Chapter 43

The grand hall was filled with the low hum of murmurs and the gentle clinking of silverware as everyone settled around the round table. The room was dimly lit by the warm glow of chandeliers, casting flickering shadows against the stone walls. At the distinguished table in the center sat Alpha Eric, with his commanding presence, exuding an aura of authority that was impossible to ignore. 

Beside him but distant away by the right, Aiden sat with his usual composed manner, his piercing blue eyes surveying the hall with a cold, calculating gaze. Leo sat on the other side of his father, on the left, tense but outwardly calm, his posture rigid as if bracing himself for what the evening might bring. Next to Leo was Ethan, who had been granted the rare privilege of sitting at the Alpha's table, a proof of his loyalty and status as Leo's most trusted guard.

Isabella, sat across from Leo and Ethan as she was beside Aiden, her eyes darting anxiously around the hall. She was doing her best to maintain a facade of calm, but the absence of her maids, Marie and Lucy, gnawed at her patience. She scanned the hall repeatedly, hoping to catch sight of them, but they were nowhere to be seen.

Isabella knew that this was not the time for slip ups. This dinner, marked by the presence of Aiden and Eric, was more than just a meal.

Ethan, seated at the end, kept his eyes low, sensing the weight of the gathering. He was used to being in the background, to observing without being seen, but tonight felt different. He could still sense the exchange of looks between Leo and Aiden. But then, he was cautious and watching Leo, with every actions he took

Alpha Eric soon glanced around, a slight frown creasing his brow as he noticed the empty space where the serving maids should have been. “Who's supposed to be serving the wine tonight?” He asked, his voice deep even in its casual tone. 

The question cut through the quiet murmur of conversation, drawing attention to everyone seated. Eric knew he would need the wine to start the dinner as they would all have to cheer with their cups in respect of Aiden.

Though the other guards that were seated around other tables had already served themselves wine, Eric's table was supposed to be a special one.

Isabella stiffened, her heart leaping into her throat. She was about to respond when the door creaked open. Nerves buzzed under her skin, when she finally spotted them—Marie and Lucy, hurrying towards the table with large jars in their hands.

The sight of them brought a rush of both relief and frustration. The two maids looked flustered as they hurried to get to the table. 

“Here they are.” Isabella said quickly, her voice tight with barely concealed irritation. She stood up abruptly, excusing herself with a polite nod before making her way towards the two girls. She met them halfway, her expression stern but tempered by the need to maintain composure in front of others.

Marie and Lucy halted as Isabella approached, trying to catch their breath and balance the heavy jars they carried. Marie's eyes were wide as she spotted Aiden seated so close to Eric at the round table, still haunted by their earlier encounter with Aiden, while Lucy's grip on her jar was tight, her knuckles tight as she fought to keep her nerves in check.

“Where have you two been?” Isabella muttered under her breath, her voice sharp but laced with concern. “You should have been here before anyone else sat down. This isn't the time to be wandering off.”

Marie and Lucy exchanged a nervous glance, both of them aware of their misstep but unsure of how to explain themselves without revealing too much.

“We're sorry, my lady,” Marie whispered while Lucy kept silent. Lucy wasn't scared of what Isabella might think or do as she was way past that already. The only fear that lurked within her was Aiden's. 

“We lost track of time. It won't happen again.” She kept her head down, trying to avoid Isabella's probing gaze. 

“Lucy,” Isabella chuckled. “We'll have to deal with this later.” 

Lucy took a brief look and looked away but slightly bowed.

“Be careful, both of you,” Isabella instructed firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Whatever you do, make sure you greet Aiden properly. Don't make the same mistake you made earlier. I will answer for no one… Understood?”

Marie nodded quickly, the weight of Isabella's words settling heavily on her shoulder. Lucy's heart pounded as she thought about having to face him again, to feel his eyes on her, dissecting her every move. She took a deep breath as she nodded also.

“Good,” Isabella said, her eyes flicking back towards the table where Eric was watching with a mild, expectant gaze. “Now, go. Pay your respects, fill their cups and leave.”

Lucy's heart pounded in her chest and so did Marie's, her nerves fraying as she approached Eric's table, knowing that any misstep could draw unwanted attention.

Marie was the first to reach the table, her coolness seemingly intact despite the storm of anxiety raging inside her. She bowed gracefully before Alpha Eric, her movements precise and respectful, and Lucy quickly followed suit, mirroring Marie's gesture. Eric's stern expression softened slightly, acknowledging their presence without any outward show of approval, but it was enough. 

For a moment, Lucy felt a small sliver of relief—until she remembered who else was seated at the table.

Marie began pouring the wine into Alpha Eric's cup, her hands steady as she focused entirely on the task. The rich, deep red liquid cascaded smoothly and Eric watched her with a faint nod of approval, his eyes briefly meeting hers before returning to his conversation with Aiden. Marie finished and quickly moved on to Ethan, who offered her a reassuring smile as she filled his cup.

Lucy, on the other hand, made her way to Leo, her steps feeling heavier with each passing second. Leo looked up as she approached, his usually confident expression softened by the faintest hint of smile that touched his lips—a smile that only Lucy would recognize. Their eyes met, but just as quickly, Lucy averted her gaze, reminding herself of her decisions concerning Leo.

Leo's smile faded as he watched Lucy's hurried retreat. He knew she had always yearned for him but this was different, the look on her face when he noticed her. But he also knew that now was not the time or place to do something. He kept his expression neutral, though his eyes lingered on Lucy's retreating form for a moment longer than necessary.

Marie and Lucy soon stared at each other, waiting for the person that would fill Aiden's cup. Marie immediately blinked her eyes and at the same time shook her head so that Lucy would go since Lucy had attended to Leo. Lucy nodded and maneuvered her way around the table, each step bringing her closer to the one person she was most nervous about serving. 

She stopped beside him, her posture perfectly straight as she lifted the wine jar slightly in a silent greeting, bowing her head with a practiced grace that spoke volumes without uttering a single word.

Aiden watched her with the same unreadable expression, his blue eyes cool and piercing. He didn't respond to her gesture—didn’t need to. His silence was answer enough. Lucy focused, her fingers gripping the handle of the jar as she carefully poured the wine into Aiden's glass. But even as she did, she couldn't shake the sensation of his eyes on her. It was unnerving, and try as she might, she couldn't ignore the pull she felt.

``why do I feel this way… what's this? Not now, please,`` 

Isabella, seated beside Aiden, tapped her fingers lightly on the table, a nervous tick she couldn't quite control, as she glanced between Aiden and Lucy. She could see the unease in Lucy's posture, the slight tremor in her hands as she poured. Isabella bit the inside of her cheek, hoping against hope that Lucy wouldn't make a mistake.

But Lucy's nerves were betraying her. As she continued to pour, she felt Aiden's gaze, despite that she didn't see his face and at that moment, her hand began to tremble, a small but dangerous loss of control that she fought to steady.

The pull was stronger now, almost physical, and she found herself teetering on the edge of daring a glance at him just to see what lay behind those mystical eyes. But she couldn't—she knew better. Looking at Aiden was like staring into a storm; you never knew what might come hurtling back at you.

The trembling in her hands worsened, and before she could correct it, a small but unmistakable drop of wine slipped from the rim of the jar and landed directly onto Aiden's black slacks.