Chapter 15
Lyra's POV
The dinner continued in an oppressive atmosphere, with Kael and his family discussing business dealings I neither understood nor cared to understand, occasionally erupting into bursts of hollow laughter.
I sat alone in the corner, like a dispensable piece of furniture.
No one truly cared about my presence, not even willing to spare me a glance.
But this gave me an opportunity.
I pretended to casually survey the villa, trying to find clues about the Blood Moon Cult from the room's layout, furnishings, and even the paintings hanging on the walls.
However, while the living room's décor was luxurious, it consisted only of common antiques and artworks. The books on the shelves were classic literature and business texts, appearing more decorative than functional.
I felt somewhat disappointed, but I understood that Kael wouldn't be foolish enough to place important clues in such conspicuous locations, especially in a living room that frequently received guests.
"I need to use the restroom," I said softly to Kael, who sat beside me.
He didn't even look up, merely waving his hand to indicate I should hurry back.
Clearly, in this household, my presence or absence was utterly insignificant.
I stood and walked toward the first-floor bathroom, following the route I remembered.
But when I passed the staircase, I suddenly changed my mind, turning my steps and quietly ascending to the second floor.
The second floor was silent, with tightly closed doors lining both sides of the corridor, while wall sconces cast dim yellow light.
I lightened my steps, trying not to let my heels make noise on the floor, observing each door as I walked.
Most doors were tightly shut, but at the end of the corridor, one door stood half-open, with faint light spilling through the gap.
My heartbeat suddenly accelerated, instinctively sensing that something important might be hidden there.
I held my breath, tiptoeing closer to that door and peering through the gap.
It was a study.
A dark solid wood desk occupied the center of the room, its surface piled with numerous documents and materials—some spread open, others neatly filed in folders.
My gaze fell on the topmost document, and my pupils instantly contracted—at the top of that document's header was printed a bright red crescent moon symbol.
The Blood Moon Cult's emblem.
Intense desire nearly compelled me to push the door open, but reason pulled me back at the last moment.
I couldn't act so impulsively and recklessly.
Just as I was preparing to leave, footsteps suddenly sounded behind me. My heart tightened, and I quickly straightened up, pretending nothing had happened.
A maid carrying a tea tray came up the stairs and was clearly startled to see me, her gaze lingering on me for a moment with some doubt and scrutiny. "Miss Lyra, what are you doing here?"
"Where's the restroom?" I said, trying to make my voice sound calm and natural. "The downstairs bathroom is occupied, so I came up to find one."
The maid's expression still held some suspicion, but she pointed me in the right direction. "Second door on the left down the corridor, but Madam doesn't really like guests wandering upstairs..."
"I'll go down right away," I interrupted her, nodding, then walked directly toward the direction she'd indicated.
I stayed in the bathroom for a few minutes, collecting my emotions and washing my face.
Only after ensuring I appeared completely normal did I emerge.
When I returned to the living room, the dinner was nearing its end.
Seeing me return, Marcella's face immediately showed displeasure.
"Why did you take so long?" Her tone was sharp. "Don't think going upstairs will let you shirk your duties. We don't welcome people who don't know their place in this house."
I was about to explain when she waved her hand as if shooing away a fly.
"Forget it, just stay away from me—you're irritating to look at. Having you here today was simply a mistake. You've done nothing but annoy me."
Beside her, Lydia immediately chimed in, "Exactly, can't even pour tea properly, takes forever in the bathroom, just..."
She trailed off, but her expression of disgust had already said everything.
"Lyra, you've been by Kael's side for nearly five years now, haven't you?" Marcella continued, her voice full of impatience. "Hurry up and give Kael an heir, or do you think you can cling to him forever?"
She laughed coldly. "My son can have any woman he wants. Someone like you—he's only keeping you around because he's softhearted. Anyone else would have thrown you out long ago."
I kept my head down, saying nothing.
I knew that no matter what I said, she wouldn't be satisfied.
And Kael—he sat there, never once saying a word in my defense, never even glancing at me.
Since he had no intention of asking me to stay, I didn't want to continue being humiliated here.
"Madam Marcella, it's getting late. I won't disturb your rest any longer," I tried to keep my tone calm. "I'll just take a taxi back."
Marcella waved her hand, indicating I could leave.
I turned to leave, and at the moment I walked out the door, I looked back at the second floor of the villa, silently noting the location of that study.
By the time I took a taxi back to the apartment, it was already late at night.
I wearily opened the apartment door, only to see an unexpected figure at the entrance—Mira, leaning against the corridor wall, wearing a sexy dress.
Seeing me appear, her lips curved into a mocking smile. "Well, Kael's family dinner is over? Judging by how disheveled you look, it couldn't have been too pleasant, could it?"
I ignored her, intending to open the door and go straight in, but she reached out to block the door.
"Don't think going home with Kael once means anything," her voice carried an obvious warning. "In the end, the person who'll be by his side will only be me."
I stopped, turned to look at her, and let a cold smile curve my lips.
"Is that so? Then how is it that I'm the one he brought home to meet his mother, while you can only stand here like a bitter woman trading barbs with me?"
"Mira, if you're really that confident, why don't you go fight for the chance to go home with Kael yourself?"
Mira's expression instantly froze, a flash of anger crossing her eyes.
My words had hit their mark.
I saw her jaw tighten for a moment, her pupils contracting.
"You just wait," she forced the words through clenched teeth.
Soon, she realized her loss of composure.
It took her a few seconds to reassemble her expression, and when she spoke again, she'd regained her provocative tone.
"At the Red Fang Pack's banquet in seven days, Kael will publicly announce who the true Luna is."
She leaned closer to me, her voice as gentle as if sharing good news. "You must come, Lyra. Without you there, it won't be nearly as entertaining."
With that, she turned and left, her high heels making crisp sounds in the corridor, each step seemingly declaring her victory.
I stood at the doorway, watching her figure disappear at the end of the corridor.
The banquet in seven days—Kael would announce Mira as his Luna.
This meant he had already decided I would obediently bear him a third child, allowing them to continue implementing that evil plan.
So he couldn't wait any longer.
Couldn't wait to let everyone know that he had never truly loved me.
I pushed open the door and entered the apartment. The moment I closed the door, I leaned against it, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath.