Claimed by the Vengeful Alpha

Chapter 85: Princess Eleanor

The journey didn’t end until evening, and by the time they arrived at the castle, Maya was exhausted. Sitting in the cramped carriage and only getting two very short breaks was the worst. Her rear was sore and her legs felt stiff from barely moving.

After breakfast, Claude didn’t bother her or ask any questions. She kept glancing at him, expecting him to say something, but he only spoke casually or allowed her to doze off. Which felt a little embarrassing when it happened but she didn’t sleep for very long the night before and the journey was exhausting.

The two times she was able to step out of the carriage, Keenan ignored her the whole time. He stayed as far away as possible, and she only had Claude and Hilbert to keep her company.

Not that she expected Keenan to keep her company, but he had brought her with him. Wasn’t he supposed to...

Maya pushed the thoughts to the crevice of her mind. She forced herself to smile as she accepted Claude’s help out of the carriage.

"Thank you," she said as her feet hit the ground.

She could see Keenan getting off his horse, which a stable boy quickly pulled away. He once again didn’t look at her.

Inside, the castle was magnificent. Maya had seen it enough times when the Alpha King threw parties she attended with Father, but she was still impressed each time.

The castle was bigger than anything she could ever imagine. She didn’t think it was possible to walk the entire length of the building checking the rooms in one day.

The roof stretched as far as her head could tilt. The front was filled with tall trees that lined the walkway, and the smell of flowers floated around.

Guards stood at the front of the castle with their weapons out. They were dressed in black pants, dark red linen with golden buttons, and golden epaulettes. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

Claude was still holding her palm lightly, and he urged her toward the front doors just as the doors opened and servants sped out. The guards reacted almost instantly, bowing low.

Claude squeezed her palm, and Maya glanced at him. It wasn’t like him to show he was affected.

"Claude," a sweet voice floated toward them. "Of course a married woman isn’t off limits to you."

Maya lifted her head. Standing at the top of the stairs was the princess. She was dressed in a beautiful blue-gray dress with a black shawl. A dull dress, but somehow, she made it glow in the setting sun.

Her brunette hair fluttered in the wind, and her sharp hazel eyes stared down at Claude without reserve. She stood with her shoulders high; even without a crown, it was impossible to mistake who she was.

"Princess Eleanor," he said her name like a curse. "You didn’t have to come out to greet me."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "This is not for you."

"Princess Eleanor," Keenan said with a low bow as he approached the stairs.

Her stoic face broke immediately, and she smiled at him. "Alpha Keenan, lovely to see you again."

She stretched out her hand to him, and Keenan seemed hesitant to take it, but there was no way he could decline the princess. He took the stairs quickly and kissed the back of her hand.

"Congratulations on your wedding," she said as he stepped away from her, and her eyes found Maya immediately.

Maya bowed, not wanting to meet her gaze. Something about the way the princess said those words made Maya very uncomfortable.

She didn’t have much of a relationship with the Alpha King’s family, despite him technically being her uncle. Father didn’t really encourage interactions.

"Thank you, Princess," Keenan said.

She felt the princess’s gaze wash over her before she looked away. "The Alpha King wants to see you, Keenan, and," she paused and glanced at Claude, "perhaps you."

"Very well," Claude said and slowly let go of Maya’s hand as they got to the top of the stairs.

"I’ll lead you," she said without looking at him. "The servants will take care of everything else." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

As she spoke, she turned her back toward them and headed back into the mansion. Keenan followed the princess immediately, while Claude glanced her way with a small sympathetic smile before he walked in.

Maya didn’t have any time to dwell on how she felt—more like she didn’t want to. She knew exactly how she felt, and she didn’t think she had a right to be jealous.

"Lady Keenan," a maid said with a bow as she stepped in front of her. "Come with me."

Maya was too stunned to react, and she could feel color creep onto her face. The maid wasn’t wrong; now that she was married, this was how she was to be addressed.

She nodded and followed after her. A manservant awkwardly followed behind, holding her improvised bag. Other servants led Theo and Hilbert to their respective rooms.

The maid led her toward the right wing, and after they went up two flights of stairs, she stopped in front of a huge set of doors and pushed them open.

The room was just as magnificent as the rest of the castle. The fireplace was lit, and the smell of incense filled the room. The room had two separate sections without any physical demarcation.

One side held several chairs and a table in the middle; the other side held a four-poster king-sized bed with the drapes tied to the poles. A dressing screen stood to the side next to the big wardrobe.

"This will be your room," she said. "Is there anything you’d like me to change?"

Maya shook her head. All she wanted to do was eat something and go to sleep.

"Would you join the rest of the castle for dinner, or perhaps you’d like to eat alone?" The maid softly asked.

"Alone," she whispered. She wasn’t sure she was ready to face anyone else tonight.

"As you wish, Lady Keenan. I’ll get your dinner and help you prepare for the night."

The manservant walked into the room and placed her bag next to the bed. If the maid had any reaction to it, she didn’t show. Just as he was about to leave the room, another manservant appeared with bags.

"I believe this belongs to Alpha Keenan," he announced.

"Very well, bring them in," the maid said.

Bring them in?

Maya almost yelled out in horror. Would they have to share the same room? She doubted Keenan would like that, but she didn’t want to think about it.

It was exhausting to wonder if he would be angry or if he would request a different room. If he didn’t want to share a room, it would be up to him to change it.