Chapter 12 12
Amelia's POV
A few days ago, just after Alpha Denary instructed Uriel to treat my hands, a maid had arrived. She introduced herself as Mei, my personal maid who drew a warm bath for me that first day, and as she helped me wash without straining my bandaged fingers, I couldn’t hold back my questions.
“How is my relationship with Alpha Denary?” I whispered. “
She froze, hands hovering mid-air, then lowered her gaze. “My lady… I do not think I am in a place to speak about the Alpha.”
I pressed gently. “Please… I need to understand something, anything.”
She shifted uncomfortably before finally murmuring, “Alpha Denary cares for you deeply. And with time… you will learn more about your relationship with him, how it began and what led to this point.”
A short pause, then. “But I am not allowed to speak about the Alpha.”
My brows furrowed. “Did he order you not to tell me?”
To my surprise, she nodded.
“Why?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“H-Healer Uriel said that forcing yourself to remember could damage your mind.” Mei said softly. “If you are constantly reminded, you will try too hard. And when you force memories that are not ready… it hurts you. Alpha Denary warned me never to put you through that.”
I had no answer to that. But knowing that he cared about me, I decided to nod and let the matter go.
The next few days passed quietly with me resting, healing, eating, and attempting to move without feeling pain tug at my limbs. Each morning Mei helped me bathe and dress, and each afternoon she escorted me up and down the long hallways as Uriel instructed.
Earlier today, after I finished my bath and breakfast, I asked Mei if she could take me on a stroll around the packhouse. I needed to know more about this place that felt foreign.
As we moved through the passages and courtyards, Mei pointed to each location.
“That is Alpha Denary’s study. That is the council hall… Those are the stables… The dungeons are down that way…”
She took me everywhere, even to the storage room. But on our way back, rounding a corner, I heard whispers of three maids leaned together, unaware we were approaching.
“I heard Alpha Denary was defeated for the first time ever.” One said.
“And by a woman.” Another added. “How humiliating is that?”
“A shame.” The third whispered. “Truly shameful.”
My heart tightened.
Is that why he hasn’t come to see me?
He had barely looked at me these past days. Each time I passed him in the corridor, he cast me a cold glance and disappeared into his room that was beside mine.
Is he avoiding me because of the rumors? Because he’s ashamed?
Mei cleared her throat loudly and the maids jumped, spun around, then bowed before scurrying away.
I turned to Mei. “What were they talking about?”
She hesitated.
“Mei.” I said gently, “I know you are not supposed to speak about the Alpha, but… please. Just tell me what’s going on.”
Mei sighed, shoulders slumping. “Honestly, my lady… maids only hear gossip. But… I know Alpha Denary could not complete his infiltration plan and was forced to retreat.”
“Why?” I whispered.
“I do not know.” She replied. “Some say he got cold feet, some say a woman challenged him, and some say he was ambushed.”
Is that why he has been in such a foul mood? Is that why he cannot look at me?
With that, I made a promise to myself that I would do what I can to make him feel better.
So I turned to Mei with an idea. “Can you show me the way to the kitchen?”
Her eyes widened. “Of course, my lady.”
When we arrived, the kitchen staff all stared then bowed quickly. I smiled awkwardly. “I… wish to prepare food for the Alpha.”
Mei immediately protested. “My lady, you should not stress yourself. If you need anything prepared, you can tell us maids…”
“No.” I cut her off softly. “I… want to make something myself.”
Silence fell as the staff exchanged looks.
Finally, one stepped forward. “Is there anything you need, my lady?”
I told them the ingredients I wanted and they fetched everything from the pantry, laid it out neatly, and even handed me an apron. I did not know why my hands remembered how to cook… but they did and my body moved almost naturally.
When I finished, I placed a bit on a plate and pushed it toward Mei. “Please… taste it.”
Mei stiffened. “I cannot dare taste the Alpha’s food.”
“Please.” I repeated quietly.
Reluctantly, she tasted it, eyes widening slightly. “It is… actually very good, my lady.”
Warmth spread through my chest. “Good. Then… let’s take it to my room.”
Mei refused to let me carry it. She and another maid brought the tray upstairs. They placed it on the table, arranged two chairs neatly, and the other maid slipped out.
Mei turned to me. “Shall I call the Alpha?”
My stomach tightened. What if he refuses?
I didn't think of that part before cooking, I was just excited to cook for him.
“N-No.” I said finally. “I will go call him.”
I walked to his room and knocked gently, but on receiving no response, I pushed it open and saw that it was empty. So, I turned around and made my way to his Study. I remembered its location from our tour as I walked carefully, knocked on the study door, and heard a low. “Come in.”
Pushing the door open, I saw him seated behind his desk, flipping through files and then he paused before looking up. “Is there a problem?” He asked.
“Um… actually…” I clasped my hands nervously. “I… cooked us lunch and I wanted to invite you to eat with me.”
“I am very busy.” He said, staring at me for a while before turning his attention back to his files. “I will tell the maids to prepare lunch, when I want to eat.”
My shoulders fell, I bowed slightly and turned to leave when he said. “Fine.”
I blinked, nodding quickly and watched as he rose up and followed me to my room. On arrival, Mei slipped out quietly, shutting the door behind her. While Denary sat opposite me and we began to eat.
After a few minutes, he said. “It tastes… good.”
Relieved, I said. “Thank you.”
Halfway through the meal, I gathered the courage to lift my hand and showed him that it was healing.
He nodded and I hesitated, then whispered. “Um… I overheard rumors. That you were defeated by a woman. Is…’
His hand froze mid-air and the air chilled instantly as he lowered his spoon. “Mind your business.”
I flinched and watched as he stood abruptly, chair scraping back. He was halfway to the door when it burst open and Jasper stepped inside. The moment his eyes landed on me, his expression turned to that of disgust, like I was something foul.
Then he turned to Denary. “Can we speak in private?”
Denary exhaled. “I was just leaving.”
They stepped out together, shutting the door behind them. And I sat there alone, staring at the food, wondering what I had done wrong, and why Jasper always looked at me with pure disgust.