Chapter 95
BRIANNA’S POV
I tried to say something to answer her question, but she interrupted me again.
“…No offence, but let’s look at it this way: you’re a slave purchased at an auction, and she’s a Luna, a royalty. Why would she want to kill you? What will she gain? Logically, it should be the other way around,” she explained.
“Excuse me?...” I stared at her, completely disbelieving, scoffing incredulously. Now I understood why Sebastian had that murderous look on his face when he looked at her. She was incredibly annoying, and one might consider knocking out her teeth to silence her forever. And the worst part of it all was that she didn’t know or she just didn’t care. Did she bring me here just to insult me, to compare me to a murderer?
“I believe you heard me correctly, Miss Brianna?” She leaned forward a bit, acting like her words didn’t do any damage.
“I would appreciate it if you don’t refer to me as a slave or compare me to a murderer because I can never be one.”
“I understand,” she nodded, but not in a way I thought was genuine. “You have my word. Now go ahead and answer the question. We have wasted too much time already,” she took out her phone and glanced at the screen to check the time. “I have other places to be.”
“As for the gun, I have no idea how she got it. Despite not treating me so well…” I sighed deeply, glancing away as memories of everything Catherine put me through flashed before me. “She was still my mistress, and I held high regard and respect for her. I learned she struggled with mental instability and attempted suicide twice. I believe that might have played a role in all of this.”
She adjusted herself on the chair, long legs crossed, jaw flexed and eagle eyes still intent on me.
“Some of the other maids mentioned that. But there are no medical reports or evidence to back it up.”
“That’s because she never wanted to seek medical help despite the persuasion from Alpha Sebastian and some of the maids. Some people have a hard time accepting they have a mental illness,” Amelia filled me up on all this when she served me meals in the cell. I really miss her and wish she was here.
“Okay,” she shrugged and scribbled. “One last thing before I let you go. You mentioned she didn’t treat you well, but the other maids I spoke to said she treated you poorly and even knocked you out once. I think there might be more to this than just mental instability.” She raised an eyebrow.
I glanced away again, blinking severally as I contemplated telling her Catherine was like that towards me because she thought I’d steal Sebastian and her position as Luna from her.
I looked back at her and tried to say something when she motioned for me to stop. What was with her and stopping me halfway whenever I wanted to say something?
“This is what one of the maids said,” she flipped through the pages of her small jotter. “Here and I quote: “Luna Catherine is like that towards Miss Brianna because Miss Brianna is prettier than her. Luna Catherine is very conscious of her beauty and guards it like someone is going to break in at any moment and steal it from her. She hates it when someone is prettier or better than her at something. That’s why she is always angry at Miss Brianna and treats her badly. And also because Alpha Sebastian treats Miss Brianna well too”.
She dropped the small jotter and stared at me as if observing my features, probably to check if what the maid said about me being pretty was true. When she felt she had stared enough, she asked;
“What does beauty have to do with all of this? Some other maids mentioned it too, but I’m finding it a bit hard to believe. I want to hear it directly from you. Is this true, or is there something else important I should know before I let you go?”
As I gazed at her, I hesitated, trying to find the right words. On the contrary, I admired Catherine’s beauty. She always looked stunning with or without makeup, and her figure, and stylish fashion sense. I wasn’t on strict dieting like her, I rarely wore makeup and didn’t have the fashionable designer clothes she often wore. So, why would she envy my beauty?
“I believe it’s true,” I said firmly. “Along the line, I did notice it and if most of the maids noticed it too, who am I to deny it then?”
I had to admit the maids saved me from this predator sitting before me, eager to devour me. Now, I can leave and go check on Sebastian.
“That’s all for now,” she smiled unnaturally, closing her jotter. It was the first time I saw her smile since I entered, and it looked strange on her. “Thank you for your time. You may go now.”
Upon leaving, I looked around for Sebastian but couldn’t find him. As I walked to the main part of the castle, I noticed many maids and some of Sebastian’s guards there. They appeared worried and a bit scared, their expressions revealing unspoken fears as they stared at the reporters eager to storm in. However, they were restricted by barriers and some of Sebastian’s guards were stationed at the entrance.
I was about to turn and go upstairs to find him when he suddenly appeared like a ghost, almost surprising me a little.
“How did it go?” He asked, giving me a quick hug, glancing around like a secret agent searching for the perfect spot to plant a bomb. “Did that parasitic freak say or do anything to hurt you? If she did, I swear I’m kicking her off my property right now. I don’t care if she’s the most senior detective or whatever…”
“Calm down, Sebastian,” I placed my hand on his chest, feeling the forceful rise and fall as his heart beat unsteadily with rage. “You don’t need to be angry or worried. It went well. She didn’t say or do anything to hurt me.”
I wasn’t being honest. Even though that woman’s words hurt me a lot and made my blood steam, especially when she called me a slave and looked at me like I was a shit bag and serial killer, I chose not to tell Sebastian. I felt it wasn’t necessary, and sharing it would only complicate things further.
“I…I’m sorry,” he mumbled, squeezing the bridge of his nose, taking a moment to calm the storm of emotions inside him. I lowered my hand from his chest, giving him the space he needed. “I’m so sorry it turned out like this. It caught me off guard… I didn’t expect her to come, let alone question everyone in the castle. Catherine’s mother sent her and her shitty team… And I couldn’t stop them.”
He breathed heavily as if the weight of the whole world rested on his shoulders. Gently, I came close, careful not to startle him or make things worse. I rubbed his bare arm soothingly, feeling the silky hairs scrap against my palms, and how hard and toned it was.
“I understand perfectly. You don’t have to be sorry or explain anything to me. It’s all for investigative purposes. And most importantly, we have nothing to worry or be afraid of since we’re innocent.”
He looked at me, his creamy satin gaze lingering. For a moment, my heart skipped uncountable beats and the world around me paused as I thought he might take my chin and kiss me again. Sighing, he placed his arms on his waist which was completely drowned underneath his shirt and let out a gust of stormy breath. I could tell he was feeling better now.
I didn’t quite get why Catherine’s family sent these detectives from afar. Weren’t the ones in our kingdom good enough? Maybe there were other reasons behind their actions that I wasn’t aware of.
“It wouldn’t be a good idea if any of these detectives saw us this close right now,” he said with that initial secret agent expression. “Go to your room. I’ll join you later, after all this.”
His last sentence made my mind race back to what we didn’t finish in the cell room. A nervous breath escaped me as I swallowed hard. My lips parted, and my mouth suddenly felt dry, longing for something—something like his lips, his feel, his touch… his body.
No, no, no. This shouldn’t be happening. I already decided not to carry on with it until this whole issue died down. And I’ll stick to that. I have to. Don’t I? Please tell me I do.
“Brianna, Brianna, hey,” he tapped my shoulders, calling me as if he were pulling me from a dream. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” I almost flinched, answering him quickly.
“Now that she’s done questioning everyone in the castle, it’s time for her and her sidekicks to use the exit. What else could they want?” he fumed, clenching his jaw. “You can go to your room now.”
I nodded and was about to head for the stairs when the door to the guest room, where the detective had questioned me, creaked open, and I heard her call;
“Alpha Sebastian, you’re needed.”