Enslaved To The Alphas-Chapter 241: Growing Up Together

"Are the three lords really very powerful?" fourteen-year-old Shiqi asked her maid as her hair was brushed repeatedly to make it shine, her gaze lifting now and then to check her reflection in the bronze mirror. Satisfied with herself, she looked at the maid.

The maid nodded, as she started to tie up her hair into a stylish do," Yes, miss. The three lords. They say they are going to be mated to one of you. Either it is you or that Mira. Mistress thinks it should be you. After all, whoever is mated with the lords, will become the Ruler of all land.

You are the most virtuous of all, so of course it has to be you. Also, you are a descendant of the Grand Witch, of course it is only right , that it would be you. As for the Mira. She is nothing but a dark witch orphan. Just because she was born on the same day and time as you, she was brought here by the master and thinks she is also a Miss. Hmpf."

But Shiqi did not pay much mind to her maid’s rambling. After all, the maid knew nothing. She already had someone in mind for her. She didn’t care if the lords wanted to be mated with Mira. All that mattered was she didn’t want to be with the lords. She already had a future husband in mind.

She smiled softly at the thought. Soon, it would be their coming of age ceremony. Even though father had said that she would have to present herself to the three lords, she knew, in her heart that they were not her mates.

Soon, her smile disappeared as she glanced at herself in the mirror. Then she frowned. But... what if they fell for her? That would be bad. But it was a big chance. Because between Mira and her, she really was more beautiful.

She shook her head. No. Even though Mira was not as beautiful as her, she was still pretty. The only problem was, half the time that girl was knee deep in mud. She clenched her hands in her dress. No. She needed to clean that girl up and make sure she also had a pretty dress and a good hairdo. So that later, when they were both presented to everyone, Mira would at least look on par with her. She’d even use some rice powder to hide the girls tanning.

Decided, she stopped her maid from putting in the flower in her hair and said," Find Mira and bring her here. Quickly."

"But miss... the flower..."

"I’ll put in the flower myself. You go and fetch her."

The maid frowned at the abrupt order but then hurried away, leaving the young miss to chare after that delinquent.

Just as the maid walked out, Shiqi saw Aron walking out from her father’s study. She grinned and hurriedly called out to him," Aron! You’re back!"

Aron paused and turned his head to look at her. She crossed her fingers in front of her and gave him a beaming smile. It was a good thing he had come just now. He would be abl eto see her so well dressed, looking her best. It had been almost a year since she had last seen him and now he was here.

As she hurriedly walked to him, she wondered if he was rendered speechless with her beauty. But as she reached him, she realised he had not even sent her a glance. There was a faint crease between his brows, the kind that appeared only when something weighed on his mind.

Still, when he heard her call, he had stopped. That made her feel warm all over.

But then, he turned as if ready to leave and she hurried toward him at once and reached out, gripping his arm before he went away.

"You’ve lost weight in your travels! But don’t worry, now that you are back," she said, her fingers curling lightly around his sleeve. Her eyes traced his face, then lifted higher. She smiled softly. "I’ll have the kitchen prepare your favourite food! And you’ve grown taller."

For a brief moment, something unreadable flickered in his eyes and Shiqi felt her heart clench. Was he seeing how worried she was about him?

But then he gently pulled his arm away.

The small action made her chest tighten, as if he were placing a space between them on purpose. He stepped back and said in a low voice, "Hmm. I am tired. I should go."

Her smile faltered at once. The warmth she had felt moments ago faded, replaced by a sharp sting of disappointment.

"Aron," she said quickly, before he could walk away. "Can you help me put a flower in my hair before you go?"

He looked surprised, then uneasy. He glanced down the corridor before shaking his head. "I shouldn’t. Your maid-"

"My maid had to hurry away to help Mira get ready," she interrupted. "And if I don’t hurry and be ready, when Mother comes, she will definitely scold me." She tilted her head slightly and smiled at him. "Please, Aron."

He frowned faintly at that. He hesitated, clearly torn, but she kept her smile. Knowing Aron, he was too soft and would definitely give in. At last, he let out a quiet breath and nodded.

"All right," he said.

Her face lit up at once.

Before he could say anything else, she took hold of his wrist and pulled him into her room, her steps light and quick. Her heart fluttered wildly in her chest, beating faster with every step. This was the first time a man had entered her room. Even her father was not allowed here...

Inside her room, she released his wrist and hurriedly sat down in front of the mirror.

She watched his blurry image in the mirror as he picked up the flower and stepped close to her.

"Don’t move," he said quietly.

"I won’t," she replied at once.

His movements were careful as he lifted his hand. His fingers brushed her hair, barely touching, as he shifted a strand aside. The contact sent a strange warmth through her, making her shoulders tense without meaning to.

"Is this fine?" he asked.

"Yes," she said softly. "Right there."

He adjusted the flower, pushing it gently into place. His touch lingered for only a second before he pulled his hand away. When he was done, he took a step back, as if relieved to put distance between them.

She looked at herself in the mirror. The flower rested perfectly in her hair.

"Thank you," she said, her voice lighter.

He nodded. "You should finish getting ready."

"Aron," she said again, turning slightly on the stool to look at him. "Are you... angry about something?"

He stiffened.

"No," he replied too quickly. Then he added, more quietly, "Just tired."

She studied his face, unconvinced. But she knew she could not pry. So, she nodded and said," Oh. Then you should rest."

"Yes," he agreed. "I should. I will see you later, Shiqi."

Shiqi watched him go and huffed, a sad expression on her face. It was her birthday today and he hadn;t even brought her a gift. Did he even remember her birthday? But then she shook her head. So what if he didn’t remember. There must be a lot of things on his mind. Of course he could forget.