Chapter 116
The child suddenly grabbed her hands, and Althea frowned when she felt something slip into her palm.
“My Lady, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to bump into you,” the boy said quickly, bowing his head in apology.
I have to make sure she gets the message… or I’m dead, she heard from his thoughts. Googlᴇ search
Althea’s body stiffened. She clenched her fist, hiding the small piece of parchment he had secretly slipped into her hand.
“Let’s go now, My Lady,” Melva said, pulling her attention back and snapping her out of her trance.
Althea looked around, trying to appear calm as she slipped her hand into her pocket, the parchment hidden safely inside. Her mind was racing, but she forced herself to act normal.
Melva tugged at her sleeve and pointed toward one of the stalls. “My Lady, look at this! This color would look perfect on you p>
Althea managed a faint smile and nodded, letting Melva pick out a few fabrics and trinkets.
“Alright, get whatever you think looks nice,” she said softly, pretending to browse while her thoughts were elsewhere.
Then, Melva clung to her arm with a bright smile. “My Lady, look at this one! The embroidery’s so fine, it would suit you perfectly p>
Althea glanced at the pale blue fabric Melva was holding up. “It’s lovely,” she said, nodding absently.
Melva wasn’t convinced. “You’re barely looking,” she teased, waving another cloth in front of her. “Come on, choose something for once. The Alpha King gave you enough to spend. Don’t just stand there with that serious face p>
Althea tried to smile, though her mind was spinning. “Alright,” she said quietly. “Get whatever you think looks good on me. I trust your taste p>
Melva grinned, delighted, and hurried off toward the next stall with the merchant.
That gave Althea a moment to breathe. Her eyes swept across the market—Rudy stood near the horses, scanning the crowd; Ben was a few steps behind her, ever watchful; and Trudis was by the entrance, making sure no one came too close.
Alpha Abner and Luna Ruth were in the corner talking to some buyers.
She needed to read the parchment, but not here, not in the open where anyone could see.
She took a small step closer to Ben and said in a low voice, “Ben, is there an outhouse nearby? I need a moment p>
Ben straightened and quickly nodded. “Yes, My Lady. I’ll check it first p>
He gestured for Trudis to follow, and both men walked ahead, clearing the path toward a small wooden structure tucked behind one of the bakeries. Rudy noticed the movement and joined them a few moments later, his sharp eyes scanning every direction.
When Ben returned, he gave a small bow. “All clear, My Lady. You may go in. We’ll stand guard outside p>
“Thank you,” Althea said softly.
She stepped into the outhouse, closing the door behind her. For a moment, she just stood there, listening to the muffled sounds of the market outside—the chatter, the laughter, the distant hooves on dirt.
Then she pulled the parchment from her pocket with trembling hands and unfolded it carefully. Her breath caught the moment she saw the handwriting. It was familiar.
Sister, it’s me—Rett. I can’t stay long or risk being seen, but I’ve found the necklace with the keychain you’ve been looking for. Please, meet me tonight there’s an old willow near the stream. I’ll explain everything then p>
Rett.
Her eldest half brother.
Althea’s heart pounded in her chest. She traced the letters with trembling fingers, as if touching them would make them more real.
The mention of the “necklace with the keychain” made her chest tighten—it was the only thing her mother had left her, the one item she had begged Althea never to lose. Her mother once said that the key would help her find the answers she’d been searching for when the time came.
Taking a shaky breath, Althea closed her hand around the parchment. Then she whispered a short incantation under her breath, and the paper disintegrated into fine dust, scattering through her fingers.
Meeting Rett would be dangerous—reckless, even. If she got caught sneaking out, she could lose the fragile trust the Alpha King had in her, assuming there was any left to lose.
Still, it wasn’t the risk of punishment that unsettled her most. It was Rett himself.
He wasn’t a good man. Among her half siblings, he was the one who often acted kind and protective toward her, pretending to care. He used to bring her food when his mother would starve her, defend her when the mistresses mocked her. To anyone else, he might have looked like a caring brother. But Althea knew better.
She had read his mind once—just once—and that was enough to make her sick.
Beneath that mask of warmth, his thoughts were twisted and vile. His so-called affection wasn’t born from brotherly love; it was hunger, obsession. Rett’s concern had never been pure. It was all a ploy to earn her trust, to get closer to her until he could take what he wanted.
A chill ran down her spine. The thought of meeting him again after all this time made her skin crawl.
“No,” she whispered under her breath. “Not him. Not ever p>
Her hands trembled, but she quickly steadied herself. She had to stay calm, to pretend nothing was wrong. No one—not Melva, not Rudy, and especially not Gavriel—could find out about the message.
A soft knock on the door made her jump. “My Lady?” It was Ben. “Are you alright p>
Althea quickly folded the parchment and tucked it inside the small pouch tied around her waist. “Yes,” she called back, forcing her tone to stay calm. “I’ll be out in a moment p>
She took one last deep breath and then she opened the door, stepping out with a composed smile as her guards straightened.
“Let’s return to Melva,” she said softly.
Rudy nodded, falling into step beside her while Ben and Trudis took the lead. As they walked back toward the market stalls, Althea kept her expression gentle, but her heart was anything but calm. The key pendant was way too important for her to ignore.
‘What should I do p>