Page 20 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

My lady's maid. The only person in this palace who showed me warmth.

"Cedric! You—" My voice caught in my throat.

"Starting tomorrow, you'll stay in the room next to Victoria's. Available at all times," Cedric ordered coldly.

My fists clenched tighter. My nails dug into my palms. Pain spread through my hands.

"Alice..." Victoria's weak voice came again, edged with triumph. "I'm sorry, I don't need you to care for me... Don't fight with Cedric because of me."

I turned slowly and looked at her pale face. The corners of her mouth held the ghost of a smile. Those green eyes were full of challenge.

As if saying—see? He'll always choose me.

I laughed coldly. "I'll take very good 'care' of you, sister."

I turned and left immediately. Every second near her made me want to kill her.

The door closed behind me. I leaned against the corridor wall, gasping for air. Inside, Cedric was comforting Victoria. His voice was so gentle. He'd never spoken to me like that. The pain in my chest threatened to tear me apart. I thought after my rebirth, his coldness wouldn't hurt me anymore.

I thought I'd let go.

But now I realized—some pain doesn't disappear just because you get a second chance. It stays there, like a thorn lodged deep in your heart.

Chapter Five

Cedric

I stared at Alice's retreating figure, my chest churning with something complicated, like something was tearing at my heart.

Maybe... maybe I shouldn't have been so harsh, but the words were out. I couldn't take them back. And maybe this was a good opportunity—let Alice take care of Victoria, smooth out those spiky edges of hers. Maybe she'd go back to how she used to be.

Back to that shy girl who always followed me around, instead of this version who challenged every word I said, whose every glance screamed distance.

She told Caspar she wanted to divorce me! That wasn't something the Alice I knew would ever say. She was slipping from my grasp, and it drove me mad.

I had to pull her back. Had to get her by my side again. Had to make her what she was before.

"Cedric..." Victoria's weak voice pulled me back. "Alice must be upset. Go find her. Tell her she doesn't need to serve me. I don't want to cause problems between you two."

"Forget her." My voice went cold. "Just rest."

"But..." Victoria frowned, her tone hesitant and worried. It made the irritation worse. Why couldn't Alice be gentle and understanding like Victoria? Now she was like a damn porcupine with every quill aimed at me.

The door opened. Victoria's maid Carol entered with a tray—Victoria's medicine.

Carol curtsied to me, set the tray down, her voice bright with amusement. "With Your Majesty here, my lady will recover so much faster. My lady thinks of you constantly, you know."

"Don't say that..." Victoria's face flushed slightly as she lowered her head.

"Why not? It's true." Carol picked up the bowl and walked to the bed. "You've always cared for His Majesty. Everyone knows it."

Victoria took the bowl obediently, sipping in small mouthfuls. The bitter scent of herbs filled the room.

Carol watched her finish, pain flickering in her eyes. She glanced at me, hesitating like she wanted to say something.

"What?" I frowned. "Speak."

"Well..." Carol paused, then continued, "The physician said my lady needs more sunlight to recover properly. It'll help drive out the cold in her body. But the room she's in now..."