True Alpha's Chosen Mate-Chapter 290: Prologue II

"Welcome back, my lady. Sir Raoul had been waiting for you."

My lips stretched upon the mention of Sir Raoul, a knight aiming to be my personal knight. He was also the man I entrusted with a risky task to complete. For him to return here in one piece only meant good news.

"Where is he, Lisha?" I asked, stopping by the door, eyes on Lisha.

"In the sitting room, my lady."

"Very well." My eyes glinted as I nodded. "Take me to him."

"This way, please."

Like usual, Lisha, my personal maid who I trusted the most, tilted her head down once again before leading me to the sitting room near my quarters. I followed her in silence, looking forward to meeting Raoul and the good news he had in store for me. He knew I hated it when someone returned with bad news. Hence, never once did Raoul disappoint me.

"He’s inside, my lady." We stopped in front of the two doors with Lisha facing me.

"Bring us some tea and snacks, and don’t let anyone near this place while I am inside with Sir Raoul."

"Yes, my lady."

I nodded in satisfaction before I pushed the door open while Lisha remained outside to make sure no one would know about this meeting. As soon as I opened the door and stepped foot inside, my eyes fell on the two figures inside the drawing-room.

One man was sitting on the armchair leisurely with his golden hair shining brightly under the chandelier. When he noticed my presence, he twisted his neck and his face brightened up with a proud smile. Raoul stood up, locking his azure eyes with my pair of gold orbs.

"Welcome back, Sir Raoul," I greeted as I sauntered inside the room, letting the door close behind me while he stood from his seat.

Raoul marched in my direction to meet me halfway. "It is my honor to return to my lady," he remarked, bending over as he received my hand, planting a peck on the back of it, his eyes on me.

"It seemed you finish the job well." I glanced at the figure behind him, exactly at the bound man lying motionless on the floor. I snapped my eyes back at him as I retrieved my hand when Raoul spoke.

"I won’t return only to disappoint you, my lady."

"You make me happy, Raoul." I smiled, motioning my hand to the set of settees inside the room. "Why don’t we take a seat so I can examine the goods?"

"Yes."

With that being said, Raoul and I sat on the set of chairs inside the sitting room. He sat down on the armchair he previously perched on, while I settled on the divan. As soon as I did, my eyes fell on the man whose hands and feet were bound on his back, blindfolded, with his lips also covered.

"My, my... so he’s the wolf Lucien caught?" I asked, raising my eyes at Raoul, only to see him smirk proudly. "Are you sure Lucien didn’t know about this?"

"I guarantee you Sir Lucien had no idea until they found this wolf missing."

’Oh, Raoul...’ I mentally clicked my tongue as I listened to his proud answer. Lucien wouldn’t be my toughest opponent if he was that easy. My brother was smart and cunning, and I was hundred percent certain he knew what happened in detail.

Despite knowing Raoul might be in trouble once Lucien returned, I didn’t dwell on it. Not that I was trying to leave this man hanging, but I was certain Lucien wouldn’t kill him. My brother was more despicable than just randomly killing people.

"Is that so?" I kept my smile as I rocked my head, gazing at the werewolf still in his human form on the floor. The brief seconds I studied him, the more my brows creased.

"Is he dead?" I asked, setting my eyes back to Raoul. "I had never seen him move since I stepped foot in this room."

"He was injected with a tranquilizer, my lady. Else, he will simply break these ropes with brute force."

"I see. No wonder he’s not moving." I nodded and entertained Raoul while he relayed his report regarding Lucien’s conquest. I heard a lot about it already, but there was additional information Raoul brought back with him, aside from the werewolf he abducted from Lucien.

"Interesting," was the only word I could say after hearing what my brother achieved in that short span of time. "He’s truly amazing, isn’t he?"

"My lady is even more admirable," he returned, but my eyes grew icy despite the good intention behind his words.

"It’s just that I don’t get more opportunity. Is that what you’re saying?" I asked with an arched brow, causing him to lower his head.

"I misspoke."

There was a momentary silence between us before a shallow breath slipped past my lips. "I know you simply mean well. However, I never see the lack of opportunity as a weakness. Don’t make it sound like you pity me; I don’t need such revolutionary ardor."

Raoul was already used to my bluntness and how I hated when someone looked at me as if I was inferior. Yet, he would constantly make mistakes like this.

"Anyway, you should rest in your quarters. I will send someone over and prepared you something you can enjoy yourself." I waved, putting an end to this conversation.

"My lady, you don’t have to. I am already delighted to be useful to you."

"Raoul, I need you in your best shape anytime," I stressed, knowing he didn’t want anyone else but me. "I don’t want your stubbornness to deter my plans, especially now that I pressed Lucien’s nerve."

His frown grew worse, but he still nodded reluctantly in the end. "Alright, my lady."

Raoul let out a deep exhale as he planted his palm on his thigh to push himself up. As soon as he stood, he beckoned a knight’s bow and excused himself while I waved indifferently. I watched Raoul march towards the door, seeing him look back at me and bow once again.

As soon as the click from the door caressed my ears, a listless exhale escaped my mouth as I leaned back. All the fierce facade I wore throughout the day slowly disappeared as I looked up at the ceiling, bone-tired, keeping this persona all day.

"Why is being bad so exhausting?" I grumbled in dismay, just wanting to collapse for a decade to make up for all the time, keeping this false pretense forever.

Yes. This was how I was behind closed doors. Not the elegant fifth daughter of the Duke of Southcross, who was known to be just as fierce as everyone in this madhouse. Everyone who knew me until now didn’t really know me at all, and that included Raoul. The only exception was Lisha, and the only time I could breathe was when I was alone.

I was abnormal, and my only way to survive was to act like one of them.

"How I wish I’m just as sick and twisted — ugh... I am one hundred and ten percent certain I hate this place and my life."