The Alpha King's Mind Reading Maid (Cecilia) novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Cecilia’s POV

The gardens were gorgeous. Stone pathways lead through the vines of color, lit by dangling overhead lights. The many scents calmed and relaxed my body, though the tension and nerves remained.

I made my way down the pathway toward a white-gated area. From there, I could see even more overhead lights hanging above a section of little round tables, draped in beautiful cloth and set with the most expensive-looking porcelain.

The other concubines wore gorgeous gowns; some wore sun hats to shield their faces from the evening sun. Each of them spoke in their own groups, and it was clear that some got along better than others.

I stared down at my own gown; it wasn’t as showy as some of the others. I decided on something simple, though I still found it beautiful. It had half-sleeves, the front dipping just above my cleavage, and enough to show off the small necklace I’d found in the jewelry box.

I wore flats because they made me most comfortable, though I noticed that most of the women were wearing heels. I was starting to feel a bit underdressed.

The white gate was already open when I approached, and I saw the glances of the others as I walked through. Some of the girls I hadn’t seen since Warren almost killed them, including Vivian.

Vivian’s face was made up in a thick layer of makeup, and her hair was smoothed to perfection. Though even beneath the makeup, I could see how tired and worn her eyes were. I wondered if she thought about how close she came to dying at the hands of the King’s wolf.

“What on earth are you doing here?” Vivian asked, folding her arms across her chest. “This tea party is a private event for royal concubines only,”

“I was invited,” I told her, pulling the invite out of the front of my dress.

I showed them the invitation, and Vivian snatched it from my hands, her eyes narrowing at the words on the page.

“That’s the official seal,” another woman said from over her shoulder, pointing at the seal. “She’s telling the truth.”

“There must be some kind of mistake,” Vivian said, her eyes darting around the page before landing on me. How did you get this?”

“There’s been no mistake,” Landon said as he entered through the gates, his strides purposeful as he made his way towards us. “Miss Cecilia is King Leopold’s official concubine. I sent her the invite myself. If you have any issues, you can take it up with the King, and we both know how that’ll go.”

Vivian’s face went pale. I thought she was going to argue, but to my surprise, she stepped back.

Landon cleared his throat and nodded.

“Good,” he murmured. “The maids will arrive shortly with food for you ladies. Please, enjoy the party.”

He turned and started to walk away, but when his eyes landed on me, the corner of his lips lifted. He said nothing, though, as he walked past me.

“Then, I guess you’re staying,” Vivian murmured, her eyes icy. She turned her back on me and started talking to some of the other girls.

For a beat, I just stood there awkwardly.

“You can sit with us,” a girl nearby said.

I turned to see a girl with curly red hair and green eyes staring back at me. She was sitting at a small table with a couple of other girls. Like everyone here, they were gorgeous and exactly what I’d expect a concubine to look like. Unlike me, who was still

1/2

+15 Bonus

trying to find my place.

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