Chapter 221 - 0221

Lorelei POV

Maybe Kaelen did.

That single thought made my heart clench even more, so I quickly added,

Maybe it was simply part of the estate’s regular maintenance.

Either way, I forced myself not to dwell on it.

Yes, Seraphina was his true mate, but Jaxen had been mine too. I knew what it felt like to have someone from your past still hanging over your present, and I also knew that Kaelen loved me now.

That was what mattered to me.

I gave Isaac a gentle smile, silently letting him know I wasn’t upset before carefully asking, "...What was she like?"

Isaac blinked, clearly caught off guard by the question. "Who, my lady?"

I hesitated for only a second before saying her name.

"Seraphina."

The name seemed to change the entire atmosphere between us. Isaac stiffened slightly, his easygoing expression disappearing as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck and avoided my gaze.

"Well, you see..." He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "I wasn’t really posted to the main estate until after she had already left. I don’t actually know her personally, so I can’t really say much about her."

"But you’ve been here long enough to know something about her, haven’t you?" I pressed gently, keeping my voice calm even though my heartbeat had picked up slightly. "So what was she like? Was she kind? Quiet? What was she like around everyone?"

I deliberately kept myself from asking about her relationship with Kaelen. I didn’t want to know those details. I didn’t want to hear about how deeply he’d loved her, how he’d held her, or how completely broken he must have been when she left.

Some things were better left buried in the past.

It was enough for me to know that Kaelen had loved someone before me. It was also enough to know that he loved me now. I trusted him, and I knew his heart belonged to me, but that didn’t mean I wanted to torture myself by imagining all the ways he’d once loved another woman.

Why would I willingly put myself through that?

So instead, I chose to ignore the reality sitting right in front of me. This secluded, beautiful terrace had probably been created specifically for Seraphina. Maybe Kaelen had brought her here. Maybe they’d spent hours sitting by the lake together, talking about things I’d never know.

I didn’t need to know.

Isaac remained quiet beside me, and I could tell he was deliberately choosing his words carefully, probably terrified he’d accidentally let something slip that could get him into trouble. Everyone seemed to know that anything concerning Seraphina was practically forbidden within the estate.

So even though I was curious, I didn’t push him any further.

Some doors were better left closed.

At least for now.

Thankfully, I didn’t have much time to dwell on it because Paul soon arrived, followed by two maids pushing carts piled high with covered dishes. The moment they reached the terrace, they immediately got to work, setting everything onto the table with practiced efficiency.

Plates were arranged, gold serving dishes were uncovered, and the moment the lids came off, fragrant steam curled into the cool afternoon air.

My stomach practically growled again.

I was just reaching for my fork when Paul stepped forward, holding out a sleek, cream-colored envelope.

"A letter was delivered to the estate for you," he said, but the second those words left his mouth, my blood ran cold.

A letter?

My first thought was Jaxen.

Or maybe Callista.

The memory of the banquet came rushing back so quickly that my appetite vanished. The bitter confrontation, the things they’d said, and the way they’d looked at me with that same sickening mixture of hatred and desperation all came crashing back like a tidal wave.

The color slowly drained from my face, and my hand froze halfway toward the envelope. For a few seconds, I just stared at it, completely unable to bring myself to touch it.

Noticing my hesitation, Paul quickly added, "The Alpha has already gone through the contents."

The moment he said that, the tension in my shoulders eased almost instantly. I let out a quiet breath, a huge wave of relief washing over me.

"Really?" I murmured, barely above a whisper.

If Kaelen had already read it, then it was safe.

He would never knowingly let me read anything that could hurt me or put me in danger. If he’d looked through it and still decided it was fine for me to see, then I had nothing to worry about.

With that reassurance settling my nerves, I finally reached out and took the envelope from Paul’s hand. The wax seal had clearly been broken and then carefully pressed back into place, which reassured me even more.

I slowly pulled out the folded letter and smoothed it open against the table. The moment my eyes landed on the first line, a soft, genuine smile spread across my face.

From Emily.

Dearest Lorelei,

How are you doing? Well, I already know you’re doing well, considering you’re officially with the Alpha King now! Why didn’t you tell me? Oh right, you didn’t have my contact information. You’re probably wondering how on earth I knew it was you when your face was blurred in the media, but how could I not recognize you? I could tell just from those strands of hair! Also, if you remember, I already predicted the Alpha King’s interest in you way back then.

A quiet laugh escaped me.

Although, if I remembered correctly, it had actually been Darius she was constantly trying to pair me with, at least until the very end, when Kaelen had saved me in that forest.

Really, I’m so happy for you, the letter continued. And I’m even happier with myself. Not only was I nice to you, which apparently earned me access to the future Queen Luna, but this also means the Beta is officially, truly, completely single.

I couldn’t stop the laugh that slipped from my lips this time.

Of course, she was thinking about Darius again. Seriously, the woman never gave up on trying to shoot her shot with him. It was honestly a shame he didn’t seem interested in a relationship because Emily clearly had no intention of giving up anytime soon.

Please, please, please invite me over! I promise I’ll behave. Mostly. Here’s my number, so if it’s okay, you can call me. But if it isn’t, just send another letter back. I honestly don’t mind either way. As for this little secret I figured out, I promise I won’t tell a soul, although I think a few others from the orphanage are starting to put the pieces together too, just like I did. So please be careful! I can’t wait to hear from you.

Emily.