The Beta’s Regret

(Eden's Pov)

The moment Alice stepped out of the room, I let my guard down and relaxed.

I took a deep breath, and allowed the fury I felt to evaporate. I never intended to get so worked up, but Alice had a way of bringing out the worst in me, and I wasn't about to back down.

If my plan was to go accordingly, I couldn't allow anyone else to stand in my way. This wasn't only about what I wanted or about saving myself. This was about saving the people that trusted me to protect them, saving the people I failed.

I felt uneasy as my heart hung heavy in my chest. I had a fight ahead of me, one I wasn't sure I would come out of unscathed but one thing I was sure of, was that I wouldn't fail my people, not again.

A knock on the door caught my attention, and I turned to look at it in curiosity.

Was Alice back again?

I went to the door and pulled it open. My brows raised when I saw two maids one taller than the other stood behind it with fresh bath towels in their hands.

"My lady." They chorused.

"What do you want?" I asked.

One of the ladies, the taller one replied. "His highness asked us to get you ready for the night."

I looked back at the towels in their hands and I sighed. What I needed was time alone to myself, not to have people running around trying to please me.

However, I couldn't turn them away. I needed to act as if I wanted this much more than anything else. Pison has to think that I was just as vain as the other women trying to get the crown. If I turned them away, Pison might suspect I hadn't really changed. I pulled the door open wider.

"Come on in." I said softly.

The maids entered, heads bowed. They hurried towards the bathroom, and spent a few minutes adding various oils before they coming back to my side.

"The bath is ready." The tall one spoke again.

I shook my head in answer.

the maids got closer to me and reached for my clothes, attempting to take them

I stopped them. "I will do it

exchanged a look and

I swallowed my discomfort. This was all a part of what I had to do. When I was done, I allowed the maids to lead me to the bath they had drawn, and slowly, I soaked myself in the warm comfort of

to work its magic on me, tightening every stiff

I needed, but I would have preferred it in

felt the maids

water dried off my skin

they bowed and scurried out of the room as if

palace, maids running around in fear. Was it all because they

the bed, my eyes fixed on the ceiling. I was just

up with

That voice. Zion?

along with my son?

took over. I dashed for the opened room window and jumped out,

moment, head tilted to the side as she listened for the sound trying to detect where

there was no one else

probably

shifts. It would be over if Pison caught me, but I

of the palace to the garden at the back

a small girl in white picking flowers. The girl turned, the light of the moon casting a glow on her face as she shone.

was alive? But how? I assumed she was killed in the war

kill her in an instant if

to human form and moved forward. With a frown, I looked around. There was no sign

Lamia smiled and covered her lips with

had to make you come, and I knew you would if you heard the

is Zion?" I narrowed my gaze at her. "He's not here

"No.

the side. Lamia was definitely a strange girl. Till now, I had no idea she was aware of her powers. Had she been playing with me all along?

eyes widened. "You