CHAPTER 70: SERVANTS IN BROTHERS FORM.

"I almost forgot," Victoria whispered, her voice low and bitter. "I almost let myself be brainwashed by their kindness. But no more. No more weakness."

"Good! I love this version of you, Victoria," Leo said, nodding in approval, his tone laced with seriousness. "Anyway, you better get dressed quickly. Your brothers will be here soon."

He paused for a moment, then added, "And yeah, before you ask....no, the tracker couldn’t find any hidden room. I should have known better though. If there is a secret room, then the Alphas wouldn’t let it be located in that mansion. They’re too smart for that."

"I see..." Victoria murmured, her gaze narrowing with thought. "Well, in time, we’ll uncover what we’re looking for. But for now, let’s focus on creating chaos. It wouldn’t be satisfying to just deliver death to our enemies. No... they should be punished. They should feel every ounce of pain I felt in my first life. Let them wish for death."

A smirk curled across her lips.

"I wouldn’t want to leave the academy so soon, not when I just got here."

"Good," Leo echoed again, pleased. Then his eyes narrowed with curiosity. "Now that we’re here, can you tell me more about the bodyguard? The Alphas kept saying he used to be gentle, but now he’s grown rough and distant. And again, I heard he was crushing on Anna before? What the hell was that all about?"

He raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with irritation and genuine confusion.

"I don’t know anything about it since you never opened your locket in your first life," he added.

"Oh, well..." Victoria began, sighing heavily as her fingers curled at her side. "He had a crush on Darius’s sister...Anna...in my first life. As you know, I never attended the academy back then. I never got the chance to spend time around those bastard brothers of mine, let alone understand what was going on within the family."

She exhaled, brushing a hand through her hair.

"But there was news....rumors that spread all over the world. The talk of one of the Ashford bodyguards kissing Anna. That bodyguard was Eric."

She paused, letting the name sink in.

"In the first life, it all started as a harmless crush. The three Alphas knew about it and began mistreating him...Eric. And now, in this second life, based on the Alpha’s own words, it seems Eric already started crushing on Anna even before she left the pack. That alone had earned him their wrath."

Her voice lowered into a dangerous whisper. "In that first life... his parents actually died because of it. Though the official report said they were involved in some sort of accident, I’m not sure how true that is. But if I’m to judge based on the Alpha’s past actions... I’d say they’re responsible."

She folded her arms tightly across her chest, her tone darkening. "All of this started just because Eric had a crush on Anna. And now you....you actually kissed Anna! Leo, You’ve just dragged Eric closer to death’s door!"

"Damn!" Leo exclaimed, his voice rising with disbelief. "They killed his parents just because he had a crush on their sister? Those bastards!"

"And I know you kissed Anna just to get us thrown into prison," Victoria said sharply, her eyes narrowing. "You knew how much Darius cherished his sister. You knew he would definitely pin a crime on you and on me. But that kiss... that might actually cost Eric his life. I don’t even know if his parents are alive in this timeline."

She exhaled again, visibly frustrated.

Leo’s jaw clenched, his face hardening. "Then I’ll protect that bodyguard. I mean, I still need his body if I want to keep following you around, anyway."

"You can just get any other person," Victoria said coldly, her tone sharp with seriousness. "I really don’t want to be involved in somebody else’s mess. Especially not his."

"Well, I can’t take over any other person’s body except his," Leo replied firmly, folding his arms across his chest. "It’s not by choice. I’m tethered to him somehow, so I have to protect him. Those useless Alphas won’t get their way."

Victoria blinked, startled by the revelation. "Are you for real right now?" she asked, her tone skeptical as she raised an eyebrow. "You really can’t take over anyone else’s body except Eric’s?"

"Of course. I already said it, and I meant every word....I’ll protect him," Leo replied with fierce determination etched across his face. "If those Alphas think they can bully him again in this life... then I’ll teach them a terrible lesson they won’t forget."

He paused, eyes narrowing darkly.

"And yes... I’m certain his parents are already dead. The crush on Anna has already begun in this timeline, which means the past is repeating itself. I believe the same outcome has already happened, but I won’t let Eric die. Not this time. Not until he gets his revenge on those Alphas."

Leo’s expression turned even darker as he continued. "And as for Anna... her brothers protected her so fiercely that they killed someone for her. Well, now it’s my turn. I’ll reach her, and when I do... I’ll break her heart so deeply, she’ll wish she was dead."

Victoria’s breath caught in her throat as she listened, and Leo’s voice only grew colder.

"I don’t care if she helped you in your first life, Victoria. The truth remains that her family and yours were responsible for your death. Every single one of them deserves to pay. They deserve to die."

His tone was so grave, so heavy, that it made Victoria swallow hard. For a moment, silence fell between them.

"Anyway," Leo added after a beat, "I’ll go find Eric now. I know your brothers will try to punish him for kissing Anna. I have to save him before it’s too late."

Without wasting another second, he turned and dashed out of the room, leaving Victoria alone in the thick air of silence.

She could only release a long, weary sigh as she shook her head, then slowly made her way into the bathroom. The cool water cleared her mind, grounding her again in the reality of the game she had chosen to play.

By the time she emerged, she was fully dressed in a white brocade gown. Her dyed hair had been tied into a sleek ponytail, the ends swaying gently with her movements.

A knock on the door followed by a voice pulled her attention.

"Your brothers are waiting for you in the garden, Miss Victoria," came the voice of the head maid from the other side.

Without hesitation, Victoria opened the door. A practiced smile spread across her face as she stepped out and began walking toward the garden.

Upon arrival, her gaze fell on three of her brothers.....Callum, Theo, and Lucian. Damien was nowhere in sight, likely back at the academy... or worse, with Eric, ready to teach him a cruel lesson.

The three brothers were seated in elegant glass chairs positioned in the center of the garden, surrounded by a breathtaking display of flowers. Butterflies flitted through the colorful petals while the soft fragrance of various fruits and freshly cooked dishes wafted through the air. Somewhere nearby, gentle music played, adding a serene touch to the morning scene.

"You’re finally here, sister!" Theo was the first to speak, his tone light and cheerful.

Without waiting for her response, he strode toward her, gently took her hand, and led her to the dining area. Once seated, Victoria opened her mouth to speak but was caught off guard when Theo suddenly reached down, gently lifting both of her legs and resting them on his lap.

A jolt of shock ran through her, but it quickly faded as she realized what was happening.

Servants stepped forward immediately, carrying an array of aromatic massage oils. They poured them into Theo’s palms as he began massaging Victoria’s legs with deliberate care, his touch strangely soothing.

At the same time, Callum stood up. The music changed in the background, transitioning into a melody suited for sword dancing. Without a word, he began performing in front of her, his movements fluid, graceful, and deadly precise.

Meanwhile, Lucian approached with a bowl of freshly washed grapes. A warm smile graced his face as he stopped in front of her, raising a single grape to her lips.

"Your Highness... kindly taste my sweet grapes," he said in a gentle voice, almost playful.

Victoria opened her mouth and took a bite. The grape burst with flavor, melting sweetly across her tongue.

They’re quite obedient after all, she thought, a smirk curling on her lips as she leaned back into the chair.

You’re all doing everything you can to please me. But let’s see how long this attitude of yours will last. If your behavior is truly different this time, you won’t get angry when I push you further. But if nothing has changed, you’ll lash out again. Maybe not to the extent of revealing the truth about my first life but I’ll know. I’ll know then that you’re only being kind because of my blood.

Her eyes flicked between each of them.

You want to take it without informing the outside world. Not even the Alphas....because you’re not foolish enough to share something so powerful after they betrayed you in my first life.