The Lycan King's Puppet-Chapter 98: New Room

The ivory-lined walls and marble floors gave her the impression that she was walking in a celestial palace.

Andon showed her through the hallway leading to the East wing, promising to show her the rest of the manor the next day.

The quiet of the room reminded her of her old room at Loodswood before the fire.

The sound of running waves coming from the window drew her attention.

Claire went to the window but diverted when she realized there was a balcony.

His home overlooked the southern sea.

This part of the shore was devoid of people. The white beach sand, the crystalline pebbles and rocks that gathered by the bank.

Aurora would have loved to see it.

The path that led to it was well-kept. A soft breeze wafted over her, dancing with her hair.

Did the King like going there? She wondered.

She would’ve asked Andon, but she was afraid to have any conversations that involved the King with him.

Perhaps she could visit it at night? No one would care if she went alone after all.

There was a knock on the door.

She opened it herself.

A dark-haired woman with smoky grey eyes stood there. She was slightly plump, her face full and pretty.

The purple dress she wore hugged her voluptuous body perfectly.

"Can I help you?"

The woman smiled warmly at her.

"I should be the one asking you that question, my lady."

Claire blinked. "You don’t look like a maid."

"As you don’t look like a Cupbearer." The woman’s smile was intact.

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" She couldn’t help asking.

The woman tapped her lower lip with her index finger, humming slightly.

"I’m your lady in waiting, my lady. It’s my duty to assist and escort you wherever you need to go." Then she leaned in to whisper, "I am also supposed to watch over you, so, be kind to me and I’ll do the same."

Claire blinked again. The woman gave her the same blinding smile.

"Thank... you."

"You’re welcome, dear. Now," She brushed past Claire into the room. "We need to get you out of that stinking, mud drenched dress and into something fit for a dinner with the King."

Dinner with the King.

Oh please. She wasn’t hungry if that was the case. She’d rather die of hunger at this point than risk humiliation from him - she’d had enough for one night. Andon could testify to her plight.

"Ask the serving maids to bring my meal up for me, please."

The woman narrowed her eyes for a split second.

"I’ve never heard of a servant refusing their master’s invitation to dine at his table."

Claire closed the door and returned to her position by the window. The sound of rushing waves would lull her to sleep the moment she touched down on the feather bed - she knew that without a doubt.

"Are you going to tend to me with your bare hands? I assume you ought to come with some supplies and..."

Something cold pressed into the back of her neck. Her whole body went rigid. Something was wrong.

"You’re as haughty as I was told you would be."

The cold metal pressed deeper.

Drawing in a deep breath, she started turning around very slowly. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

The same bright smile was on her face, only more diabolical. Her eyes glinted with something that made her abdomen twist inwards.

The sword landed on the base of her throat. Slick liquid dripped down her neck, sliding between her breasts.

This was it. Her life was over. All she could think of was Aurora. And Him.

Would they move on without her?

"I expected you to scream - it makes the work easier for me."

Her face contorted with confusion. How did screaming make things easier?

The woman tilted her head. "You see, if you scream, I’ll have enough reason to kill you without batting an eye. But, my instructions were to bring you back unharmed."

The sword slid down to the curve of her breasts, tracing her line the blood had left.

"And for one, I like you. You’re not stupid and scared like the others. Making you scream would be so much fun."

Claire gulped, wincing when pain shot through her throat.

Others? They were others.

Gods! Aurora! Was her sister in danger?

"What do you want from me?" She managed to ask, despite the pain she felt.

"Nothing. I want to meet you at the beach by dot midnight. From there, we’ll take a boat to the other shore. If you think you can run from me, wait until you receive news on your little sister." Curtseying, she finally said, "Have a nice evening, Miss Stenly."

Claire watched the woman walk away, her skirts swishing around her voluptuous hips.

"Wait." She called out when the woman grasped the doorknob.

Claire held her breath as the woman turned around. The sword was nowhere to be seen.

"You have questions? By all means, entertain me with them."

"Who sent you?"

The lady smirked. "The answer to that is quite obvious."

Claire shook her head. "I have no idea who it is."

The woman placed an impatient hand on her waist and stared at her for a brief moment before speaking.

"The man who loves you more than anyone in this world."

And who was that? It definitely wasn’t the King. And Zach would never harm her, neither would Aldrich.

Her face paled with a sickening pallor as she realized who it was.

"Uncle Jarren." She murmured.

The woman nodded ever so slowly.

"You have quick wits. And you can imagine the look on the King’s face when he realizes that you were stolen from under his nose."

"He does not care about me. I’m a mere servant."

A dry chuckle escaped the lunatic. "Everyone who has ears knows what a pathetic lie that is." Turning serious, she added, "Don’t forget our little rendezvous at midnight."

Then she was gone. Just like that.

Had that really happened?