Chapter 26

Isabella paced through the dimly lit corridors, her thoughts spiraling with suspicion. **Ethan's uneasiness… he’s hiding something.** His rushed movements, the way he dismissed her questions—it all felt too strange. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something significant was happening, something that involved Leo, and possibly Lucy.

As she continued walking, her mind raced through different possibilities. **Could it be about Lucy? What if something has happened to her? Or maybe…** Her thoughts trailed off, uncertain yet determined to uncover the truth. 

She found herself standing in front of the narrow hallway that led to the room shared by Isabella and Lucy. **Why would Ethan be so nervous? Could it have something to do with them?** Driven by curiosity and following the trail where Ethan had emerged from, Isabella approached the door to Lucy's room, noticing for the first time that it was closed. Normally, it was left ajar since there was little to hide in a maid’s quarters. She reached out and tried the handle, but it wouldn’t budge. The door was locked.

A frown creased her forehead. **Locked? Why would their door be locked? They don’t have anything worth protecting, and they’ve never locked it before.** She jiggled the handle again, this time with more force, but it didn’t give way. Frustration bubbled up inside her, mixing with the growing sense of unease.

Isabella was about to try again when the sound of footsteps made her pause. She quickly stepped back from the door, smoothing her expression into one of practiced calmness. A pair of guards appeared at the far end of the hallway, making their way toward her.

As they approached, they immediately bowed their heads, showing the customary respect due to someone of her standing. “Miss Isabella,” they greeted in unison, their voices laced with deference.

Isabella forced a polite smile onto her lips, nodding in acknowledgment. “Good evening, hope you are all fine,” she replied, her tone gracious but distant. **I can’t let them see me snooping around.** She waited until the guards had passed and turned the corner before letting the smile drop from her face.

As soon as she was alone again, her thoughts returned to the locked door. **Something isn’t right.** She looked around the hallway, her gaze narrowing. Where were Marie and Lucy? It was unusual for them to both be absent from their quarters at the same time, especially without notifying her. 

“Marie?” she called out, her voice carrying through the quiet corridor. 

There was no response to her call, only the faint echo of her voice against the stone walls. **Where could she be?**

She tried again, this time calling out for Lucy. “Lucy, are you there?” But again, there was only silence. Her unease deepened. **Why is no one answering? And why is the door locked?** 

Isabella’s mind spun with questions. **Could they be hiding something? But what? They’re just maids. What could be so important that they’d need to lock their door?** The situation was becoming more peculiar by the second.

Her gaze lingered on the door, her mind working furiously. **Could Ethan have something to do with this? He was acting so strange earlier… What if this involves Leo? Could he be with them?** The thought sent a wave of jealousy surging through her. The idea of Leo being with Lucy, of all people, infuriated her.

But then she reminded herself that there was no concrete evidence, just her suspicions. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. **Think, Isabella. Why would the door be locked? What are they hiding?**

Another thought crossed her mind—one that made her heart skip a beat. **Could they be in trouble?** She quickly dismissed it, not wanting to entertain the idea. But the nagging suspicion wouldn’t leave her.

Unable to shake the feeling that something was seriously amiss, she knew she had to find out what was going on. **I need to know what was going on. Why are the maids not around and why is their door locked? But how to find out without drawing too much attention? She couldn’t just break down the door—not without causing a scene. And if the guards saw her, they’d report it back to Alpha Eric, which would only lead to more questions.

Isabella’s eyes narrowed as she made a decision. **Marie and Lucy must be hiding something, and I’m going to find out what.** She would bide her time, keep an eye on them, and wait for the right moment to uncover whatever secret they were keeping.

With one last glance at the locked door, she turned and walked away, her mind already spinning with plans. **Whatever it is, I’ll figure it out. And when I do…** She didn’t finish the thought, but the determination in her steps spoke volumes.

