"T-thank you, Janette, I-I appreciate your help and story," Ophelia said as Janette slid a simple necklace across her neck.
Ophelia touched the pearls, her throat closing. She had never been showered in this kind of luxury. Whenever Matriarch Eves presented the girls with gifts, she seldom gave anything to Ophelia. Aaron, her father had always tried to give her something, but she insisted on books instead. Ophelia had never complained.
"Is it too tight, my lady?" Janette worriedly asked, for she saw the Madam give the necklace a bit of shifting.
Ophelia shook her head. She didn't know how to express her feelings. Ophelia seldomly wore necklaces, rings, or bracelets. Illegitimate daughters didn't have this kind of luxury. As such, her skin wasn't used to being weighed down with a foreign material.
"You look spectacular, my lady, truly." Janette stepped back to admire her handiwork. Their Madam was beautiful, even with the bare minimum makeup to emphasize her unnatural eyes and soft lips.
"Your beauty can rival the Moon Goddess, my lady." Janette couldn't help, but gush with excitement. Maribelle often disliked being dressed up too lushly, and Janette never had the opportunity to serve her personally.
"You flatter me t-too much, Janette." Ophelia's face burned red, for she was seldom complimented. The more Janette seemed to fawn over her, the heavier her heart grew.
Ophelia was living a lie. She shakily intertwined her fingers and tried to breathe. The corset was suffocating and tight, squeezing her ribcage. She felt ashamed to have lied to this many people.
"Would you like me to guide you to the dining hall, my lady? I believe Lady Maribelle is already downstairs."
Ophelia stiffened. Her face paled. Her mouth went dry. Dine… with the mistress? She didn't even know what to say. Yesterday, Ophelia didn't have a proper discussion with Killorn about the situation.
"U-uhm…" Ophelia sharply inhaled and turned to Janette.
Janette tilted her head in confusion. She saw the abrupt panic in the Madam's eyes.
"Is there a problem, my lady? Shall we have the food brought up to you?"
Ophelia slowly shook her head. The thought of eating with the mistress killed her appetite instantly, and she no longer wished to leave the room.
"I-I am not hungry," Ophelia admitted.
Janette slowly tilted her head. "Oh… Well, how about some morning tea and biscuits at the least, my lady? It would be unhealthy to not at least have a meal when you first wake up."
"N-no, I-I don't have an appetite, I-I'm sorry Janette," Ophelia reinforced.
"Please do not apologize, you are never to do such a thing with us servants, my lady," Janette softly said, her face filled with understanding.
Janette began to realize that Madam's heart was much more tender than expected. In all her years of serving, Janette had never heard a blue-blood ever thank and apologize on the same day.
Janette was caught off-guard many times today. "Would you like a physician to be called forth, my lady? The Duke had employed the best doctor from the empire, who once treated the Emperor personally."
pαпdα`noνɐ1`сoМ "N-no, I am f-fine…"
Janette's brows tugged together in concern. Could it be…? She glanced at the Madam's stomach.
"O-oh, no, I-I don't think I-I'm with child," Ophelia quickly said. She couldn't have been, it's only been a few days.
"I uhm…" Ophelia didn't know where to begin. "W-where is m-my hus—oh, I mean the D-Duke?"
Janette was bewildered by the switch in address. She was glad the Duke was not here to hear this.
"The Duke is most likely done with his meal and in the training field with our soldiers, however, I think Lady Mirabelle actually skipped breakfast to meet you, my lady."
What?
Ophelia tried to change the subject again. "S-soldier?"
"As you know, werewolves are warriors of the land, and Mavez Pack creates the most exceptional ones. When our trained men fight, they are always at the frontlines of war. Two years ago, the Duke sent us a man that once trained him, and he is an exceptional teacher," Janette explained.
Ophelia slowly blinked.
"The teacher turns young boys into grown men in just a year of rigorous training with a method that pushes their body to breaking limits, but creates strong fighters. Well, not to mention, the majority of our people already have supernatural strengths, so they excel further, my lady," Janette concluded.
Ophelia's heart skipped. She did not forget. They were werewolves, and Killorn led the pack. Her husband, all this time, was not human. It would explain his insatiable urges and unbeatable stamina. But… Why didn't he tell her?
Why did everyone know before her?
"Y-you explain things v-very clearly, Janette," Ophelia praised. "I l-like it."
Janette was suddenly blushing. She wasn't aware that she had rambled with every question. Nonetheless, she bowed her head at the compliment, to show her gratitude.
Suddenly, a knock filled the air and both women glanced towards the door.
"C-come in?" Ophelia mumbled in confusion, disappointed that her sweet moment with Janette was interrupted.
"My lady," Cora greeted with an elegant bow of her head.
Ophelia admired how the older woman's hands were always tucked in front of her stomach. It was evident the middle-aged woman had many years of serving the household. She was reminded of the headkeeper back home who was a kind old man, for he had personally raised her father.
"I will escort the lady from here on out," Cora informed Janette who didn't seem to protest.
Janette excused herself, careful to not show either of them her back, for it was a sign of disrespect. Once they were out of sight, she walked off, for her chores for the day hadn't ended yet.
Then, Cora offered a heart-dropping piece of information. "Alpha Killorn has instructed you to eat break your fast, Madam. Lady Mirabelle is already downstairs and awaiting your presence before she can eat."
Ophelia's heart dropped. She'd have to eat with Lady Mirabelle, the mistress.
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