The Alpha King's Mind Reading Maid (Cecilia) novel Chapter 175

Chapter 175

Cecilia’s POV

The silence was deafening; for a long while, nobody moved.

Did he really cancel the consort selection ceremony? This was the last day before he made a choice. I looked around the room at the devastated, pale faces. My father and Diana looked furious, while Sophia had her lips pressed in a thin line. Her eyes flickered towards me for a brief moment, a scowl on her face.

I swallowed, turning away from her.

Madam Isa was there, rounding up the concubines, keeping her tone low and her movements hurried.

When her eyes met mine, she motioned for me to follow them out of the room. I went with the others, keeping my head down as we passed by the Alphas and Lunas. We bowed lightly in passing, but for the most part, none of us said a word.

By the time we returned to the lounge, emotions were buzzing.

“Do you think he canceled it because of Vivien?” Someone asked.

“No way, he never liked her. Or else he would have made her his favored concubine.”

“That’s enough, ladies,” Madam Isa said, clapping her hands together. “There’s no use fretting about it right now. You girls should get changed and return to your rooms at once.”

“What does this mean for us?” Jasmine asked, her brows pinching together. “We were supposed to be released and returned to our packs with payment. Does that mean we no longer get to go home?”

More murmurs erupted around us; it was clear that most hadn’t thought about that, but for Jasmine, Claira, and Cora, their lives depended on it. They were putting everything on hold to be here, and they were eager to return to their normal lives and find their true mates.

Madam Isa sighed, her eyes softening slightly.

“As of right now, we aren’t sure what’s going on. But I assure you, once I find out, I will let you know,” she said, her tone calmer than it had been a moment ago. “It’s been a long day, and you ladies need to rest. I’ll have food sent to your rooms in an hour.”

I wasn’t sure about anyone else, but I had no desire to stick around. I wanted to return to my room and get out of this dress. I also wanted to find out what was going on with Leopold, but I knew it was better not to go searching for him right now.

If anything, he’s probably with Sophia already.

The thought made my stomach turn sour, but I swallowed it down.

I started towards the doorway without another word, but Cora stopped me before I could get too far.

“Are you okay?” She asked, putting a hand on my shoulder.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” I asked, hating how defensive my voice suddenly sounded.

She gave me a sad smile.

“You don’t have to put on a brave face around us,” she reminded me. “Maybe he stopped this ceremony because he already made a choice, and it’s you?”

The laugh that bubbled out of me was bitter as I shook my head.

“Yeah, maybe.”

“Get some rest,” she said softly. “Tomorrow is a new day.”

+15 Bonus

I turned and left without another word. The walk back to my room felt like it took forever. My steps were heavy, and my mind

was clouded.

I wanted so badly to know what was going through his mind.

I reached up and touched the nape of my neck, feeling the warmth of the mark, my fingers trembling.

“Mate,” Lora whined, and I knew she was gutted over what had happened earlier this evening.

Our mate forced his mark on us. He was still out there somewhere, probably looking for us. And I worried what would happen once he found us.

Third Person POV

The corridor was quiet this time of night; most had returned to their rooms. Only the light footsteps from night guards could be heard, and even they were at a far enough distance that they didn’t notice the two lurking in the shadows.

“Where have you been?” Sophia sneered. “I told you to meet me here 20 minutes ago.”

“I’m sorry, Mistress,” Anna said, bowing her head slightly. “I’ve had to finish some chores before I could get away. I can’t stay long, though; I was told I needed to head to the kitchen to grab Cecilia’s evening meal.”

Sophia curled her lip at the mention of Cecilia. Just the sound of her name made her blood boil.

“What is it you wanted to speak to me about?” Anna asked, bringing Sophia’s attention back to her.

“You have been at this palace for months… observing Cecilia and yet you failed to figure out that she and the King are mates,” Anna hissed. “How did that go under your radar?”

Anna’s face paled at Sophia’s words, and her eyes widened.

“What?” Anna gasped. “I had no idea… I knew they spent a lot of time together… but mates? They hadn’t said anything…”

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