She made her way down the hallway, her thoughts consumed by what she might find. **No one keeps secrets from me. Not Ethan, not Leo, and certainly not a couple of maids.** Isabella was growing more restless by the minute. The more she thought about the locked door, the more she felt that something was wrong. **If they aren’t in the room, they must be out in the fields.** That was the next logical place to look. The maids often gathered there, tending to the grains and doing other menial tasks.

She decided to make her way toward the fields, her mind was still swirling with unanswered questions. But just as she was approaching the fields, something—or rather someone—caught her attention. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Ethan walking briskly toward the horse barn. He was alone, his usual confident stride seeming more urgent, more purposeful. **What is he doing there?** 

Isabella’s curiosity piqued. **What could be so important that Ethan would go to the barn instead of the fields?** Without a second thought, she veered off course and began to follow him, keeping her distance so as not to be seen.

She watched as Ethan reached the barn and paused at the entrance. He looked around quickly, as if making sure no one was watching, before stepping inside. Isabella’s suspicion deepened. **Why is he being so secretive?** 

She crept closer, moving silently, her heart pounding in her chest. She reached the side of the barn and positioned herself where she could see but not be seen. From her hidden spot, she had a clear view of Ethan as he called out to someone inside.

“Katherine,” he called softly but with a commanding tone.

Isabella’s brow furrowed in confusion. **Katherine? What could he possibly want with her?** Katherine was a mere maid, just like Lucy and Marie. Just that her post of work was different from Marie and Lucy. It made no sense for Ethan to seek her out, especially with such urgency.

Katherine emerged from behind one of the stalls, her face glistening with sweat. She was clearly in the middle of her chores, her hands still dirtied from tending to the horses. She looked surprised—and a little apprehensive—to see Ethan there.

Isabella leaned in closer, trying to catch their conversation, but she was too far away to hear the words clearly. **Damn it, I can’t hear them.** She watched intently, trying to read their expressions and body language instead.

Ethan spoke quickly, his tone serious. Katherine’s face paled as she listened, her eyes widening in what appeared to be fear. She glanced around nervously, as if she expected someone to appear at any moment. 

Isabella’s heart raced. **What is he telling her? What could make her so scared?** Katherine looked like she was about to faint, her hands trembling as she clutched at her apron. Whatever Ethan was saying, it was clearly something that terrified her.

**This isn’t right. Something is definitely wrong.** Isabella’s mind raced as she tried to piece together the puzzle. **Why would Ethan be meeting with Katherine, of all people? And why would she be so frightened?**

She watched as Ethan finished speaking. Katherine nodded slowly, her face still pale and her eyes full of dread. She looked like she was trying to hold back tears, her breath coming in shallow gasps.

Isabella’s suspicion grew stronger. **They’re hiding something—something big.** She had no idea what it could be, but whatever it was, it was serious enough to scare Katherine half to death.

Ethan placed a hand on Katherine’s shoulder, seemingly in an attempt to reassure her. But Katherine flinched at his touch, pulling away slightly. Isabella’s eyes narrowed. **She’s terrified of him. But why?**

Ethan’s expression softened for a moment, as if he were trying to be kind, but it quickly returned to the stern, commanding look he usually wore. He spoke a few more words, too quietly for Isabella to hear, and then turned to leave.

Isabella quickly ducked behind the barn, making sure she wasn’t seen. She hurried away as Ethan would have to pass where she was hiding. Her heart pounded in her chest as she ran and tried to process what she had just witnessed. **What on earth is going on?**

Isabella mind raced **This is bigger than I thought. Something is happening, if it involves Katherine , then Lucy must be also involved.** She couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever it was, it was dangerous—something that could threaten everything she held dear.

**I need to find out more.** But she knew she had to be careful. Whatever was going on, it was clearly something Ethan didn’t want anyone to know about. And if Katherine was involved, it meant that the situation was more complicated than she had initially thought.

She hid herself and waited for Ethan to pass by. All in an attempt to see Katherine and question her, knowing that Katherine won't dare to disobey her.