AMELIA’S POV


    I was surprised to see Sebastian. I knew he’de look for me here but not by this time of the night. What if they were attacked on the way or even worse had an ident? Then it’ll be all my fault. But thank goodness none of that happened.


    “Amelia, be careful! You nearly spilt that whole bowl. What’s gotten into you?” my mum scolded as she kept more bowls of veggie sauce and sd on the table.


    “I’m sorry…” I mumbled an apology, noticing the close call with some spilt grains as I looked away from Sebastian. I quickly used my hands to sweep the few that fell off the table.


    My mum, seeing Sebastian, was surprised and delighted. Letting out a soft gasp, she hurried over and hugged him tightly.


    “Oh my dear, it’s so good to see you again,” she pulled away after hugging him for what seemed like an eternity. She rested her palms on his cheeks, looking at him with motherly affection shining in her eyes. “How have you been? What of your wife – Catherine?”


    “I’m fine…we’re all doing well.” Sebastian was struggling to maintain his smile, looking a bit overwhelmed.


    It was obvious he didn’t n to visit. One of the maids back at the castle must have told him about Catherine firing me the moment he came back from his friend’s luncheon.


    Usually, anytime he visited, during the daytime, he brought presents for everyone including my little brother – Xander, who was 12. But he didn’te with any to show the visit was unnned. My parents on their path will turn it into a royal feast – My mum will cook all manner of delicacies for him, even though he seldom touched any, my dad will buy crates of beer and they’ll spend the rest of the day drinking, talking and watching sports on the television.


    “Hurry, Amelia,” my mum urged, waving her hand at me. “Bring the rest of the food from the pots. Our special guest is here!” She nced back at him with that same warm, motherly affection.


    With the scattered rice grains in my hands, I was about to head to the kitchen to do as I was told when Sebastian’s voice stopped me.


    “There is no need for that. I’m justing back from a party. I ate more than enough there.”


    “Nonsense!” my mum retorted. “As long as you’re here, you must eat my food. And why the surprise visit? A heads-up would have been nice…”


    “I said the same thing to him,” my dad chimed in, grabbing a chair and sitting down. He reached for the knife and fork by his te, all set to dig in.


    My mum red at Sebastian, but yfully, her expression turning stern as if scolding him. They considered him like a son. My parents were one of the well-known healers in the Kingdom and used to be very close to Sebastian’s parents before they died. That’s how our connection began, and I started working for their family. I joined even before Sebastian became king. I witnessed his graduation from school, attended his coronation, and was present at his wedding to Catherine.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Even though I worked for him, we saw each other like siblings-he as a younger brother, and I as an older sister. He was a kind and humble man, never treating me or the other maids in the castle badly, unlike Catherine, who had a talent for it. Their marriage was arranged by their parents, and though I didn’t agree with him marrying her, I kept my thoughts to myself. I stayed calm and observed everything unfold, knowing my opinion wasn’t sought for and needed in the matter.


    I still couldn’t believe she sent Vivian to poison Brianna. I knew she hated Brianna. But I never thought it was to the extent of wanting her dead. From the first day Brianna arrived at the castle, I knew something was up. Sebastian went to the ve auction every year after he was made the Alpha King but never returned with a ve. But on that faithful day, he returned with her. And I saw the way he looked at her. The way he cared for her. And that was when I concluded that he was in love with her. And for that reason, Catherine hated Brianna. It was obvious she saw her as a bigpetition and needed to get rid of her.


    Sebastian had feelings for Brianna, but I doubted she felt the same way for reasons I fully understood. I had ns of getting her out of there before Catherine harmed her. I knew Sebastian wouldn’t approve of it and would be mad if he ever found out. But it was to keep her safe from the danger that Catherine posed.


    It breaks my heart to know that I failed Brianna. She must have given up by now waiting for me toe break her out. She was reluctant about the n, but I knew she’d realize that it was the best n for her. I was supposed to get her out that night and put her on a bus to my cousin’s ce in another kingdom where I was sure she’d be safe – far away from Catherine, far away from her dark past. But Catherine shattered my ns. And with her threatening to kill my family if I returned to the castle or said anything to Sebastian, my hands were tied. She was crazy. I’d seen what she was capable of and I knew she’ll do it if I didn’tply.


    “You could have waited for tomorrow or another day,” my mom continued scolding Sebastian. “You know I hate night journeys. As the Alpha King, what if something terrible happened, like a robbery or, heaven forbid, a kidnapping on the way? You’re thest thing left of your parents, you know.”


    Sebastian kept assuring her that everything was okay and he had his guards with him wherever he went. Even though my mom wasn’t entirely convinced. My little brother couldn’t wait for her to finish. He grabbed Sebastian’s arm, eager to know what gift he brought for him, while my mom momentarily shooed him away as he kepting back.


    My mum finally let go of Sebastian, and he sneakily brought out a dor bill and tucked it into Xander’s pocket. Xander grinned with mischief and happily returned to his seat.


    Mom weed Sebastian’s guards and invited them to join us for dinner. Luckily, we had ten chairs, providing plenty of room for everyone to sitfortably. When she noticed I was still in the pathway to the kitchen without bringing the remaining food, she snapped and rolled her eyes at me.


    “Amelia, seriously? What’s up with you tonight? Your king is here, and you’re just standing there like a statue,” she stormed past me into the kitchen and decided to bring them herself while I disposed of the scattered rice grains in my hands.


    Mom, Dad, and Xander turned dinner into a lively affair, bombarding Sebastian and his guards with all sorts of questions, even the ones that were unanswerable. I stayed quiet, ying with my food and pondering what to tell Sebastian and how Brianna was doing. Whenever my parents looked away from him, he’d nce at me, his eyes searching desperately for answers I couldn’t provide.


    As I was only halfway through my food, Sebastian had already finished his. Mum insisted on giving him more, but he politely declined and excused himself to the restroom. On his way out, he tilted his head at me, indicating that I should join him on the backyard porch.


    Momentster, I excused myself and carried my unfinished te to the kitchen. Mum looked at me with her brows quirked suspiciously as I left. I hadn’t told them Catherine fired me yet. I just told them I came to visit and would leave soon. I didn’t know how to break the news to them. They’ll be really mad at me.


    After disposing of the remaining food and leaving my te in the sink, I headed to the backyard porch to find Sebastian waiting, gazing at the big, bright, and beautiful moon in the starry, ck sky.


    “Sebastian,” I called out from behind, my voice low and sounding defeated.


    He turned to face me. “Quick, get your bags. We’re leaving immediately.”