Royal Heartstrings

Chapter 25- The high priestess' daughter.

Lord Alexander's POV:

I pressed the button on my laptop, saving the document I had been working on for what felt like an eternity. I sighed tiredly, rubbing my eyes. My father had sent it for me, requesting my assistance with some urgent matters, but I was far from done. Three hours had passed, and I was only halfway through.

Just as I was about to refocus, a knock at the door broke the silence. "Enter," I called out, not looking up.

The door creaked open, and Ariana's voice filled the room. "Do you need anything, Lord Alex?"

I raised an eyebrow, irritation creeping into my tone. "You asked me that ten minutes ago, and I said no. Can't you see I'm busy?"

Ariana's face fell, her eyes widening as if I had slapped her. "I-I'm so sorry.... I didn't–," she stuttered.

I cut her off, my patience wearing thin. "Leave me, Ariana."

I heard her retreating footsteps, and the door closed behind her. I returned to my laptop, trying to shake off the distraction.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow through the windows, I decided to take a break. I stood up, stretching my legs and arching my back. The tension eased, and I felt a slight improvement in my mood.

As I stepped outside, I noticed Ariana and a maid whispering in the corridor ahead. They seemed engrossed in their conversation, oblivious to my presence. I was about to turn in the opposite direction when Ariana's words caught my attention.

"...Valerie is getting more suspicious by the day..."

My feet halted, my interest piqued. I leaned against the wall, listening in on their conversation.

Ariana's voice was barely audible, her eyes fixed on the maid. "I mean, she just arrived a month ago and she's already assigned to Prince Nova's room? And Lord Alex gave her a birthday gift? It's too much."

The maid nodded in agreement. "Not only that, I heard Lord Alex might have a crush on her."

I almost coughed out loud. Me? Like Valerie? What a joke.

Ariana's eyes widened, and she gasped. "It can't be. How can Lord Alex like her?"

The maid shrugged. "Maybe he met her before?"

Ariana's expression turned skeptical. "That might be true, but I don't think that's enough reason for him to be so taken with her. There's something fishy going on," Her eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with malice. "I want to know more about what's going on. And I'll make sure to ask her myself, forcefully if need be. She's not a good person, I can tell. She's manipulating Lord Alex, and I won't stand for it."

The maid nodded vigorously. "I'm with you, Ariana. We need to get to the bottom of this."

Without thinking, I walked towards them, my presence sudden and imposing. Their eyes widened in shock, but I didn't spare them a second glance. "Come with me," I said coldly, my voice brooking no argument.

They immediately fell in step behind me, their whispers and gasps following me like a shadow.

I flung open the door to the servant's lounge. Let her be there, I thought to myself. Everyone's eyes turned to me as I entered, but I didn't care. I immediately spotted Valerie in the kitchenette, sipping from a mug. I strode towards her, my long strides eating up the distance. She looked up as I grasped her wrist, her eyes widening in surprise. I ignored her gasp and pulled her to the center of the room, facing everyone.

My voice boomed through the silence. "If anyone touches Valerie in this Palace, they'll have to answer to me. And if you try to make it difficult for her in any way, you will face my wrath. Do I make myself clear?"