The Alpha King's Mind Reading Maid (Cecilia) novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Leopold’s POV

+15 Bonus

Seeing Cecilia enter the room in a fine silk dress made me look twice. I had briefly acknowledge before to myself that she was attractive but didn’t think much more about it than that, dismissing the thought as soon as it arrived.

Yet now that she was standing in my banquet hall wearing a silk gown that hugged her every curve… Her hair was pulled up, exposing her long neck. Her face was made up to highlight her high cheekbones and pouty lips. And the dress… it had a plunging

neckline that showcased the round softness of her breasts.

What was she even doing here? Why was she dressed as a concubine?

Unless… she must have lied to Landon about what had happened last night. Was that why she had deliberately climbed into his bed? Just like all the other women, she wanted something from him. She wanted to be his concubine.

Whatever kindness I had thought she possessed must have been fake. There was nothing special about her. She was as calculating and cold as every other woman in this room.

She deserved punishment for this.

I was fully prepared to reprimand her, but then Jax had stood up and gone to her. As he did, I saw the look of excitement on his face.

Not just excitement, but something else too.

That was enough to irritate me, though I didn’t know why. I felt like I was a man possessed, stepping outside of myself, watching, as my body followed Jax’s, and as I gave into Cecilia’s lie without even thinking twice.

Jax seemed confused by my sudden aggression. His mouth hung open, but he hadn’t spoken yet. Like he was thinking about

what to say.

My new Gamma Captain needed to be careful here. One wrong word and I wasn’t about punishing him as well.

While I waited for his response, I glanced at Landon, who was standing at Cecilia’s side.

Through our mindlink, I warned him. “I told you nothing happened last night. This girl was never meant to be my concubine. Do not make such assumptions again.”

Landon stiffened. “My apologies,” he said at once. “I will take her away at once. She can return to her duties as a maid. ”

“No,” I said coolly. “That won’t be necessary.”

Cecilia looked nervously between us.

“Let’s return to the table to discuss this,” I said to Jax and Caden. “Cecilia. With me.”

Cecilia’s POV

My heart was in my throat, my body shaking with both nervousness and fear as I followed Leopold and the others back to the

head table.

“I don’t know him, your Highness,” I said along the way, hoping to protect Jax from any association with me.

“He seemed to know you,” Leopold replied flatly.

“He must have mistaken me for someone else,” I lied.

Leopold glanced at me. His suspicion was clear, but he didn’t press the issue further, looking forward again.

Behind him, Jax’s brow pulled together. As our eyes met, he seemed like he wanted to ask more. He must have been so confused. But I lightly, subtly shook my head, and he blessedly held his tongue.

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One of the concubines spoke up as we walked by. “My King, This one is merely an Omega slave who has only served you for a few short days. How could someone like het, so lowly and pathetic, become your concubine in such a short amount of time?”

Leopold shot her a cold glance. “Are you questioning me?”

The woman’s mouth snapped closed. She shook her head. Softly, she said, “No, your Highness.”

When we reached the head table, Leopold gestured for me to sit beside him, between him and Caden. As I did so, Caden’s curious eyes fell onto me.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you before,” Caden said. “Was that concubine right? Have you only been here a few days?”

“Yes,” I said.

“But already my brother chose you. You are beautiful, for sure. There must be something else special about you, to SURVIVE,” he said, with a short laugh.

I watched in the corner of my eye as Leopold’s expression darkened.

“I’m not sure,” I said, shifting uncomfortably. I didn’t like the way Caden was looking at me, like he was trying to catch me in something. “Maybe just some extra luck.”

I chose every word with caution. I didn’t even let Leopold know I could hear his wolf. I sure couldn’t tell a stranger that.

“Really?” Caden asked. His gaze was probing, like he was trying to see straight under my skin.

Caden didn’t seem to notice Leopold’s drop in mood. Or maybe he didn’t care. He just kept staring at me.

“There’s more to you than meets the eye, I can tell,” he said. “Why don’t you be a good girl and tell me what it is. How exactly have you claimed my brother’s attention?”

“I’m telling all I can think of, sir,” I started, unsure how to divert Caden’s attentions.

Caden hummed. “There’s more to you than meets the eye, I can tell. If you can’t tell me, maybe it would be more fun to uncover it myself.”

Leopold’s expression became darker.

“You seem to be very interested in my concubine,” Leopold suddenly said, loudly and coldly. He turned his head and sent his brother a cool glance.

Closing my mouth, I leaned back in my chair, trying very much to stay out of this particular conversation.

Caden simply shrugged. He didn’t reply, and didn’t particularly seemed bothered by Leopold’s suggestion. But he must have been, inside, because he didn’t try to speak to me again.

At the same moment, one of the concubines stood and approached the head table. She was carrying with her a plate of pastries.

“Good afternoon, my King,” she said.

“Vivian,” Leopold replied, giving her no more emotion than he’d given anyone else.

She smiled at the sound of her name. “I made these pastries,” she said, gesturing to the plate of pastires she carried. “It would be a great honor if you would try them.”

Leopold sighed. “Very well. Bring them forward.” He sounded impatient, but Vivian’s bright smile never wavered. She moved closer, coming around the side of the table to stand near Leopold.

With her low cut dress, Leopold only had to turn his head to have a view straight down to her breasts. I glanced at his face, watchful, but his eyes never lifted off of the plate as he reached for a pastry.

Loud and clear in my head, I heard Warren’s voice. “Stay away from me! You vile, stupid woman!”

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VISTAL 2

Alarmed, I stood up abruptly.

Everyone at the table and Vivian looked at me.

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