Chapter 7 Encounter With The Viscount

Zephyr gulped as she tried to process his words.

"Leave," he said, and Zephyr quickly stepped away from the door. Just like that, the door opened on its own, and she bolted out.

She placed her hands on her chest as she ran all the way to her room. Her heart was a beating mess as his words echoed in her ears, and she facepalmed herself. She was utterly confused. She had heard stories about how ruthless the Alpha was, and they weren't just folktales. Why had he saved her in the forest in the first place? And then, when she tried to commit suicide, he saved her again.

The punishment for a maid or slave attempting to end their life was immediate death, but the ruthless Alpha had overlooked it. What was even more shocking was when he demanded her presence in his room to bed her. Yet, even after she refused him, he didn't harm her. He hadn't even touched her after asking her to strip.

Why? Why was she receiving such special treatment despite being a lowly slave? His words about avoiding him sank deeper, and Zephyr decided to abide by them. She didn't want any man to touch her-not until she found someone she truly loved and who loved her in return.

Still, Zephyr knew these thoughts were just fantasies. Who would fall in love with a lowly slave like her? She got up from the bed, went to take a bath, and then returned to sleep.

---

"Make sure to get everything on this list. Failure to do so will attract serious consequences. Now, get out," Courtney instructed a maid. The maid bowed deeply and quickly left.

Outside the mansion, North went outside, in search of the slave who was to accompany her and then she saw Zephyr, who stood nearby with her head bent low. As North looked at her, it was easy to see why the other maids loathed her. Zephyr was beautiful, with skin that glistened like an elite's. Her black hair was neatly braided and tied into a bun, and her soft features and stunning gray eyes only added to her charm. The girl wasn't just beautiful-she was beauty itself.

Zephyr bowed deeply when she noticed North staring at her, feeling perplexed. Had she done something wrong? The weather was far too hot to endure a round of punishment.

"We're heading to the village to get some items," North said with a straight face. "They don't usually lend out the old carriages to the likes of us, but I guess today is a good day. My name is North. I should at least know your name since we'll be working together today."

Zephyr felt strange-North wasn't belittling her. In fact, she had introduced herself. This was the first time a maid had treated her like a normal human being. Zephyr studied North's features: caramel skin, emerald green eyes, and brown hair. She was beautiful.

"My name is Zephyr," she replied softly. North nodded.

At that moment, a carriage pulled up. A servant from the horse shed stepped down.

"Are you ready? I'll be riding you to the market under Lady Courtney's orders," the boy, who seemed about Zephyr's age, said.

"Lady Courtney? Not like she's an elite or anything, just a devil's spawn," North huffed as she climbed into the carriage.

"Get in, Zephyr," North said, and Zephyr quickly followed, closing the door behind her.

The coachman mounted the horse and began riding them toward the large gates of castle. Zephyr felt a mixture of bubbling excitement and anxiousness. She vividly remembered her last attempt at escaping the castle after being framed. Back then, she had tried to sneak out through the back route. But now, she was leaving the castle through the grand front gates-for the first time in her life.

She had never been in a carriage or seen life outside the castle walls. Zephyr couldn't hide her smile as the carriage rode through the gates.

"First time leaving the castle?" North asked, noticing Zephyr's over excited expression.

Zephyr nodded, her eyes glued to the window as the carriage passed through the forest route. She turned back to glance at the once-magnificent, now-shrinking castle. If only there were a way to escape permanently, to find her family and discover where she truly belonged.

When they arrived at the marketplace, Zephyr gasped. The lively atmosphere, bustling people, and colorful stores were like nothing she had ever seen before.

"Stay close to me," North instructed. "I don't want you wandering off and getting lost. Remember, we're on a strict timeline. If we take too long, we'll both be in trouble. Do you understand?"

Zephyr nodded obediently.

North led her to various shops to purchase the required items. Zephyr dutifully carried them back to the carriage.

"I'll finish up with the payments. Take these to the carriage and wait for me," North said. Zephyr nodded, carrying the last items as instructed.

On her way, Zephyr noticed a glass bowl displayed in front of a shop. It contained blue water with tiny fish swimming freely. Her eyes widened in amazement. If only she weren't a slave-she would have bought it. But she had no money, and even if she did, someone might accuse her of stealing if she was caught with such an item. She continued staring sadly as she walked and she unconsciously bumped into someone.

Zephyr froze instantly, fear clouding her features. Her gaze dropped to the man's polished, expensive shoes, then moved slowly upward-his broad chest, luxurious clothes, and finally, his handsome face.

"I'm really sorry," Zephyr said, bowing deeply. Her body trembled in fear.

"It's fine," a deep, masculine voice replied. "What's your name, miss?"

Zephyr hesitated before nervously replying, "I...I'm Zephyr."

"That's a beautiful name for a beautiful girl," he said with a smile. "I'm Viscount Noah Rodriguez. May I help you with those items?"

Zephyr was stunned. Why would a Viscount care about someone like her?

"No, thank you, milord. I can manage," she stammered. But as fate would have it, one of the items nearly fell, and the Viscount caught it in time.

"I insist," he said, taking most of the items from her hands leaving her with a small bag.

Zephyr's cheeks flushed as he walked with her. It wasn't just his kindness and good looks-people were staring at them with curiosity.

"Do you live around here, Miss Zephyr?" he asked.

"No," she replied. "I live far away."

The walk ended when they reached the carriage. He helped her load the items inside before turning to her again.

"Do you remember my name?" he asked, his platinum-blonde hair tousled by the wind.

"Viscount Noah..." she trailed off, unable to recall his last name.

"Rodriguez. Or just Noah is fine," he said, leaving her speechless. "I hope we meet again," he added, handing her a black kerchief.

Zephyr hesitated before taking it.

"I hope you'll return it to me someday," he said. Then, taking her hand, he planted a gentle kiss on the back of it, leaving her stunned.

As he walked away, Zephyr squeezed the kerchief in her hands. Could he be her way out of Shadowcrest Castle? Her prince charming? All he needed to do was to make her his maid and then, she would be free.

She smiled, getting into the carriage to wait for North.

Unbeknownst to her, a pair of dark gray eyes watched from a distance, a grim look settling on his handsome face.