Luna Lucky

19

I took a step back out of instinct, my thoughts spiraling. Did he just tell me that he wasn’t supposed to be with me like normal couples? That it was against royal protocol?

The weight of his words settled heavily on my chest. Anger bubbled to the surface, the pain he had caused me refusing to stay hidden. In that moment, the bravery I thought I had lost came rushing back in full force.

“What exactly does all of that mean, William Alaric Draycott, crowned King of the Crescent Kingdom?” I asked, my tone sharp, each word slicing through the silence.

His mismatched eyes flickered with nervous energy as he processed my words. He stepped to the far side of the large elevator, his body language betraying his unease at my directness.

“It means,” he began, his voice quieter than usual, “that I was rebellious. I ditched the royal rules to be with you, Lucky. I did everything I could to stay by your side—until it all went to hell because of one of my alliances. But I swear, if she hadn’t interfered, we’d be married by now.”

His explanation didn’t satisfy me. If he had been honest from the very beginning, maybe I wouldn’t feel like my entire world was unraveling right now.

“So what?” I snapped, my voice rising. “Now I have to pretend that every damn thing you ever did for us was some kind of rebellion? That all I am is just some mate? What the hell could I possibly give you that you don’t already have?”

The elevator chimed softly, signaling we had arrived. I barely registered the sound, too consumed by my frustration. But then, a throat cleared, and I turned to see a maid standing just outside the doors.

Embarrassed and overwhelmed, I swallowed back my anger. I couldn’t stand to be near Will anymore. Everything he said only made things worse, pulling me deeper into a pit of doubt and frustration.

I looked at the maid, my tone clipped but not unkind. “Can you please take me to where I’m supposed to stay—somewhere far away from your King?”

The maid nodded silently, her expression neutral as she turned to lead the way. I followed without a second thought, my emotions swirling too violently to focus on anything else.

She guided me through the vast corridors until we stopped before massive white double doors trimmed with gold. With little effort, she pushed them open, the heavy doors swinging wide to reveal what lay beyond.

What I saw stole the breath from my lungs. Behind those doors was an entire estate of its own—a grand home, gleaming in white and gold, so lavish it felt otherworldly.

I stepped inside hesitantly, my awe quickly overtaken by a sinking feeling of unworthiness. The overwhelming richness of the space only made me feel out of place. Dirty.

What hurt the most wasn’t the sheer size or luxury of this place—it was knowing I wouldn’t share it with Will. Knowing I wouldn’t share it with anyone.

Lost in thought, the maid’s soft voice startled me.

“Is there anything you require, Miss Berry?”

Biting my lower lip, I struggled to understand what I could and couldn’t do. I didn’t need anything right now, but one thought struck me with sudden urgency. “Lily.”

Realizing I hadn’t talked to her made me feel nervous, but before I could ask, a knock sounded at the now-closed doors. The maid quickly sent two others away with silent instructions before turning back to me with a kind but practiced manner.

“Miss, if you have no requests, perhaps accompanying me to change into your sleeping attire would be appropriate.”

Her formal tone made me feel small, unsure of myself. Each word she spoke felt like a judgment, a reminder that I was out of my depth. I couldn’t even trust myself to respond. All I could think of were the countless times I had been expected to please people in my past, and how I had been hurt when I failed to know what to do.

I was trapped in my spiraling thoughts when Will’s voice broke through the haze.

“Excuse my timing, Your Majesty, but if it’s possible, could I have a word with you in your study?”

The request startled me. I wasn’t even sure where the study was. Unsure of what else to do, I simply nodded and looked to the maid, who seemed to understand my confusion but offered no guidance until Will entered.

She moved behind me, silently gesturing for me to follow her. I did, feeling like a lost child. Entering the room, Will’s sharp glare sent the maid scurrying away, closing the doors behind her.

I let out a heavy sigh, and before I could say a word, Will began speaking, his voice tinged with fear.

“Lucky, I’m sorry that everything I’m telling you isn’t what either of us deserves,” he said, his words tumbling out. “But I’m more than willing to work with you—so we can be together forever. No alliances meddling in our relationship. No in-laws. No other creature breaking us apart. But I need you to understand how this life works because I can’t do it all on my own, Lucky. I can’t be the only one fighting for us to move forward.”

His desperation was clear, but instead of feeling reassured, I felt overwhelmed. His words, his emotions—they were too much, too fast. Tears stung my eyes as frustration bubbled over.

“If you could just remember that I’m not from your world,” I cried, “and that I need to learn like a child, then maybe we could actually work together!”

The words barely left my lips before Will sprang into action. He darted around the room, searching for napkins, and when he found them, he gently guided me to sit in a chair. Kneeling in front of me, he held the fabric of my dress tightly in his hands, his grip trembling.

“I’m trying to help us both,” he said, his voice shaking. “But I keep forgetting how I need to be with you. And by the way the staff is treating you, it’s clear someone is already dictating over me. I won’t allow that to continue.” His mismatched eyes burned with intensity. “I’ll be careful. I’ll be gentler. But I need you to be as mad with those in this estate as you are with me. Someone here is trying to undermine you, and that person will die by my hands, Lucky.”

His words shocked me, but his determination and anger were palpable. He gently cleaned my face and nose as I hiccupped, finally calming enough to respond.

“Will, I’m not a bad person,” I said softly. “I can’t stand up like that. How could I be mean to them?”

He let out a sigh, his expression hardening as he glared at me like I was being difficult. But when he spoke, his tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

“You are not their servant,” he said sharply. “They serve you. You chose to be with me, and that means you tell them what to do—that’s what they were hired for. Or you tell me, and I’ll see to it that they’re punished.”

His words left no doubt about how things worked here. I didn’t want to admit it, but I knew I had no other choice but to do as he asked—or leave. And I didn’t want to leave. Not now, not anymore.

But I still had something weighing on my mind. Taking a breath, I decided to speak up while Will was still here.

“Alright,” I said quietly. “I’ll do as you ask, but Will… can you please help me with something? Lily doesn’t know where I am. I just disappeared—”

Before I could finish, Will gently cleaned my nose with a napkin, cutting me off.

“I already spoke with her,” he said firmly, his tone softening slightly. “She was shocked when she found out what her former friend asked you to do. She’s even more fearful of the people she’s surrounded herself with—all but you. If you want, she can come here, but you’ll need to ask for it after the introductions. And it’ll need to be planned at least three months in advance so the castle can be prepared for her.”

I nodded, understanding the conditions. Lily could come, but there were rules, and that made me curious.

“Lily can’t know about your kind?” I asked carefully.

Will shook his head, his expression resolute. “Nobody can know. The only ones who are allowed to know are those in high positions, because they rule over their own kind.”

I pressed my lips together, letting his explanation sink in. The thought of keeping such a massive secret made me uneasy, but his calm, steady tone helped soothe my nerves. Slowly, I felt myself relaxing again.