Chapter 129

Xaden’s POV

That one maid looked so familiar, but I couldn’t figure out where I had seen her before. She was very nervous about being around me, and I wondered if it was because I was a royal, or because of something else. It almost felt like she was hiding something.

I brushed the thought out of my mind and made my way up the stairs. I reached the door that one of the guards told me Mia was behind. Lucas wasn’t going to grab Mia himself and invite her to the gathering in the parlor, so I insisted on doing it myself. He needed to get to know her so that the marriage would be easier. I know my brother and he’s going to try to talk his way out of this, but this joining was important to not just our father, but to the entire kingdom as well. We all had a duty to the Kingdom as the children of the King, and that included my youngest brother. He needed to do his part.

I hated forcing his hand like this, but if he got to know her a bit and actually spent a bit of time with her, I’m sure he could grow to like her if not love her.

I knocked on the door and waited for only a couple of beats before the door slowly opened. A young woman stood on the other side of the door; I knew right away that this wasn’t Princess Mia. Her clothing was plain, and her hair was braided down her back. She had pretty eyes and a timid smile, which was another clue that she wasn’t the princess. As a Princess, Mia would portray herself elegantly and powerfully. She wouldn’t appear frightened in front of me.

“H…hello?” The woman said. “Can I help you?”

I nodded, giving her a polite smile.

“Hello, Mam. I am Prince Xaden—” I started but was cut off by her sharp intake of breath. She released the doorknob and bowed deeply in respect to me.

“Your Majesty, it’s an honor to be in your presence,” she said, keeping her eyes fixed on the ground.

Another indication that this was in fact not Princess Mia.

I nodded at her, keeping that smile on my face. I didn’t want to appear intimidating to this girl like I was to that maid.

“May I ask for your name?” I asked her.

She lifted her gaze to meet mine and I saw a little color forming on her cheeks and nose.

“Emily, Your Majesty,” she answered. “I am Princess Mia’s handmaiden.”

Of course, it made sense that she would have brought her handmaiden along to the capital.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Emily,” I told her. “I wanted to invite Princess Mia to a small gathering my siblings and I are having in the parlor. You are more than welcome to join as well. Is the princess around?”

Emily frowned and glanced over her shoulder. I wondered if she was looking at Princess Mia. When I tried to peer into the room, she quickly blocked my view so I couldn’t see, and she gave me a very obvious fake smile.

“I’m sorry, but the princess is asleep right now,” she informed me in a hushed tone.

I raised my eyebrows.

“She’s asleep?” I asked her.

Emily nodded and let out an awkward chuckle.

“Yes,” she answered quickly. “She’s asleep. It was a very long trip here and she’s a bit jetlagged.”

I nodded, understanding. It made sense; the Vixen kingdom was far from here.

“I see,” I breathed. “Well, I hope to meet her later this evening during the royal feast.”

Emily nodded, her smile widening.

“She will be there,” Emily assured me. “I’ll let her know you stopped by once she’s awake.”

“I appreciate that,” I told her.

I turned away without another word and I heard the door clicking shut as I walked down the hallway. Just as I started to walk down the stairs, that maid from earlier ran past me, hardly noticing me. From her face, I could tell she was upset about something. Her body was trembling, and her fists were clenched at her sides.

“Is everything okay?” I asked just as she reached the top step.

She froze upon hearing my voice and turned slightly to look at me; her eyes were moist with unshed tears, and I furrowed my brows. What had happened to cause her distress like this?

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty,” she said, her tone raspy. “I’m fine. I’m just a little unwell.”

“Do you need to visit the pack clinic?” I asked. “I could make some arrangements and—”

“You are very kind,” she said quickly, stopping me. “But no… thank you though.”

I nodded and watched as she turned and ran further away from me. That was such a strange encounter. I wasn’t sure what to think of it or what had happened… that is until I reached the parlor and I could hear Lucas cursing and fuming before I even opened the door.

“Lucas, relax, it was only an accident,” Charlotte said, holding back her giggles as Lucas cleaned the spilled condiments off his clothing.

“An accident??” He practically hissed. “She didn’t even apologize. She just ran out of here! What kind of maid does that?? It wasn’t an accident.”

“What’s going on?” I asked, shutting the door behind me.

Char looked at me and bit her bottom lip, trying desperately not to laugh.

“A maid was serving sandwiches and spilled the entire tray on Lucas,” she said, her face red as she fought the urge to burst into a manic laughing fit. “The poor thing was so embarrassed she ran out of here.”

I wanted to ask what the maid looked like, but I didn’t bother because I already knew who it was. Or at least I suspected. It had to be the same one I met earlier and the one that ran up the stairs looking horrified. That explained why she was so upset. I shook my head and fought the urge to laugh as I joined Charlotte on the couch.

“I’m sure it was only an accident. There’s no need to have a fit over it,” I told him, trying to calm him.

It didn’t seem to be helping. He only growled at me and then he took his seat, folding his arms across his chest.

“I’ve already called another maid here to clean up the mess,” Charlotte told him. “She’ll bring you another change of clothing as well.”

Lucas rolled his eyes.

“Fine,” he murmured like a child.

Char only shook her head before looking at me.

“Any luck getting Mia here?” She asked, glancing at the closed doorway.

I shook my head.

“She’s sleeping because she’s jetlagged,” I answered. “She’ll join us for dinner tonight.”

“How dare she not want to meet with me,” Lucas huffed. “I’m her husband to be after all.”

“And you refused to meet with her as well if I remember correctly,” I reminded him. “You could have met her at the door when she first arrived or gone to her room yourself. But instead, I had to do it for you.”

He sighed, looking like a young boy suddenly.

“I didn’t even know she had arrived yet until a few minutes ago. You know I never wanted to get married like this. It was originally supposed to be you before you found your mate. I hadn’t been prepared for this like you were,” Lucas murmured.

It was true that for a long time, it was supposed to be me who mated and married Mia to join the vixens and the wolves, but after I met Maeve, the plans had to change, and Lucas was the only one eligible for this duty.

“You are the Son of a King, Lucas. It’s part of your duty,” Charlotte reminded him. “There’s no need to be rude before you even meet her. You know nothing about her besides the rumors online. Do you know how many untrue rumors there are about you… or even about me? Do you believe everything you hear in the media?”

“Of course not, but—”

“Then, you shouldn’t believe everything you hear about Princess Mia,” Charlotte told him.

Before he could respond, another maid entered and cleaned up the sandwiches from the floor. She handed Lucas a new shirt as well because the one he was wearing was stained with condiments.

He unbuttoned his shirt, handing it to the maid who blushed upon seeing his abs. He quickly put the new shirt on and ran his fingers through his hair. Lucas always had good hair without even trying; all he had to do was brush his fingers through it and all the women fell at his feet.

The door of the Parlor opened, and our mother walked in.

“Princess Mia is ready for a meeting. But she would like to meet with Lucas alone,” she said. “Come out to the front foyer so you can greet her.”

Lucas sighed before standing to his feet.

“If I must,” he murmured.

“You must,” we all said at the same time.