True Alpha's Chosen Mate-Chapter 295: When you have no option, you can’t get tired.

"Did you see anyone on the way?"

I raised my eyes, gazing at Lisha who was entering my chambers while I sat in front of the mirror while combing my hair. She closed the door of my chambers behind her and then lowered her head.

"No, my lady. He left the castle safely."

"Good." A sigh of relief slipped past my lips as if a thorn was plucked out of my throat. It could be because I knew I wouldn’t meet that man again and he wouldn’t instill his stupid ideals in me, or perhaps, it was because I already cleaned my records and I didn’t have to worry about Lucien once he returned.

"What is it, Lisha?" I asked as I continued to comb my hair, staring at my reflection.

The reflection looking back at me had a natural pair of golden eyes — the signature eye color of the Highmore Clan — that changes color sometime every few months for a night. My straight plum strands fell past my shoulders down while the larger portion was over the other shoulder as I combed it. High naturally arched brows, thin and long nose, and sharp lips all compacted in this small face.

This face, I mean, this very existence, was what other people called a flower that bloomed in hell.

It may sound narcissistic to point it out myself, but it was true this face was something men might die for. It saved me multiple times, be it distracting people’s attention or gaining something with just a simple smile. Being capable and vicious was what made this face even more "perfect."

My father, the Duke of Southcross Octavian, could vouch for that. After all, ever since I changed my ways to survive this place, he never failed to tell me I inherited my mother’s beauty but took after his strong personality.

Those words... ’you’re really my daughter’, ’you’re just like me,’ and ’take pride in carrying the name Highmore,’ uttered with pride and glee were like poisons that I was forced to swallow. It was a curse that pushed me to live this lie year after year to the point of exhaustion. But I couldn’t get exhausted nor do I have the leisure to take a break just to breathe. The second I lowered my guard would also be the day I would fall into ruin.

"My lady." I snapped my eyes, brought back from my trance, and looked up only to see Lisha was already standing at arm’s length behind me. "You’re spacing out."

"I was. What were you saying?" I asked, resuming in combing my precious hair my father liked so much because it was different from the Highmore’s ebony hair.

"Are you worried about the werewolf, my lady? You don’t usually space out for no reason." Instead of answering my query, Lisha replied with a question.

"Why would I get worried about a stranger?" I asked as I quirked a brow. She simply looked at me, before I sighed in defeat. "Fine. I confess I was spacing out because of him, but not because I’m worried about him. He’s a person who is prone to trouble and worrying about someone whose other foot is already in his grave is foolish."

I put down the comb and gazed at myself again. "It’s just... he’s a mistake I will forever regret. If only I knew meeting that man would stir my emotions, I would’ve messed with Lucien in another way."

"My lady, I understand you are surprised upon meeting someone as peculiar as him. Sir Sven is surely a rare species, and thus, doesn’t suit this place." Lisha, to my surprise, chose kindness today. "However, you’re still a participant of the game to the title of the heir. This is the only chance you can gain control over your life, my lady. You mustn’t get distracted by a stranger’s words and life."

I sighed. "I know that." Standing up and dragged my feet, throwing myself towards the bed. I reached for the pillow and hugged it, burying half of my lower face.

"I’ll just sulk for today and mourn for the life I wished to have," came out a muffled voice as I glanced at her. "I’ll be fine tomorrow, like always."

Her lips parted but she ended up pressing them into a thin line. Lisha then bowed.

"I’ll tell the maids not to disturb you," she affirmed in her classic toneless voice. "If the third young master came for you, I’ll tell him you want to rest early."

"Thank you." I smiled, not receiving a smile back, which I was already used to knowing how stiff Lisha was. I watched her bow once again and soundlessly made her way outside my room. When the soft click caressed my ears, I buried my face in the pillow.

"I hate my life," I whispered which was meant to be a scream. However, no matter how I repeat those words, it was not like I had any other option. Vampires had long lives, but we still have just one life. If we died, that was it. It wasn’t that great, really.

"Just today, Callie. Just sulk just today." I told myself, embracing back the sullen mood that had me in a tight hug. "Just today."

*******

As soon as Lisha closed the door behind her, she looked back at the shut door and sighed. She knew Callie so much, so she was certain Sven would affect her greatly. Even though the man in question was a mere stranger, Callie had been craving the life the wild werewolf was living.

’She’ll be fine if she says she will be fine,’ Lisha told herself, knowing Callie only needed just a few hours or a night to get a grip. ’Once she inherited the title of the heir, I’m certain she will be fine and she didn’t need to continue living the life she had been living.’

Lisha kept her focus on Callie’s future plans so as to not get worried about her ladyship. Callie valued this chance more than anyone. She would never miss it. However, as she waltzed through the hallway, she couldn’t help but recall Sven’s one-sided conversation with her when she led him to the safe exit.