Sloane fixed with a pointed stare as if she didn’t expect my words. "It please to hear that."
"I’m sure it does."
She passed a look around the garden. "Excuse , but I haven’t seen this place before, have we, Greya?"
"No, my lady, even though we’ve taken a stroll many tis here."
"I hope you’re not offended by my unfamiliarity. It’s just that Drevon lets take my walk in his garden."
Wrong move, missy.
I grinned. "That’s lovely to hear because, as you can see, my favorite flowers were planted here, and Drevon made this special place for ."
Sloane’s smile dropped a little.
"Yes, a wedding gift."
"Drevon is just lovely, isn’t he?" she amused, but I could tell it was forceful.
"And adorable too."
Sloane scoffed, leveling her gaze at my bandage peeking from my sleeves.
"Thank the goddess you survived that great ordeal. Your human handmaid, what is her na again? Talia?"
I flinched.
"I heard she’s barely alive. Poor thing, the least you can do is put her out of her misery."
I pinned Sloane with a quiet look, but she only continued as if her talks were suddenly pleasurable. "I never realized how feeble humans are to succumb to sothing as insignificant as...mauling? I an, look at your handmaid behind you, all good in spirit. Your tea, for instance, you haven’t touched it yet because it’s far too hot." She took a sip from hers to prove her point. "Lycans don’t get burned."
"Is that so?"
She placed her teacup on the saucer. "I do not an to—"
I grabbed my teacup and splashed the hot tea on her face. She gasped in shock.
"My lady!" her handmaid yelled. "How dare you!"
"Well, excuse , Sloane, I was simply trying to prove your words true." I placed my arm on the table and leaned toward her. "Amazing...you didn’t get burned."
Sloane opened her eyes, and her amber eyes had an eerie glow to them.
I raised a finger and clicked my tongue. "Careful now, any danger toward will be treason. I’ll hate to see your entire house suffer the sa fate as the Vales. And yes, Sloane, this is a threat."
Like a slow, forced gesture, a smile spread on her lips. "Have the lowlife grown the bravery of a lion?"
"No..." I answered with steel in my tone. "This has nothing to do with bravery; this is repercussion. A bleeding heart of a survivor."
"What on earth does that an?" she asked through clenched teeth, as if trying to control herself.
"I have no idea," I shrugged. "Be a darling and tell yourself."
"I suggest you watch your tone with , Eloise!"
"Oh!" I gasped, placing a hand close to my lips. "Do my eyes deceive ? Or is the poker face expression twisting into anger?"
Sloane’s chest heaved, and the mask I so wanted to shred was finally off. Dare I say she looks hideous?
I leaned closer to her, despite being internally scared that she might lash out and rip my head off, but I knew Sloane wasn’t stupid enough. The mont she lays a hand on , she loses Drevon’s rcy, which I might say was a turning point for her, given her fondness for him.
"This is round one, I intend to pay back tenfold what you did to my Talia. Don’t worry, your secret of your involvent is safe with , I won’t pillow talk to my husband about it." I smirked. "Just yet."
Sloane seed as if she wanted to say sothing, but ground her teeth instead. I was counting on her to say anything so I could shove it right back down her throat.
"Greya," she said, rising to her feet. "We’re leaving."
She stord off with her handmaid. I made sure she was out of sight before I released a sharp breath. Gods! That was intense, I thought I would cower away when she gave a look or worse, lose my head.
My hands are trembling now, and I just cramd them to stop the quivers.
"Y-Your G-Grace, that was risky!"
"I know... but the plan worked, didn’t it? Her reaction was enough proof I needed."
I honestly thought she would play a fool, but even soone like Sloane, who was made with perfection, can misstep sotis.
"S-She won’t take this well, your life might be in d-danger," Osha said worried.
"I know Osha. Sloane has her court backing her, as well as her family na. But confronting her straightforward has dulled any move, she won’t take that risk, for now."
I may have won against her today, but there was still sothing I needed. I don’t want to be powerless anymore. I have been thinking about this when I had my thirst for revenge.
Suddenly, a clap echoed, and Osha and I turned and found a young girl walking toward us. She had inky, dark hair, pinned up with a hairpin, allowing the rest to fall to her waist. Charcoal grey eyes that reminded of the Dowager’s.
"Wow, wow!" she remarked claid, stepping up the stairs and flapping her hand fan open, covering half her face. "I knew you were interesting. A gutsy thing you are, putting Sloane in her place. I can’t say I have seen that before."
I straightened my back, eyeing her from head to toe. She didn’t look like a Lady; if anything, she was dressed just as Osha.
"And who are you?"
She chuckled. "My na does not matter, human, I—"
"Then can I help you with sothing?"
"No, that is not the case, I—"
"Then leave, this is my special place. You’re not allowed in here."
She snapped her hand fan shut and pointed it at , irritation twisted on her face. "At least let finish my sentence, stop cutting off, it’s rude, human!"
I took one long look at this short, rude little girl, wanting to curse at her, but I shouldn’t forget she was a Lycan.
"Osha?"
"Your Grace," Osha stepped forward, seriousness in her tone.
"Do you have any idea who this is?"
"N-No, I think she might be a lost servant. Perhaps one in training, she looks very young."
I turned back to the girl. "You heard her, so how am I being rude to you when it’s the opposite?"
"Goddess! I finally get to et you in person, and you have a mouth for a little human! Know your place!" She cleared her throat as if what she was about to say would make everything make sense. "I’m pri—"
"Are you by chance a new handmaid given to by Drevon? Osha?"
"H-He did not ntion."
I placed her hand beneath my chin and studied. Maybe she was a surprise from Drevon.
I exhaled. "I seriously don’t need another handmaid, my sweet Osha is more than enough."
"Oh, Your G-Grace, you flatter ."
"H-H-H-Handmaid?" the girl stamred, pointing to herself, confused.
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