The Alpha King's Mind Reading Maid (Cecilia) novel Chapter 3

Cecilia's POV

No one will believe what really happened to me, I told myself, suppressing my eager to tell Landon that I'm not Sophia but an Alpha daughter.

“I…” I take a beat to quickly think my response through. “Well, no, my name is not Sophia. There was a small… misunderstanding by the soldiers who came to my pack to collect me. See, they took me as Sophia, but–”

“Get to the point, please,” Landon interrupts, in a softer tone.

“I’m actually called Cecilia,” I finished hastily. “But that’s me. Who you’re calling.”

“Very well, then. Please wait over there.” He gestures towards a side door, and I nod to affirm that I can follow instructions.

“Yes, sir.” As I make my way across the hall, I try to keep my eyes forward. Still, it’s impossible not to take notice of the reactions of those around me. I haven’t been the target of so many pitying looks since my mother’s death.

As I approach the side door, another voice rings out, high and piercing. “Sir, may I volunteer as well?”

I whip around to find out who it is, but somehow I already know before I even see her.

Lucy is on her tip-toes, hand outstretched straight up in the air. Her face is bright, and she appears to be completely oblivious to the looks of abject horror being directed at her from the surrounding candidates.

Landon looks a little taken aback. “Who has volunteered?” he demands, scanning the group for the surprise volunteer.

“I have, sir. I am Lucy, Omega of the Everwinter Pack. I would be honored to be the first to serve His Highness, Alpha King Leopold, during my time in this palace.” She flashes her practiced smile and tilts her head up assertively.

Landon glances down at a piece of paper in his hands, muttering, “Lucy… Everwinter… ah.” He looks up at her once more, salt-and-pepper eyebrows knit together. “Thank you for your… enthusiasm, I suppose.”

Lucy nods at him with borderline grotesque excitement.

“Fine. Please proceed to the side door as well, along with Soph– I mean, Cecilia.” He begins to walk towards me, while Lucy practically skips my way.

Landon opens the door and waves us through. “After you.”

Lucy offers a curtsy. I silently walk outside.

“Now, then,” Landon says. “Come with me.” He walks through the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back. “You will need to be dressed appropriately. The handservants to His Majesty are not uniformed the same as the other palace slaves.”

Lucy suppresses an exhilarated squeal, and for the first time, I can sense a touch of genuine annoyance in Landon’s tone.

“Please keep in mind, you must always be up earlier in the morning than His Majesty so that you are ready when he wakes.” He pauses, waiting for us.

“Yes, sir,” we say in unison.

“Very good. Upon his rising, you shall offer him his morning tea and refreshments. Then, with permission, bathe him with great care. After that, bring him his garments for the day.”

He stops suddenly before a set of doors, and opens them. “And speaking of garments, your own will be found in the chest in this room. Change quickly.”

Lucy and I rush forward and grab two outfits that look like they’ll fit us. I scramble to put it on, but Lucy takes her sweet time to admire her body in the maid dress and comb through her hair after fastening the headpiece.

“Ooh!” she exclaims, posing girlishly. I stare in disbelief, but force myself to hold my tongue.

A knock comes from outside the room. “Are you decent?” Landon asks.

“Yes, sir,” we say together again.

He opens the door. “Then follow me, please.”

The three of us make our way to the building in the middle of the grounds. It is a grandiose central structure, home to the king’s quarters where he lives and sleeps and carries out his frightful judgments on those who came before us.

“Once you have brought him his clothes in the morning and he has gotten dressed, he will let you know that he is satisfied. You will then proceed to serve him his breakfast.”

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