Alpha's Rejected Mate Returns as Queen

272 Bertha’s Past

Selma Payne’s POV:

“Your Highness,” Arkadius said. “You would actually need a formal and friendly occasion to announce your identity. The graduation ceremony is very appropriate.

“Firstly, everyone here are your classmates and teachers. Most of them don’t have extreme political stances, so the risk of questioning you in public is very small. Secondly, the media the Sivir Academy has invited over the years are mostly old names with good reviews and conservative writing styles. They’ll be impartial in publicly announcing your identity and won’t compete with the official media.

“Moreover, people always have a positive impression of the school. Announcing your identity here will help to consolidate your legitimacy and friendliness to the people. Also, the royal family funded the new campus of the Sivir Academy, so we can better ensure our safety there.”

Alright, as expected of the left-wing President, who has gone through half of his life’s trials and tribulations, he had considered everything thoroughly. I had nothing to object to.

The announcement of my identity was settled just like that.

After sending off the ministers, my parents gave me a few instructions to take care of my new companions before going back to work. Now was the girls’ time!

Jordin gave me a big hug. “I really missed you! You suddenly went back to Europe three years ago. I was worried that we would never see each other again!”

Emma still couldn’t let it go, and she looked at Jordin disapprovingly. “Watch yourself.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t like those overly elaborate formalities. In private, we’ll still get along as friends. I held the girls’ hands. “Relax, there’s no etiquette teacher here with a pointer!”

We laughed out loud, and the barrier between us quickly disappeared.

Dorothy, who had heard the news, also came. She and Emma had a good relationship with Jordin. We talked and laughed, and it was soon noon.

After my convincing, Emma and Jordin stayed at the palace for lunch. Bertha considerately prepared a large table of food for us in the garden. Delicious food, fresh flowers, sunlight, and a gentle breeze made this gathering very pleasant.

After-meal tea time.

I noticed that Jordin was always looking at Bertha, so I asked, “What’s wrong? Do you need any help? Bertha is a very good person, you can tell her all you want.”

“It’s nothing.” Jordin shook his head. “Actually, I was the one who recommended Bertha to the palace. I’m satisfied to see that she’s doing well now.”

“Really!” I was greatly surprised and, at the same time, pleasantly surprised by this wonderful fate.

I made a prompt decision and immediately pulled Bertha into the tea party.

Bertha refused in a panic. “This is not for my status, Your Highness. I’ll just stand aside and listen.”

She was unwilling to sit down no matter what. I remembered Kara once said, ‘Other than watching the servants’ behavior and the master of the palace, there were also invigilators who were everywhere.’ So I let it go.

“I heard that you came from another pack. Did you come to the Lycan pack for work?”

Bertha shook her head. “That’s not the case, Your Highness,” she said softly. “My visit to the Lycan pack was purely coincidental.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I escaped from the original pack with my brother. I was born in a very remote and conservative pack. As an Omega, my brother and I couldn’t survive there. Three years ago, Madam Sheedy, who was on a business trip, kindly took us in and even gave me a job as a servant.

“Later, Madam Sheedy thought I was hardworking, so she brought me back to the Lycan pack to serve the Countess of Mirror Lake. Later, the palace was recruiting servants, and her Ladyship encouraged me to sign up for it. After being selected, I stayed in the palace as a servant.”

“What about your brother? Is he still in the countess’ residence?”

Bertha didn’t give any details. With my questioning, she choked and said, “I don’t know where he is. The wandering people attacked us on our way back with Madam Sheedy. I separated from him, and we didn’t see each other again.”

Oh my god!

I felt apologetic for my rash question. At the same time, I sympathized with Bertha’s past. “How old are you this year? How old is he?”

“I’m twenty, Your Highness. My brother should be thirteen this year.”

Thirteen years old! This meant that her younger brother was only ten years old when he went missing, and he was still a child!

The girls all sympathized with her. I sincerely said, “Let me help you, okay? I’ll send someone to investigate the place where your brother went missing. Do you still have anything that belonged to your brother? The werewolf grandmasters might be able to use this to find some clues.”

Bertha looked at me in disbelief and cried out in surprise, “Really? Your Highness. I... I don’t know how to thank you! You are a good person. May Moon Goddess protect you forever! Thank you for being so kind, I swear I will use the rest of my insignificant life to serve you loyally! Thank you! Thank you!”

“Quickly get up.” I motioned for the servants to help her and gently said, “I’ll give you a break today. Go back and rest. Don’t forget to find your brother’s things and bring them to me.”

After she left, the girls all felt sorry for her.

Bertha had always blamed herself for her brother’s disappearance. She believed she did not protect her brother well as an older sister. Jordin said emotionally, “I helped her look for her brother, but the situation was critical back then, and no one could care about a ten-year-old child. Some people even assumed he might be dead.”

“No matter what, I want to see him. Dead or alive,” I said. “Bertha is a good girl. Since I’ve promised her, there’s no reason for me to go back on my words.”