Lily had just finished washing the dishes when she heard her name being called.
"Young master Adrian wants you in his chamber," the maid said with a slight snarl, eyeing her before walking away.
Lily ignored her, and her eyes widened instead. Adrian had never requested to see her in daylight before. Why now?
She wiped her hands on her dress before leaving for the second floor. She got to his room and her heart raced as she suddenly became nervous. Apparently, she was not allowed in the quarters or talk to the young master or mistresses, which was why Adrian used to sneak in the night to see her.
Her life only revolved around waking up early in the morning to begin chores, playing the harp for the Alpha in the afternoon and resuming back to work.
Ever since Jederek found out about her hidden talent, he forces her to play the harp for him every calm noon. And Lily would have no choice but to play the harp for hours, until he tells her to stop, even though her fingers would blister.
Everyone knew Alpha Jederek had become obsessed with the melody of the harp and hearing her play each day. Some even said he might have also become obsessed with the girl as well.
Because every time she tried to escape and run away, he would always stop at nothing to chase after her and bring her back. They wondered why he didn't want to let her go when everyone hated her and even wished she would leave the pack for good. For they strongly believed she was cursed and nothing but bad luck. That was how she got the famous name, the cursed redhead.
Alpha Jederek had been questioned many times as to why he kept the girl in his household, but he never answered. And very soon, they dropped the topic.
Lily took in a deep breath before knocking.
"It's me Lily!-"
Before she could finish her sentence, the door opened, and she felt a strong hand pull her inside, unto a strong body. Lily gasped as she felt Adrian hug her tightly.
"Young master!"
"Please, where's that coming from?" Adrian asked with a slight frown after releasing her, before smiling.
Lily's heart uncontrollably made another flutter as she tried to stop her own lips from lifting into a smile.
"This is the first time you're requesting to see me in daylight," she muttered, remembering how he used to sneak into her room in the night, just to play with her.
"I'm big now Lily," Adrian declared, and she could sense the excitement gushing just alone from his voice.
Well, he was twenty-one now, just a year older than her. He was no longer the little boy she used to know. Lily looked at him, he looked so different. Although his features haven't changed, they surely seem more mature. He was so much taller than her now, and much more handsome.
"And soon, I'll be strong enough to take down my father and become Alpha." He said.
Lily's eyes widened, and her smile died the instant she heard his words. "You..….you shouldn't be telling me this."
"Why not? Very soon, I'll be able to give you your freedom back, Lily." Adrian frowned with confidence, looking so eager to say those words. And it made Lily smile inwardly.
"So tell me, how has your life been?" He asked as he took her to sit on the couch with him.
"The usual. But I must say, I have also grown just like you, as I am now used to the things here, like being hated, getting hit and receiving threats from my fellow maids. Even though the reason still remains uncertain to me till now," she sighed. She didn't bother to tell him how badly his family had been treating her. He had witnessed just enough from earlier.
"They only envy your beauty, Lily," Adrian assured her. He brushed a few strands of her hair away from her face and caressed her left cheek. Causing heat to unwillingly crawl up Lily's face.
"That doesn't sound right… Who envy's the cursed redhead?" she asked, referring to herself and her famous little title, feeling the sadness engulf her heart.
"Well, I might not know of such a curse you speak of. But after being to a few places in the human world, I now know that it is only normal for many ladies to envy a redhead like you. Your gorgeous red hair and precious blue eyes. Your smile that could even light up the day! They'd be damned if they were not jealous."
Lily began blushing as she bit the corners of her mouth, she looked so cute trying to fight against the smile forming on her lips. Adrian had really grown to be a flattering young man. And if not for him, she would have long-lost a reason to ever smile. She couldn't help but envy his future mate. She would be one lucky she-wolf.
Adrian took Lily's hands in his, just as he said to her and Lily's heart fluttered when she felt his hands hold hers.
To them, it was believed that the frail hands of the cursed redhead are unholy and must not be touched, lest a great misfortune falls upon you. When she was just eleven years old, after she became a servant, every time she tried to touch someone's hand, she was always punished. Lily could still remember the countless whips she received on her hands, the marks always taking time to heal. Ever since she learned the harsh truth, she has never tried to touch anybody again.
However, Adrian became the first person to touch her and hold her frail hands without fear, which got Lily worried herself, as she had already begun to believe that she was really cursed. She did her best to stay away from him, but Adrian was a stubborn child and would always hold her hands every time he got the chance to. He was such a sweet child.
"I desire to take you out tomorrow, Lily, to see the moon harvest eve."
Lily froze upon hearing what he said. She had only been to a moon harvest festival once in her life, just when she was ten years old. The moon festival comes in every ten years.
Ever since her life became this way, she had always been in the shadows, not ever daring to step out into the cruel world.
"A-Adrian I-I couldn't…" Lily sighed, feeling nervous already at the thought of stepping out into the harsh world. However, Adrian didn't want to take no for an answer.
"Lily, I hate the fact that you've been hiding and living in the shadows all these years. Now that I'm around, I am going to do all that is in my power to make your life better until I'm fully ready to take the position from my father. So no, i am not taking no for an answer," he stated.
"A-Adrian.."
"Not after I bought you this dress," Lily's eyes widened when she saw the beautiful blue dress in his hand.
"I want you to wear this for tomorrow, Lily. And don't worry, I'll be with you throughout the time we're outside," he assured her.
Lily didn't know what to say, she just smiled to show gratitude. "Thank you, Adrian, it's beautiful..."
"Of course, I have a great taste in fashion," Lily giggled as he said that. But her smile died the moment they both heard a cold, stern voice.
"Adrian, I want to have a word with you."
Lily turned around to meet Alpha Jederek standing by the door. He met her eyes and glared at her. Lily immediately stood up and bowed her head before leaving the room, and leaving the dress on the couch. Adrian sighed, watching her leave before looking up at his father.
"Yes father?"