The study in the attic is a secluded place, and when William retreats here to mourn the loss of his past lover, he doesn't allow anyone to disturb him.

At this moment, candles burn quietly in the room, and the cold wind outside blows gently, causing the curtains to flutter.

I curl up in William's embrace, breathing heavily.

"You're not Anna... who are you?" William twists my face towards him, his brows furrowing deeply. Just a moment ago, he had seemed drunk, but now he was alert, the blade of a knife pressed against my back.

If I make any wrong move, that knife might just pierce my heart.

"Speak!" But William doesn’t act on my face. His eyes flash with frustration as he watches me. "Who are you?"

But how could I reveal my true identity? Saying it would be a death sentence.

There is no resurrection of a noblewoman named Anna in this room, only a maid named Delia who is gambling with her life.

Having been in the palace for ten years, acting as a strategist behind Alice’s back to help her win the King’s favor, I, of course, know where William's true feelings lie.

In the palace, princesses from various packs have used all sorts of tricks to gain William’s attention. Yet none of them knew what kind of woman William truly desired.

Even though most of the princesses have failed and left the palace, and Alice is highly likely to become the future Luna, that does not mean she will be the one William loves the most.

The real victor has long since passed away.

I know that if William sees my face, I may never be able to leave the palace, never return to my pack. But there’s no way out for me now.

Only through complete revenge can I feel at peace, and only by being at William’s side can I truly change my fate.

"...I can be Anna, if you want me to be. I am your Anna."

I whisper, licking the wound on his neck, my fingers slipping into the gaps of his clothes.

William’s eyes deepen, and his arms tighten around me.

"Help me, William." I whisper against his ear.

With a swift motion, William picks me up horizontally, carrying me into the room next to the study.

Over his shoulder, I glimpse the knife discarded on the floor.

When the door is shut completely, I look at the portrait of Anna on the wall, silently closing my eyes. A single tear slips down my cheek.

I’m sorry, Anna. And I know I will never return to my pack.

Moonlight illuminates the dark desire in William’s eyes. I take off my clothes voluntarily, leaning softly on his shoulder, as if I am a feather fluttering in the wind, rising and falling with his movements.

William’s movements are silent and swift. He never takes his eyes off my face, watching me as if I might disappear the moment he blinks.

As the moon begins to set, William’s movements finally cease. The smell of alcohol on him is replaced by the scent of sweat. His golden eyes are clear, his gaze fixed firmly on me.

"Last night... I was drunk. Did you come in by mistake?"

William lies beside me, half-leaning against the headboard, gently stroking my face.

Although my body is tired and weary, I’ve been waiting for this moment.

I open my tear-streaked eyes carefully, reaching out slowly to examine William's expression. Seeing that he does not resist, I take his hand.

"Please forgive me... I didn’t mean to."

True to his nature, William doesn’t continue questioning. Instead, he pulls me into his arms, soothing my trembling body, which seems to be filled with fear.

I lower my eyes, the marks on my exposed shoulders and arms still fresh. There’s no need to explain; letting him believe what he does is the most convenient for me.

I can’t help but wonder: when will Eric and Alice realize I’ve escaped? I left so many traces behind.

The next moment, the sound of Eric's shrill voice breaks the air of intimacy in the room.

"Alice, I heard a man’s voice here last night. The bitch named Delia must be inside!"

Alice sneers. "To do such depraved things in the palace, even if she is my maid, she should be killed immediately!"

"Delia? Is that your name?" William, still holding me, asks, looking down at me.

I pretend to be frightened by the noises outside, clinging tightly to William and nodding fearfully.

Eric continues speaking to Alice, his voice full of sarcasm: "Your Majesty, you asked me to help you, and I’ve prepared everything. How could someone as big as Delia just vanish?"

Eric’s mocking tone makes me instinctively shrink back. His voice alone reminds me of the torment he inflicted on me. Just hearing him is enough to make me recoil.

William looks toward the study. This is the bedroom next to the study, and Eric and Alice haven’t found us yet.

