Marked By The Alpha's Cursed Blue Moon
Chapter 61. Thinking Hat

Chapter 61: 61. Thinking Hat

Maria woke the next morning feeling drained and heavy with thoughts. Her body moved on autopilot as she walked to the bathroom, her mind spinning with everything she’d overheard the night before.

She was still in the bathroom when she heard a knock on her door.

Startled, she quickly finished what she was doing and rushed out.

Just as she was nearing the door, another knock followed—this time with some soft mumbling.

She opened the door fast.

Standing in front of her was the oldest maid in the house, her face stiff with urgency.

"Good morning, Miss," the woman said briskly. "I’ve been asked to inform you that your attention is needed in the living room immediately."

Maria blinked, caught off guard. Her brows furrowed slightly as she tried to make sense of the request.

"My attention?" she asked. "Who’s asking for me? And do you know why?"

"I can only tell you that Beta Gilbert is the one calling," the maid replied, polite but firm. "I don’t know the reason, ma’am." She gave a quick nod and turned away, heading back toward the living room.

Maria watched her go, her mind racing. She walked back into her room and quickly changed out of her nightgown, slipping into something simple but appropriate.

Even as she dressed, her heart wouldn’t settle. What could this be about?

Uneasy but composed, she stepped out of her room and made her way to the living room.

As she entered, her heart thudded harder in her chest.

Beta Gilbert, Luna Victoria, and Bernard were all there, waiting. Their expressions were serious—cold, even. There were no smiles, no warmth.

Something’s definitely wrong, Maria thought as she stood before them, trying to hide the nervous flutter inside her.

"Good morning, Maria," Beta Gilbert began. "First of all, you won’t be going to college today. In fact, this whole week will likely be consumed by other matters."

Maria nodded slowly, trying not to react.

Beta Gilbert continued, "As you know, we’ve been dealing with Elijah Simons. We received credible intel that he’s launching an attack tonight—his target is this house. His mission is to kill every one of us. We must take every precaution."

Maria kept her expression neutral, pretending this was all new information to her.

"Sir," she said gently, "what exactly do you want me to do in all of this?"

"You don’t need to do anything," Gilbert said kindly. "All I ask is that you and Luna Victoria go somewhere safe. We can’t risk leaving you both here while the rest of us prepare for battle. We’ll be heading to the safe house soon."

As soon as he said it, Maria saw her opening.

"Sir... may I make a suggestion?" she asked, her voice soft and respectful.

Gilbert raised a brow. "Go ahead, Maria."

She took a breath. "I don’t think it’s wise to separate us like that, sir. Taking Victoria and me somewhere else while everyone else stays behind to fight... that could backfire."

The room shifted. Eyes narrowed—especially Bernard’s.

"What do you mean?" he asked sharply, clearly irritated.

"I mean," she said, steadying her voice, "what if Elijah’s goal isn’t just to attack you head-on? What if he’s hoping to hurt you by attacking those you care about instead? What if he follows me and Victoria instead of charging into the expected fight? We’d be isolated. Vulnerable."

She avoided looking at Gilbert directly but could feel the weight of his gaze on her. There was silence for a few seconds.

"Hmmm..." Gilbert finally said, rubbing his chin. "That’s a wise thought. So, what do you suggest we do instead?"

Maria spoke calmly. "I suggest we all stay together. One location. Dividing the guards might weaken our defense. You don’t need Victoria and me on the frontlines, but having us close might help you focus—knowing we’re within reach and protected."

Beta Gilbert’s lips curled into a smile as he glanced at Bernard, impressed.

"Well, I must say, this is a perspective we hadn’t considered." He leaned forward. "Where did this idea come from? You just thought of it now?"

Maria smiled faintly. "I’ve seen similar things happen in movies. I just connected the dots after hearing your plan. It felt risky to split us up like that."

Victoria remained silent through it all, but Maria could sense her displeasure. The older woman’s face was tight with irritation, and Maria knew exactly why—Beta Gilbert’s praise hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Bernard, meanwhile, wore a smile too, but Maria recognized it. It wasn’t genuine. His eyes were full of questions.

"Alright," Beta Gilbert announced, rising to his feet. "We’ll all head to the safe house together by 10 a.m. Everyone, prepare after breakfast. We move soon."

Victoria stood up quickly and followed him upstairs. Maria suspected she wasn’t about to let that decision go unquestioned.

Maria stayed seated a moment longer, alone now with Bernard. The silence between them was thick, charged.

She stood to leave, but before she could take a step, Bernard called her name.

She turned back slowly, her face unreadable, meeting his gaze without a word.

"What are your plans for this battle, Maria?" Bernard asked bluntly. "Because I don’t buy that everything you’re saying is so innocent. You’ve got something planned—I can feel it."

Maria didn’t flinch. She gave him a cool look, a slight smirk forming on her lips.

"Relax, Bernard," she said smoothly. "I’m not the enemy. I only want to help us win. So, maybe... stop worrying about me and focus on the real threat."

Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked away, her calmness unshaken. Bernard sat there, stunned. He couldn’t read her anymore—and that scared him.

Back in her room, Maria shut the door and let out a soft, satisfied breath. She had done it.

Her goal to go to the safe house was successful, and now she’d be present when the real fight happened.

Elijah Simons... your time is almost up.

Her eyes darkened as anger bubbled inside her.

I’ll make sure you pay for my parents’ deaths. Everyone involved will suffer.

She stared at her reflection, her expression fierce.

"I’ve got my thinking hat on now," she whispered to herself. A half-smile formed on her face. "Let the chaos begin."

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.