After I Torched Alive, My Alpha Went crazy novel Chapter 163

I didn’t respond, choosing to remain silent. Their laughter grew louder, encouraged by my lack of reaction. Just as I thought they would leave, a loud, commanding voice echoed down the corridor.

"What’s going on here?"

The maids froze, their faces turning pale. A woman stepped forward, her presence commanding immediate attention.

It was Chief Mary, the head maid. Her sharp eyes scanned the maids, then landed on me. She stood tall, her posture straight, radiating authority.

"I heard there was trouble," she said, her voice firm but not unkind.

"These maids were eavesdropping outside my room," I explained calmly.

Chief Mary turned to the maids, "Is that so?" she asked coolly. She addressed them with a tone that was sharp and unforgiving. "This is a palace, not a playground for your childish games."

Some of the maids mumbled apologies, their earlier arrogance replaced with fear. Chief Mary’s eyes softened as she turned to me. "You know the rules. If you ever need help, just let me know."

"Thank you," I said sincerely, grateful for her intervention.

The maids didn’t dare speak, and I realized with a flicker of recognition that Odette and Faye had warned me about this.

During our etiquette lessons, they had mentioned that the palace maids were notorious for their nosiness and cruel behavior. Chief Mary, however, was their nemesis. She was fair and had no tolerance for gossip or mistreatment.

Carlos, it seemed, had anticipated this. On our way to the palace, he spoke to Chief Mary, asking for her assistance. And now, as if on cue, she was here to ensure order.

As she turned to leave, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. The palace was filled with beauty and luxury, but it was also full of hidden challenges.

It was a place where power was fought for in subtle ways. For Cyrus’s sake, I had to stay strong.

Carlos, who had been watching from the door, stepped closer. "You handled that well," he said, his voice calm but with an edge of something else, perhaps approval?

"Thank you," I replied, meeting his gaze. "I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my son and prove myself."

I watched Mary’s eyes narrow. She wasn’t done yet. She turned to me with a strange look. Her lips curved into a small, cruel smile. "I might punish them," she said. "But let me remind you, Grace… no woman has ever lived in the Alpha Palace with a child whose father is unknown."

Her words were blunt. They hit me hard, like a stone thrown at my chest. I felt my heart drop. My situation was worse than I thought. Here, in this grand palace, with all its beauty and power, I was nothing but an outsider.

I wasn’t going to let her words take away my dignity.

I stood up taller, making sure my voice was steady when I spoke. "I was invited here by Queen Luna. She asked me to come. And King Alpha welcomed me and my son, Cyrus, as guests of the palace. Is this how you treat your guests?"

The words spilled out before I could stop them, but I knew they were right. I wasn’t just some random woman in the palace. I was a guest, just like everyone else. I had every right to be here.

There was silence in the room. The maids, the noble girls, and even Mary stared at me. No one spoke for a long moment.

Then, Mary’s eyes flickered. I could see the shift in her expression. She didn’t smile, but I could tell she was taken aback by my boldness.