thinking of his cold stares, and the way his lip curled slightly whenever our eyes met, as though I was something distasteful he had to tolerate. I had no idea why he hated me, but I knew one thing for certain that the best way to ensure Denary loved me endlessly was if everyone around him accepted me.
With that decision settling firmly in my chest, I turned to Mei. “I’ll prepare dinner for everybody.” I responded, my voice steady and clear.
Mei’s eyes widened slightly as she said. “Oh, let me inform the maids right…”
“No need.” I interrupted gently, already moving toward the door. “We’re heading to the kitchen now anyway. You can just find any maid on the way and pass the message.”
Mei smiled and fell into step beside me and we stepped into corridors that were lined with portraits depicting ancient hunts and moonlit ceremonies as sunlight streamed through tall arched windows, warming the stone floors.
We hadn’t gone far when we spotted one of the younger maids near the pantry alcove, carefully arranging jars on a shelf so I approached her with a warm smile. “I’ll be handling dinner tonight.” I told her kindly. “You and the others can rest for the day. However, when we’re finished, a few of you could come back to help clear the dishes.”
The maid bowed low, her cheeks flushing with gratitude. “Thank you, my lady. We’ll be ready whenever you need us.” She straightened and hurried off, probably to spread the word.
The main kitchen welcomed us with its familiar bustle of copper pots and the faint scent of herbs hanging from the rafters. Only one maid remained now, and she slipped out quietly after my instructions, then I rolled up the sleeves of my dress and turned to Mei.
“I’d like to make roasted venison with rosemary and garlic, buttered root vegetables, a fresh herb salad, and that creamy mushroom soup Denary liked last time. Oh, and fresh bread rolls as well so you have to warm the oven.”
Mei moved efficiently, disappearing into the storage room and pantry, returning with arms full with a beautiful cut of venison, baskets of carrots and potatoes, bundles of rosemary and thyme, mushrooms still earthy from the forest, and a sack of flour.
She set everything on the wide oak table and began chopping vegetables with speed, while my hands moved quickly as I seasoned the meat, heated the heavy cast-iron pans, and set the soup to simmer.
Soon, the kitchen was filled with the rich, savoury aroma of herbs as steam rose in curls and for a while, the only sounds were the chop of the knife and the sizzle of oil until I felt it the unmistakable prickle of someone watching so I looked up from the pan where I was turning the venison, and there, standing in the wide doorway, was Jasmine.
‘Why is she here? Is this another attempt to throw tantrums, to remind me that I didn’t belong here?’ I thought to myself as Jasmine walked toward me with measured steps, her expression surprisingly warm.
“Thanks to the goddess that you’re okay.” She said, her voice carrying genuine relief. “I was really worried about you.”
I stared at her, genuinely surprised because this was the same woman who had been rude to me on my very first day. Even when she suggested the horse ride earlier, I had suspected some hidden motive yet here she was, eyes wide with concern.
“Thanks, Jasmine, for being worried about me. That means a lot.” I muttered, forcing out a polite smile while wiping my hands on a cloth.
Suddenly, she stopped a few paces away, tilting her head slightly with an almost amused smile curving her lips. “If you knew you weren’t good at horse riding, you shouldn’t have insisted on coming only to end up embarrassing yourself.”
“Excuse me?” I pressed, my heart pounding with a mix of disbelief and rising irritation as our eyes remained fixed on one another.