Chapter 35: Just an Ex-maid

**Caelan**

“Master Caelan, a young lady the name of Thalia is here to see you.”

I stopped pacing and gave the servant a brief glance, one eyebrow arched. I wasn’t expecting anyone, least of all her. But Thalia was persistent, and in my experience, persistence was never something to ignore. She was... a useful distraction. A pawn in my game. And right now, she was getting a little too comfortable in her role.

“Where is she?” I asked, my voice deliberately cold.

“Right outside, milord.”

I didn’t answer immediately, my thoughts drifting back to Lysandra. She was always on my mind, like an itch I couldn’t scratch. She was everything I wanted, everything I needed. A kingdom. Power. Beauty. And I would have it all, if I could only claim her. I had a plan, and nothing would derail it. Nothing. Not even Thalia.

I made my way to the door, making sure to keep my steps deliberate, calculated. I didn’t want her to think she was anything more than an inconvenience at this point. 

When I stepped into the hallway, there she was. Thalia. Standing there with her arms crossed, her expression one of barely contained frustration. She had the nerve to look at me like I was the problem. 

“Thalia,” I said smoothly, stepping forward, my tone laced with false warmth. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

She scoffed, her lips curling in distaste. “You know exactly why I’m here, Caelan.” Her voice was sharp, angry. But there was something else there too. A desperation I could taste in the air. It almost amused me. Almost.

“I told you to lay low,” I reminded her, my eyes narrowing slightly. “It’s not a good time to make our... relationship public.”

She stepped forward, not intimidated in the slightest, and I could see the fire in her eyes. The girl was angry, and for a moment, I almost felt sorry for her. Almost. But then the bitterness crept back in, and I remembered why I was so done with her. 

“You think I don’t know what’s going on, Caelan?” she snapped, her voice dripping with contempt. “You’re running after Lysandra, aren’t you? You think you’re going to save her, don’t you? You think she’s the key to everything you want.”

I wanted to laugh at her. The truth was, she was right. But I wasn’t about to admit it. Not to her. Not now. 

“What are you trying to say, Thalia?” I asked, feigning confusion. 

She threw her hands up in frustration. “I’m saying that you don’t care about me! You never did. You’re just using me to get to her. You’ve been asking me to keep us a secret, all the while you’re chasing after her like some lovesick fool.”

I felt the anger stir within me. But I didn’t let it show. I couldn’t. Not when anyone could see us talking.

“Stop acting like a child,” I said, my voice hardening. “You knew the rules from the start. I never promised you anything. You’re just... convenient for the time being. That’s all.”

Her face contorted with shock, then fury. She took a step back, almost as if the words had physically struck her. 

“I’m convenient?” she whispered, her voice trembling with rage. “You promised me marriage. You promised me everything. And now you’re throwing me aside like I’m nothing.”

Her words were nothing more than empty noise in my ears. I didn’t care about her. I didn’t care about any of it. 

“You’re not listening, Thalia,” I said, my voice low and dangerous now. “I never promised you anything. You were a means to an end. Nothing more. I used you to get what I wanted, and now I’m done with you.”

I saw the flicker of hurt in her eyes, but it didn’t matter. She was just a piece on the chessboard. She always had been. And now it was time to move on.

Her face flushed with anger, her fists clenching at her sides. “You used me?” she hissed, stepping forward, her voice rising. “I helped you! I was loyal to you, Caelan! I stood by your side while you schemed and plotted, and this is how you repay me?”

The fury in her voice was almost enough to make me feel something. Almost. But it wasn’t pity. It was just irritation. She was making a scene. 

Without thinking, my hand rose, the urge to slap her growing within me like a sudden, violent surge. But I stopped myself, my palm still hanging in the air, frozen in a moment of tension. I wanted to hurt her, to make her understand how insignificant she truly was. But I wouldn’t lower myself to that. 

Her eyes widened as she saw the motion, and I saw the recognition in her gaze—she knew what I was capable of. And she knew that I was holding back. 

I dropped my hand slowly, not out of regret, but because it wasn’t necessary. She wasn’t worth the effort. 

“You’re not getting it, Thalia,” I said, my voice cold as ice. “You were never more than a tool. I needed you, and now I don’t. That’s all there is to it.”

She recoiled, her face pale with shock and anger. But I wasn’t going to let her stay. I wasn’t going to let her think she still had a place in my life. 

She shook her head, disbelief in her eyes. “You’re a monster, Caelan. I thought you were different. I thought you cared.”

I laughed then, a harsh, mocking sound. “Caring? That’s not who I am, Thalia. I never cared about you. And I never will.”

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, I almost thought she was going to break down. But instead, she stood taller, her jaw set in defiance. 

“You think you can just discard me like this?” she spat, her voice trembling with anger. “You think you can treat me like this and get away with it?”

I took a step closer, my voice dropping to a whisper, low and threatening. “You’re nothing. You’re just a distraction. You’re a means to an end. And now that I’ve gotten what I needed, I’m done with you.”

She recoiled as if I had struck her, and I couldn’t say I felt sorry. I didn’t. I didn’t feel anything for her. 

“Get out,” I said, my voice hard and final. 

For a moment, she stood there, staring at me with a mix of fury and hurt. But I wasn’t going to let her stay here in my family's Estate.

I realized I may have foolishly told her some of my shortcomings, and Thalia being a crazy woman could expose me.

My demeanor changed immediately, and I lowered my voice.

“You were fired,” I said, my voice carrying the fake compassion. “Why don't you use this to do something that'll make you rise in status, so I can get married to you.”

“So you're trying to say I'm not worthy enough to be your wife?”

“Not right now. C’mon now Thalia! You know how society is. We're like two sides of the coin.”

“I can see right through your lies Caelan! This time, I'm not blind. I know your intentions to get married to me are fake.”

“Will you at least calm down and see my reasoning? You can't be my main wife if you're just an ex maid.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but I didn’t give her the chance. 

“Leave. Now.”

The look she gave me was one of pure betrayal, but it didn’t matter. I didn't find her interesting anymore.

She had served her purpose by letting me know about the mark, and the treasure that I almost threw away.

As she stormed out, I allowed myself a moment of satisfaction. She was nothing. A pawn. And now I could move on to the real game. Lysandra. 

I would have her. I would have everything. And nothing, no one, would stand in my way.