Our pack is a small place located on the outskirts of the kingdom. Although Alice is a princess in the pack, she’s ridiculed by other noble girls in the palace for not understanding fashion. In the beginning, whenever she spoke, she would be called a country bumpkin.

If it weren’t for me, carefully planning and driving away those who ridiculed her, Alice would never have had the position she has today.

So, to see her lose her composure like this now, after she saw me lying on the same bed as the King, and still say such things — it really infuriates me.

The King and his brother fighting over a lowly maid is, no matter how you think about it, a scandal. If I were by her side, I would’ve reminded her to keep her mouth shut.

But Alice doesn’t seem to think about these things, while Eric in the corner, on the other hand, keenly noticed the gravity of the situation. He trembled, his head almost hitting the floor, sweat dripping down from his forehead.

The more Alice saw William’s expression darken, the more pleased she became. She pointed at me and scolded, “This bitch was always restless while staying by my side, always trying to seduce those guards and stewards.”

I turned pale, shaking my head repeatedly. My lips trembled, but no words came out — only tears streamed down my face, falling endlessly.

Alice, seeing my tears, only became more pleased.

“She’s been with me for ten years, and I thought I’d find her a good match. Lord Eric, with his noble status, would have been the perfect match for her. But what happens? This slut actually seduces you!”

Alice believed she had won, and she shot me a vicious glare, her tone growing even more certain.

“Your Majesty, having such a maid is a disgrace to me! Please punish her!”

William stood in front of me, his face expressionless as he listened to Alice's accusations. After a moment, he turned to look at me, his eyes cold.

“She’s finished speaking. Do you have anything to say?”

Alice’s face froze, clearly not expecting William to ask me this.

I lowered my head, a barely perceptible smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth.

After sleeping with the King for a night, I was no longer just the ordinary maid Alice could drag out and beat to death.

“Your Majesty, I’m just an ordinary maid. I’ve been in the palace for ten years and have never dared to get involved with anyone.”

“I’ve only ever served Princess Alice, following her around. The only reason I met Lord Eric was because I was with her...”

Before I could finish, I collapsed onto the floor, covering my tear-streaked face.

William narrowed his eyes, and sure enough, let out a cold snort.

“Alice, I didn’t know you and Eric were so close.”

Eric immediately dropped to his knees with a loud thud. Alice finally realized what she had done — her words had practically confirmed her secret dealings with Eric.

As a woman about to become Luna, having secret relationships with other men was something no alpha would tolerate.

“Your Majesty, Alice and I have no relationship! This maid is lying! Please, execute her right away!”

Eric knelt on the floor, his small stature making him appear almost childlike, but when he lifted his head, his cruel eyes reminded me of how he tortured me in bed.

He loved to tie me to the bed, using so-called toys that were actually instruments of torture to make me scream in agony. He believed that the louder my cries, the greater his pleasure.

“I knew the first time I saw you that you were only decent on the outside. Turns out, in bed, you’re just a filthy whore.”

I remembered the time Eric pressed a burning hot branding iron against my shoulder. I screamed in agony, but the sound only made him laugh harder, pressing the iron deeper into my flesh.

Now, because I’d hinted at his secret dealings with Alice, he couldn’t wait to see me dead.

“Your Majesty, I’m not lying! I was drunk last night and accidentally wandered here. Please, don’t kill me!”

I fell to the floor, my voice trembling. My thin, sheer gown slid down my shoulder, revealing the red kiss marks and bruises on my skin.

Before I knew it, I saw William’s leather boots, and then a pair of strong hands lifting me up.

“I’ve told you. You’re my personal maid. I won’t kill you so easily.”

William wrapped his arm around my waist, gently pulling up the gown that had slipped off my shoulder, then glanced at the two kneeling figures on the floor.

“Eric, you still haven’t answered my question.”

Eric raised his head, his childish body juxtaposed with the cold maliciousness in his eyes. He forced a weak smile.

“Your Majesty, Alice and I have only met at banquets. Today, when I ran into her, she was looking for her maid, and I helped her out a little.”

“Yes, yes, Your Majesty! I drank too much. Today I couldn’t find my maid, so I thought something might’ve happened to her, and I asked Lord Eric to help look for her.”

Alice, realizing she had to distance herself from Eric in front of William, quickly backed up Eric’s story, her voice full of urgency.

“Heh.” William slowly smiled coldly, and I carefully glanced at his eyes, unsure if he was buying Alice’s explanation.

“Since you were drunk last night, you should stay at your place and rest for the next few days. Don’t show up in front of me unless necessary.”

William gave a detached command.

“Understood, Your Majesty.” Alice gripped the handkerchief tightly in her hand and replied softly.

It was a veiled warning. A woman who wanted to become Luna wasn’t allowed to show up in front of an alpha like this. Clearly, Alice had upset him.

“Your Majesty,” I said quietly.

“Alice is just concerned about my safety. We’ve been living together for so long. Even though you promoted me to your personal maid, I’d still prefer to stay in the place I’m familiar with.”

I subtly placed my hand on William’s arm, my fingers lightly brushing against his skin, like a cat teasing its owner without giving a smile or showing its face.

“Are you sure?” William didn’t reject my request immediately. His voice was low, reminding me of certain moments from last night.

I nodded and even smiled as I helped Alice up from the floor, just as I had done when I was still her maid.

When I helped Alice up, she shot me a suspicious glance. I kept my face pale and avoided looking her in the eye.

Alice, I won’t leave you so easily. I’ll watch you lose everything, step by step, and then, I’ll take the position you so desperately want.

“Alright, Alice. You’ll take care of my personal maid.”

William finally agreed to my request, probably because he had just gotten out of bed, and I knew he wouldn’t refuse such a small favor.

“Understood, Your Majesty.” Alice forced a smile and reached out, as though she were about to grab my hand.

Just as she was about to, I turned, the sleeves of my gown brushing against Alice’s fingers, and I clung to William’s arm again, nestling into his embrace.

Alice’s fingers curled into claws, her lace sleeve almost tearing in her grip.

“Your Majesty,” I asked timidly, lifting my face. “What exactly does a personal maid do?”

William’s golden eyes narrowed slightly, and he almost seemed to smile as his fingers brushed my face.

“You’ll find out.” William whispered in my ear, his breath warm against my skin, causing a shiver to run through me.

“You two,” William’s voice grew colder, and he looked at Eric and Alice, who were still kneeling on the floor. “What are you still doing here? Get out!”

His command was blunt and unyielding. Eric, like a freed prisoner, rushed out with a smile on his face.

I rested against William’s chest, watching as Alice, with unwillingness and frustration, retreated and finally disappeared through the door.

William lowered his head and inhaled deeply, his nose brushing my neck. I tilted my head, a soft moan escaping my lips.

“Your Majesty...”

William didn’t rush into anything. Instead, he picked me up again and placed me on the bed, planting a few gentle kisses.

But in the place where he couldn’t see, my eyes remained sharp, watching Alice’s shadow through the door.

She hadn’t left. This was good, I thought with a smirk.

Alice, this is just the beginning. I’ll make sure you experience pain, step by step, in your own palace.

After all, the best battlefield is always the one closest to you.