<b>Chapter </b><b>125 </b>


    <b>Nyssa </b>pov


    As the maid, whose name I had learned was Isabe styled my hair, her hands skillful yet trembled slightly, I stared at the mirror, lost in thought, barely paying attention to her. I noticed her gaze flicker toward me for a brief moment before she quickly lowered her eyes in lear


    I was too preupied thinking about the breakfast I was going to have with the elders of the lycan king’s pack. I couldn’t help but frown, absently stroking my chin as I tried to imagine how it was going to be.


    It wasn’t that I was scared or nervous about meeting the elders, but I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to act around them.


    They wanted to meet the king’s mate, right? But even though I was Darius mate, I wasn’t exactly his mate.


    He hadn’t epted or rejected me. I was simply there, waiting to be used and discarded afterward. So how was! supposed to act with them?


    Was I supposed to tell them that I wasn’t really his mate? Or should I just pretend I was and we were all lovey–dovey?


    Just as these thoughts filled my mind, my hair was suddenly tugged sharply, and I hissed, snapping out of my daze. My eyes flickered to Isabe, who froze in terror. My eyes widened as she quickly lowered her head, trembling slightly.


    “Oh no, be careful,” Serena, who stood beside me, said worriedly as she looked at Isabe, who quickly apologized.


    *F–forgive me, mydy. It–it was a mistake,” she stammered, clearly frightened, and I blinked at her in confusion.


    Huh? I knew it was a mistake, but why was she trembling like this? Why was she so scared of me? It wasn’t as if I was


    terrifying.


    I had only released a bit of aura yesterday, so she didn’t need to look like I <b>was </b>about to kill her.


    “It is fine, don’t worry-”


    “Let me finish styling thedy’s hair,” Serena cut me off as she reached for the brush in Isabe’s hand. I watched as Isabe nodded without hesitation, agreeing with Serena. But before she could hand over theb, a calm voice interrupted.


    We all turned to Sandra, who stood at the doorway with a small smile.


    “Please allow Isabe to continue with the Miss hair. She’s the most skilled at styling, which is why I brought her with me<b>,” </b>Sandra said, her white eyes turning directly toward Serena. I couldn’t help but notice, once again, how she seemed to know exactly where everyone stood, even though she was blind.


    ranted to argue.


    Isabe looked like she was about to cry at Sandra’s words, and Serena bit her bottom lip as though Knowing how stubborn she was, I expected her to protest but to my surprise, she simply nodded and uueyed timidly.


    “Yes<b>, </b>Miss Sandra,” she said, and my eyes widened in surprise. Wow, she agreed so easily? Even I couldn’t get her to agree to anything concerning me without a fight, yet she <b>gave </b>in to Sandra so quickly.


    $21:25 Sat:2 Aug


    My gaze flickered to Sandra, and narrowed my eyes, studying her for a moment.


    <b>She </b>looked ordinary, her white eyes giving away nothing, and there wasn’t even the faintest hint of aura radiating from her. She looked like apletely normal elderlydly, yet there was no denying the calm,posed air about h beneath that, a subtle but undeniable authority.


    As I continued watching her, her eyes flicked to me, making me freeze for a moment. Her smile widened as she lowered her head in a graceful bow, and in the next second, Isabe spoke.


    “F–forgive me, Miss, but could you turn around so I can continue?”


    “Ah,” I muttered, before nodding my head <b>and </b>turning back to the mirror. Almost immediately, Isabe continued<b>, </b>though this time her touch was much gentler, I took a deep breath as she worked, preparing myself for whatever wasing next.


    And soon enough, after only a few minutes, Isabe was done with my hair. When I looked at the reflection in the mirror, couldn’t help but nod in <b>approval</b>.


    Though my hair wasn’t pinned up because of the bruises and hickeys on my neck, she had styled it beautifully, in a way that made me look effortlessly ssy, especially paired with the dark blue dress I was wearing.


    I looked good. Sandra was right when she said Isabe was talented.


    “Ooo, this is good,” I muttered with a grin, turning to Isabe, who instinctively trembled back a little as I raised my hand to give her a thumbs up.


    “Good job,” I praised, and she swallowed nervously before bowing her head again.


    “Thank you, Miss,” she murmured, avoiding my gaze.


    “You really look beautiful, Miss!” Serena said with a bright smile beside me.


    I chuckled at her excitement and lightly touched my face, a slightly smug smile spreading across my lips.


    “Right? I look really beautiful. I mean, I’m always beautiful, but today I’m looking absolutely stunning.” I said, smugness dripping from my voice, and Serena nodded eagerly, agreeing with me.


    Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Isabe’s eyelid twitch and Sandra’s smile widen for the briefest moment. Turning back to the mirror for onest nce<b>, </b>I steeled myself for what was toe.


    I reminded myself that I didn’t need to worry about anything.


    Why was I even overthinking how I should act? It wasn’t like I was here to y the perfect mate in the first ce.


    I didn’t care. I would get through this breakfast without thinking too much.


    Yes.


    “Miss, it is time. Please follow me,” Sandra said from behind me.


    My lips slowly curled into a confident smile <b>as </b><b>I </b>nodded and rose from the seat, cing my hands on my hips


    “Right, let’s go.”