CHAPTER 20: SAVING THE ELDEST LORD

It was evening when Leia paused outside a room, drawn by the presence of something serene. Through the slightly ajar door, she caught sight of a grand piano standing proudly at the center. Curiosity nudging her forward, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The room was warmly lit, casting a gentle glow across the polished floor and elegant furnishings. Large windows offered a peaceful view of the garden outside, where the last light of the day brushed the leaves in gold.

Her steps slowed as she approached the piano, eventually coming to a stop. Softly, she pressed a few keys, letting the notes echo gently through the space.

"I wonder which brother plays this?" Leia murmured to herself.

"Miss, pardon me, but no one is allowed to be in this room." The sudden maid’s voice brought her out of the trance, and Leia turned around.

"Eh, why?" Leia confusedly stared at her.

"Lord Ronan plays the piano, and he hates it if anyone comes here without his permission," the maid replied from the doorway.

Leia walked there and stepped out of the room. The maid locked the door from the outside.

"What’s your name?" Leia asked. She was still not fully aware of the staff.

"I am Greta Fabbri, Miss Leia," she introduced herself. "I heard you were recommended rest. I advise you to go to your room. If you need anything, I’ll bring it for you," she asserted.

"Thank you, but I would like to roam around. It’s boring in the room," Leia stated. The two of them began walking ahead in the hallway. "How long have you been working here?"

"It has been more than five years," Greta replied. "I joined the work here when I turned eighteen because of poor family conditions," she added.

"Oh. Then, I hope your family is doing well now," Leia stated.

"Yes, the debts are no longer there," Greta replied with a small smile.

"That’s good to know. Do you know why no one can enter that piano room? Are Lucien and Kieran aren’t allowed there either?" she queried.

"They can, but not the others, Miss," Greta answered.

"Seems like the brothers are close," Leia remarked.

"They aren’t," Greta refused. "I have heard that after their parents passed away, they had a huge fight. All three of them wanted to go their separate ways, but something happened and they live together now. However, despite living together, they still stay apart from each other. Surprisingly, the sudden hospitalization of the second brother again brought them together," Greta explained to her.

"What happened to their parents? I heard they died in an accident," Leia said.

"It wasn’t an accident as far as I know, Miss. Rumors say that they died saving the eldest lord," Greta stated. "But they are baseless rumors," she asserted.

"Oh. Lucien seems to have an upper hand in everything," Leia remarked, pretending to be surprised.

"Of course! He is the eldest son, and also the pack’s alpha," Greta reasoned.

"None of them ever speak against him?"

"I’ve never heard them going against the Alpha," Greta replied. "But why is Miss Leia asking all that?" she gazed at her in confusion.

"I was trying to know them, nothing more. So far, Lucien is a closed book to me," Leia explained.

"Miss, I’d advise you not to plan anything against them," Greta said cautiously, her tone neither accusing nor pleading, just sincere. They both came to a slow stop, turning to face one another.

"I understand the circumstances that brought you here," Greta continued. "But if this were any other pack, things wouldn’t be so... lenient. You challenge our Alpha, yet he still listens to you. That’s not something many would tolerate. I only hope you won’t betray the trust he’s placed in you."

Leia stared at her, momentarily stunned. Her lips parted to speak, but before she could, a familiar voice cut through the air.

"There you are," Lucien said, approaching them.

Greta immediately lowered her gaze and bowed respectfully before excusing herself, disappearing down the hall.

"I’ll be at the hospital tonight," Lucien said as he stepped closer, his sharp gaze locking onto Leia’s. He was trying to read her, to see what lay behind those guarded eyes.

"Will Keiran be back by then?" Leia asked.

"Of course," he replied.

"That’s good to hear," she said. A trace of a smile curled at her lips, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "He’s the only one who truly understands me."

Lucien caught the sting beneath her words; it was a deliberate jab, and he knew it.

"I am the Alpha of this pack," he said. "One day, you’ll bear my children. Naturally, I hold you in high regard."

"Then perhaps you shouldn’t hold me in such high regard," Leia said coldly, her voice filled with bitterness. "Though I doubt you ever did. All you care about is having children with me; what I want doesn’t matter to you. That’s what I despise about werewolves... especially Alphas like you. Maybe that’s why my mother warned me never to get involved with your kind."

Her gaze pierced into his, filled with disdain.

"Since the day I arrived here, I’ve felt nothing but suffocation," she muttered, before turning away.

Lucien’s hand shot out, gripping her arm firmly before she could take another step.

"Let go of me," Leia snapped, trying to wriggle free. When he didn’t release her, she struck his chest with a closed fist. It did nothing against his unyielding frame.

At that moment, the house butler stepped in, bowing slightly. "My Lord, a woman named Delia claims to know Miss Leia. She insists she’s a childhood friend and wishes to see her."

"Delia’s here!?" Leia’s eyes widened with shock.

Lucien’s expression shifted, his brow arching slightly. "Isn’t she the one who tipped off the auction house about your true identity?"

Leia froze. "H–how do you know about that?" She skeptically gazed at him. She hadn’t told anyone here that her best friend had betrayed her.

Lucien stepped closer while his face was mere inches from hers. His warm breath brushed the tip of her nose as he spoke,

"That’s not what matters right now," he said. "Tell me—should I allow Delia inside or not?"