Chapter 16

The guards who were already closed in on Lucy to deliver the punishment, halted at the presence of Leo. Leo's presence immediately commanded attention. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with the same piercing blue eyes as his father. His dark hair was slightly disheveled as if he had rushed here in a hurry. 

The room fell into a tense silence, the air crackling with unspoken words.Licy noticed Leo's presence but never trusted that, She knelt still on the cold marble floor, feeling the sharp sting of humiliation and fear. Her thoughts raced, her heart pounding so loudly that she could barely hear anything else. She kept her head bowed, as she could not dare look around, her body trembling as she waited for the punishment that seemed inevitable.

Alpha Eric sat on his imposing throne, his expression stern and unyielding. His piercing blue eyes , a mirror of Leo's, scanned the room with impatience. He held the power to end this tirn hr but Lucy knew better than to expect Mercy from him. She could feel Isabella's gaze on her.

She was right when she heard Leo coughed and raised her head slightly. Isabella stood to the side, her posture regal and confident. Her dark hair framed her beautiful yet cold face and her eyes glittered with malice. She had always enjoyed watching others suffer, especially those she deemed beneath her. And Lucy, a mere handmaid, had dared to confront her, to challenge her authority.

Leo's gaze swept across the room, taking in the silence before him. His eyes fell on the guards with their whips as he stared at them for a moment but in no time, he switched and pressed on with his gaze on Lucy and that instant , Lucy dared to raise her head slightly and for a brief moment, his eyes met Lucy's but just as quickly, he looked away, his expression unreadable. Finally, his gaze settled on his father.

“Father,” Leo said, his voice steady but carrying an edge of concern. “”What is going on here?”

Alpha Eric leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly on the armrest. He took a moment to respond as if he was patching up every possibility that Leo might still have something for this slave girl.

“Leo, it's nothing for you to worry about,” he said finally, his tone dismissive. “This is a matter of discipline.”

Leo's eyes flickered with frustration but he maintained his composure. 

“Discipline?” he repeated, his voice rising slightly. “And what, exactly, has she done to deserve such harsh treatment?”

Isabella immediately stepped forward, her eyes flashing with irritation. “She disrespected me,” she said, her voice cold. “She had the audacity to speak back at me, to challenge my authority and. Come on, such behavior cannot be tolerated.”

Leo turned to Isabella, his expression hardening. “And what, precisely, did she say? “ he asked, his voice sharp. “Or did you simply take offense at the fact that she dared to speak at all?”

Isabella's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, the room felt even colder. “She questioned my decision,” she said, her voice faltering. “She refuses to follow my orders. She acted as if she were my equal, no, like she was my superior. She even raised her hand at me. Such insolence cannot go unpunished.”

Leo took a deep breath, clearly trying to control his emotions. He glanced back at Lucy, who still knelt on the floor, her shoulder trembling. He could see the fear in her eyes. He knew her too well enough to know that she wasn't one to challenge authority lightly. Something must have pushed her to the edge.

“Father,” Leo said, turning back to Eric.

Eric who had been silent, watching the drama between Leo and Isabella raised his head to hear Leo's out. 

“Yes, son. I know you'll have something to say… now let's hear it.”

“I ask you to reconsider. Lucy has served our family faithfully. She is not one to act out without reason. Pushing her without understanding the full situation would be unjust.”

Alpha Eric sighed, a heavy, resigned sound. He looked at his son, his expression softening slightly. 

“Leo, I understand that but there's one thing I don't yet understand,” he said. “But you should also know we must maintain order. If we allow one to defy the rules, others will follow. We cannot afford to show leniency.” He reclined back to his chair.

Leo shook his head, frustration encroached in his eyes. “This is not about leniency,” he argued. “It's about fairness. We can't punish her without hearing her side of the story.” 

“You don't dare bring that up, Leo. A common slave to explain her side of story… you of all should know that a slave can never have that opportunity.” He uttered sharply, his legs firm on the ground after getting up from his chair.

