THE ALMEGA'S TWISTED OBSESSION

Chapter 7

The cut, which only last night had been raw and bloody, had now shrunk into a thin pink line. At this rate, it would be completely gone by nightfall. No wonder she didn't feel any pain when she was woken up.

But she had taken enough suppressant long before she woke up from that nightmare last night. It should have slowed her healing for at least three days, if not more.

But apparently, it was already wearing off.

"Great," she murmured dryly, tilting her head. "Either I'm stronger than I thought or that batch was weaker than it should have been or maybe," she paused. "Maybe I should have taken more."

"Anyway," she brushed it away with a faint exhale, putting the bandage back in place to avoid anyone noticing.

When she was done, she leaned back against the pillows, her lips curving into a small pout.

Next thing she started laughing, low and quiet, covering her mouth slightly as her shoulders shook.

"Mmm," she hummed afterward, the sound soft and amused. Then, just as quickly, the amusement faded and her face became expressionless like she had not just been laughing.

Very soon after, a knock came at the door.

Instantly, her body shifted and her shoulders slumped, her gaze softening.

She lowered herself carefully back down onto the bed, her voice small and weak when she said, "Come in."

Quietly, the door opened and a maid stepped in, her posture polite and her smile pleasant.

"Good morning, Miss Morvienne," the girl greeted, closing the door behind her. "The Alpha has told me everything I need to know and has asked me to assist you."

After saying that, the maid walked to the bed and set a folded stack of clothes on it where there was some space. "Here are your clothes. The Alpha also asked me to lend you these for now, and I am more than happy to do so."

"Lend?" Morvienne repeated in her mind, blinking once. She barely managed to hold back the look of disgust that threatened to show on her face. "Lend? Isn't he supposed to give me one of his shirts or something? What does he mean—lend?"

The maid, oblivious to her thoughts, continued cheerfully, "And I'll go and run your bath for you."

Morvienne's expression softened again and she smiled, a fragile and grateful smile she had already perfected. "Thank you," she said softly.

"It's my pleasure," the maid replied before turning away.

The moment the bathroom door closed behind the maid, Morvienne's face changed. The weak, pitiful look vanished, her eyes sharpening instantly as she straightened her posture.

She turned her head toward where the clothes were neatly folded and stared at them like she wanted to burn them, although she controlled herself, then, slowly, one corner of her mouth lifted, almost in amusement. "I see."

Picking up the sound of silence from the bathroom, no sound of running water anymore, Morvienne's eyes lingered on the clothes one last time before she inhaled deeply and began to stand up.

It was clear the maid was almost done and so, she moved carefully, a faint wince crossing her face as one hand clutched her side.

Right on cue, the bathroom door opened and the maid's eyes widened the moment she saw her struggling.

"Let me help you please!" she said quickly, hurrying over."

Morvienne flinched at the sudden movement, instinctively but then caught herself and relaxed, lowering her gaze. "I'm fine," she murmured softly. But when the maid reached her, she didn't resist.

"Please," the maid said again gently as she slid an arm under Morvienne's to steady her.

"Thank you," Morvienne said gratefully, offering her a small smile.

Together, they reached the bathroom slowly, Morvienne leaning into the support just enough to look convincingly weak, though she was quietly observant.

When they reached the bathroom door, she stopped and drew in a soft breath. "I can try and go myself from here," she said kindly. "Don't worry and thank you so much. I appreciate your assistance."

"It's no problem at all," the maid smiled, shaking her head slightly. "I'm happy to help and there are toothbrushes already inside and everything you might need," she added, gesturing toward the bathroom. "The guest rooms are always kept ready, so you do not lack anything. And if you do, please don't hesitate to tell me."

Morvienne nodded, smiling appreciatively. "Okay, I won't."

"I'll be waiting for you here, in case you need anything," the maid said and stepped back.

Morvienne gave her a small nod and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

The moment she shut the door, her soft expression dissolved.

She stood still for a long moment, the energy in the air changing, although she was able to control it.

Her lips parted slightly as she drew in a slow breath to calm down, already feeling the effect of the suppressants nearly gone.

"Tch," she let out, feeling calm now. "It's wearing off already."

"Well," she murmured to herself as she went on to wash herself, careful not to wet the bandages. "I can do without the suppressants. I'll just have to improvise if anything comes up related to the injuries."

Then she laughed softly to herself and started humming a song, feeling much more relaxed now that she was all cleaned up.

"Miss Morvienne?" She heard the maid call out from the other side of the door, a knock following right after the call.

Morvienne almost rolled her eyes while adjusting the towel wrapped neatly around her, but refrained from doing so as she tightened the towel just enough before stepping toward the door.

When she opened it, the maid who was standing and smiling warmly, saw her and her eyes widened slightly.

"Ah. You must be done," the maid said, dipping her head quickly. "I'll go and bring your breakfast, then. Please take your time to dress."

"I will. Thank you," Morvienne said with a smile, finding the maid quite amusing.

As the maid nodded again and hurried out the door, closing it behind her, Morvienne chuckled and walked to the bed, where the clothes were folded neatly.

She did take her time dressing, slowly and gracefully. Even the way she arranged her hair was so controlled and sophisticated, and by the time the maid returned with the breakfast, she was already dressed up.

After serving Morvienne breakfast, the maid left to come back later after she was done.

When Morvienne finally finished eating, she set the tray aside and returned to the bed, her gaze drifting toward the door now and then.

Hours passed, and it was only the maid who had come. But after that, the door never opened again.

She stayed like that through the afternoon, and through the evening, reclining against the headboard with her eyes closed. And every now and then, she would tilt her head as if listening for a knock, but...

Nothing came.

It was just the maid who came later that evening to serve her dinner and took the tray out after she was done, nothing else.

When it got darker, Morvienne exhaled slowly and smiled wryly as she stared at the ceiling.

"So much for being considerate," she murmured softly, her voice laced with irony.