The Alpha King's Mind Reading Maid (Cecilia) novel Chapter 159

Chapter 159

Leopold’s POV

+15 Bonus

“I’m so sorry for the misunderstanding, Your Majesty,” Sophia said, her voice soft, carefully controlled as tears clung to her lashes. “Cecilia and I have a history… one I haven spoken about until now. We’re from the same pack, as you know. She was never particularly kind to me, but I tried to be her friend. I had every reason to believe she was targeting me.”

She touched the space at her throat.

“I didn’t realize the maid had misplaced it,” she continued. “I didn’t even realize I had dropped it.”

I didn’t respond.

I hadn’t returned the necklace to her, and I didn’t intend to.

The pendant had been in my family for generations. It was said to glow for one’s true mate. That was the only reason I had introduced it into the consort selection-to see if the legend held any truth. It hadn’t… at least not with her.

Which meant two things.

The legend was false.

Or Sophia was not my mate.

I found myself hoping it was the latter.

She had irritated me from the moment she arrived. She was too eager… too practiced… too aware of herself.

The way she spoke, the way she moved-it all felt rehearsed, as though she were constantly trying to play a role she didn’t quite understand.

“I’m very busy, Sophia,” I said finally, my tone leaving little for interpretation. “Is there anything else you need?”

She flinched slightly.

“1… I want a redo,” she said quickly.

My brows lifted.

“A redo?” I repeated.

“Our date,” she clarified. Her cheeks flushed. “The events ruined it. I want another chance. I know the ball is tonight and the selections are coming to an end… but I was hoping for another chance…”

I studied her for a moment, and then I exhaled.

“I’ll give you lunch this afternoon,” I decided.

Her entire expression brightened.

“That sounds wonderful. Where shall I meet you?”

“In the foyer,” I replied. “I will send a dress for you to wear.”

The last thing I wanted was to stare across a table at her while she was wearing one of her brightly colored gowns that she thinks would look good on her. I’ll have Landon get her another dress so I can survive this lunch. If earlier events were truly a misunderstanding, I should give her another chance at a date. But I refused to give her the necklace again.

I didn’t wait for her to respond before I turned and walked away.

Chop

+15 Bonus

By the time I reached my study, Landon was already waiting.

“Cecilia has been moved to a new room, as requested,” he said. “May I ask why you wanted to be placed so far away?”

It wasn’t what I wanted… not exactly. But it was necessary.

“It’s better this way,” I said. “I’ll be having lunch with Sophia this afternoon. Send her something appropriate to wear. Make sure it’s not bright.”

Landon blinked.

“Sophia,” He repeated. “She’s the one who accused Cecilia.”

“It was a misunderstanding,” I said, though I wasn’t sure if I believed it completely, but I didn’t have enough energy to care at the moment. “I owe her a proper date, considering our last one was ruined.”

He didn’t look convinced, but Landon knew me better than to argue, so he just Kodded.

Once he left, I leaned back in my chair and dragged a hand over my face, letting out a deep breath, one I hadn’t known I was holding. I needed to focus. There was only a day left before I had to make a final choice, and I still hadn’t caught wind of my mate. I was going to present the pendant to a few others during the ball in hopes of finding her and breaking this curse.

But until then, I had to keep my sights on why I was doing this. I needed to break this curse.

Sophia was waiting when I arrived in the foyer.

The dress Landon had sent suited her well enough, though the rest of her presentation felt excessive… too much color, too much effort… too little restraint.

“Your Majesty,” she greeted, curtsying.

The curtsy was clumsy and unpracticed.

“Sophia,” I said, offering my arm.

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