“This was the same girl I caught eloping with you, right?” He questioned and took a brief look at Lucy before turning away to set his eyes on Leo. “Don't tell me my thoughts now are right.”

“No, Father… I renounced everything I had for her. Trust me father. What I'm saying is, it is difficult to see a loyal and hardworking maid nowadays. We can't afford to ruin this,” Leo bowed his head slightly.

Isabella scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “You always were too soft, Leo,” she sneered. “That's what Father dislikes most of the time. You're too concerned with fairness and compassion, rather than doing what needs to be done.”

Though Isabella thought about her words, she had to just speak up as she knew Alpha Eric would honor Leo's words over everything she had narrated to him. She loves Leo and would only want him for herself, more reason she was careful about her choice of words, yet, she knew she angered him already.

Leo's jaw clenched and for a moment, it looked like he might snap back at Isabella. But instead, he turned to his Father. “Give me the go ahead father.” He inquired with his head bowed.

Alpha Eric was hesitant at first but eventually shook his head slightly forward, a gesture Leo understood too well.

“Stand down,” he ordered the guards, his voice firm. “There will be no punishment today.”

The guards hesitated, looking at Alpha Eric for confirmation. Eric nodded slightly and the guards lowered their whips, stepping back. Lucy, at that instant, felt a wave of relief wash over her, though she didn't dare to move or speak. She kept her head bowed, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Get up, Lucy,” he ordered, his voice firm but laced with an undercurrent of concern.

Lucy, her body aching and her knees scarred from kneeling, struggled to her feet. She winced with each movement, her pain evident in the slow, deliberate way she rose. She stood for a moment, facing Leo, her eyes searching his face for any sign of softness or reassurance. But Leo's gaze was fixed elsewhere, avoiding her entirely but knew she was looking his way.

“Won't you leave? I might change my mind.” He whispered but his voice was thick enough to vibrate through Lucy's ear.

Lucy's eyes sank a little but she knew better than to show any hesitation. She turned and began to walk towards the door until there was a sound and a bang.

Shortly after Lucy walked out, there was a minute of silence that seemed weird. 

“Guards, leave us,” Leo commanded next. The guards exchanged uncertain balances but ultimately obeyed, filing out of the room without a word. The tension in the room was palpable, the silence now deafening as they waited for what would happen next.

As soon as the door closed behind the last guard, Isabella's composure shattered. Her eyes filled with curiosity.But then, she looked at Alpha Eric with a mixture of anger and betrayal.

“Why would you let her go scot-free without punishing her?” She demanded, her voice trembling. “She disrespected me, Father.” 

Alpha Eric remained impassive but Leo's expression hardened. 

“Enough, Isabella,” he said, his voice rising in anger. “This isn't about you. It's about justice and fairness.” He turned to face her way and in no time walked up to her.

“I know you hate her and you would do anything to touch her very soul. Am I wrong?” 

“Yes, you're wrong Leo.” Isabella's tears spilled over, and she turned to Leo with a look of pure frustration. “Don't tell me you still want her.” She giggled.

Leo took a deep breath, trying to control his anger. “Is that a question? You don't get to ask me that.” He turned away from her to face his Father.

“Leo.” 

“Everyone has the right to be treated with respect, Isabella. You cannot abuse your position to bully and mistreat others.” He retorted, sharply in response to Isabella's call.

Isabella's face twisted with wrath. “This isn't bullying! She needs to know her place!” 

Leo stepped closer, his eyes blazing with intensity. “And what place is that, Isabella? At your feet? Cowering in fear? That's not how we should treat anyone regardless of their status.” Leo pressed on with his gaze on her such that Isabella could no longer face him.

“You two have it with each other already… That's okay and Isabella, you will have your way some other time.” Eric stood up and held her hands.

Though Isabella doesn't want the same, she wasn't as strong as Eric, so she gave in and listened to him as she was calmed by Eric's sweet words. 

“Isabella, go to your room. I need to have a word with my son.” 

Isabella mused at first and tried to catch a glimpse of what he was going to talk about with him. Could it be he wanted to scold him but not right in her presence? She nodded her head and stepped out of the room.