Chapter 27
Ella's POV
I stood by the window of the servants' quarters, watching the commotion coming from the direction of the front hall.
Julian and Princess Fiona's arrival had sent the entire West Wing into a frenzy.
Ruby's words from earlier had given me an idea—in the Silver Moon Pack, only by serving the Princess could one possibly live with dignity.
The last time I'd seen her, Princess Fiona still had a childlike disposition, naturally fond of toys and trinkets.
Perhaps I could work with that...
I turned to Ruby, who was tidying the bed, and lowered my voice. "Ruby, can you help me one more time?"
She paused and looked up at me.
"Ella," she said softly, "in this manor, you're the only true friend I have. If you can escape this hell, I'll have hope for my own life again."
I gripped her hand, feeling the warmth and slight tremor in her fingers. "I need to borrow one of your stuffed toys."
Ruby's needlework was excellent. In the quiet of night, she often made small, delicate stuffed animals—her rare form of solace. She pulled out a little fox from the wooden chest beneath the bed. Its stitches were fine, its eyes two black buttons, its tail soft and fluffy.
"Take it," she said, pressing the fox into my hand. "But be careful. Victoria's people have eyes everywhere."
I nodded, hiding the little fox under my apron, my heartbeat quickening.
This was my only chance.
---
I waited in the corridor outside the front hall, pretending to arrange teacups. Through the half-open door, I saw Princess Fiona enter on Julian's arm. She wore a pale yellow dress, her smile bright as spring sunshine. Julian, as always, was cool and composed.
Victoria stepped forward, Kane's hand on her arm, her smile graceful and poised. "Your Highness, Prince Julian, welcome."
Fiona said cheerfully, "Congratulations! I heard there's going to be a baby—how wonderful!"
Victoria rested a hand on her still-flat belly, a gleam of triumph in her emerald eyes. "Thank you for your concern, Princess. This child will be our first heir. Kane and I are both very much looking forward to it."
I stood at the back of the line of servants, head bowed, yet I could feel Kane's gaze sweeping across the room and finally landing on me.
That look made my legs tremble.
Julian spoke, his voice mild. "Congratulations, Kane. Though I hear you've been quite busy lately—don't wear yourself out."
Kane smiled faintly. "Thank you for your concern, brother."
Their exchange was polite and distant.
---
I seized my opportunity. As servants moved about serving tea and water, I deliberately positioned myself near where Fiona sat. She was examining the West Wing's furnishings with curiosity. While pretending to arrange teacups, I let the little fox "accidentally" slip from my apron pocket and fall near her feet.
"Oh?" Fiona bent down and picked up the fox, her eyes lighting up immediately. "Whose is this? It's so lovely!"
I quickly stepped forward and curtsied. "Your Highness, it's mine. I'm so sorry—I dropped it by accident."
Fiona looked up at me, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. "I remember you! You're... the woman my brother Julian brought before, aren't you?"
I nodded, my pulse racing. "Yes, Your Highness."
She turned the fox over in her hands, clearly enchanted. "This is really interesting! The stitching is so fine, and the eyes are so lifelike. Did you make it yourself?"
"My friend made it," I said quietly. "If Your Highness likes it, I have many more..."
Before I could finish, Fiona had already grabbed my hand excitedly. "Really? Can I see them?"
Victoria's voice cut in coldly. "Your Highness, those are nothing but a servant's crude trinkets. Surely you don't actually like such things?"
The air froze.
I could feel the chill of Victoria's gaze like ice scraping across my skin.
Julian set down his teacup with deliberate slowness, his tone carrying a faint edge of threat. "Let her be. After all, Alpha Walter dotes on his youngest daughter. As her brothers, we shouldn't deny her small pleasures, should we?"
Kane's fingers drummed once on the armrest, but he said nothing.
Victoria's smile stiffened on her face. She could only nod reluctantly.
---
I led Fiona to the servants' quarters.
Ruby wasn't there. The room held only a simple wooden bed and a small cabinet. I pulled out the other toys Ruby had made—a little rabbit, a small bear, and a charmingly clumsy pig.
Fiona sat on the edge of the bed, examining each one carefully, laughing like a child. "These are so cute! Your friend is so talented."
I watched her delight, but my mind was calculating the timing.
Just as she picked up the little pig, I suddenly dropped to my knees.
"Your Highness..."
Fiona jumped, nearly dropping the pig. "What—what's wrong?"
I kept my head bowed, my voice trembling. "Your Highness, I know you're a kind person. At the banquet, you protected me..."
"You mean when you fainted? That wasn't your fault."
I took a deep breath and looked up at her. "Your Highness, I want to ask you for something."
"What is it? Tell me."
Slowly, I turned around and loosened the ties of my shirt, exposing the crisscrossing scars on my back. Some were old wounds, already scabbed over and pale. Others were fresh, still faintly pink. Whip marks, burns, scratches from fingernails—they unfolded before her like a brutal tapestry.
Fiona gasped.
"These were all... left by the Lord of the West Wing," I said, my voice eerily calm. "He says I'm his property. That he can do with me as he pleases."
Fiona's face turned ashen in an instant. "This—this is outrageous!" She stood up, trembling with fury. "How can such oppression exist in such a great pack? I'm going to confront Kane right now!"
I hadn't expected her to be so impulsive. I quickly grabbed her arm. "No—no, Your Highness. You only need to take me away from the West Wing..."
"No!" Fiona said stubbornly. "I have to get to the bottom of this. How could Brother Kane treat you this way? I'm going to ask him to his face!"
She strode toward the door. I followed, my heart a mix of tension and anticipation.
If I could use the Princess's voice to expose Kane's cruelty, perhaps...
The door swung open, and I saw Julian standing just outside.
He wore a charcoal robe, hands clasped behind his back, his ice-blue eyes calmly watching us as if he'd known all along what would happen.
"Brother?" Fiona said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Julian's gaze rested on my face for a heartbeat, then shifted to Fiona. "Fiona, go back. I need to speak with Ella."
"But—"
"Go." Julian's tone brooked no argument, carrying an innate authority.
Fiona bit her lip, then reluctantly left. Before she went, she glanced back at me, her eyes full of worry and reluctance.
The room was left with only Julian and me.
He stepped inside, closed the door, and leaned against the frame, watching me. In those ice-blue eyes was a depth I couldn't penetrate.
"I can see exactly what you're plotting," he said slowly.
I lowered my eyes and said nothing. My heart pounded in my chest. I didn't know what he would do to me.