The Alpha King's Mind Reading Maid (Cecilia) novel Chapter 161

Chapter 161

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Jasmine tugged gently on my arm, pulling me forward, and I let her. The walk to the lounge passed in a blur of conversation, colors, fabrics, and designs, none of which I really absorbed.

However, I nodded when expected, responded when necessary, and smiled when they looked at me. But my mind kept drifting back to him… back to her… back to them together.

The way they looked at each other was like nothing else mattered.

The lounge was already prepared when we arrived. Rows of gowns lined the walls, each more intricate than the last. Fabrics draped elegantly over mannequins and racks, the soft rustle of silk filling the space as attendants moved between them.

The air smelled faintly of perfume.

Of preparation. Of expectation.

Madam Isa stood at the center, her sharp eyes immediately assessing us as we entered.

“Good,” she said. “You’re all here. We don’t have much time.”

Her gaze lingered briefly on each of us before settling on me just a moment longer. It wasn’t judgment… not quite. But it was something close.

“Let’s begin.”

The next hour passed in a blur. Gowns were lifted, dismissed, and reconsidered. Colors debated. Silhouettes adjusted. Each girl was measured, refined, and reshaped into something more fitting of what was expected of her. I stayed quiet. Observing and

waiting.

“Aren’t you going to choose?” Cora asked, frowning slightly. “All the good ones might be taken.”

I shrugged.

“Does it matter? We are dressing ourselves up just to be rejected.”

She raised her brows.

“Don’t think of it like that,” she said. “This isn’t just about the selection. This is about a real ball. Nobles, Alphas, Lunas… everyone will be there. I’ve never been to one before. Have you?”

I shook my head.

She was right. But I still couldn’t bring myself to care as much as the others did.

“Cecilia.”

I turned.

Anna approached, holding a gown. It was blue. I was surprised to see her; I hadn’t realized she was there until this moment, and I wondered if she had been there this whole time.

The gown she held wasn’t soft or delicate like the others. It was deeper and richer. The kind of color that didn’t ask for attention … but held it anyway.

“I thought this would suit you,” she said.

I stepped closer, brushing my fingers across the fabric.

It was smooth and grounding.

My breath caught slightly.

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“It’s beautiful,” I breathed.

She smiled.

“It is,” she said softly. “I was passing through, and I happened to see it. I thought of you immediately.”

She helped into it, her hands careful as he adjusted the fit. When she stepped back, I turned toward the mirror and stilled

The reflection felt unfamiliar… stronger and sharper somehow.

Jasmine let out a soft whistle behind me.

“It’s perfect.”

I nodded, words failing me.

“The King hasn’t left her side,” someone whispered from across the room.

“That girl has been all over him since she arrived.”

“She’s practically already chosen. What’s the point of any of us even being there?”

The whispers shattered the moment.

My chest tightened, and I stepped back from the mirror.

“Get me out of this dress,” I said quietly.

“Of course,” Anna replied, already moving to undo the buttons.

“Oh, by the way… the King asked to see you.”

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