SWNOVELS Chapter 23 Lost
Sylvia's POV:
"Why don't you just tell Rufus that the head maid is belittling you?" Yana asked in confusion.
I walked around the long corridor and paused. "If I complain to him, it will only make people look down on me even more."
"I don't think so. If they see that Rufus is protecting you, who will dare to bully you?" Yana said playfully.
"It's not that simple." I continued to walk forward aimlessly, feeling more and more depressed. Then I suddenly thought of something. "Haven't you ever wondered how that head maid knew my background?" Yana was stunned by my question. "Yes... You're right. How did she know?"
"I'm afraid that the news that I'm the daughter of a traitor has already spread all over the imperial palace. No matter how Rufus defends me, I'm just a humiliating accessory in the eyes of others. And when I am no longer useful to him, I will be thrown away." I smiled wryly as my heart had already sobered up.
"What should we do then?" Yana asked anxiously.
"I don't want to go back to my old life, Yana. I want to survive here on my own."
"Whatever your decision is, I will support you. But wait! You have been walking for a while.
Where are you going?" "I'm going to the banquet," I answered casually and lowered my head.
"Dear, do you know how to get there?"
"What?"
Yana's question brought me back to my senses. It was only then that I realized that I had got lost. I was in the middle of nowhere, and there were no guards around. The sky was already slightly dark, and the wind was cold. The lights on both sides were dim, and the shadows of the trees under the eaves were swaying, giving off a sense of gloom.
My heart tightened, and I got goose bumps on my arms, so I walked back. But the identical arched doors made me feel like a fly that couldn't find its way. This place was too large.
"Sylvia!"
I heard Rufus' voice. I was so happy that I hurriedly ran in the direction where the voice came from.
"Rufus, I'm here!"
When I saw Rufus' tall figure, I instantly calmed down.
"Where have you been?" Rufus asked. His brows were furrowed, and he pulled a long face.
"I..." I stammered. I knew that I had caused him trouble again, so I lowered my head in embarrassment. "I got lost."
At this moment, I heard a slight sigh above my head. I looked down at the hemline of my dress, not knowing what to say for a while.
"Let's go."
Rufus patted my head gently. I looked up at him in surprise. Wasn't he angry?
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing..." I murmured. I really thought that he would be angry.
Rufus pursed his lips and stretched out his hand. "Let's go. Hold my hand, so you won't get lost this time."
I stared blankly at the slender and beautiful hand in front of me, and finally pinched the corner of his sleeve. My face couldn't help burning.
Rufus didn't say anything anymore. He just turned and led me out.
Following behind him, I got the chance to stare at his stalwart shoulders. My mind was in a mess.
"I've already sent someone to investigate your mother's case and the witnesses who disappeared back then," Rufus suddenly said.
My eyes widened in pleasant surprise. "Really?"
I didn't hold out much hope that Rufus would really help me. In fact, I had already prepared myself mentally that I would do the investigation on my own. I didn't expect him to act so fast.
Rufus turned his head and looked at me. "But there's one thing I'm sorry about."
"What is it?" I asked, looking into his deep eyes.
"We need to keep our relationship under wraps for a while until we find out the truth," Rufus whispered in my ear.
I was stunned for a moment. I felt like my heart was suddenly grabbed by a giant hand, and I couldn't breathe. But I quickly suppressed this emotion. I smiled and said, "I understand. I am staying with you because we need each other. It doesn't matter whether you make our relationship public or not.
All you need is my blood, not me. So you can just disregard me. Besides, I don't want to delay you from looking for your next mate."
Rufus didn't respond. He just continued to walk forward, but his pace became faster and faster. I had no choice but to trot with heavy chunky heels to keep up with him.
"Rufus, wait... Please slow down. I can't keep up with you anymore," I couldn't help but plead.
Finally, he slowed down. Then after a while, he said, "I don't know yet why your blood can soothe me when I go berserk. What if it's because we are mates? I still have to figure it out, then we'll talk about it." "Okay." I thought that what he said was reasonable, so I readily agreed.
But the atmosphere around us inexplicably became a little suffocating. I vaguely felt that he was unhappy. But he was still expressionless as usual, and his lips were tightly pursed, so I couldn't guess what he was really thinking. Maybe I was just overthinking.
We walked down the golden staircase and arrived at the banquet hall. The dome was painted with colorful murals, and countless lights were hung high. The entire banquet hall looked more glorious. "Rufus! You're finally here."
As soon as we entered the banquet hall, a beautiful woman dressed in gorgeous and extravagant clothes appeared and greeted Rufus. "Mother..." He greeted the beautiful she-wolf back. She was Queen Laura, and I had already heard about her. With her delicate features and thick hair, she looked very young. Only the fine lines at the corners of her eyes revealed her age. "You've been on a long journey. Now that you're back, you should take a good rest for a while," Laura said. She acted like a loving mother to Rufus. Standing at the side and watching them, I felt a little embarrassed.
"Mother, let me introduce you to..."
"By the way, I forgot to tell you," Laura interrupted Rufus before he could even finish his words. Then she turned around and pulled over a brunette with a good figure and beautiful features. "This is Alina Quinn the daughter of the Alpha of Silver Moon Pack. You two are about the same age. Thanks to her company, my life has not been so boring recently. And she is very talented in the military stuff. I believe you must have a lot to talk about."
Laura gently pushed Alina in front of Rufus and added, "Such an excellent girl is the fiancee I've found for you."
My heart inexplicably sank when I heard her words.