Chapter 3

A week after the engagement ceremony, the castle was filled with a celebratory atmosphere. Ella and Aiden's engagement was blessed by everyone; they were considered a match made in heaven.

And I remain that inconspicuous guard.

But now everything is different. Aiden has become more arrogant towards me, while Ella always looks at me with a complicated gaze, a gaze that contains guilt, pain, and a longing that I don't want to understand.

"Ian, come here." Aiden stood in the center of the hall, his voice carrying a clear command.

I put down my cleaning tools and went over. "Lord Aiden, what are your orders?"

"I've heard you've been a bit lax in your work lately." Aiden pulled out a report and displayed it to everyone. "Last night's patrol log shows you missed checking several rooms in the east wing."

This is a lie. My patrols are always thorough; I never miss a spot. But I can't refute it; I can only bow my head and admit it.

"I'm sorry, sir, I'll be more careful."

"Pay attention?" Aiden sneered. "Paying attention isn't enough. It seems the guard job is too complicated for you. Starting today, you'll be in charge of cleaning the stables."

Demoting from a guard to a stable cleaner was a clear humiliation. Whispers rippled through the crowd, some with schadenfreude in their eyes.

"I understand." I remained calm.

"Very good." Aiden nodded in satisfaction, then walked up to me and lowered his voice, saying, "Remember your position, guard. Some things are not for you to covet."

I looked up at him, my eyes devoid of any emotion. "I understand."

Aiden seemed somewhat displeased with my reaction; he expected to see my anger or humiliation, but I showed nothing.

Just then, Ella walked in. She saw our conversation, and a look of worry flashed in her eyes.

"Aiden, what are you talking about with Ian?" Her voice sounded a little nervous.

"It's just a work arrangement, darling." Aiden immediately put on a gentle smile, walked over, and put his arm around her waist. "Ian's work needs some adjustments."

Ella looked at me, and I could tell what she wanted to say, but in the end she just bit her lip.

"Ian, you...you've worked so hard," she said softly.

"It is my duty, Miss Ella," I replied respectfully, then turned and left.

Working in the stables was indeed hard work. Cleaning horse manure, changing hay, and brushing the horses were the lowest, dirtiest, and most tiring jobs. The other servants looked at me with a mixture of pity and mockery.

"How pathetic, actually trying to steal a woman from his adjutant."

"Now you know your own limitations, right?"

"A guard should have the awareness of a guard; stop daydreaming."

I silently endured the mockery, focusing on my work. But deep down, Alpha's instincts roared, wanting to tear apart those who dared to laugh at me.

Every evening, I see Aiden and Ella taking a walk in the garden. They seem very close; Aiden always speaks to her gently, and Ella responds with a smile. But I've noticed that Ella's smile always seems a little forced, and her gaze often drifts towards the direction where I work.

A week later, the castle hosted a banquet to celebrate Ella and Aiden's engagement.

I wouldn't normally attend such events, but Aiden specifically arranged for me to help serve dishes.

"Let him see what real high society is like," Aiden said to the other nobles, "and let him understand his place."

At the banquet, the nobles mingled and chatted merrily. Aiden, with his arm around Ella, introduced his fiancée to everyone.

"Ella is the most beautiful and kindest woman I've ever met." Aiden raised his glass. "I'm so lucky to have her favor. To be able to protect Luna like her is the greatest honor of my life."

Thunderous applause erupted.

Ella stood beside him with a polite smile, but I could see her unease. As I walked past her with the tray, her eyes followed me, a complex mix of emotions in them.

"Ian!" Aiden suddenly called my name loudly, "Come here!"

As I walked over with the tray, everyone's eyes were on me.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is Ian, our castle's... cleaner." Aiden deliberately emphasized the word "cleaner," eliciting a few chuckles. "He once had some...inappropriate thoughts about my fiancée."

The laughter grew louder, and some people started pointing and whispering.

"Now, I want him to apologize publicly and admit his mistake." Aiden looked at me, his eyes filled with malice. "Ian, kneel down and apologize to Miss Ella. Admit that you shouldn't have coveted Luna."

Kneel down?

My Alpha bloodline roared within me, yearning to unleash its power and teach this arrogant Beta a lesson in fear. But the rules of the trial bound me like shackles—once my identity was exposed, not only would I lose my inheritance rights, but my family would also lose a third of its northern territory.

"Kneel down!" Aiden raised his voice. "Admit your mistake!"

The entire hall fell silent; everyone was watching me. The nobles' eyes held curiosity, mockery, and schadenfreude.

Ella's face was ashen. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent. She dared not disobey her fiancé, dared not defend me in this situation.

I slowly knelt down.

"I'm sorry, Miss Ella," I said, my head bowed, my voice eerily calm. "I shouldn't have had those unrealistic thoughts. I'm just a cleaner, unworthy of you."

"Excellent!" Aiden clapped his hands triumphantly. "That's the kind of awareness you should have!"

The others joined in the applause, as if they had just watched a spectacular performance.

"Forgive him, Ella," Aiden said gently to Ella. "After all, he has realized his mistake."

Ella looked at me kneeling on the ground, tears welling in her eyes, her voice trembling, "I...I forgive you."

"Great!" Aiden exclaimed happily. "Let's drink to tolerance and understanding!"

I stood up and silently retreated to a corner. Ella kept watching me, her eyes filled with guilt and pain. But she did nothing, said nothing.

That was her choice. When I needed her to stand up, she chose silence.

"The guards could never truly love Luna," Aiden continued to the guests. "They just want to use her feelings to gain status. Luckily, Ella is smart enough not to be deceived."

I gripped the tray tightly. This fool had no idea that his so-called "guards" could make him kneel and beg for mercy at any moment. But I wouldn't do that, at least not now.

After the banquet, I returned to my small room. It was the servants' quarters, simple and cramped. I sat on the edge of the bed, my mind replaying the humiliation of the night.

"Ian?"

Ella's voice came from outside the door.

I opened the door and saw her standing in the hallway, her eyes red and swollen, clearly having been crying.

"I want to explain..." her voice was very soft.

"No explanation needed," I interrupted her. "You've already made your choice."

"I'm so sorry about tonight," Ella said, crying, "but I can't stand up for Aiden; he's my fiancé. If I defend you, it will only make things worse..."

"Yes, he's your fiancé," I said coldly, "and I'm just a cleaner."

"That's not it!" she said urgently, "In my heart, you will never be a cleaner! You are..."

"What am I?" I looked at her. "Would you leave him for me? Would you give up your stable life and face the unknown future with me?"

Ella fell silent. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

"I thought so." I prepared to close the door.

"Wait!" Ella stopped me. "Give me some time to think...maybe I can find a reason to break off the engagement..."

"What are you thinking? How can you maintain this relationship with me without losing your stable life?" My words were merciless. "Ella, you've made your choice. Now, enjoy the life you've chosen."

I closed the door, leaving her crying outside.

She stood outside the door for a long time before finally leaving.

I lay in bed, thinking about all of this. I didn't want to reveal my identity to win her back because what I wanted was her love for Ian as a person, not her adoration for Alpha.

But now it seems she didn't love Ian at all.

What she loved was just the sense of security she perceived.