Chapter 18
Alright… let’s make this fun for all of us. 😌
Here’s how I’m rewarding you, my special readers, and the ink to my pen.
1. Hit a top ranking for a week straight → mass release of 3 Chapters.
2. Send a super gift → mass release of 5 Chapters.
Now for the real mischief, these are the rewards. Also, this is where the real chaos lies.
1. Top interactive reader in a week → gets a shoutout
2. One-time super gift → gets a Chapter dedicated to you.
3. Repeated super gifts → you start getting little spoilers + future hints.
4. Highest Golden Ticket sender of the month (20–30 range) → you get a permanent role in the book
Yes, an actual role. 😅🥹 Immortality secured.
Let’s build this story together 🤍
The sun had already begun to soften toward evening when Aire finally gathered the courage to leave her room.
Madam was standing by the wardrobe, folding freshly pressed linens with her usual brisk efficiency when Aire spoke.
“Madam p>
Madam didn’t look up immediately.
“Yes p>
Aire hesitated near the doorway, her fingers lightly gripping the edge of the frame.
“Mabel said she would show me around the castle this evening p>
Madam’s hands paused mid-fold.
For a brief moment, the older woman said nothing.
Then she slowly turned.
“A tour?” she repeated.
Aire nodded quickly. “Just the halls nearby. She said the gardens are beautiful in the evening p>
Madam studied her carefully.
There was something different about Aire’s expression.
It was… excitement. Small, cautious excitement.
Madam sighed quietly.
“You’ve barely left this wing since you arrived,” she said.
Aire lowered her eyes slightly.
“I thought it might be alright p>
Madam held her gaze for a moment longer before waving a hand dismissively.
“Go then p>
Aire blinked.
“Really p>
Madam turned back to the linens. “Yes. But stay within this wing.” Her tone sharpened slightly. “And do not wander where you are not supposed to p>
Aire nodded quickly.
“I won’t p>
Madam paused again, then added without turning around,
“And if that girl asks too many questions… remember that not everyone in this castle is your friend p>
Aire hesitated.
Then she nodded again. “I’ll remember p>
Mabel was already waiting in the hallway when Aire stepped outside.
She leaned casually against one of the tall stone pillars, with her arms folded loosely. Just like Aire, she wore a simple gown with her hair let down.
When she saw Aire, her face lit up with an easy smile.
“Ready p>
Aire nodded.
“Yes p>
“Good,” Mabel said, pushing herself away from the pillar. “Let’s start with the easy parts of the castle p>
They began walking slowly down the long corridor.
Almost immediately, servants began appearing.
Maids carrying folded sheets.
Footmen carrying trays.
Each one bowed respectfully as Aire passed.
But the whispers started almost immediately. Soft, quick, and barely audible.
“The cursed one p>
“Is that really her p>
“She looks normal p>
“Quiet,” someone hissed.
Aire kept her eyes forward.
Mabel glanced at her sideways. “You’ll get used to that,” she said casually.
Aire said nothing.
They turned a corner into a large room filled with tall windows and pale blue furniture.
“This is the drawing room,” Mabel explained.
The space was elegant. Long sofas were curved around a glass table with paintings of old Alphas lined the walls.
Aire walked slowly into the room, studying everything.
“It’s beautiful,” she murmured.
Mabel watched her carefully.
“You really haven’t seen much of the castle before p>
Aire shook her head.
“No p>
“Not even when you were younger? You never visited p>
“No p>
Mabel tilted her head slightly.
“That’s surprising p>
Aire didn’t respond.
Mabel’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before she clapped her hands lightly.
“Come on. There’s more p>
The next room was smaller.
A large piano stood near the window, polished black and gleaming under the evening light.
“The music room,” Mabel said.
Aire approached the instrument slowly.
“Do you play?” Mabel asked.
Aire shook her head.
“My uncle never allowed it p>
“Never allowed it p>
Mabel’s brows lifted slightly.
“That seems… strict p>
Aire ran a finger lightly along the edge of the piano.
“He said music made people soft p>
Mabel laughed softly.
“That sounds like something an old Alpha would say p>
They continued walking.
The halls grew quieter the further they moved from the main corridor.
Soon they reached a massive set of double doors.
Mabel pushed them open. Rows and rows of towering bookshelves stretched across the room appeared before them.
“The library,” she said.
Aire’s eyes widened.
“So many books p>
Mabel watched her again. “You like reading p>
“Yes p>
Aire stepped further inside.
“I used to sneak into my uncle’s study just to read whatever I could find p>
Mabel leaned casually against one of the shelves.
“You must have spent a lot of time alone p>
Aire paused.
Then nodded. “Yes p>
Mabel’s gaze sharpened slightly. “That must have been difficult p>
Aire shrugged faintly. “I got used to it p>
Mabel crossed her arms thoughtfully. “So… when did the curse start p>
Aire’s shoulders stiffened.
She turned slowly. “What p>
Mabel smiled lightly. “I mean the silver hair. The rumors p>
Her tone was casual, almost careless.
“I’ve heard so many stories p>
Aire’s fingers curled slightly against the book she had picked up.
“What kind of stories p>
“Oh… you know,” Mabel said lightly.
“That the Moon Goddess cursed your bloodline p>
“That your father angered her p>
“That you’re… unlucky, and illegitimate p>
She tilted her head curiously. “Is any of it true p>
The library suddenly felt very quiet.
Aire placed the book back onto the shelf slowly.
“I don’t know p>
Mabel studied her. “You don’t know p>
“My father said the curse wasn’t real p>
“And your uncle p>
Aire hesitated. “He said it was p>
Mabel’s eyes flickered with interest.
“And what do you believe? I mean, you have silver hair p>
Aire lowered her gaze slightly. “I believe… people like stories p>
Mabel stared at her for a moment. Then she smiled again. “That’s a very careful answer.” She complimented, smiling.
Aire said nothing.
Outside the tall windows, the evening sky was beginning to darken.
Mabel pushed herself away from the shelf.
“Well,” she said lightly.
“We still haven’t seen the gardens p>
Aire nodded slowly.
But as they walked toward the doors, she couldn’t shake the strange feeling that the tour had never really been about the castle at all.
And that Mabel had been studying her the entire time.
They stepped out of the library together.
The corridor outside had grown quieter as evening settled deeper into the castle. The servants were fewer now, and the distant halls carried only the soft echo of footsteps.
Mabel smoothed the skirt of her gown as they walked.
“The gardens are just beyond the west corridor,” she said lightly. “But we should hurry before the lamps are lit p>
Aire nodded.
Her fingers brushed lightly against the spine of a book she had unknowingly carried out with her thoughts.
For some reason, Madam’s warning returned to her mind.
’If that girl asks too many questions… remember that not everyone in this castle is your friend p>
Aire glanced sideways at Mabel.
Mabel was smiling, but her eyes looked thoughtful and calculating.
Aire said nothing. She sinply continued down the hall together.