Through the walls, I can almost see Alice gritting her teeth. But it’s clear that this mistake is on her, and she’s forced to put on a false smile as she apologizes to the little, ugly dwarf standing in front of her.

"Eric, I don’t know what happened. Another one of my maids died unexpectedly, and Delia’s family, who should have been waiting for her at the palace gates, also disappeared."

Eric looks at her with derision, spitting loudly.

Alice endures, forcing a smile: "Don’t worry, once I catch her, I’ll do what I promised. I won’t forget my words to you."

Finally, the bedroom door is kicked open, and Alice and Eric storm in. Alice’s face is as dark as storm clouds.

"Bitch! Drag her off the bed! Get her...!"

Before Alice can finish her command, a jeweled cup flies toward her.

Alice screams, clutching her face, while Eric stares at us, wide-eyed.

William’s expression turns dark. He grabs the clothes on the bed and wraps them around himself, while I shrink back into the bed, covering my exposed body with the blanket.

"Who do you think you’re dragging off the bed?!" William coldly stares at the two of them, his alpha aura overwhelming.

Alice quickly steps back, her face pale, and lowers her head in a hasty bow.

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty! How... How did you end up here?" Alice’s voice trembles.

Eric, too, stands awkwardly, bowing before standing still, too afraid to look up.

"Who allowed you to come in here and search at will?!" William’s voice is icy and commanding.

"Your Majesty, please don’t be angry," Alice says, supported by her maid. "I was looking for my maid, Delia. She should have left the palace..."

As Alice speaks, she suddenly seems to remember something and lifts her head sharply, staring at me, my face barely exposed above the blanket.

Our eyes meet, and Alice’s expression twists with fury.

"Delia! What are you doing here?!" Alice can’t contain her rage any longer. She stands up abruptly, her features contorted with rage.

In that moment, Alice reveals her true nature in front of William.

"Bitch! A lowly maid like you, how dare you seduce the King!" Alice’s eyes burn with hatred as she points at me, as if she could kill me with a look.

I quickly throw on some clothes and hide behind William, tears streaming down my face as I silently grip his arm in fear.

"You dare hide? Get over here!" Alice snarls, her voice a far cry from the gentle, polite demeanor she once held in front of William.

Where William can’t see, I flash a small smirk at Alice. Her fury has completely overtaken her, and in her desperation, she reaches toward me, trying to drag me past William.

"Slap!"

William’s hand strikes Alice across the face, the force so strong she collapses to the floor. She covers her face, staring at me in disbelief, as if unable to comprehend what just happened.

"Delia—so you’re Alice’s maid?" William turns to me, asking.

I immediately kneel, replying: "Your Majesty, I am indeed Alice’s maid. I was drunk last night, and this is all my fault. Please punish me."

William’s sharp gaze examines me for a moment. Then, he says, "I was drunk too. It’s not just your fault. Since it’s already happened, I will make it up to you."

"From now on, you are no longer Alice’s maid. You will become my personal maid."

"What?!" Alice’s face drains of color.

The King has little interest in women, and most of his inner circle is made up of guards and male stewards. Many princesses from different packs were sent to the palace, but William didn’t even glance at them. Alice has been the last noblewoman left in the palace for years.

Everyone assumed she would be the next Luna, waiting for William’s final announcement and the marking ceremony.

But now, William has suddenly declared that a woman will become his personal maid. To some extent, this position is even closer to him than anyone else.

Unless she becomes Luna... but William hasn’t chosen his Luna yet.

Finally, the tension I’ve been holding in my heart is released. I know this time

, I’ve won the bet.

Alice, broken and frantic, crawls to William’s feet, clutching his knees, her anxiety overtaking any semblance of royal decorum.

"Your Majesty! She doesn’t deserve it! She’s not worthy!"

William frowns, looking down at Alice's face with impatience. "I said she deserves it, so she does."

"Your Majesty!" Alice cries, her voice rising in desperation. "Delia has already belonged to Eric! How could she become your personal maid?"

"What did you say?" William’s gaze turns cold as he looks toward Eric, his voice carrying an icy threat.

I shiver slightly, my heart pounding as I lift my eyes to Alice lying on the floor.