For a split crazy second, Shalei had the thought that maybe they had had the wrong person. Maybe they were supposed to kidnap a Princess of another continent but caught the wrong person instead. Otherwise, what could explain this address of worship that they were using on her?
However, her brain caught up to her at the last moment and she promptly shut down the idea. No, that's not right. For starters, her silver hair alone was a unique trait that made it impossible for her to be mistaken for another person. And she would have known long ago if there was another who was born like her, judging from the extensive search her mother had gone through to find a suitable and scientific explanation for her condition.
But seriously… 'Your Excellency'?
Her incredulity must have shown on her face because Sebastian's jaws hardened. He stared into her eyes and replied in a streak of obstinacy that Shalei had come to learn about him. "Your Excellency is Your Excellency. Only you are befitting of such a title." His firm tone told her that he wasn't going to change his mind.
He was one hell of a single-minded and headstrong man, wasn't he?
Shalei almost laughed if not for how absurd the whole situation was. Alas, she couldn't bring herself to. Not after she had seen how serious Sebastian was. He almost looked as if he was going to throw himself into a heated argument if Shalei were to give a word of denial — even though Shalei couldn't imagine him as a debater with his reticence.
Shalei merely shook her head helplessly and pointed at him. "I will talk to you about this later." Without waiting for his response, Shalei nodded toward Meagan. "Lead the way, please, Meagan."
Meagan's eyes flickered to the man for a second before she hastily bowed. "Y—Yes! Please follow me, Your Excellency."
Shalei fought the urge to groan and fell into steps behind Meagan. Outwardly she might look all calm and composed but in fact, she was bubbling with excitement inside.
Since she woke up, she had been testing Sebastian's bottom line again and again to gauge what she was allowed and not allowed to do. So far, there hadn't been any indication that Sebastian was going to forbid her from doing anything. She could ask about his situation although she had to be discreet about that and she could go out of her room just fine — in this case, she suspected that Meagan was meant to monitor her.
If she played her cards well, she might even be able to explore the area around the building. Yes, she had to try it another time. She had nothing to lose either way.
Walking down the hallway, Shalei could see that the building was kind of old, the walls were mottled and in some places, the paint had already peeled off. But it was clean, one thing she was relieved of. The lightbulbs were broken. Candlelights flickered along the dim hallway, painting their elongated shadow across the wall and through the murky window, she could see the darkening sky outside.
Shalei's room was at one end of the hallway and when they made a turn, she saw another wooden door to the right. One that was similar to hers. "Whose room is that?" She probed in a casual tone. Meagan certainly looked more easy going than the rigid Sebastian was and somehow, her gentle and calm disposition offered her some comfort in these uncertain circumstances.
"It's the Leader, Your Excellency." Meagan added with a smile. Something more flickered in her eyes which Shalei couldn't comprehend. Her eyes glowed ember under the flame and her pupils… it almost looked like slits. Must be the trick of light, Shalei surmised. "He's the one who has been watching over you the longest."
Shalei's heart gave a flip as soon as she registered Meagan's words. Don't blush. Don't blush, Shalei. She chided herself. There was nothing flattering about having a kidnapper being attentive to her, even if the said man was the hottest guy she had ever seen. He was paid to do so! She ought to feel alert and apprehensive instead! Shalei cleared her throat. "How many people are there in your group?"
"You mean…in our pack?" Meagan blinked a few times. "That is… the number is uncertain. Nowadays, many people come and go easily. It has been a very hard time for everyone." Sadness clouded her face before she swiftly covered it up with a wider smile. "But approximately, there are twenty of us."
Holy! The corner of Shalei's lips twitched and she promptly schooled her expression lest she gave anything away. Twenty. That was… more than she had expected. Were they an illegal organization? A group of wanted criminals or ex-convicts who dabbled in dubious jobs to make a living?
Shalei's brain instantly conjured up a myriad of scenarios, one was wilder than the other. She chose her next sentence more carefully. "Then, have you ever thought of leaving? I mean, this kind of life… must not be what you want either."
Meagan's smile took a tinge of bitterness. This time, her sadness and helplessness was apparent to see. "We have nowhere to go. Everyone has come to terms with this. Now, we are just struggling to survive day by day."
Shalei knew she shouldn't yet a pang of sympathy made its way to her chest. Having nowhere to go, helpless yet unable to do anything to change the situation; Shalei knew exactly how that felt even though the context of their circumstances might not be similar.
Meagan looked like a nice and gentle woman who couldn't even bear to kill an ant, what had she done to land her in her current predicament? Against Shalei's will, her thoughts flew back to a certain blue eyed man.
Now, she wondered what kind of life Sebastian was living before. Judging from the way he carried himself, he might be a…hitman? A contracted killer? It was such a pity that he hadn't taken advantage of his gorgeous face instead. Shalei made a note in her mind to discuss it with him when everything was over.
With her help, Sebastian might be able to turn a new leaf and start anew somewhere. He could be a model, a bodyguard, anything! Shalei was sure that he would be able to do it with her help.
"But Leader is a very exceptional Alpha!" Meagan perked up and gave one of her sweetest smiles, bringing Shalei out of her trance. "You may rest assured. As long as he is here, everything will be okay." They stopped at a double wooden door and Meagan gestured ahead. "We have arrived, Your Excellency."
Alpha…? Shalei hummed. It might be the division of rank within their group, a special title for the leader, she deduced and threw the matter to the back of her mind.
She had no idea whether she should be relieved or disappointed that they didn't meet anyone else on their way here. According to her deduction, the building seemed like it was U-shaped. Besides her room and Sebastian's, there was only one other room which was the bathroom. It meant that they most certainly had the whole floor to themselves.
At first, Shalei had braced herself to see a cramped bathroom but it was more spacious and comfy than she had imagined.
Creamy white tiles, dark grey walls, a separate area for showers, a wooden cabinet that held bottles of soap, shampoos and towels and more importantly, there was even a bathtub!
The air was damp and suffused with the sweet scent of aromatic oil and the burning candle added to the hauntingly mystique atmosphere. Shalei was surprised to see that hot water had been drawn and the sweet scent came from there, the same one as the fragrance lingering on her skin.
Meagan went to her side and reached out as if wanting to help Shalei take off her gown. "Please excuse me, Your Excellency."
Shalei reacted in the nick of time and shied away from the servant's touch. Judging from Meagan's widening eyes, she hadn't been as smooth as she thought she was.
Damn it. Shalei slowly let out a long exhale to calm her furiously beating heart. She grabbed onto the hem of her skirt tightly, unaware that creases were forming there from her action. Offering Meagan a strained smile, Shalei rejected the offer. "Thank you but… I can do it myself, Meagan. Can you step out for a while? I will call you if I need help."