Reborn by Moonlight: My Revenge to Alpha

The following morning, I arrived in the dining room to find Idris and Cassandra already seated. A breakfast spread of fresh pastries, cured meats, and delicate fruit tarts covered the table, their aroma filling the air with a tempting warmth. I took a step back, surprised; Gordondale Manor did not lack in finery, but the luxury of the meal before me was unusual, especially for a regular morning.

"Come over," Idris's cold voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I blinked, nodding and hurrying to pour a cup of tea for him, all the while Cassandra watched quietly, as she often did. I noticed how she would delicately reach for a piece of each dish before him, take a small bite, and wait.

She tested his food, watching his expression closely before he took a single bite. In my previous life, I'd heard rumors of poisoning attempts in noble families, but seeing it so plainly now brought a chill.

"From today on, you will be testing the food," Idris said, his tone indifferent as he pushed a bowl of creamy soup toward me.

Cassandra looked slightly startled but kept her expression composed as she glanced between us. I couldn't argue; this was a direct order. But my mind raced with the possibilities—was this some twisted punishment? Was he suspicious of me? I fought the urge to hesitate, glancing at the others before I lifted the spoon.

As I took my first taste, the flavors of rich cream and herbs filled my mouth. It was... delicious. The anxiety eased as I tried the next dish—a fluffy omelet filled with melting cheese—and then a buttery croissant. Each bite was better than the last, and my initial worry faded with every taste.

I took my time, slowly savoring each dish, letting the flavors sink in before I finally looked up. Idris's expression was one of irritation. He drummed his fingers on the table, the slightest tick in his jaw betraying his annoyance.

His frustration actually made me feel good, I made sure I took my sweet time to enjoy all the food before he had a chance to.

"Are you finished?" he asked, his voice icy.

I swallowed, setting down my fork and giving him an innocent smile. "Everything appears safe, my lord."

He narrowed his eyes slightly but began to eat, though the amusement of seeing him so vexed after my petty revenge took the sting out of his reaction. I let the moment linger, but then Cassandra gave me a sympathetic smile that quickly defused my annoyance.

"Thank you, Isadora," she said softly, an odd formality in her tone.

In the days that followed, I found myself adapting to my new duties as Idris's maid. At first, I had assumed Cassandra was his sole attendant, but it quickly became clear why I was needed.

Though Cassandra handled most of his personal needs and daily routines, when it came to his studies, she was less prepared. She was loyal, yes, but had never received the same level of education as I had; her tasks were more about making him comfortable, not guiding him.

And so, my role expanded into something I hadn't anticipated. Beyond meals and simple chores, I was expected to oversee Idris's study sessions, ensuring he kept pace with the lessons arranged for him by the Gordondale tutors. The household's whispers hinted that the Duke planned to review each of his children's progress soon, testing their knowledge of noble etiquette and history. My presence, it seemed, was a quiet acknowledgment that Idris would need assistance in meeting his father's standards.

When the head butler informed me of this, his gaze was stern. "You are to watch over him carefully, Miss Vale. Ensure he studies what he must, and do not let him slack."

"Yes, sir," I answered, though I felt a prickle of unease. What was I supposed to do if Idris decided to ignore his lessons?

That afternoon, I joined Idris in his study, a quiet room lit by tall windows. He sat at a large, ornate desk, his back straight as he scanned a textbook. His posture was one of concentration, his face set in a calm, almost thoughtful expression.

It was a side of him I hadn't seen before, so removed from his usual coldness. Here, in the quiet of the study, he looked almost... peaceful.

For a moment, I found myself observing him, taking in his fine features, the way the light cast soft shadows along his sharp jawline. The boy before me seemed worlds apart from the man who had mocked me in the garden, and for an instant, I felt something almost like understanding.

But then a dark thought crept into my mind.

If I ended things now, if I simply took the vase from the shelf and ended his life here and now... maybe everything would be different. Maybe my family wouldn't have to die, maybe the tragedies of my past life would be erased before they ever began.

I gripped the edge of the desk, my fingers tightening as I stared at the heavy vase beside him. One motion, one decision, and I could erase this boy who would become a monster.

But then I remembered my family—my father, my brother—and how much they would suffer if I made a move like this. If the Gordondales found out, my family would be destroyed. And beyond that, I couldn't bear the thought of becoming the kind of person Idris already was. I wasn't like him.

With a quiet sigh, I forced myself to relax, the tension easing from my hands. For now, all I could do was watch him.

When Idris finally looked up, I busied myself with dusting a nearby shelf. He didn't speak, and neither did I, the silence of the study pressing down on us both. It was a quiet moment, but it held a tension all its own.

Late one evening, I was given the task of bringing a tray of tea and biscuits to Idris's chambers. I approached his door, knocking softly, but received no response. I knocked again, waiting, but still nothing.

Thinking he must have fallen asleep or was out of the room, I carefully opened the door to leave the tray inside, planning to return to my quarters immediately afterward. But as I stepped in, something caught my eye.

It's dark in the room, but I can still see, along one entire wall, an array of weapons—knives, swords, even small, engraved guns—were mounted, each glinting faintly with the reflection from the light outside. The sight of it took my breath away, and I felt a strange mixture of awe and dread.

I had known Idris was intense, but this was... extreme. Why would someone so young surround himself with such instruments of death?

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't hear the door open behind me until it was too late.