Luna Lucky

18

With a quiet sigh, he finally said, “Lucky, I’m sorry. Sometimes… this life I live now, this title—it comes with ways of speaking that aren’t always how I used to be. It’s instinct now to phrase things formally or traditionally, especially when I’m addressing others.”

He pressed his lips into a firm line, his gaze flickering to the side briefly before settling on me again. With a quiet sigh, he finally replied, “Lucky, it’s not intentional. This life… this title… it changes the way I speak, the way I carry myself. Sometimes, I don’t even realize I’m doing it.”

His tone softened as he stepped closer, his mismatched eyes searching mine. “I didn’t mean to confuse you. What I meant is that I won’t share a bed with you—not in the way we used to—until we’re officially married.”

His words hit me like a jolt, and I frowned slightly, still trying to make sense of it. “But why? That’s not how things were before, Will. Why is it different now?”

His jaw tightened for a moment before he spoke, his voice steady but with a hint of frustration. “Because it’s not just us anymore, Lucky. It’s not just about what I want—or even what you want. There are expectations now. Traditions. As King and Queen, we need to set an example.”

The sincerity in his expression made it harder to argue, though the thought of this sudden boundary between us left a strange feeling in my chest.

“But,” he continued, his voice softening, “it doesn’t mean I don’t want to be near you. It doesn’t mean I don’t want you. I do. More than you probably realize.”

I looked down, processing his words, the weight of them sinking in. Finally, I nodded. “Alright, Will. If that’s how it has to be, I’ll try to understand.”

His expression shifted slightly, a mix of relief and something else I couldn’t quite place. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face, his touch lingering for a moment before he dropped his hand.

“Thank you,” he said quietly, a small smile breaking through his serious demeanor.

This new version of Will was confusing, even after he explained it to me. I didn’t want to think there were more changes between us now. I just wanted to be with him, to not feel alone in this castle. The thought of being isolated terrified me, but asking the question felt just as frightening.

“Will,” I began hesitantly, my voice barely above a whisper, “if we aren’t sleeping together, are we at least able to be together? I’m afraid of staying alone in this castle, and I’m terrified that we won’t ever spend time together.”

I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to hold on to something, anything, to keep from feeling the overwhelming weight of solitude. I braced myself, hoping his answer wouldn’t be as awful as I feared.

Will stepped closer, pulling me into a warm hug. His voice was soft and comforting as he spoke in my ear.

“Between us,” he said gently, “I will eat every meal with you—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That way, we’ll always have time together. Does that sound alright to you?”

His suggestion was thoughtful and kind, but it didn’t feel like enough. It felt as if everything we had together was being ripped away piece by piece, leaving me to wonder if we’d ever be the same.

“Will,” I asked softly, my voice trembling, “will we ever be like we used to? Or will I only get to be with you during meals from now on?”

He smiled faintly, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. “Let’s walk to your room,” he said, “and I’ll explain as much as I can.”

I nodded and followed as he led the way.

As we walked through the grand halls of the castle, he spoke.

“Lucky, I know this is a massive change for you. I wish my mother could have been here sooner to help you through these first stages. But right now, all I have is my brother. The royal family used to have a nanny who would educate the heirs, but she passed during the last war.” He paused briefly, glancing at me. “I’ve requested the Princesses’ assistance because they’ve already had to learn what it means to become Queen in case they were chosen.”

I stopped walking, frozen in place as his words sank in. Will had living parents—something I didn’t. Mine were gone, murdered long ago. The realization struck me hard, and I didn’t even notice when Will wrapped his arms around me again.

His voice was gentle but firm as he continued, “Lucky, please don’t let this worry you. My parents are very aware of what’s happening, and while they have doubts, that’s why certain protocols are in place. You need to learn what a mate bond is to fully earn their support for your title.”

I couldn’t speak. Fear and unease gripped me too tightly. I was too afraid of saying the wrong thing and making everything worse.

But Will didn’t stop. His voice remained steady, his words piercing through my silence.

“I know what happened to you, Lucky. I know your parents weren’t good people, and that you lived with a lie for so long that it still haunts you. But you’ve proven that you’re more than what that woman wanted you to be. And I’m proud of you—for being yourself, for choosing to be here with me.”

His words broke through the walls I’d built around my pain. I hugged him tighter, clinging to him as if he were the only thing keeping me grounded. The courage to ask what had been eating away at me finally surfaced.

“Please,” I whispered, my voice trembling, “let’s not talk about that now. I don’t want to be reminded of that life. But… you didn’t choose any of them. Won’t your parents try to make you choose one of the Princesses instead of me?”

Will nodded, his hand resting gently on my back as he urged me forward, guiding us toward the floor that would belong to me.

“They will try,” he admitted as we walked. “But tomorrow, you’ll meet everyone. You won’t be alone with the Princesses—except during the exams you’ll have to take with each of them. Those will prove that you’re my mate.”

I wanted to focus on his words, but the castle’s lavish interior distracted me. Every detail caught my eye—the gold and white decor, the intricate carvings, the way everything gleamed as if polished to perfection.

Will continued speaking, his voice steady as he explained. “My parents will arrive in three days. Until then, you’ll learn the basics. The real judgments will begin when the representatives of each Princess arrive at the castle. That process will take around two years.”

The sound of our footsteps was light against the white stone floors, the grandness of the castle almost overwhelming me as we continued toward my new home within its walls.

His words kept repeating in my mind. Tomorrow, I would meet everyone. Would that include the Princesses as well?

At the end of the hallway, we reached an enormous elevator—so large it could probably fit three elephants comfortably. As we stepped inside, Will sighed in defeat, his gaze shifting upward. His expression softened, and then, to my surprise, he confessed something I wasn’t expecting.

“Lucky,” he began, his tone low and serious, “starting tomorrow, you’ll be addressed as Her Majesty by everyone, including my parents and Miss Berry. I know I’m rushing this, but I don’t want you to act like you don’t know what’s going on. You deserve to be prepared.”

He paused, his mismatched eyes meeting mine as he continued. “Tomorrow, you’ll meet the staff. The day after that, you’ll meet the Princesses. I’m going to do everything I can to take the day off and be by your side when that happens—I don’t trust them around you.”

His voice hardened slightly at the mention of the Princesses, but he quickly softened as he added, “And then… we’ll meet my parents.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but he spoke again, his tone taking on a vulnerable edge.

“Lucky, there’s something you need to know. I want to make time to be with you whenever I can, but you don’t understand—none of this was supposed to happen. I wasn’t supposed to kiss you, to hold your hand, or even to hug you. It’s against every rule, every tradition.”

He took a breath, his voice lowering further. “Having Weston see us today—hugging, standing close—it was exposing us in every way. But I needed him to see it with his own eyes. I needed someone I could trust to be a supporter on my side. I couldn’t keep hiding us.”