CHAPTER 3

I tried not to show that his sudden question had an effect on me. There was no way I was going to allow myself to get caught on the first night when I haven't even gotten the chance to use my new name.

I looked at him straight in the eyes with a tight-lipped smile on my face.

"What do you mean, Prince?"

He shrugged.

"You know, the fact that you were practically forced to join the competition and you have to pretend like you're eager about the whole thing when that's not the real you," he explained, and I almost let out a sigh of relief, but I had to contain myself.

"Actually, I'm excited about what's to come," I said, my smile not slipping, and he furrowed his brows at me before nodding.

"You should take her to her chambers and call her assigned maid," he said as he turned away from me, and I raised my brows, wondering who he was talking to—only for me to see another lady dressed in the servant's uniform. I didn't even know when she approached us.

She bowed her head and walked up to me while the Beta Prince walked away, not bothering to spare me another glance, and my pent-up sigh finally escaped my lungs.

The servant led me to a building called the Crescent Wing, which she explained was the chambers for all the Luna candidates. It was literally the biggest building I've ever seen—even bigger than our pack house. She headed to the last room in the wing, and there I met another young lady who was waiting by the door.

"This is your attending maid, Anya," she explained, and the lady's face lit up. She had probably been waiting for Lady Selene for quite a while.

"I'll lead you to your room. You're welcome to the royal court, Lady Selene," she said, opening that door widely, and I bobbed my head before stepping into the room. And was it beautiful? It was indeed beautiful and well-decorated. It was definitely a room Lady Selene deserved—bigger than her room in the pack house and more elegant.

As Anya closed the door, the lady that brought me gave her my bag before taking her leave, and Anya's voice interrupted my admiration for the room.

"The welcome banquet has started already," she announced, and I turned to her with creased brows.

"And you need to attend. Your dress is on the bed," she said, pointing at a silver dress sprawled on the queen-size bed—a graceful dress I never dreamed I could ever wear.

"I have to hurry up?" I inquired, and she nodded. No wonder the whole wing had been so silent when I entered. At a point, I was starting to doubt if it was the real chambers or the other candidates had gone for an early meeting or something. Turns out, they had all gone for the welcome banquet, and I was already late.

Quickly, I picked up the dress while Anya directed me to the bathroom. As I changed into the dress, I avoided checking my reflection in the mirror in order to avoid feeling any guilt. But while I was pulling it up, I heard a ripping sound, and something dropped in my stomach.

"Are you okay?" Anya's voice came from behind the door as I looked down at the dress. Oh no! The stitches were coming undone, and even a larger part of the right side had torn. How did this happen? Why now?

"Something is wrong with the dress. Please, come over here."

She rushed into the bathroom before I could blink, and her eyes went wide when she saw the state of the dress.

"Oh no! I have to take this back to the royal seamstress. I'm really sorry, Lady Selene. I'll try to get another dress if she can't make amendments. We are running late already, and this is bad," she rambled on, panic dripping in her voice as she looked around the dress.

I pulled it off immediately and gave it to her before picking up the bathrobe that had been hung on the wall.

“I'm so sorry, Lady Selene!” she gushed, wringing her hands. “The seamstress is going to kill me!” the words rushed out of her mouth just as she bolted out of the bathroom before I could even say anything.

The day couldn't be any more terrible. At this rate, I might not even get to attend the banquet.

As I walked out of the bathroom, my eyes landed on a corner of the wall I hadn’t noticed before. Behind a large, ornate mirror, a faint outline of a hidden door caught my eye.

Could it be a door leading to my dressing room? That was the only thing that could save my night at that moment. At least, a befitting dress would be there.

Quickly, I hurried to the door, but as I pressed my palm against the cold, stone surface, it felt somehow different , almost... hidden. I raised my brows, wondering why the dressing room would be hidden, but as I gently pulled at the handle, it creaked open, and my breath caught in my throat.

It wasn't a dressing room. Instead, it felt like a hidden room. A forbidden room that I shouldn't have stepped into. It felt like I should have just waited for Anya to return with a dress instead of getting curious and probably walking into a trap.

My heart picked up pace as I walked further into the room. There was no way I was leaving without knowing what it was meant for. What if it was the key to the secret that had been waiting to be uncovered?

A large array of books was the first thing I set my eyes on, and it made me wonder if it was just a small library for each room or something more?

I stopped in front of the first shelf, and my fingers grazed the edge of the books arranged on it. What if it was a forgotten records room and I could find the lead to my parents’ death? That was the only thought that came to my head, and hope filled me that instant.

But just as I made to pick up a book, something pulled me. Actually, something pulled on the book, and fear immediately gripped me. Could a spirit be dragging the book with me?

I gathered all the courage in me and raised my head slowly until a figure, tall and imposing, emerged from the shadows. My breath caught in my chest as I couldn't see the face since it was so dark.

I let out a piercing scream and dropped the book before my eyes adjusted to the dim light, revealing the sharp features of a man whose brown eyes stared at me with so much intensity that it caused my heart to hammer in my chest.

This look wasn't that of a ghost or strange spirit. But was he a thief lurking around trying to steal something? He was too good-looking to be a thief, but then...

"What are you doing here?" His voice was low, but it carried a sharpness that made me flinch. His eyes narrowed, studying me closely, and I swallowed.

I opened my mouth to speak, but my throat felt dry. I wasn’t sure what to say. What could I say?

“I—” My voice cracked. “I was just... curious.”

He stepped closer, his eyes still locked on mine, as if searching for the truth. "Curious?" he repeated. “About what?”

I took a step back, trying to gather my thoughts.

"About the door in my room. I should be the one asking you why you're here. To peep into my room or steal something?" I accused, frowning at him, and his face scrunched up.

"Door in your room?" he asked in a tone of confusion, and I nodded. Seems like he had no idea that a room could lead to the place. How come? Was the door in my room the back door or another door? But apart from that, why didn't he mention anything about my accusations?

“This place isn’t for you,” he said, his voice cold. "Don’t come here again."

"Why? You think you own this place?" I asked sharply, and he narrowed his eyes at me, almost like I asked the most forbidden question or something.

Before he could say anything, Anya's voice boomed, calling for me, and I rushed out of the room without taking one last look at him. While Anya tried to ask me about where I was, all I could think about was trying to lock up that room forever. He could be a pervert or something and creep in on me one midnight.

"We have to hurry," Anya said while I changed into the new dress she brought.

A few minutes later, we arrived at the banquet hall where the welcome banquet was already in full swing. I couldn't help marveling at how huge and beautiful it was. My eyes fell on other candidates who all stared at me as if I shouldn't be there. Thankfully, no one said anything to me, not even the royal family.

"That's your seat," Anya whispered to my ears as she pointed at the last and only empty seat in the candidates’ area.

As I settled to have my seat, she stood beside me, and my eyes wandered around the room. I could see the Beta Prince at the high table with other royalties who were all adults. It seemed like the Alpha Prince hadn't arrived yet, judging from the empty seat at the center of the high table.

Not quite long, the Luna started talking about the rules of the selection, but she was soon cut short by the noise from the entrance guard.

"Let's welcome the Alpha Prince," he shouted so loud that his voice filled the room, and I had to wonder if his vocal cords were bigger than everyone else’s.

Everyone rose to their feet that instant, and Anya had to nudge my shoulders to stand up. Quickly, I did the same thing as others, and the grand door opened widely to reveal the entrance of the Alpha Prince.

And as he walked into the room, my breath caught in my throat, and my eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

No, no...it couldn't be. Not him...not the thief and pervert I caught in the hidden room earlier.